Lily’s Pov

My breath caught in my throat as my feet moved swiftly to the kitchen. Before I could stop myself I snapped, “You’ll be what?”

Andrew turned around at the sound of my voice and frowned, “Keep your voice down before you upset her.”

I scoffed, “Upset her? Why would you make such decisions without discussing it with me?”

“I’m sorry, Lily, it’s just my house had a gas leak this morning and Drew thought since I’m pregnant it’d be nice to bring me here. Please don't be upset, I’ll leave right now,” Kira said, tearing up.

I scoffed, I could see right through her pathetic act as she tried to stand up and leave but she groaned and almost fell. Instantly, Andrew was beside her as he held her.

“Rest, Kira, and eat up. I'll discuss it with Lily,” he said.

Kira nodded and sat down as she started munching on the plate of food in front of her. I was certain Andrew had made those pancakes. It had his signature smiley face he drew with honey syrup on it.

The last time he made me pancakes was seven months ago and he'd said it was our special dish now he was sharing that with Kira.

“Come with me,” he said sternly.

He took me to our bedroom and locked the doors.

“Kira has to stay here till she gives birth. I can't risk her staying alone beside, you owe her. She took a trip to the hospital yesterday thanks to you,” Andrew said.

I scoffed, “Yeah, like she was the only one in the hospital.”

Andrew sighed, “I’m sorry for not picking up your calls, Lily, but I was upset. Kira is pregnant and I'm sure you don't know how that feels because you've never been pregnant.”

His words cut so deep I bit the insides of my cheeks to choke down a sob as the doctor’s words echoed in my head again.

“We tried everything but we couldn't save the baby.”

“Lily, Kira’s father, helped me with my business years ago before he died and made me promise to look after Kira. I didn't do that and that was why she returned to us, beaten within an inch of her life. Every day I blame myself, maybe if I had helped her and kept my promise to her father she wouldn't have gone through that. Now we have a chance to help her, don’t you agree, Lily? It’s just for a few months,” Andrew’s voice pulled me back to reality.

I blinked back the tears and looked away, the same old story he's been telling me anytime I complained the last few months that he's paying more attention to Kira than me.

“She’s pregnant, Lily!”

“I let her father down, Lily!”

“Without her father, I wouldn't be the man I am today and you wouldn't be enjoying my wealth, Lily.”

“She’s been through hell, Lily, sympathize with her!”

“Yeah, whatever!” I snapped.

He hugged me and kissed my forehead, “You’re the best!” Then he wrinkled his nose and stared at me, “Why do you smell like antiseptic?”

“Drew!” Kira’s voice sounded from the sitting room and just like that the concern that had been on Andrew’s face a few seconds ago faded as he rushed out of the bedroom.

I stayed in the bedroom until I heard the sound of Andrew’s car as he drove off. I'm sure he was heading to work.

A few minutes later the door opened and Kira walked into the room with a haughty expression on her face.

“I love this room, Lily, I’ll tell Andrew to give me this room when he returns,” she said.

I smiled coldly at her, “Whatever you want, Kira.”

Kira giggled, clapping her hands excitedly, “Yes! You've finally accepted the fact that I'm superior to you and the woman your husband loves.”

“Keep dreaming, Kira,” I stated.

Kira laughed, “Oh, and by the way, Drew didn't see any of those messages. I made sure of it.”

My eyes widened in anger, “You monster, I could have died!”

Kira shrugged, “It would have made things easier for my son. I'm sure he wouldn't want to share Drew with anyone else.”

“Just wait, I’ll tell Andrew about this and he’ll know you’re just putting on an act,” I threatened but Kira merely laughed.

“You still don't get it, do you? Andrew is mine! Maybe you need a lesson for you to realize that,” Kira said.

I ignored her and walked out. I needed to stock up on groceries now that we had another mouth to fill plus I didn't want to spend a second with Kira in that house knowing that she knew I lost my baby and didn't say anything, I might throttle her!

I was determined to tell Andrew the truth tonight, he didn't know anything and he was being manipulated by Kira.

I finished shopping and went to the library to read and clear my head. I must have lost track of time because when my phone beeped it was already evening.

I frowned when I saw it was a message from Kira. I opened it and saw a picture of Andrew kissing her. The phone fell from my head with a clatter as I shook my head.

No… it can't be… Andrew will never…

Gasping for breath I hailed a taxi and headed back home certain Kira was playing a prank on me. But when I saw Andrew’s car in the driveway my heart sank.

I rushed toward the house as I heard the unmistakable sound of moans coming from my bedroom.

Lily’s Pov

“Oh, Lily, you're back,” Kira was smiling coyly at me.

I blinked, my mind muddled with confusion. I had just arrived and pushed open the bedroom door without thinking and expecting to see the worst but instead, I saw Kira snuggled in my husband’s arms.

They were both fully clothed and watching a movie on the television which was where the sex sounds were coming from.

“What… what is going on here?” I asked, stuttering.

