Chapter 8: The Favor

As Lily lay in the hospital bed, her head throbbing with pain and her leg wrapped in a cast, she found herself grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. Despite the agony of her injuries and the betrayal that still lingered in her heart, a sense of clarity began to take root within her.

Summoning all her strength, Lily turned to Ethan, her voice barely a whisper amidst the sterile silence of their once happy home. With a forced smile etched on her lips, she began, her words carefully chosen.

"Ethan," she said, her voice strained yet composed. "I need to ask you for one last favor."

Ethan looked up, his eyes filled with remorse and regret. "Anything, Lily," he replied, his voice heavy with sorrow. "I'll do whatever it takes to make things right."

With a deep breath, Lily continued, her facade of composure beginning to crack. "I want you to date other women," she said, each word a painful reminder of their shattered love. "I want you to explore your feelings, to discover what truly lies in your heart."

Ethan's brow furrowed in confusion, his mind reeling at Lily's unexpected request. "But why, Lily?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "After everything that's happened, how can you even consider asking me to do such a thing?"

Lily's smile wavered, her heart heavy with resignation. "Because I need to know, Ethan," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need to know if there's still a chance for us, if there's still a glimmer of hope left in the ashes of our shattered love."

With those final words hanging in the air, Lily pushed herself up from the bed, her body trembling with pain and exhaustion. With a strained smile, she turned away, her heart breaking with each step she took.

As she made her way to the front door, her footsteps echoing through the empty halls of the hospital, Lily's facade of composure finally crumbled, tears streaming down her face as she struggled to contain the pain raging within her.

With a heavy heart, Lily stepped out into the cold night air, her body wracked with pain as she climbed into her car. With a deep breath, she started the engine, her hands trembling as she pulled away from the curb, leaving behind the shattered remnants of her once perfect life.

And as she drove into the night, her heart heavy with sorrow and regret, Lily knew that she had made the right choice, for in that moment, she had set Ethan free to find his own truth, no matter where it may lead.