Lily’s Pov

I don't know how long I cried on the floor in the lawyer’s office curled up like a ball but when I finally stood up, I wiped my tears and sighed.

It couldn't get any worse than this. My marriage of four years to Jacob Reynolds had been nothing but a farce.

I wanted to scream at him and ask why he would do such wickedness to me. Why tie me down for fifteen years?!

Fifteen years ago, I moved into Jacob and Peter’s mansion to take care of them after they lost their parents and their sister in a car accident.

I had been their best friend and they asked me to live with them. For years I helped them heal, I woke Peter up when he screamed from the nightmare of the crash.

When we became adults I fell in love with Jacob and he said he loved me back. He married me shortly after and like a fool I happily did whatever I could to keep making them happy.

Even when Nadine came into the picture a year after my marriage, I hadn't been bothered. Nadine had been my best friend in college.

Nadine was my childhood friend. She was my bridesmaid, she’d never harm me but I was so wrong.

The three of them hurt me in a way that I couldn't even think about it fully without losing my breath.

What did I ever do to deserve this? Why didn't he just tell me he never loved me? Why go through all this hell just to ruin me?

“Miss, should I call someone for you? Hospital? Police? Friend?” the lawyer’s voice broke through my thoughts.

I stared at him and smiled bitterly, “Thank you so much, I’ll leave now.”

I staggered out of the office watching as they all stared at me, pity evident in their eyes.

I hailed a cab to head back to the mansion. I had nowhere else to go and I needed to pack my things.

I had one goal now: get my passport. Cancel this identity. Erase “Lily Reynolds” for good.

The house was quiet when I entered and I was grateful. However after I grabbed my passport and started coming out, I heard voices in the sitting room.

Putting on a calm facade, I walked out and ignored them. Peter and Jacob were having dinner while Nadine was lying on Jacob’s legs.

They looked like a beautiful family. A perfect picture of a deceitful family.

I had barely taken three steps when Jacob’s voice rang out.

“Lily!”

I didn't stop, however, I felt a painful grip on my arms. I turned to realize Peter had grabbed me.

“Are you deaf? Can't you hear us calling?” Peter snarled at me.

I ignored him and yanked my arm away from him, “I don't have time for whatever this is.”

Peter threw his head back and laughed coldly as he suddenly grabbed my bag.

“Kneel and apologize to Nadine for hurting her earlier and then maybe we’ll let you leave,” Peter said.

I turned my sad eyes to Jacob hoping that just maybe he might help me.

But instead, he agreed with Peter.

“Yes, Lily. The doctor said if we hadn't come in time Nadine would have bled and died. You almost killed her so an apology is the least you can do.”

I scoffed softly, “I almost killed her? She wanted me dead! I have been through hell for two days and no one asked me anything. Then —”

“It’s fine, Jacob. Let her be, Peter, she doesn't have to apologize,” Nadine interrupted me softly, acting like the victim once again.

Jacob suddenly stood up, furious, “No, it’s not okay, Nadine. She can't harm you and go scot-free. If you don't apologize this instant, I will punish you, Lily!”

I shrugged, “I’m not apologizing for what I didn't do, Jacob. Do your worst.”

Jacob dragged me roughly outside as he grabbed a bottle, smashed it against the floor.

Peter shoved me forward.

They forced me to kneel on the shards.

Pain sliced through my skin. I gasped as glass embedded in my knees.

“Count to one hundred,” Peter snapped.

I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. They stood over me. Watching.

Nadine smirked behind them.

By the time they reached a hundred, I was faint from blood loss.

Peter tossed my bag at me.

“Fucking useless bitch.”

“Next time you touch Nadine, I’ll kill you myself,” Jacob added.

They walked away.

I staggered to the side wall, pulling glass from my knees, barely holding back screams.

I tore an old dress hanging outside and wrapped my knees. I refused to let this stop me. If anything it made me want to cancel my identity more.

I hailed a cab and went to the immigration office. I was attended to immediately by a junior staff member.

“Are you sure about this? Once we sign these documents Lily Reynolds doesn't exist again,” the staff said.

I nodded, “That’s what I want.”

He asked for my passport and I handed it over as he scanned it when suddenly red lights flashed, sirens blared and alarms echoed through the room.

“What’s happening?” I asked.

Men in black surrounded me. Guns holstered. I was seized, dragged into a cold, sterile office.

“What are you doing?! I didn’t do anything!”

The chief officer slammed the passport down.

“Fake document. Fraud. You’re under arrest.”

I was stunned as I stuttered, “No—Jacob Reynolds gave me that passport! Call him. He’ll explain—”

He picked up the phone, tapped into the registry system, then dialed.

Jacob answered, “Reynolds residence.”

“Mr. Reynolds, this is Chief Immigration Officer Lambert. A woman named Lily Reynolds—she claims you gave her this passport. Can you confirm that you know her?”

