Chapter 6 The address was a whisper . [ Ethan didnt bother with the elevator , sprinting to He burst into the hospital room , breath ragged . Lila ! Silence . The bed was stripped , the air stale . car , tires screeching as he blew through red lights , heart pounding she cant be gone , she cant- How could this happen ? Wheres Lila ? Where is she ? 0 Ethan screamed , grabbing a passing nurse by the arm , his voice raw . v.D The nurse recoiled , a scornful look in her eyes . 0 Youve got nerve showing up here . Your wife was wheeled in bleeding out we almost lost her. His grip faltered . The baby … how did she- She stared at him like he was a fool . Dont play dumb . You partied while she was bleeding to death in your house . What kind of husband does that ? ] Her words faded into white noise . Ethan could only hear Lilas last plea , whispered into the void : Help me . While hed laughed with her attackers , left her to bleed alone . [] 0 He collapsed to his knees , sobs wracking his body . Its my fault . I killed our baby . I killed her . Where is she now ? Please- ] The nurse sighed , softer now . Someone picked her up this morning . I dont know who . ] Before he could rise , two officers approached , handcuffs gleaming . Ethan ? Youre under arrest for multiple red light violations and drunk driving . I heard the news while reclined in a luxury postpartum suite , peeling a grape . [ My best friend , Luna , hovered nearby , eyeing the scar on my abdomen . [ ] What now ? Ethan and Lisa are ruined, she said , voice trembling . I shrugged , calm as the marble countertop . [] Divorce , of course . I refuse to spend the rest of my life tied to a monster . Hell never agree . Not after everything . ] I set down my fork , the clink sharp in the silence . [ ] Luna hesitated , glancing at the tablet hidden in her lap still open to the viral video of my assault , [ ] But the footage . youre exposing yourself to so much hate . [ ] I met her gaze , steady . [ ] My body isnt a dirty secret . I didnt do anything wrong . Why should I hide ? The truth was , the stares didnt bother me not the curiosity , not the judgment . [ ] Let them look . Chapter 6 Let them whisper . [ Shame wasnt mine to carry . ] A week later , I stood in the police station visiting room , watching Ethan pace the tiny cell , stubble rough on his cheeks . Im sorry so sorry , he breathed , dropping to his knees the moment he saw me , hands cuffed behind his back . I was a monster . Please , give me a chance- ] You drugged me , raped me , used me as a womb for your mistresss baby , I said , voice flat . And you think sorry fixes that ? His handcuffed hands reached for me , desperate . Ill do anything . Just name it . [] I pulled a folder from my bag , flipping to the first page : a deed transfer . Sign over all your assets . Every penny , every property . [] He didnt even glance at the papers . Just … come back to me . [ ] I smiled , cold and sharp the first real smile Id worn in months . I shoved the papers toward him , pressing the pen into his palm , watching as he scrawled his name without hesitation . [ ] But when I flipped to the next page , his hand paused , eyes narrowing at the bolded title : DIVORCE SETTLEMENT .