Chapter 3

"Lily, is it because of the birthday party he threw for Sarah that you two argued?" The news had made it to the trending topics, so Maryanne knew about it. "It wasn't an argument. We're getting a divorce." Lily's eyes were vacant, but her tone was resolute. Maryanne couldn't help but frown as she probed in a lowered voice, "Didn't you ask him about it? Could it be a misunderstanding?" "Look at this for yourself, and you'll know if it was a misunderstanding." Lily took out her phone and clicked on the video before handing it over. She hadn't confronted him about the affair, but his attitude alone spoke volumes! Maryanne glanced at the video cover and quickly pulled the car to the roadside. "Unbelievable!" Her temper matched her long fiery red hair. "Xavier cheated on you! Doesn't he feel any guilt? How could he still have the audacity to make you leave home in the middle of the night? He's the one who should be walking away with nothing!" Lily took her phone back. "I didn't confront him on this matter." Maryanne was baffled. "Why not? We have the proof. What are you afraid of?" "I'm the one who'll end up being humiliated if things turn ugly." What exactly could she change even if she exposed Xavier's infidelity? Would he be kicked out with nothing? That was impossible. The Joyner family couldn't go up against the Fulton family. Her parents wouldn't side with her either. After all, they still needed the Fulton family's support. Maryanne opened her mouth as if to say something but held back eventually and started driving again. The Devereux family was also considered prominent in Jadeford. Maryanne's family bought her an apartment after she'd graduated from college. It was a luxurious studio apartment in the heart of the city. It was nearly dawn by the time they arrived at the apartment. Lily set down her suitcase and sat on the couch before getting lost in thought. Maryanne noticed her desolate expression and asked, "So, what's your plan now?" "I'll need to schedule an appointment for the divorce with Xaiver's assistant first." Lily paused before continuing, "After that, I'll have to find a job to support myself." 500 thousand dollars a month as pocket money was crazy. Most people wouldn't even be able to spend it all in two years. However, Lily had to tend to Xavier's lifestyle by ensuring he had only the best in every aspect of life. She also had to buy gifts for the Fulton family's elders during weekly family dinners at Fulton Manor. She barely had anything left. All she had in her account was 50 thousand dollars. "Come help me at the restaurant before you find a job!" Maryanne didn't want to leave her alone at the house with her spiraling thoughts. But she did genuinely need help. "The pianist I booked canceled on me!" Maryanne was managing a few upscale restaurants for her family. She would regularly invite well-known pianists to perform at the restaurant every day. Lily had learned to play piano from a young age and was at the tenth-grade level. She could match any professional pianist. She understood Maryanne's true intentions. It was better to keep herself occupied and distract her from overthinking. "Alright." Maryanne was too busy with work to keep her company at home. "Get some sleep now. Just head over to the restaurant in the East District in the afternoon. I'll be busy, so I won't be able to pick you up." "Got it. Go on and do what you have to do." Lily and Maryanne shared a tight bond. The two of them had been friends since kindergarten. They went their separate ways during college, but their friendship remained unbreakable. Their bond only grew stronger as the Joyner family declined. Lily would always be herself when she was with her. After sending Maryanne off, she called Xavier's assistant, Timothy Snyder, to schedule a meeting. "Mrs. Fulton, are you joking?" Timothy was stunned momentarily before saying, "Why don't you wait and talk to Mr. Fulton when he comes home tonight?" "I'm calling to schedule a divorce," Lily said tersely. An inexplicable ache spread through her chest as the words left her mouth. Her eyes were misted with unshed tears. However, she lifted her head and pretended to be strong. Timothy drew in a sharp breath. "Mr. Fulton's schedule is fully booked this week!" "Next week then." Lily forced the words out as she gripped the edge of her shirt tightly. "I'll check the schedule when I return to the company and get back to you." Timothy dared not simply make arrangements without permission. He immediately called Xavier after he hung up the phone. Xavier ended up hearing Lily's scheduled plans with Timothy instead of seeing her return home as he had expected. He felt a surge of anger rising in his chest and was so furious that he laughed. "Unbelievable!" Timothy sensed his displeasure and immediately caught on. "I'll make an excuse to drag this as long as possible." "That's not necessary!" A mocking and sarcastic smile curled at the corner of his lips. "Set it for a week from now!" If he dragged it, it would appear as if he was reluctant to get a divorce. She would come back begging him in three days! Timothy instantly called Lily back. "He will see you at the courthouse next Wednesday at nine in the morning." Lily was exhausted, yet she couldn't sleep. A wave of bitterness surged within her after she ended the call with Timothy. She lay on her bed and felt her heart drum in her chest. She could no longer hold back as warm tears streamed down her face from the corners of her eyes as they soaked her pillow. The tiny glimmer of hope she had somewhat felt the moment she received Timothy's call dissolved into nothing. Her heart sank even deeper. What exactly was she expecting? Was she hoping that Xavier would refuse the divorce and apologize? He wasn't someone who would admit to his mistakes, and she could never tolerate her husband cheating! Two years wasn't a long time. However, her world had revolved entirely around him for the past two years! The dedication she poured into their marriage was beyond measure. She couldn't even remember what her life had been like before she married him. Lily had suppressed her turbulent emotions and put on light makeup before heading to the restaurant at East District that evening. She encountered heavy traffic on her way. The restaurant was already buzzing with guests when she arrived. Maryanne knew she was about to arrive. Therefore, she waited for her at the restaurant's entrance. She stepped forward when she saw her getting out of the cab. "I forgot you don't have a car." "It's alright." Lily followed her into the restaurant. Maryanne had prepared her a gown and led her to the changing room. "You didn't look quite well. Did you not rest?" The light makeup did nothing to hide Lily's pallor. She shook her head and said, "I'm fine." She changed into the gown Maryanne had prepared and lifted the hem as she walked to the center of the hall where the imported piano was located and sat down. There was sheet music on the stand. Lily took a deep breath before posing her delicate hands over the piano keys. The melodic notes soon filled every corner of the restaurant. A white-clad figure sat in a private room near the upstairs window and glanced downstairs at the sound before leaning forward and murmuring something to the foreign man seated across from him. A waiter approached Lily five minutes later as the piece concluded. "Ms. Joyner, a gentleman in the private room has requested you to play a love song upstairs." There was another piano in the private room. It was so expensive that Maryanne never allowed other pianists to touch it. However, she trusted Lily and immediately agreed to the customer's request. Lily lifted the hem of her gown and went upstairs. The waiter pushed the door open, and she slowly stepped into the room. The bright and golden light added a touch of romance and elegance to the space. A rich burgundy tablecloth covered the square table, and the glow from the wine glasses cast a shimmering reflection over the three people seated there. Lily immediately froze in her place when her gaze met Xavier's deep eyes.