Chapter 5
Studying abroad with my mentor turned out to be the happiest time of my life.
Rafael used to hate hearing me play the piano at home. His displeasure made me reluctant to practice, and over time, my passion for the instrument faded.
But now, through the sound of the piano, I rediscovered myself–the girl who once. loved music with all her heart. I was no longer the timid housewife who lived in
fear.
Once, Rafael had promised me, “Lily, you don’t need to play piano anymore. I’ll take care of you. Just stay home and be my support.”
I believed him. But eventually, he grew disdainful, calling me useless and lazy.
After a successful performance, I turned
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Chapter 5
on my phone to find a series of messages from Rafael.
A month after my disappearance, he‘ d finally reached out.
[Lily, what’s the meaning of this?]
[The lawyer says we‘ re divorced. What kind of stunt are you pulling now?]
[Stop acting out and come home
immediately.]
When I didn’t respond, he began
bombarding me with calls.
[Pick up the phone. Stop being petty.]
[Fine, I give up. I bought you a new piano. Please stop being angry.]
[I wasn’t ignoring you; I’ve been preparing the baby‘ s nursery. Can you come back now?]
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He even sent me a picture of the nursery, carefully decorated with baby items. It was clear someone had put a lot of thought into
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- it.
But Rafael didn’t know that the child he was preparing for no longer existed.
When his name flashed on my screen again, I was about to decline the call but accidentally pressed the wrong button.
His voice came through, full of frustration. “Lily, how much longer are you going to act like this?”
“My patience has its limits. You’d better. come home right now. Are you seriously throwing a tantrum just because I took Jenna on a trip for a few days?”
“Jenna is an outstanding employee! I wasn’t just with her; there were others. too!”
His self–righteous tone made me laugh coldly. “Rafael, you‘ re quite the boss. Is sleeping with your employees part of their reward?”
Caught off guard, he grew furious. “Lily,
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you‘ re a woman too! Don’t you know how damaging it is to spread malicious rumors about another woman? You could ruin her life!”
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