Chapter 2: Shattered vows

Lily sat anxiously in the visitation room, her eyes fixed on the door as she awaited her first visitor. The sound of footsteps echoed outside, growing louder with each passing moment.

Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Henry's familiar figure approaching, his tall frame and chiseled features a stark reminder of the life she once knew.

She rushed to the glass partition, her hands pressed against it as if eager to touch him, to reconnect with the man she once loved.

"I knew you'd come," she said, her voice trembling with emotion as tears streamed down her face. "I knew you'd believe me."

However, Henry's expression was cold and detached, his eyes devoid of warmth and love she once knew.

"Don't get your hopes up, Lily" he said, his voice firm but lacking empathy. "I'm not here to understand or believe you."

Lilly's smile faltered, shock and confusion washing over her like a wave. She felt as though she'd been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her.

"What do you mean?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Henry's gaze was unyielding his jaw set in determination. "I'm here to clarify things "he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "Vivian' s been in the hospital for weeks, your worded are meaningless now."

Lily felt a stinging sensation in her eyes, tears welling up as she struggled to comprehend Henry's words.

"You don't believe me?" She asked, her voice cracking with emotion. "You think I'd hurt Vivian?"

Henry's shrugged, his shoulders barely rising off the chair. "Why should I believe you?" He asked, his voice laced with skepticism. "You were alone with her when it happened. You had every reason to resent her."

Desperation crept in, Lilly's hand slamming against the glass partition as she struggled to convey her innocence.

" Because I'm your your wife!" She exclaimed, her voice hoarse from shouting. "You're supposed to believe me, not anyone else! You're my only hope."

Henry's gaze turned icy, his eyes flashing with anger. "Don't fool yourself, Lily" he said, his voice cold. "I won't hesitate to believe others over you. You were there, alone , with motive."

Tears streamed down her face as she realized the truth: Henry didn't believe her. He never had. The thought was a crushing blow, leaving her breathless and reeling.

"I didn't do it "She uttered with low voice." I couldn't hurt anyone! I'm not capable of such evil "she yelled , her voice echoing off the walls of visitation room.

Henry's expression didn't change, his voice dripping with malice. "You tried to Kill Vivian, admitting it won't change anything. "

"I didn't!" She yelled again, her voice hoarse from shouting.

Henry paused, his expression unyielding. "I've brought divorce papers," he said, his voice firm. "It's all arranged."

Lily' s world crumbled, the papers shuffling against the glass partition echoing like a death knell in her mind. She stared at Henry, her eyes wide with disbelief, as he slid the divorce paper through the slot.

"Divorce papers?" Her voice trembled. "You want to divorce me?"

Henry's expression remained cold and unyielding. "Would I want to be married to a convicted felon?" He asked his voice laced with disdain. " A danger to my company's reputation?"

Lily's mind reeled as memories flooded her thoughts. Their arranged marriage, once a distant obligation, had become a sanctuary. They found solace in each other's arms, their love growing stronger daily, she remembered the laughter, the adventures, the quiet moments when it was just them.

And now, it was all being torn apart.

"How could you do this?" She asked whispered , tears streaming down her face. "After everything we've shared, everything I've done for you?"

Henry's gaze didn't waver. "You're a liability, Lily" he said, his voice cold. "A toxic asset. I'll will cut ties, and move on"

His words cut more profound than any knife. Lily felt her heart shatter, her hope crushed. She had held on to the hope that he would believe her and stand by her through this nightmare.

But now, that hope was gone.

In her place, a burning hatred emerged. Vivian. Her name seared in her mind like a branding iron. Vivian had destroyed their marriage, and now she had ruined her life.

"I hate her," Lily whispered, her voice venomous. "I hate her for doing this to us."

Henry's expression didn't change, but Lily saw a flicker of satification in her eyes.

Lily slumped against the cold glass, defeated, her tears mingling with despair as she watched Henry. How could he?

Her husband

Her rock

Her savior

Now, her destroyer. She felt their vows shattered, their love reduced to ashes.

"You are giving up on me," Lily whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of her own heartbeat.

Henry stood, his chair scraping against the floor, the sound echoing through the sterile visitation room. "I'm saving myself," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her shattered, alone, and imprisoned. The weight of the divorce papers in her hand felt like lead, crushing with every step.

As Lily walked back to her cell, her mind reeled in shock. The fluorescent lights overhead seemed to flicker in sync with her racing thoughts. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of despair.

As Lily entered her cell, three women blocked her path, their eyes gleaming with malice.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here," one sneered, her voice dripping with venom.

"The infamous Lily, wife of Henry Peterson, President of Trinity Company," another chimed in, her tone mocking. "You're quite the celebrity... or should I say infamous?"

Lily tried to ignore them, but they wouldn't let me. "Hey, rich girl," the first woman taunted, grabbing my arm. "We hear you're loaded. Do you want to share some of that wealth?"

Lily shook my head, trying to break free. "Come on, Lily," the second woman coped, her voice sugary sweet. "We just want a little taste of your fortune."

The third woman slammed Lily against the wall, her hand closing around her throat. "You think you're better than us?" She hissed, her breath hot against Lily's face.

"You think you can just waltz in here and expect special treatment?".

Lily tried to scream, but the woman's grip tightened.

"Listen up, Lily," she growled. "You are not special. You're just like us—a prisoner. And if you don't cooperate, you'll suffer."

The woman pulled Lily's hair, yanking her head back. "Aah!" Lily screamed, pain shooting through her scalp.

The women laughed, their mocking gazes burning into Lily's skin. One spat. "You're nothing without your husband's money. You're nothing without your family's name."

The third woman leaned in her voice a menacing whisper.

"Member, Lily. We can make your life he'll. And if you don't give us what we want, we'll make sure you regret it."

Suddenly, Rachel burst into the cell. "Leave her alone!" She shouted, her voice firm. The women hesitated, then scattered as Rachel called the guards.

Lily slumped to the floor, gasping for breath. Rachel rushed to her side. "Lily, are you okay?" She whispered, helping her up.

"I should've been there sooner," she added, her eyes filled with concern.

Tears streamed down Lily's face as the pain washed over her. But amidst the aganony, a spark of determination flared. She would get of out of here, and she would prove her innocence.