There was a pause.

Then Jacob’s voice—calm, composed, merciless.

“I don’t know anyone by that name.”

I screamed, “Jacob! It’s me! Please—”

The officer ignored me, “Just to confirm, sir. You deny giving her any documents? Please be certain because she will be arrested.”

Without a moment of hesitation, Jacob’s voice sounded again.

“I don't know her, do whatever you wish. I have to go take care of my wife and daughter,” then the line went dead with a click.

I watched in horror as I was handcuffed and led out of the office but I couldn't cry or scream. All that kept resounding in my ears was Jacob’s last words.

‘I don't know her, do whatever you wish. I have to go take care of my wife and daughter.’

Lily’s Pov

That night, I couldn’t speak. I just sat there—staring at the stained walls of the prison cell, numb.

I’d been arrested for submitting a fake passport. And the one person who should’ve saved me? Threw me to the wolves.

“Do you have anyone to call, Miss?” the warden asked, locking the cell.

I nodded silently. My heart was hollow. My cheeks were crusted with dried tears. My throat raw from screaming and begging.

“You’re allowed one call. Don’t waste it.” He handed me a phone.

I tapped in the number. It rang once.

“Hello? Who is this?” My mother’s voice sounded over the receiver.

Relief flooded me.

“Hi, Mom. I need your help.”

“Lily? Why are you calling with a different number? Where are you?” my mother asked worriedly.

“It’s a long story. There was a mix-up. I’ve been arrested—”

“What?!” she shouted. “Who dares lay a hand on you?! Do they know who you are?!”

“Please, just talk to Dad. I need out of here… and a new passport. In my name.”

She paused.

“Alright, baby girl. Hang in there. You’ll be out soon.”

The line disconnected.

The warden gave me a suspicious look, then left. A while later, he returned with a bitter update.

“No one’s available to process your release tonight. You’ll have to stay till morning.”

I didn’t answer. I climbed onto the narrow spring bed, curling into myself. But every time I closed my eyes, I heard Jacob’s voice. Nadine’s laugh. Peter’s silence. And their baby’s cries.

They’d taken everything from me. In five days, I’d be gone. And when I left— They’d regret it.

Around midnight, I drifted off.

I woke to scraping metal.

My eyes opened just as the cell door creaked.

Seven women stepped in.

My heart stopped.

Before I could scream, a hand clamped over my mouth.

“Nadine sends her warmest regards,” one of them sneered.

And then the beating began.

Fists rained down. Kicks to my ribs. Fingers clawed at my skin—one bit my shoulder, another yanked my hair until I screamed.

I whimpered and tried to fight, but it was useless.

When they were done, I was barely breathing. My body throbbed. Blood soaked the floor. I heard faint shouting… guards rushing in… and then everything went dark.

—

When I opened my eyes, everything smelled like antiseptic.

The sharp beeping of machines echoed beside me. I was in a hospital. Pain lit up every nerve in my body.

“Don’t sit up,” a voice warned.

I turned slowly.

The same doctor. The one who’d warned me before.

“How do you feel?”

I tried to shrug. My shoulders screamed.

“Terrible,” I rasped.

My voice was gone. My throat was shredded.

“You were in critical condition. You’ve been unconscious for three days.”

“Good,” I whispered. “Two more days to go.”

He frowned.

“No, Lily. This isn’t good. I warned you. And now… I’m sorry—but you’ll never be able to carry a child again.”

I stared at the doctor without blinking, my heart already numb. My hands subconsciously touched my stomach and a small whimper escaped my lips.

“I’m so sorry, Lily,” the doctor said, “The bleeding was too much, it was the only way to save your life.”

I was heartbroken and devastated but still the tears couldn't drop. I let out a sigh, they've taken everything from me and left me with nothing. I'll do the same to them.

The doctor handed me my phone.

“It’s been ringing nonstop for three days,” he said, “Please take care of yourself.”

I took my phone and saw several missed calls from my mom including messages and pictures.

‘Where are you, Lily? What happened? Your dad got you released but the warden said you had an accident. Please call me.’

‘Lily, your father has done what you asked and you've gotten a new passport. I sent a picture below and mailed the passport to you.’

‘Lily, I’m worried about you. Your flight has been booked. You leave in two days, call me!’

I stared at the screen for a moment… then typed the only thing I could.

‘Thank you so much, mommy. I'm fine just tidying things up here. See you soon.’

As I hit send the door opened and Nadine walked inside with her baby in a stroller.

“Oh, Lily, imagine my happiness when the doctor told me you're awake,” Nadine gushed in a fake cheerful voice.

I glared at her, my eyes blank, “What do you want?”

“I just brought you lunch. The boys were just messing with you by leaving you there, they didn't know you'd be hurt.”

She set down a flask. Pulled out a steaming bowl.

