Chapter 5

I chatted with Ada for a while longer. She stepped out to take a call, and I headed to the restroom, where I unexpectedly ran into Lily—now calmed down by Xavier. She stood at the mirror, reapplying her makeup. The cold white light overhead washed over both of us. Without Xavier around, Lily dropped her fragile act. Angrily, she confronted me: "Lena, did you put Ada up to humiliating me? Was that really necessary?" Her eyes locked onto mine, brimming with defiance. "But I get it. Xavier's divorcing you. You're jealous. You hate me, don't you?"

My voice was icy. "Jealous of what? Jealous that you're young and chose to be a homewrecker? Or jealous that you're picking up the man I no longer want?"

Lily's eyes widened, fury flashing in them. "Stop pretending, Lena! Xavier doesn't love you anymore—he loves me. No matter how much you resent it, you can't change that. Bullying me will only make him despise you more. How pathetic."

I met her gaze without flinching. "When we divorce, Xavier is the guilty party. I'll make sure he leaves with nothing. Then I'll have the house, the money, and my daughter. That sounds pretty great to me—what's pathetic about that?" I gave a light, mocking laugh. "But you? A girl in her twenties, about to wait hand and foot on Xavier's paralyzed mother, cleaning up her messes, plus dealing with his demanding sister? Now that is pathetic."

A flicker of panic crossed Lily's eyes, but she quickly steadied herself, insisting, "Dream on, Lena. You haven't worked in years. All the money in that house was earned by Xavier alone. Why should you get any of it? You won't lay a finger on Xavier or his money."

There it was. All she cared about was where Xavier's money would end up. I wondered how she'd handle it when he really did become penniless. The outcome was set. I had no interest in wasting more breath on her and turned to leave the restroom.

In the hallway, I bumped into Xavier. He immediately launched into accusations. "Lena, why did you tell Ada to target Lily? I never realized you could be so vicious. I only brought Lily tonight because you agreed to the divorce. I'm the one who cheated. I'm the one who wronged you. If you're angry, take it out on me. Lily's just a young girl—how could she handle being humiliated like that by you and Ada?"

I stared at Xavier, a cold smile on my lips. "I never realized you were this stupid, either."

Just then, Lily emerged from the restroom. Spotting Xavier, she flung herself into his arms like a startled fawn. Two teardrops clung to her lashes, trembling but not falling—the picture of pitiful grace. Sweet-talking and playing the bigger person, she said, "Xavier, it's okay if I'm hurt a little. Please, don't make things hard for Lena because of me. I'm begging you."

Xavier reached up to wipe her tears, his voice softening. "You always put yourself last, thinking only of me. I won't let you bear this alone anymore."

Lily lowered her head. Tears streamed down her face now, dripping onto Xavier's shirt, each drop seeming to burn a hole through his heart. "Hearing you say that... I could die without regrets."

Watching this performance for even a second longer made me sick. I turned away without a word. Texting Ada: [Sorry for ruining your birthday party tonight. Let's go to the hot springs soon.]

Stepping out of the restaurant, the night wind hit my face. I looked up at the sky. The stars were sparse, the moonlight dim. I couldn't wait to see the look on Xavier's face when he lost everything.

Lily, you can dream of being a rich wife all you want. But it's never going to happen.