Chapter 34

Chapter 34


Lily’s eyelids fluttered. Her head ached like a concert was going on inside. She tried to open her eyes, but they felt heavy. She groaned softly as she lifted a hand to her forehead. 

“Lily. Lily.”

It was Chloe’s voice. Chloe was here? 

No, they couldn’t be together.

She had already left Chloe at the club. 

Then...after that, she got into an accident.

Where was she now?

Her eyes finally opened, and the blurry haze slowly sharpened enough for her to make out the three figures standing around her bed— Aspen, Chloe, and Ethan stared at her. Their expressions flickered between worry, relief, and exhaustion. 

How long has it been since the accident? 

Chloe leaned over and pressed the call button on the wall. “Are you uncomfortable anywhere, sweetie?”

Lily started to shake her head, but winced as pain flashed through her body. She stopped and gave a small nod instead.

She opened her mouth to say something, but couldn’t even hear herself. 

Ethan stepped away from the bed, turned to pour water into a glass, and slipped a straw inside.

He returned to her side and brought it to her lips, gently holding it in front of her.

She hesitated, her eyes lifting to meet his. There was something very familial in his gaze, something she hadn’t seen in years— a softness she had almost forgotten. 

She said nothing and just took a few small sips before turning her head away.

Ethan quietly placed the cup on the table and sat back down.

A nurse finally walked in moments later, clipboard in hand, to check on Lily. “Ms. Lily, how do you feel? Is the pain manageable?”

Lily shook her head.

“It’s expected after the crash you’ve been in,” the nurse said kindly. “The doctor prescribed some pain medication for when you woke up,  but you’ll need to eat something first.”

The nurse then turned to the others. “ You could get her some oatmeal first, something light. Subsequent meals can be as she usually eats, just that she needs to avoid refined carbohydrates and starches, alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods for a while.”

“Understood,” Aspen said with a nod. “Could you give me a list of food, she could eat?”

“Sure, you can come with me to the nurses’ station.” She answered. “Vitals look stable. The Doctor would come by during his rounds.” 

The nurse made a few notes before walking out of the room, and Aspen followed after her, and silence steeled over the room again.

Lily’s gaze shifted to Chloe, who was holding her hand. “How long have I been out?”

“The accident was 2 days ago.”

Lily nodded. “Is the driver okay?”

“He’s still unconscious but is no longer in a critical condition,” Chloe said gently. “He’s right next door with his family. Aspen arranged everything.”

“Thank goodness he’s okay.” Lily exhaled. “I was so worried.”

“I’ll go get the oatmeal.” Ethan finally spoke. “Do you… want anything else?”

Lily looked at him, silence stretching on.

“I don’t want to see you.” She said.

Ethan swallowed, stepping back a little, before he slowly walked out of the room.

Silence returned.

Lily turned to Chloe. “I need a favor.”

“Anything.”

“Can you help me find a lawyer? A divorce lawyer.”

Chloe sat up, startled. “Lily…”

“I’ve thought it through. There’s no point holding on. After this near-death experience, everything feels clearer, I shouldn’t continue living like this.”

Just then, Aspen came back into the room with a folded paper in his hand. His gaze wandered around the room, noting Ethan’s absence. 

He turned to Chloe, and she just shook her head. 

Aspen raised his brow, but didn’t comment. He took his seat and shifted closer to her. 

“You scared me.”

Lily poked his shoulder lightly. “I’m okay now, aren’t I?”

Aspen snorted.

“I punched your husband,” He said guiltily.

“Oh.” Lily blinked. “Soon he won’t be.”

A faint smile pulled at Aspen’s lips. He reached over and ruffled her hair gently. “Then I regret nothing. “Do you need a lawyer?”

“Chloe’s helping me with one already.”

“Already got the contact of the best divorce lawyer in the state.” She turned her phone to Lily.

Lily stared at the email address, emptiness filling her chest. She felt like crying, but didn’t want Aspen and Chloe to worry. 

“I called Mom and Dad,” he said, voice low.

“Huh?” Aspen's voice brought her out of her thoughts.

“Mom and Dad would be back tomorrow,” he said. 

Lily’s brows furrowed. “Why? Mom is going to nag me to death.”

“I didn’t tell them how bad the crash was. But we can’t hide it from them for long. Mom already called to ask why you hadn’t responded to her messages.”

Lily hurriedly reached for her phone. There were 10 messages from her Mom and 30 missed calls.

She sighed.



Chloe’s phone buzzed. A message.

She picked up her phone to read it

“I’m back.” 

Chloe looked at Lily, engrossed in conversation with Aspen over the draft the lawyer sent, and stood up.

Ethan was standing outside the room with a silver thermos flask. 

He straightened when she closed the door

“Is she okay?” he asked, his voice low.

“As much as she can be.” Chloe took the flask from him. 

“Don’t tell her it’s from me,” he said cautiously. “In case she doesn’t want to eat it.”

Chloe nodded and turned away. “You should get some rest. Go back.”

Her gaze travelled across his face. “You’ve been wearing the same clothes since that night.”

“But Lily–”

“She doesn’t want to see you, anyway.”

He flinched.

Chloe’s expression softened, but only slightly. “If you also become sick, you’ll only make her worry.”

She didn’t wait for him to say anything else before slipping back inside and closing the door behind her.

Ethan looked into the room through the small window on the door before slowly stepping back and leaving. 



The hospital room was dark, other than the soft light spreading out from the slightly open bathroom door. Aspen had returned to the office to handle some company matters. He would be bringing the finalized divorce papers tomorrow

Lily had fallen asleep after her evening dose of medication kicked in. Not far from her, Chloe had fallen asleep, curled up on the other bed.

The room was quiet.

The door creaked open, and Ethan stepped inside.

He hesitated for a moment before quietly shutting the door behind him. He softly made her way to Lily’s bed, careful not to make any sound, afraid he’d be told to leave.

Ethan sank into the chair Aspen had previously used. 

She looked so peaceful. Her chest rose and fell gently with every breath she took.

He reached, gently brushed a stray strand from her cheek. 

As he drew his hand back, Lily’s fingers closed around his.

He froze, afraid she had woken up. 

But she hadn’t.  

“Ethan.” She gently called.

“Yes…” He answered. But he didn’t get a response, she was just mumbling in her sleep.

For a long time, he just sat there, staring at their linked hands, listening to the soft hum of the machines and the quiet rhythm of her breath.

Before daybreak, he was gone.