I recoiled. Seafood, she knew I was allergic.

“Leave me alone,” I said through clenched teeth. “Before I strangle you.”

Her smile turned sharp.

“But I’m not done yet, love. You’re not dead.”

She leaned in and shoved the plate closer. The smell made my stomach twist.

I swatted it away—reacting on instinct.

The plate shattered as Nadine screamed, staring at her baby in horror.

I turned toward her baby’s cries. My eyes fell on a tiny shard embedded in the infant’s hand. My fingers froze as I saw the blood on the baby’s hand.

And then the door burst open—Jacob and Peter staring down at me like I’d just committed murder.

“What’s going on here?” Jacob snapped.

Lily’s Pov

Immediately Nadine saw them standing by the door. She ran toward them and clutched Jacob’s hands.

“She hurt baby Angel!” she cried, “I just brought her soup to cheer her up and she threw it away.”

“You wanted to poison me. You know I’m allergic to seafood!” I snapped.

“I swear I had no idea, Jacob,” Nadine said and started sobbing pitifully again.

I scoffed, the fact they fell for her fake tears was pathetic.

Jacob and Peter marched toward me like soldiers defending their queen’s honor.

“How could you be so vicious, huh?” Peter sneered at me.

“A night in jail hasn't done much to reform you, huh? Do you want more punishment?” Jacob snarled.

I stared at them blankly, “What more do you want to do, huh? You've done everything you could ever possibly do to hurt me.”

Jacob’s eyes softened for a bit before the baby’s cries sounded again and they hardened.

“I’ll let you off the hook just this time!” he snapped as he left with Nadine and the baby.

“Let me off the hook?” I scoffed, laughing like a crazy person, “Do you even know what I've been going through all these days? Do you even know that I lost —”

“We need to take Angel to the doctor,” Nadine's teary voice interrupted me.

And just like that she managed to silence me once again as the boys rallied around her and left with the baby while she gave me a smug smirk before leaving.

I stayed in the hospital for a few more hours and they didn't return.

When the doctor discharged me he gave me a strict warning.

“If you don't rest, you will die and I’m not joking here,” he said.

I nodded, “I understand, doctor.”

When I got back to the apartment they weren't back yet. I went into the room I had shared with Jacob for four years and I brought out a big box.

I carried the box outside and I lit a fire in the big metal drum in the courtyard. Then I opened the box and was assaulted with years of memories.

Inside the box was filled with wedding pictures, gifts Jacob and Peter had gifted me over the years whenever I celebrated my wedding anniversary.

As I tossed them into the flame it felt like I was liberating a piece of myself. How naive I was—to love two people who hated me this cruelly.

Every piece of paper, jewelry, picture, dress, everything I burnt had a story behind it but I realized it wasn't a true story, everything was just a reminder that I had been lied to over the years.

As I picked up the last item in the box I stared at it a bit longer. It was a friendship bracelet that I made with the boys six years ago.

“I promise to never ever let anyone hurt you. I'll die before I let someone lay a finger on you,” Peter had promised.

“You already know I love you, Lily. I'll love you forever and never let anyone hurt you,” Jacob had promised, kissing me.

Now as I held the bracelets and their voices sounded in my mind I smiled bitterly and tossed it into the flames.

That was the exact moment the boys arrived and saw the bracelet. They ran toward me.

“Have you lost your mind? That's our friendship bracelet!” Peter snapped as he tried to retrieve it but ended up getting burned.

“Why are you burning up our things and throwing a tantrum, Lily?” Jacob asked.

I scoffed, “They’re old and need to be discarded. They don't matter again.”

Then I walked away and went upstairs ignoring them.

As I entered my bedroom my phone rang. It was my mom.

I picked up the call immediately and her worried voice sounded through the phone.

“What happened, Lily? Where have you been? I've been worried sick!”

I chuckled softly, feeling lighter now that I've erased all memories I had with the boys.

“I’m sorry, Mom, I didn't mean to worry you but I assure you, I’m fine,” I said.

My mom sighed, relieved to hear my voice.

“Your father is still a bit upset with you because you ran off fifteen years ago and didn't come or call home.”

I always knew my dad was the difficult one.

“I’ll make it up to him when I’m back,” I said.

My mom giggled cheerfully, “He’s happy that you've finally agreed to the wedding though. The reason I was calling was because I wanted you to pick out your wedding dress. I sent a couple of pictures.”

“Mom, don't worry. I'll come back soon so we can go shopping for wedding dresses instead, how does that sound?” I asked.

She chuckled happily, “Oh that sounds wonderful, Lily. I'll be waiting.”

“Alright then, Mom, I’ll be back in time for the wedding dress shopping,” I said and hung up.

Just then the door was pushed open and the two boys stood before me, their eyes wide with horror.

“Wedding? What wedding?” Jacob asked.