---- Chapter 7 7 A few days later, Maya was discharged, still weak but fueled by a cold fury. Liam had arranged a "welcome home" surprise. The staff had decorated the penthouse with flowers. Her favorite white roses were everywhere. A private chef was preparing her favorite meal. He was trying so hard. So pathetically hard. There was a massive fireworks display visible from their balcony that evening, organized by the city for some festival. Liam pulled her close as they watched. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he said softly. "Like us." "Some things look beautiful from a distance, Liam," Maya said, her voice flat. "But up close, they're just explosions and smoke." He looked uneasy but tried to laugh it off. "You always were poetic," he said, kissing her hair. He promised a quiet weekend in the Hamptons, just the two of them. He was busy over the next few days, secretive phone calls, hushed meetings with his event planners. "Just a little something I'm arranging for our anniversary," he'd say with a wink. The staff whispered about it. A huge party. A grand gesture to ---- reaffirm his love. Maya felt nothing. Apathy was her shield. She was moving through the motions of her life, a ghost already. The anniversary was a week away. The two-week deadline for his "gift" was approaching. The night before she planned to leave, Liam was particularly attentive. He was about to unveil his grand surprise, he said. He led her to their grand ballroom, which had been transformed. Fairy lights, more white roses, an orchestra playing softly. "For you, my love," he said, his eyes shining. "A renewal of our vows. To show you, and the world, that you are my everything." Just as he was about to speak further, his phone buzzed urgently. He glanced at it. His face tightened It was a message. Maya caught a glimpse of Ava's name. "Liam, darling, emergency! The doctor says | need to come in NOW. It might be the baby!" Followed by a picture. Ava, looking pale and distressed, clutching her stomach. Liam's carefully constructed facade crumbled. Panic. Real, unadulterated panic. He looked at Maya, then at the phone, then back at Maya. "|... [have to go," he stammered. "An urgent... business crisis. ---- A huge deal is falling apart. | have to fix it." He didn't even try to make the lie convincing. He turned and ran from the ballroom, leaving Maya standing alone amidst the ridiculous, pointless display of his supposed love. She watched him go. No surprise. No pain. Just a weary confirmation. Her burner phone vibrated. Another message from Ava. A photo of Liam, rushing into a hospital, looking frantic. Caption: "My hero. He dropped everything for us." Followed by more taunts. "He'll be with me tonight, Maya. Where he belongs." "He says he can't wait to be a real family." "He's already talking about divorcing you. Says it's just a matter of time." Maya deleted the messages without replying. Liam didn't come home that night. Or the next day. Ava, of course, kept her updated with gleeful, explicit texts and photos. Liam sleeping in a chair beside her hospital bed (it was a false alarm, apparently). Liam bringing her food. Liam rubbing her feet. Maya ignored them all ---- She spent her last day in the penthouse systematically erasing herself.