Chapter 4: Lily’s Return from the Dead
789 Words
It was Lily Morgan!
But… she was supposed to be dead!
How… how could she be here?
Emily Lane struggled violently against the restraints, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Lily walked over and pushed her back down, her hand resting lightly on Emily’s stomach, her eyes gleaming with jealousy. “You shouldn’t move. The doctors are just trying to finish your checkup.”
What was happening?
The car accident that had supposedly killed Lily had been all over the news. Emily had even seen her body… How? How could this be?
Ethan Carter—did he know she wasn’t dead too?
This was good news! If Lily was still alive, then maybe she could explain everything to Ethan! She could tell him that Emily hadn’t tampered with the car. Maybe then Ethan would stop hating her!
Emily’s heart raced, overwhelmed by a mixture of shock and hope. She clung to the rails of the hospital bed, eyes full of anticipation as she looked at Lily.
Though Emily didn’t say a word, Lily could easily guess her thoughts. Emily was simple-minded, easy to read—something Lily had known long ago. It was precisely why she had pushed Emily toward Ethan in the first place.
She could predict what Emily was thinking as clearly as if she were reading a book.
How ridiculous. Emily was pinning her hopes on Lily, thinking she’d explain things to Ethan. But it was Lily who had orchestrated the car accident and framed her for the crime. Now that her plan had finally succeeded, why would she help her?
Emily had always been so pitifully naive.
Feigning ignorance, Lily tilted her head and gave a gentle smile. “Emily, are you really mute now? What are you trying to say? I’m not sure I understand…”
Yes, she was mute.
For a brief moment, Emily froze, lost in thought. She had been so focused on how to explain things, she had forgotten the dire circumstances she was in.
And yet… if Ethan knew Lily was alive, why hadn’t he come to see her?
Why hadn’t he visited, even after finding out she was pregnant?
All the suffering, the fear, and the punishments she had endured—were they all for nothing?
A wave of unbearable sadness crashed over her. At that moment, her baby seemed to sense her despair and kicked her gently.
It was the baby’s first movement.
Emily’s eyes widened in surprise, staring down at her belly.
Lily hadn’t missed a single expression on Emily’s face, nor the tiny movement inside her stomach. The jealousy burning in Lily’s eyes grew deeper.
How was it possible? How could this woman—who wasn’t even worthy of being a substitute—be carrying Ethan Carter’s child?
Lily had carefully crafted her return to Ethan’s side. There was no way she would let an unborn child disrupt her plans.
Five months, huh?
The belly was still so small...
It seemed even fate was on her side.
Lily quickly formulated her next move, already planning her next steps. When she looked back at Emily, her expression was once again soft and gentle. “It’s all my fault. Don’t blame Ethan. Even though I took the keys that day, I wasn’t the one driving. It’s a miracle I survived.”
She reached out and took Emily’s hand, her face full of false sympathy. “I didn’t know Ethan treated you like this… If I had come back sooner… If I’d come back just a little earlier, maybe you wouldn’t have had to suffer so much.”
Tears glistened in Lily’s eyes as she wiped them away, pulling Emily into a soft embrace. “I’ve already begged Ethan to show mercy. You’ll be released today.”
Emily stared at her in shock.
What did that mean?
“Don’t be silly,” Lily said, lightly tapping her on the forehead. “Are you so happy you’ve forgotten how to speak? You’re getting out of here. You don’t have to go back.”
Emily’s heart raced with confusion.
Was she being released?
She had been waiting so long, convincing herself not to hope for it, but now… it was actually happening?
“I’ve already arranged for you to stay in an apartment outside. Once you’re out, you can take the time to recover and get your health back.”
Emily didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
An apartment? Not the Carter family estate…
The house that was supposed to be hers and Ethan’s—was it now where Lily was living?
Would Ethan, the man who had never smiled at her, be smiling at Lily inside that home?
Would she finally be able to see him when she got out?
- Writer
