Chapter 39

The bright sunlight was covered by a cloud, turning the sky pale grey. It seemed like it was going to rain again, perfectly mirroring their mood. Ethan pushed Lily’s wheelchair at an unhurried pace, his eyes were fixed on the road, but his mind was clearly elsewhere.

They didn’t speak— there was nothing else to be said.

As they turned the curve to their street, the familiar silhouette of Ethan’s childhood home came into view.

Lily turned to look at it. It looked different from when she was younger.

When did it start to change?

When Uncle John remarried? No, it wasn’t that early.

It was just before Ethan left.

It started with little things.

New flowers. Changing the statue on the fountain. Cutting the cherry blossom tree.

And slowly, the whole house had changed.

The previously white walls that matched her house had now been painted a dark grey. The inside had probably changed too.

Life was like that. Nothing stayed the same, she and Ethan used to be best friends, but now they were a couple on the brink of divorce.

Just before they reached the gate, a car pulled up fast, its tires screeching on the gravel as it pulled to a stop in front of them.

A wave of dirty water splashed towards them, and Ethan immediately rushed to stand in front of Lily, blocking most of the water for her. The water stained his yellow sweater with brown splotches.

Lily let out a small sound in shock as he stood in front of her. Their eyes met, and she saw something familiar— something that took her back to high school— in his gaze. But before she could think deeper, they were interrupted.

The passenger window lowered soundlessly, and a manicured hand extended in a wave.

“Oh my goodness, you didn’t get drenched, did you?”

Lily rolled her eyes.

Evelyn Blackwell. Ethan’s stepmother flashed a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She had always been like that, unwelcoming but still extending fake warmth. She obviously didn’t like them, yet every time they met, hello and goodbye weren’t enough for her, she had to try to catch up with them.

“My apologies,” Evelyn said, feigning innocence. “I told the driver to hurry because I was in a hurry to get home.”

“Ms. Evelyn,” Lily greeted stiffly.

“Well,” she said, her eyes sweeping from Ethan to Lily with interest, “Lily dear, you seem shorter than the last time I saw you.”

She leaned forward, poking her head fully out of the window. “You’re in a wheelchair. What happened to you?”

“A car accident,” Lily answered calmly.

“Hmm.” Evelyn nodded, removing her sunglasses and resting them on her head. Her eyes were sharp, no wrinkle in sight—almost untouched by time.

“Accidents tend to happen when one associates with… certain types of people.”

Ethan said nothing, but Lily felt the change in the air around him. His hands clenched into fists by his side.

“I don’t mean any offence,” Evelyn continued, smoothing her hair. “But it’s easier for people trying to rise up from nothing to offend others. They have nothing to lose after all.”

She looked pointedly at Ethan.

“My accident had nothing to do with Ethan,” Lily said coolly. “It was because of a couple of teenagers driving while drunk. It made the news, you really should keep up with current events.”

“Oh, my bad then. But frankly, Lily dear,” she said sweetly. “It would have been better if you had married someone still in the upper class, like the miller kid—what was his name again? Michael?  Mike? Milton?”

“Miles,” Lily said flatly.

Yes! Miles. He’s such a pleasant young man. Sunny personality, polite, wouldn’t leech off your family….”

Lily reached out to hold Ethan’s hand in hers, smoothing out his clenched fist to link their fingers.

Ethan looked down at their joined hands, some light returning to his eyes.

“Ethan, as your mother, at least legally, I’m quite disappointed at what you’ve become. If you needed startup funds for your company, you should have just come home, I wouldn’t have turned you away. What’s a few million? I can still afford to spare it. Instead of——”

“Everything Ethan has now, he earned himself,” Lily interrupted. “Without using the Monroe name or money. And even if he did, we are married, what’s mine is his. Just like with you and Ethan’s father.

She flashed a small smile. “You shouldn’t speak on matters you know nothing about. So you don’t end up looking ridiculous. It’s not a good look.”

“Lily Monroe! Don’t forget I’m still your elder. I’m only saying all these for your own good.”

Lily chuckled. “I don’t consider you my elder, nor do I appreciate your concern.”

She smoothed non-existent creases from her dress. “I don’t need it, who you should worry about is your actual juniors.”

Evelyn blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Your son for example.” Lily’s voice was polite, but dripping with venom. “Maybe try keeping an eye on him. I heard he spent the last month in jail for offending someone.”

She shook her head in faux regret.

“Being a playboy isn’t particularly a bad thing, but going after married women is. We can agree he’s really your son, though, since you’re the same type of people.”

Evelyn's smile cracked.

“Did I say something wrong? You and Ethan’s father got together when his mom was still alive, didn’t you?”

Ethan turned to Lily, stunned. She knew?

He never mentioned it to her because he didn’t want her to always worry about him.

How did she find out?

“And your niece— what was her name again? Elizabeth? Sarah?” Lily waved dismissively. “It doesn’t matter. I saw her crash a wedding and get thrown out. She wanted to steal the groom. Can you imagine the nerve? I was embarrassed for her sake.”

Ethan used his other hand to cover his mouth, stifling a laugh. He hadn’t seen Lily like this in years.

“Tsk, tsk, you were right about one thing, though,” Lily added, throwing Evely’s sweet tone back at her. “People who don’t belong in the upper class do offend a lot of people in their bid to rise up in ranks.”

“You—” Evelyn began, furious.

“Oh, look at the time,” Lily said, glancing at her wrist as though she were wearing a watch. “You would have to excuse us, we’re almost late for our afternoon tea.”

“You said you were in a rush to get home,” she added. “Let’s not keep you any longer.”

Evelyn stared at Lily like she wanted to hit her, and Ethan stood protectively in front of her, blocking Evelyn’s gaze.

“Goodbye, Ms. Monroe,” Evelyn said, her voice clipped.

“Mrs. Blackwell.” Lily corrected.

Evelyn huffed, and the car drove off.