Chapter 4 The Substitute
899 Words
Grace didn't want to deal with the awkwardness of being around Ethan, so she turned and headed into the bathroom.
When she came out after her shower, she noticed that Ethan had already tossed his pillow onto the sofa.
'At least he's being a gentleman,' she thought with a hint of relief, realizing she could comfortably sleep in the bed.
Suddenly, Ethan's phone, left on the coffee table, began to ring. He was nowhere to be seen.
The caller ID displayed an unmarked number, and the phone rang persistently as though it were something urgent. Left with no choice, Grace answered.
As soon as the call connected, a soft, almost trembling voice came through.
"Ethan, I'm so scared. Can you come keep me company?"
Grace's heart skipped a beat. She forced herself to remain calm.
"Sorry, Ethan's stepped out. I'll let him know to call you back when he returns," she replied coolly.
"Alright. Thank you."
The line went dead, but Grace continued to hold the phone in her hand, frozen in place.
She had imagined countless scenarios of meeting Lily, but never one like this. How far had things gone between Ethan and Lily?
Calling Ethan in the middle of the night out of fear?
The thought made Grace nauseous, so she pushed it out of her mind.
"What's wrong?"
Ethan's voice startled her. He had just returned, carrying a strong scent of cigarettes.
Grace frowned. She distinctly remembered Ethan never smoked much.
"Lily called you," she said, handing him the phone. "I answered because it kept ringing and the number wasn't saved."
Ethan responded with a nonchalant hum, picked up the phone, and walked out again.
He didn't return that night.
The next time Grace saw Ethan was the following morning at breakfast. He sat down looking utterly drained, dark circles under his eyes, and an expression so grim it was almost frightening.
"What did you say to Lily last night?" he asked abruptly, his voice cold.
Grace blinked, taken aback.
Before she could respond, he added, "Her condition worsened, and she ended up back in the operating room."
Realization hit Grace like a freight train. Ethan thought she'd said something to upset Lily, triggering her condition.
After a moment of silence, Grace asked, "Lily is sick?"
"Heart condition," Ethan replied tersely.
Grace took a deep breath, her frustration evident. "All I said was for you to call her back when you got home. Ethan, do you honestly think I'd say anything to upset her?"
Ethan hesitated, then muttered, "I wasn't blaming you."
Grace let out a bitter laugh, unimpressed by his half-hearted attempt at an explanation.
The tension in the room was palpable. Just as the atmosphere threatened to spiral further, Ethan's phone buzzed again, another unfamiliar number flashing on the screen.
Grace didn't mean to notice, but she couldn't help her sharp eyes from catching it.
Ethan was just about to leave again when Chloe appeared, supported by Adam.
"Where are you going?" she asked, her voice stern.
"Lily just woke up. I'm heading to the hospital," Ethan explained, pressing his lips into a thin line.
Chloe studied him for a long moment before sighing and pointing at Grace.
"Take Grace with you. You two are couple."
Chloe rarely used a harsh tone. Not wanting to upset her further, Grace quickly agreed.
"I'll go with him, Grandma," she said, offering a small smile.
Grace changed quickly and followed Ethan outside.
As they drove, Grace broke the silence.
"Just drop me off at the next intersection."
At a red light, Ethan glanced at her, surprised.
Grace pressed her lips together. "I doubt Lily will be happy to see me."
Ethan caught the faint bitterness in her voice. "Grandma will probably send someone to check on us."
Grace said nothing more, but her chest felt heavy, as if a weight had settled there.
Her husband was rushing to see his first love, and she was merely a decoy to keep up appearances.
When they reached the hospital, Ethan paused outside the room and spoke softly, "Lily's condition is severe. She can't handle stress."
"I know," Grace replied, lowering her head, lost in thought.
Ethan opened the door, and the sight inside made Grace freeze.
Lily was sitting up, taking her medication with the help of a nurse. Her face was pale and gaunt, but her hair was carefully groomed, and her frail frame exuded a delicate, pitiful aura.
Grace felt like she'd been struck by lightning.
Lily looked strikingly similar to her.
At first glance, the resemblance wasn't obvious. But the longer she stared, the more undeniable it became.
Lily seemed like a frailer version of Grace—paler, more fragile, her spirit dimmed by illness. While Grace's features carried strength and resilience, Lily's inspired sympathy.
In that moment, Grace's world crumbled.
'Was I just a stand-in for her in Ethan's eyes?'
No wonder five years of marriage had never moved him.
Now, Grace finally understood the rare flickers of emotion she'd seen from Ethan. They weren't for her at all.
"Ethan, you're finally here."
Lily's tear-filled eyes lit up as soon as she saw Ethan. Her voice was shaky, full of grievance.
"The doctor said the test results were bad yesterday. I was so scared. That's why I called you. I'm sorry."
Her tears streamed down as she spoke, and then her gaze shifted to Grace.
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