I Thought She Was a Replacement

Chapter 7 It's Not His Fault

When Liliana woke up, her head felt like it was splitting open.

She blinked slowly, her vision still blurry, and found her best friend Riley sitting beside the hospital bed, watching her with worry written all over her face.

"Lyla! You're finally awake!"

Riley grabbed her hand, relief quickly giving way to a mixture of concern and frustration.

"You know you're allergic to alcohol. Why on earth would you drink that much? Anthony knows perfectly well you can't drink! How could he just let you keep going like that?"

Liliana shook her head weakly. Her throat felt dry, and her voice came out hoarse.

"It's not his fault... I was the one who insisted."

Riley opened her mouth as if she wanted to complain about Anthony anyway, but Liliana stopped her.

Anthony didn't care about her. There was no point in saying anything more.

After Riley left, Liliana struggled to sit up.

The sharp smell of disinfectant filled the room, making her stomach churn. She needed some fresh air.

Slowly, she made her way toward the door. But just as she stepped into the hallway, she froze. At the far end of the corridor stood a familiar figure, Anthony. He hadn't left yet.

He was on the phone, his brows tightly drawn together, clearly in the middle of a heated argument.

The voice on the other end of the line carried clearly through the quiet hallway. It was his mother, Sarah Hester.

"Anthony, what exactly is so special about that woman? She's been living abroad for years! Who knows what she came back for this time? And you're just going to foolishly get back together with her?"

Anthony's voice was firm, coldly determined in a way Liliana had never heard before.

"Mom, I'm not letting her go. Savannah only left because she had to study overseas. No matter what happens, I'm not giving up on her... If you still consider me your son, then do not stand in my way. As for Liliana... She's just someone I use to blow off steam. I'll cut her a fat check and tell her to get lost..."

'Someone I use to blow off steam.'

Liliana's entire body began to tremble. She clenched her teeth, but she couldn't stop the sob rising in her throat.

Anthony heard the sound. He turned abruptly, and the moment he did, his eyes met hers.

He frowned slightly and hung up the phone. "Why are you out of bed? You need to rest."

He instinctively stepped forward, reaching out to steady her.

But this time, Liliana quickly stepped back, putting distance between them.

"No need to worry, Mr. Hester. I'm perfectly fine."

She turned away before he could see her face. The moment her back was to him, the tears she had been holding back broke loose and fell uncontrollably.

Anthony's hand hung awkwardly in the air for a moment before slowly dropping.

He watched her retreating figure. Something complicated stirred inside his chest. But he said nothing.

Over the next few days, Liliana stayed in the hospital. Anthony never came to see her.

From time to time, she scrolled through social media and saw updates about Savannah. Almost every post included Anthony, photos of them visiting trendy restaurants and amusement parks, places Anthony had once promised to take Liliana but never did.

Liliana let out a quiet laugh and tapped the like button on one of the posts.

On the day she was discharged, she didn't ask anyone to pick her up.

But the moment she stepped out of the hospital, she saw a familiar figure waiting outside, Savannah.