She felt a lump in her throat as she stared at the papers. It was happening, it was real.
“I already signed them, you should sign them too.” Axel said and Lily looked up at him with so much pain. She felt it so hard to breathe and she felt like screaming out in tears.
“Divorce papers?” She managed to say with her voice trembling.
“Hmm.” He replied and nodded.
Lily shook her head and tears streamed down her cheeks.
“No, no. I can’t sign… ”
“You have to sign it now so it can get processed. You have until a week to leave this house, your account has enough money to take care of yourself for a year or more, at least till when you find something to do. You are to not return to this place again no matter the circumstances.” He said and Lily shook her head.
She couldn’t read him, he wasn’t holding any expression.
Everything was happening so fast, her life came crashing down in just hours. How the hell was that possible?
“Axel, please. I didn’t do it.” She pleaded in tears and he put his hands in his pants pocket and shrugged.
“It doesn’t matter if you did it or not. My reputation and my family’s name come first. Sign the papers Lily.” He replied and Lily hurriedly fell to her knees and held his feet as she cried.
She couldn’t leave, she was so scared. She knew she couldn’t survive the world without Axel, he was her everything!
To make matters worse, she was pregnant. How would she survive alone with a child?
“Axel, please. Please don’t send me away, I am sorry.” She pleaded and Axel stared down at her. He fought every urge to pull her into his arms and tell her he didn’t want to and get her to stop crying.
He fought every urge to apologise and tell her how sorry he was for treating her this way but he couldn’t.
He had to do this, it was necessary. A lot was going on and it would be better for her not to be aware.
“You are wasting time. None of this counts.” He said and she cried hider and held his feet tightly. Axel looked away from her and blinked rapidly as he felt his heartache.
If she continued this way, he might end up changing his mind and that won’t be good for both of them. He needed to be mean to her to get her to sign the papers.
He took in a deep breath before pulling away from her and in that process, he ended up kicking her which made her lay on the floor and groan in pain.
He was about to rush to her but he clenched his fist as he resisted.
“You will keep getting yourself hurt if you continue like this, just sign the papers Lily.” He said and Lily slowly stood up.
She stared at him and knew there was no way she would change his mind, with trembling hands, she took the pen from the file and signed the papers.
She handed them back to him and he checked them.
“Okay, you have a week to leave and… ” Axel trailed off as she rushed to him and hugged him.
She placed her head on his chest and cried.
Axel froze, he wasn’t expecting that. His heart was racing as she held him, he wanted to hug her back but he couldn’t.
He could push her off but he didn’t, he decided to let her. She needed it, she was never going to see him again and he knew how much Lily loved him.
“I am so sorry.” She apologised and Axel felt his heart ache the more. She wasn’t supposed to be apologising.
“I am so sorry Axel. I didn’t do it, I don’t know if I did but I would never mean to ruin your family’s name. I love you so much, you are the reason I look forward to a new day, you are my moment of peace Axel, I love you so much.” She cried.
His grip on the papers tightened, he pulled away from her and walked out of the room. He got into his room and he dropped the papers on the bed, he ran his hand in frustration.
He was mad, he was mad he couldn’t do anything about what was going on. He was mad he hurt her so much, he hurt his Lilyana.
He suddenly turned to the mirror and punched it hard, it shattered and hurt his hand.
He breathed out heavily and sat on his bed, he stared at his bloody hands and wondered how it all went wrong in a night.
*********
THE NIGHT OF THE BALL
Axel stared at Lily with a smile on his face as they both danced, she laughed and held his hands happily.
The music finally ended and the crowd cheered, they both walked away from the dance floor with Max and Nora.
They walked to the table where different dishes and drinks were.
“That was fun.” Lily said and Axel smiled at her.
“Yeah, it was.” Axel replied and Max exchanged surprised looks with Nora.
“What the hell is Lily doing to you?” Max chuckled and Lily smiled. Axel poured himself a glass of vodka and gulped it.
“Can I have some?” Lily asked and he shook his head. Lily chuckled and decided it was the right time to tell Axel about her pregnancy since he was in a good mood.
“Oh, I want to tell you something.” Lily said and they all turned to her.
“Only Axel.” She added and Nora rolled her eyes.
“Fine.” Nora said and pulled Max away with her.
“So, what’s up?” Axel asked and she exhaled heavily and rubbed her hands.
“I am… ”
“Oh, hold on. Your mother has… ”
“She is not my mother.” Lily hurriedly cut him off and he raised his brows. He hated that, he hated being cut off.
“Your mother.” He said again emphasizing the word ‘mother.’ and Lily sighed.
“She is doing some digging about your father, I don’t know why though.” Axel replied and Lily furrowed her brows.
“What does she want with a dead man?” She asked and Axel shrugged.
“Your mother is crazy.” Axel replied and she glared at him, she felt so mad and she walked away from him.
Max and Nora watched her walk away and they moved closer to Axel.
“Is something wrong?” Nora asked.
“Nah, she is just mad at me.” Axel replied and took another drink again.
***********
PRESENT DAY
Lily cried for hours on the floor, the thought of her being alone was so scary.
After crying for so long, she finally made a decision and decided to leave that night. She made up her mind and got ready for the worst.
She wanted to leave without anyone knowing where she went and to do that, she only needed a few things.
It’s about time she starts her own life. She got off the floor and had a quick shower, she packed a few necessary things into a back bag and got ready.
She tied her hair into a bun and carried the bag. She was about to walk to the window but paused, she stared at the ring in her hand and fought every urge to cry as she slowly took it off and placed it on her table.
She took off the necklace Axel gave her too and stared at them. She exhaled heavily and made her way to the window.
She got to the window and looked out of it, it was high but she could jump it.
She took in a deep breath and creased her stomach before jumping out.
She got to the floor and groaned in pain but got up immediately.
She tried her best to avoid the guards and she did, but they didn’t see her.
She got out of the mansion and sighed in relief.
Taking one final look at the house, Lily ran into the streets.