Kira had sent me a picture of her and Andrew and now what I was seeing was nothing like that picture. Kira’s face crumpled into a frown as she began to cry.

“Oh Andrew, I knew we should have discussed it with Lily. I feel so horrible, just let me go home alright,” Kira cried.

I frowned, still confused about what Kira meant. The scene in the movie has changed now so the annoying sex sounds have stopped.

“You just can't stand seeing Kira happy, can you?” Andrew scowled at me.

I was surprised at his hostile tone, “What did I do? I'm just coming back.”

“Kira can't stay in the guestroom, the bed makes her woozy and sick. The bed in our room is very comfortable for her so I asked her to move into our room. Now you've returned wearing that annoying frown on your face and scaring the poor girl,” Andrew stated, hugging Kira.

I blinked, trying to wrap my head around his words, “Wait… I don't understand. Kira has moved into our bedroom? Our matrimonial room?”

Andrew frowned and kissed Kira’s forehead, “Rest, and don't worry about anything. Let me talk with Lily.”

Kira nodded as Andrew walked toward me and dragged me out of the room, his tight grip making me wince.

“You’re hurting me!” I cried.

He loosened his grip and sighed, “Listen, Lily, Kira has been through hell! The last thing I want is for her to be uncomfortable.”

“But she can be comfortable in other rooms,” I stated, glaring at him.

“No!” Andrew snapped, “It’s just a fucking bedroom, Lily, if you want I’ll buy you a new house.”

“But that's our room. Ours! Okay, do the three of us sleep there now?” I queried.

“God, no!” Andrew snorted, “Kira will stay there. I moved your things to the guest room, don't worry it’s just temporary till Kira gives birth.”

I nodded, biting the insides of my cheeks to stop the torrent of tears that were ready to roll down my cheeks. My husband moved out my things from our room and welcomed another woman.

“So where will you be staying?” I asked him.

Andrew scratched his beard and sighed, “Don’t get mad, Lily, but you know Kira still has nightmares from that night with her ex-husband so I’ll be staying with her anytime I’m at home.”

I scoffed, “So you push me out and welcome your first love in our bedroom?”

“It’s not like that, Lily,” Andrew sighed, “Stop being difficult. Kira is pregnant, you don't know what that feels like. Try to understand.”

A tear rolled down my cheeks at his words, “Of course, I don't know what that feels like!”

Then I stormed off and went to the guest room they had prepared for me. I folded myself into a ball and bawled my eyes out before dozing off.

***

I woke up with a start, my heart beating as I stared around the bedroom to see Kira staring at me with a smirk and my body drenched with cold water.

“Kira? Did you pour me water?” I asked, frowning.

Kira scoffed, “What do you think? It’s morning, get your lazy ass out of bed.”

I frowned as I sat up and looked at the bedside table, “Excuse me? You don't get to tell me when I wake up or go to bed in my house.”

Kira giggled, “After yesterday, and seeing as you're sleeping in the guestroom, are you sure this is still your house?”

I glared at her, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Kira smirked, “Nothing. Just that your husband is mine and the picture I sent you yesterday was very real.”

“Don’t get your hopes up, Kira, Andrew just feels sorry for you so he's trying to help you,” I said.

Kira chuckled, “You still don't get it, do you, Lily?”

“Get away from me, Kira, I don't wish to start my day by seeing your face,” I snapped, before standing up.

Kira smiled, “Oh sweet pathetic Lily, she cried herself to sleep in the guestroom and she still doesn't know the truth.”

“What are you talking about?” I queried.

“What do you think Andrew will do if we’re both in trouble?” she asked, smirking.

“What do you mean?” but before I knew it, Kira shoved me back so forcefully that I fell and hit my stomach on the edge of the bed.

I felt a sharp pain below my abdomen but before I could scream, Kira let out a loud scream.

“No, Lily, stop it! I'm sorry!” Then before my eyes she lay down on the floor, howling in pain and cradling her stomach.

“What… what is this?” I managed to ask, grinding my teeth at the sharp pain I felt.

At that moment the door burst open and Andrew stood in the doorway, his eyes wide with fright.

“What is going on here?” he asked.

Lily’s Pov

“Andrew —” I started to say but Kira’s loud sobs cut me off.

“Drew, please don't blame Lily. I only came to wake her like you instructed then she got mad and pushed me,” Kira lied.

My eyes widened as I lay on the opposite side of the room, paralyzed with pain.

“That… that’s not true, Andrew!” I voiced out, “She pushed me!”

Andrew scoffed as Kira kept crying, “You expect me to believe a pregnant woman pushed you? Why are so mean to Kira and playing vicious games?”

“It hurts, Drew,” Kira cried, “Please don’t blame Lily, I’m sure she’s just upset that she slept in this room. If I’m in her shoes I will be too.”

“How callous can you be, Lily!” Andrew hissed at me.

I cried, the pain in my stomach getting worse, “I swear I didn't touch her. She pushed me, Andrew, I’m bleeding. Why won't you believe me, I’m your wife!”

