Open Marriage, Broken Promises: When Love Turns to Ashes novel Chapter 55

I opened my mouth, wanting to say something, but was interrupted by the sudden ring of his phone.

Sean answered the call—it was Lily's voice.

"Sean, I accidentally got my clothes dirty and want to take a bath, but I'm scared of the water. Can you come help me?"

"I'm wearing the lingerie you bought for me last time, don't you want to see it?"

Her voice, intentionally lowered and full of suggestive hints, made it clear what she was implying.

Sean glanced at me with guilt, then softly said, "Emily, I need to check on Lily. What if she drowns in the bathroom?"

I wiped away my tears and coldly grabbed his sleeve.

"Sean! Don't go!"

He suddenly turned cold and snapped, "Do you know that water above ankle height can drown someone? What if something happens to Lily?"

"Why are you so malicious? You're almost a mother, yet still so childish! Think about it, I'm not coming back tonight!"

With that, he shoved me aside and stormed out.

I sat on the floor, tears falling one by one, splashing onto the floor.

So, he knew everything. He just didn't care about me...

Why?

Was it because I had grown old? Or was I just too boring?

I didn't know, and I couldn't understand. That's why when all this happened, it felt so painful and heartbreaking.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated a few times.

I opened it, and the first thing I saw was a post from Lily.

"Thanks to my bath buddy! I'm going to reward him with this little outfit today!!! Purely friendship, of course!"

The picture showed a pair of hands tightly embracing Lily's slender waist, while she wore the lingerie Sean had bought for her.

I recognized those hands.

They had the calla lily tattoo I had drawn myself.

The flower language is "faithful and unwavering love."

Once a symbol of our past affection, now it was a proof of his infidelity. How ironic and tragic.

I stared at the picture and laughed, but as I laughed, I couldn't help but cry.

Wiping the tears from my eyes, I left a comment.

"Wishing you both a Happy New Year and a lifetime of happiness."

I thought that soon I'd receive a furious phone call from Sean, full of accusations. But unexpectedly, just a few minutes later, he came back.

I opened my phone, wanting to tell Sean that I was awake, but then I saw Lily's new post.

"I suddenly fainted from a fever last night, so pitiful. Luckily, my childhood friend brought me a lovely breakfast this morning!"

The picture was of Sean tenderly feeding her.

As I stared at that picture, my heart felt as still as dead water.

In the corner of the photo was a discarded penicillin bottle.

What else did I not understand?

It turned out that my allergy was caused by Sean kissing me after kissing Lily…

I felt an overwhelming nausea rise from my stomach, and I rushed to the trash can to vomit.

It turned out that Sean came to see me because Lily had fainted, and he couldn't vent his anger.

There wasn't much in my stomach, and soon, I was left dry-heaving hysterically.

"Emily, what's wrong?"

Sean rushed in, hearing the noise, and began gently patting my back, which only made me react more violently.

I pushed him away with all my strength, my eyes bloodshot.

"Get away from me! Don't touch me!!!"