Ella pov

I seized the divorce paper from Lily, my eyes blazing with anger. The urge to confront her surged within me; how dare she bring this betrayal to my doorstep?

“My love, she is moving sluggishly” a frustration boiling inside me. As she gnashed her teeth, the braces reflected her disdain, and she ran her fingers through her hair in a defiant manner. I stood there, stunned, still gripping the paper tightly.

"Victor," she said, her voice steady as she reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue pen. Lily stepped closer to me, extending the pen.

"Sign it and leave. Your presence is no longer needed."

"Fine," I replied, my tone firm.

In that moment, I felt empowered, channeling my inner strength. I held my breath, crouching down so Victor wouldn’t notice me. I placed the papers on my lap, seized the pen, and without hesitation, I thought, I just need to sign this. I have my child—my unborn child, he can deal with the consequences of his actions.

“What’s happening here? This is pure drama.” My mom’s voice pierced the silence as tears streamed down my cheeks. My heart raced while I signed the papers, and when I lifted my gaze to my mom, everyone in the hall was staring at me as if I were some forbidden being, something to be cast aside.

“Your daughter is no longer needed; that’s what’s going on!” Lily shouted, snapping her fingers inches from my face.

She turned back to Victor, gripping his hand as she walked down the stage.

I can’t believe I was stupid enough to think Victor was putting on this ridiculous show for my birthday.

“Ella, what’s happening? I need to –” I didn’t let her finish. I hugged her tightly, my tears flowing freely. “They both betrayed me, Mom. Victor and Lily have been dating right under my nose,” I managed to speak up, the words heavy but necessary.

“What?!”

I could barely keep my breath steady as I watched my mother storm toward Lily. Her face twisted in disbelief, her fists clenched at her sides.

“You!” My mom’s voice was like a whip, snapping through the air as she took one furious step after another, each one dragging the weight of all her pain. “You little betrayer!”

Lily stood unmoving, her eyes narrowed in calm, the slightest smirk tugging at her lips. She wasn’t afraid of my mom, but I could feel the tension, the anticipation building in the room. The air was thick with it, suffocating.

“You have no right to—” my mom shouted before her hand whipped out.

The slap landed hard against Lily’s cheek, the sound ringing through the hall like a slap to my own soul.

Lily’s head snapped to the side, her skin reddening from the impact. For a second, I thought she’d fight back, but instead, she just laughed—high-pitched, bitter.

“Pathetic,” she muttered, flicking her hair out of her face as she steadied herself, her gaze now locked on my mom. “You really think slapping me will change anything?”

My mom was breathing hard, her chest rising and falling as she seethed. “You broke my daughter’s heart, you—”

“Enough!” I snapped, stepping between them before the tension could escalate further. My heart pounded in my chest, my voice trembling with fury. “Stop, Mom. Just stop.”

I grabbed my mom’s arm, pulling her back, but she resisted. “Ella, she—”

“Please,” I whispered urgently, my voice breaking. “Just let it go. She’s not worth it.”

But it was too late. My mom stumbled backward, her foot catching on something as she tried to pull away from me. Her body jerked awkwardly, and I reached out just in time to see her lose balance.

“Mom—!” I screamed, my heart stopping in my chest.

Her body collided with the edge of the stage, her head slamming against the hard floor with a sickening thud.

“Mom! No!” I dropped to my knees beside her, my hands shaking as I cradled her head in my lap. The world around me blurred as I pressed my fingers to her scalp, the warmth of her blood seeping through my fingers.

“She’s dead,” Lily’s voice echoed coldly from behind me.

I whipped my head around, my eyes wild with horror. She was standing there, watching us with the same smug expression, as if none of this mattered to her. As if this was all just some game.

I couldn’t hear anything, couldn’t focus on anything except my mother’s lifeless body in my arms. My chest felt like it was being crushed, the weight of what I’d just caused too much to bear.

But there was no time to think about it. Not now.

“Call an ambulance!” I shouted, my voice breaking as I shook my mom’s body, hoping—praying—that she would wake up. But I knew. I knew it was too late.

I felt the sting of tears behind my eyes, but I couldn’t cry. I couldn’t afford to. Not with Lily’s mocking presence still burning into my skin.

And then I heard footsteps.

Heavy, purposeful. Police Officers. They were coming for me.

“No,” I whispered, my mind racing. I had to get out of here. I couldn’t face what I’d just done. I couldn’t face anyone. Not now.

I scrambled to my feet, feeling the cold sweat on my skin as I glanced around, panicked. I didn’t know where to go, didn’t know what to do, but I needed to escape.

Without thinking, I bolted for the door, my legs moving faster than my brain could process. The police were shouting, but their voices faded as I pushed through the exit, the chill of the night air hitting me like a slap in the face.

I was already halfway to my car, the engine roaring to life as I slammed my foot on the pedal, speeding out of the parking lot. I didn’t look back. I couldn’t.

My hands were slick on the steering wheel, my vision blurred with panic as I raced down the road, the wind whipping through my hair. I wasn’t sure where I was going, but I had to get away.

The adrenaline kept me moving, but my thoughts… my thoughts kept screaming at me. I’d just… I’d just caused my mom’s fall. It was my fault. I had to get away. I had to.

But the flashing lights in my rearview mirror cut through the darkness, pulling me back into the reality I was desperately trying to outrun.

“No. No, no, no…” I muttered, my grip tightening on the wheel as I tried to lose them. But they were relentless. The sirens blared, the lights flashing in my mirrors, coming closer with every second.

I couldn’t breathe. My heart pounded so hard, I thought it would explode. I wasn’t thinking anymore. I couldn’t think. I just had to drive, drive as fast as I could.

I swerved around the corner, my tires screeching as I took the curve too sharply. My hands were shaking so badly that the steering wheel slipped from my grasp for a second.

The car lurched, swerving dangerously as I struggled to regain control. The pavement was slick with rain, and the road was twisting, endless. I couldn’t focus. I was losing it.

And then, it happened.

The screech of tires, the sound of metal crashing.

The world spun.

I didn’t know what happened next. One moment I was in the driver’s seat, the next everything went black.