I Set You Free

Chapter 2

Tears fell without warning, soaking into the pillow beneath me.

Lily continued to wipe my body with hot water, but I couldn't stop trembling.

The wedding I'd been dreaming of for five years? Just a stepping stone for Ryan.

The car accident? Not an accident at all.

She was just clearing the way for him.

The happiness I thought was mine? A lie.

Lies and pain were the truth between us.

I tried to open my eyes, but the anesthesia kicked in. Before I was pushed into the operating room, Lily kissed the corner of my lips softly.

"Be good, it'll be over soon. Jack, I'll be waiting for you."

The cold instruments inside me felt like nothing compared to the chill in my heart.

When I finally opened my eyes again, I was back in my room, still paralyzed.

Lily was sitting at my bedside, looking worried. As soon as she saw me wake up, she took my hand and pressed it to her cheek.

"Jack? You're awake. How do you feel? Is anything bothering you?"

"If it hurts, just tell me. I'll get them to change your meds."

She smiled, but the warmth I had once seen in her eyes was gone. There was nothing left but emptiness.

How far would you go for someone you love?

I shook my head gently, brushing a strand of hair off Lily's tired brow.

"You haven't slept all night, have you? I'm fine, really. You should get some rest."

Lily didn't argue, her exhaustion catching up with her as she relaxed and soon drifted into a deep sleep.

I picked up her phone from the bedside table and unlocked it.

The wallpaper was still from our pre-wedding photo shoot. The social media app in the background hadn't been closed, and at the top of her contacts, the name My Love jumped out at me.

I tapped on the chat, and apart from a bunch of cat emojis, there were only pictures of Ryan holding a child.

"Emma called for her mom again today. She's so young but already knows her mom is beautiful. She'll definitely be obsessed with looks when she grows up."

"Emma ate the whole cake you sent, all by herself."

"Emma's throwing a fit, wanting to go to the amusement park with mom. No matter how much I try to persuade her, she won't listen. Come over when you can."

Lily hadn't responded, but the two-hour-long video calls underneath each photo said enough.

I remembered her telling me she didn't like kids. Now it was clear, it wasn't that she didn't like kids.

She just didn't want our child.

She had an entire album dedicated to Ryan.

The password? The child's birthday.

Five thousand photos chronicling the little one's three years of life. Lily was by their side for every milestone, every celebration.

The second conversation in the app was with the wedding planner.

From the moment she'd started planning the wedding a month ago, Lily had been using Ryan's name.

The suit was ordered in his size.

The invitations were written in both of their handwritings.

It hit me, she never meant for me to be a part of this wedding.

I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. No need to look any further.

I put the phone down and called a friend, asking him to help me find a hospital abroad for my surgery.

I also asked to cancel all my domestic identification documents.

My friend didn't think twice, assuming I had figured out Lily's true colors. His voice was full of excitement for me.

I laid the phone down and slipped into a deep sleep.