Chapter 5 My phone buzzed in my pocket while I was organizing my post divorce asset inventory on my laptop . An unknown number flashed on the screen with urgent static , followed by the hoarse voice of one of Ryan's teammates : " Ms. Rodriguez , Detective Rodriguez ... he's been hurt . " My grip on the mouse froze , fingertips going cold against the plastic . The officer explained that Ryan had successfully apprehended a suspect during a routine operation when Lily suddenly burst onto the scene , screaming about the suspect being " wrongly accused . " She was clutching an old photo frame , crying that the criminal was " a good friend of her late husband " and desperately trying to force Ryan to look at the photos . Those few seconds of distraction were all the suspect needed . He pulled a concealed knife from his sleeve and drove it straight toward Ryan's chest . The blade missed his heart by less than a tenth of an inch . He's still in surgery . " The teammate's voice cracked . " Lily's outside crying , saying it's all her fault ... but if she hadn't interfered , Detective Rodriguez never would've been hurt ! " My carefully maintained composure since the hospital crumbled like a burst bubble . I rummaged through my closet for the most haggard - looking dress I could find , messed up my hair in the mirror , then grabbed my bag and raced to the hospital . The moment I reached the ward lobby , I spotted Lily sitting on a hallway bench , clutching that same photo frame , shoulders shaking with sobs . Several teammates stood around looking uncomfortable but not daring to say much - after all , she was a " fallen hero's widow " who'd just lost her baby . Nobody wanted to be accused of bullying the vulnerable . I clicked across the linoleum in my heels , deliberately amplifying the tremor and fury in my voice to grab everyone's attention : Lily Sinclair ! You have some nerve crying here ! " She jumped at my sudden outburst , looking up with red - rimmed eyes and tear - soaked lashes , the picture of pitiful innocence : 'Ms. Rodriguez , I ... I didn't mean for this to happen . I was just trying to help Ryan ... " Help him ? You nearly got him killed ! " I stepped forward and snatched the photo frame from her arms , hurling it to the floor . The sound of shattering glass echoed sharply hrough the quiet corridor . Everyone froze in shock , including Officer Diana who'd been protecting Lily . They'd never seen me lose control like this before , no matter how angry I got " Ryan went three days and nights without sleep protecting you , and now he's nearly been stabbed to death because of you ! " I pointed toward the operating room , raising my voice deliberately so passing nurses and patients could hear . " You keep calling yourself a fallen hero's widow , but if your late husband could see you from beyond - clinging to his squad leader every day and nearly getting him killed - do you think he could rest in peace ? " 13:40 Played the Perfect Housewife for 2 Years Then Revealed I'm FBI's Ton Agent ! 57.1 % tity serait pole as paper in my cds Tign trending peer Meya terped down her face Rare Being art gives the right to endanger aber people's best I pretend chomer , deliberately raising my volume . " Last time there was a break in , he stayed with you until dawn . This time pray kroerfered and got him stabbed ) tály , do you think the whole world should revolve around your ? Do you think Ryan owes you his life ? Khurmurs began rising around us . Some people pulled out phones to secretly record , others pointed and whispered about Lily Even the teammates who'd previously blamed me were looking uncomfortable - they protected Ryan fiercely , but they also knew this time was definitely Lily's fault Diana tried to defend Lily , but I cut her off immediately : " Diana , don't defend her ! Ryan is your squad leader - watching him risk his life over and over for this woman , doesn't that hurt you inside ? Lily completely panicked . She tried to stand up and grab my hand , but I violently shoved her away . " Don't touch me ! You're bad luck ! If something happens to Ryan , I'll never forgive you for the rest of my life ! " I shouted while deliberately moving toward the crowded areas , making sure my words reached as many ears as possible : " Everyone listen to this ! This woman uses her status as a fallen hero's widow to cling to other people's husbands every single day , and now she's nearly gotten him killed ! Doesn't someone like this deserve divine punishment ? " Lily was completely stunned by my aggressive display . She shrank back onto the bench , sobbing and trembling all over , repeatedly muttering " I didn't mean to " but unable to explain herself clearly . Watching her panic , a cold glint flashed in my eyes . This was just the beginning - I wanted everyone to see her " true face " and make her understand that what she owed Ryan , what she owed me , would have to be paid back eventually . Just then , the operating room light went out . The doctor emerged saying Ryan was temporarily out of danger . I immediately composed myself , pretending to rush over anxiously to ask about his condition . But from the corner of my eye , I caught Lily sneaking out her phone , hiding in a hallway corner to take a call , her voice carrying an urgency I'd never heard before : " ... He's still alive , don't worry ... I'll figure something out ... " My heart skipped a beat . I quietly followed her , pulling out my phone to start recording , aiming it at Lily in the corner . The voice on the other end was muffled , but I vaguely caught a familiar name - Lily's supposedly " deceased " husband . Chapite R