Married to a Lie

Chapter 3: Smoke and Mirrors

The invitation stayed on my phone screen for days. Taunting me.

Come celebrate with us, Lily. Noah misses you.

Zoe had always played the role of angle. Smiling sweetly and hiding the blade until it reached your throat. But this is a move she only planned for me. Hosting a grand party to dance with her stolen husband in front of the woman she betrayed?

Good Zoe Romano.

I still accepted the invitation.

Not because I want to see the person who betrayed me or revel their artificial happiness. I accepted just because I wanted to see them square. I hadn't revealed my pregnancy until now. I hadn't told to anyone about the growing twins inside me. It was the one secret I had left now and I never wanted to tell anyone about it. I planned to protect it. Until I found a way how to use it.

But Zoe never stopped playing her dirty games.

Two days before the party. She sent me a new text:

“There’s a street race Friday night. You remember how bad Noah was at driving, right? He’s determined to win this time. Come cheer him on?”

I stared at the message for a while and controlled myself. I couldn't allow her to be successful in what she wanted.

She wasn't just showing off now. She is challenging me.

So, I showed up.

The Romano family's private race was help behind one of their club. Sleek, dangerous, and well-guarded. Engines were roaring like thunder as luxury sports cars revved at the starting lines. Noen lights of the cars were flickering in the mid the night. Air was filled with the smell of fuel and sweat.

I was all black. No jewelry. No smile, I was there just for war.

Zoe was already there, wearing a luxury red silk suit like a trophy waiting for kisses. She saw me and smiled at me. Her smile was as bright and poisonous as ever. I walked past her.

I saw Noah on the other side of the track. He was bent over the hood of his car, gloves on and expression tight with focus.

I was just moving from there. And I heard something.

" She can't find it out, " Noah said quietly, his voice tight.

I stood frozen behind the walls on tires, my heart was pounding.

Enzo's voice answered him. " Lily was at the hospital. It wasn't a coincidence. She might know about it."

"She doesn't know," Noah replied." And if she knew, it's too late now, Zoe is my wife now. I've already made my decision about it."

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms.

He didn't know I had his children inside me. He didn't care about me.

Now he was racing tonight for Zoe. To prove something to her or himself.

Either way, I was part of their twisted and dirty game.

The race began with the sound of a gunshot. Tries screeched as cars tore through the track blurring the past barrier.

I stood in the back watching everything. Noah's car's speed drifts at a curve before pushing across his limit. I needed to admit that he was better than before. More sharp and aggressive. But I knew that I looked into his eyes.

The reason he was racing wasn't to win. He was trying to forget.

Zoe stood on the sidelines, cheering and clapping for Noah.

Her voice shrill.

"Noah! You are doing great, baby!"

Baby.

I nearly gagged.

But everything changed halfway through the second lap. Noah's cars jerked on a turn. He overcorrected. The vehicle spun again and again. And then it happened.

The car slammed into the barrier around the track. Metal folded like paper. Smoke exploded from the hood. The crowd shouted.

My heart stopped pounding.

I didn't think, I ran towards the car. Through fences, I passed the guards towards the cars of Noah.

Paramedics were already pulling him out when I reached the crash site. His several body parts were bleeding. His chest was rising but very difficult.

" Noah!" Zoe was crying behind me, pushing through the crowd.' Oh my god, no you can't die again!"

Again.

The word echoed in my skull like a curse.

He was rushed into an ambulance. The siren blared and soon ambulance disappeared down the road.

I just stood there. Cold and empty.

How many lives does one man get?

At the hospital, I stayed out of their sight. I knew Zoe would be there in his room and playing the role of grieving wife. Crying crocodile tears for the man she stole and broke.

When I passed through the corridor leading to his room. I couldn't help it. I stopped there.

I saw them through the glass of the door.

Zoe was lying on his bed beside him, holding his hand and whispering something.

Noah opened his eyes, dazed. Smiled at her face not me.

As if I had never existed in this world.

I turned away before I shattered again.

But I didn't leave empty-handed.

I had an envelope in my pouch.

Inside it, are two tiny ultrasound photos of our children.

And a short, simple note:

Deliver to: Zoe Romano

On the day of your anniversary.

Let her toast to love.

I’d toast to the truth.