Chapter 20 Burn It All and Walk Away
She didn’t believe for a second that John didn’t understand Elsa’s little games.
But every single time, he chose to let them slide.
And honestly–maybe that was for the best.
He and Elsa could cling to each other all they wanted. She was marrying James in just fifteen days.
After that, they’d all stay out of each other’s lives.
That was fine. That was perfect.
As she walked downstairs, Lily didn’t leave immediately.
+8 Pearls
Last time, when she moved out, she’d only focused on clearing out her and John’s belongings. She had forgotten the small iron box buried beneath the silk tree in the backyard.
There was a tradition in her hometown:
Two people in love would each cut a lock of hair, tie them together, and bury them beneath a silk tree–so they could be together for all eternity.
Back then, she had loved John so deeply, so irrationally, that she’d blindly followed that custom. She had braided their hair together, sealed it in an iron box, and buried it beneath the tree.
But now… she didn’t want to be with him anymore.
So she was here to destroy it all.
She had come prepared.
The box wasn’t buried deep. She unearthed it quickly.
Inside, their hair was still tightly entwined–indistinguishably close, intimately bound. A bond that now felt like mockery.
She lit the lighter she had brought with her and set fire to the hair–burning not just the strands, but her heart, her love, everything she had ever given him.
Just as the flame took hold, her phone rang, shrill and urgent.
Seeing John’s name on the screen, she hesitated–then answered.
His voice, sharp and annoyed, came through immediately. “Lily, don’t overthink this. Today was an accident. There’s nothing between me and Elsa. I won’t let her come to our house again. If you don’t want to apologize, I won’t force you, but stop going after her.”
“Mm.”
Sure. Holding a naked Elsa in his arms–they were definitely “nothing”
She didn’t argue. She simply hung up, blocked his number, and tossed her phone into her pocket.
He was standing by the window.
From there, he could’ve seen the silk tree out back.
He could’ve seen her burning the box, burning their promise of forever.
But he hadn’t looked.
He was too busy comforting Elsa. Too busy holding her.
Chapter 20 Burn it All and Walk Away
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So the fire burned undisturbed–just like how she would walk out of his life, marry someone else, and never look back.
As soon as Lily returned to her hotel, she got a call from the production team behind the major animated feature God of
War
She had passed the audition–they wanted her to sign the contract to voice Athena.
Lily was overjoyed.
She rushed out right away to finalize everything
“She’s Lily!”
She had barely stepped out of the hotel when someone shouted.
In an instant, a crowd surrounded her.
them were reporters.
Microphones were shoved in her face as furious voices rose up around her.
“Lily, Mr. John and Ms. Elsa are already married Their love is beautiful–why are you playing the mistress and destroying their relationship?”
“Mistresses are shameless! You’re not afraid of people pointing at your back for the rest of your life?”
“Didn’t your parents teach you not to interfere in other people’s relationships? If you’re like this at your age, your parents. must be garbage 100!”
“You’re disgusting. Lily! Trying to steal Elsa’s man–your whole family should rot!”
Many of the people in the crowd were Elsa’s fans.
Their anger rose in sync with the reporters‘ sharp questions, raining curses and venom down on her.
Lily instinctively pulled her coat tighter.
This was absurd.
Completely upside down.
She had been the one dating John. During that time. Elsa had demanded fireworks, rented theme parks, clung to him, and even held a wedding ceremony
But now she was the mistress?
She was the one people hated:
Ridiculous
“I’m not a mistress!” Lily raised her voice, firm and clear. “I never interfered in anyone’s relationship!”
But the fury of the mob drowned her out in seconds.
“We’ve seen the photos! And you still have the nerve to deny it? Trash!”
“You think mistresses aren’t disgusting? I heard she’s a serial cheater–stole boyfriends all through school!”
“Slut probably sells herself too. Who knows what diseases she’s carrying. So gross!”
Chapter 20 Burn It All and Walk Away
“Ela’s health is fragile–how dare you hurt her! You owe her an apology!”
“That’s right! Lily should beg for forgiveness!”
“Apologize! Lily, apologize!”
Someone–a girl with a long face–threw a banana peel at her.
It struck her cheek.
Like a dam bothers joined in
Garbage–filthy, half–eaten trash–flew through the air.
An apple core hit Lily squarely on the forehead.
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