“Drew, it hurts!” Kira cried again.

Andrew picked her up, “You want the room, Lily? Fine, you can have the whole house. I'm getting a new apartment for Lily and I’ll monitor her till she delivers. Just pray that nothing happens to her.”

“No, Andrew, please help me!” I cried as the blood trickled down my legs.

“Sort yourself out!” Andrew snapped.

Andrew ignored me and left the room with Kira in his arms while she flashed me a smirk and mouthed, ‘He’s mine’ as they left.

I don't know how long I stayed in that position, bleeding and crying as I realized that Andrew hadn't returned and he didn't care about me.

Three years of marriage and Andrew didn't trust me. All it took was just the resurfacing of his first love and all the affection he showered on me went out of the window.

The sharp pain I was feeling was starting to reduce so I was able to drag myself off the floor and dial Andrew’s number still holding out hope.

He busied my call and after calling him seven times I resigned to my fate and dialed 911. By the time the ambulance arrived, I was already seeing dark spots in my vision. As I was hauled into the ambulance, the world tilted and everything went dark. I passed out.

***

“How do you feel, Mrs. Reeds?”

I blinked as the room finally came into focus and I was staring at the doctor from before. My ears were ringing and I could hear the steady beeping of an EKG machine.

“Doctor, what happened?” I croaked out.

“That’s what we were hoping you'd tell us, Mrs. Reeds,” the doctor answered with a frown.

“What do you mean?” I asked, trying to sit up when I felt a sharp pain that made me scream.

“Take it easy, you've just come out of surgery,” the doctor said.

I frowned, “Surgery? What happened, doctor?”

“You were brought in here with serious damage to your womb and you wouldn't stop bleeding,” the doctor explained, “You had lost a lot of blood and you needed surgery urgently. We contacted your husband and he said we should do whatever we want.”

I swallowed the bile that rose in my throat at the mention of Andrew’s response but kept quiet.

“After the surgery, you slipped into a coma. We sent reports to your husband in his office after we kept calling and he asked us not to disturb him that you're faking it. It’s been one week of you being in a coma, Mrs. Reeds, and your husband never set foot in this hospital.”

I smiled bitterly, “Am I alright now?”

“We still need to monitor you, Mrs. Reeds, and ask you a few questions then I need to tell you something very important,” the doctor answered.

I nodded, trying to hide the pain that had spread through my heart like a vice. As I lay on that floor, in a pool of my blood I already accepted the fact that if help doesn't come, Andrew will leave me to die.

But now hearing the doctor say these words and how he's not bothered to check on me for one week made it seem all too real and the pain worsened.

“Mrs. Reeds, are you in some kind of trouble? Does your husband bully you?” the doctor asked me, “Do you need help?”

“Only a lawyer,” I smiled at him.

He nodded, “I will make provisions for that. But you must know that in the course of the surgery, we had to remove your fallopian tubes because you wouldn't stop bleeding. If we didn't do it you would have died.”

I frowned, my heart racing with fear, “What does this mean, doctor?”

The doctor had a rueful expression on his face, “If you were brought to the hospital earlier we wouldn't have done that procedure. Removal of your fallopian tubes lowers the chances of you getting pregnant. Suffice to say, you may never get pregnant again.”

The world spun around me as I let out a bitter laugh, “First my pregnancy, and now I’m barren.”

“You’re not barren, Mrs Reeds —”

“Lily,” I interrupted the doctor sharply, “My name is Lily and get me a fucking lawyer!”

For the rest of my stay in the hospital, I tried my best not to think about what the doctor said instead I focused on recovering.

Andrew didn't call or visit me until the day I was discharged. The lawyer the hospital had provided for me stood by my bedside, her eyes filled with sympathy.

“So once you leave now I’ll mail these documents to his office, right?” she asked.

I nodded, “Yes, and please make sure he signs it.”

“Are you sure this is what you want, Mrs… Lily?” she asked, correcting herself.

“To divorce the asshole who made me lose my baby and made me barren? Hell yes!” I answered.

The lawyer nodded, “What will you do now?”

I shrugged, “What I should have done three years ago.”

“Take care, Lily,” the lawyer said and left.

The doctor came in shortly, “I take it you've concluded your business with the lawyer?”

I nodded, “Thank you so much, Doctor. I won’t forget your kindness.”

The doctor stared at me for a while and smiled, “Don’t give up hope, Lily, it’s not impossible.”

“Thank you, please call me a cab to the airport,” I smiled at him.

He nodded and left just as my phone rang, it was an unknown number. I picked up the call and nodded.

“Yes, I’ve been discharged. I'm coming back home today.”

I hung up the call and looked around the hospital room. It's been three weeks of excruciating agony as I finally accepted that Andrew had chosen Kira over me.

I stood up, feeling free for the first time in three years as I headed to the cab that would take me to the airport, away from Andrew and his toxic first love, Kira.

They've changed me and taught me a lesson. Now it’s my turn to make them pay for everything I went through!