My Husband Cheated on Me with a Blind Therapist, So I Married His Brother

I had just picked up my pregnancy test results and was reaching for the exam room door when I heard voices from inside.The doctor's voice was low but clear."You told her you were infertile,so how is she pregnant?Didn’t she ask questions?"

Lennon’s voice followed,cold and flat."I told her it was thanks to the blind therapist she hired.What,you think that baby’s mine?"

"She’s clueless.I set her up with some filthy homeless guy and filmed the whole thing.She never suspected a thing."

The doctor hesitated.Her voice wavered with disbelief."But your wife still loves you...even knowing you couldn’t give her a child.Why did you do this to her?"

"If that video ever goes public,she’ll be humiliated.The entire city would laugh her out of existence.It would ruin her."

Lennon let out a quiet,humorless laugh."Let her be ruined,then.I never loved her anyway.The marriage was just to keep the Shepherd Family from falling apart."

"Now I’m done.I want out.Whether she ends up divorced or dead—it doesn’t matter to me."

The pregnancy test report crumpled in my fist.I stood rooted in place,the pounding of my heart louder than any scream.

So this was it.Everything I believed—our marriage,our future,our love—was a calculated lie.And worse...he let another man touch me.

The door swung open.Lennon stood there,momentarily stunned.A flicker of panic crossed his face.

"Edith?What are you doing here?"he asked quickly."Come in."

I looked down,forced a gentle smile and took the prenatal vitamins from his outstretched hand.

"Let’s go home,"I said softly.

Back at the villa,Winona was already waiting by the door—dark sunglasses on,white cane in hand.

As I leaned into the car to grab my purse,I caught a glimpse of Lennon’s hand sliding up her skirt,his fingers brazenly toying with the lace.

Winona let out a giggle and swatted him playfully,no protest in sight.

I stood silently behind them,watching.

This man I had once adored—this man I thought I knew—was a stranger now.

He turned and saw me.There was a beat of hesitation in his expression before he masked it.Winona smoothed her skirt as Lennon gave me a charming,unaffected smile.

"No need to be jealous,Edith,"he said with mock sincerity."Winona is blind.She was just helping me relax with a massage."

"You should thank her—she probably played a big role in your pregnancy now."

His voice was so casual,so infuriatingly calm.But the words I had heard at the hospital were still pounding in my ears like thunder.

My hands curled into fists.I opened my mouth,but my throat tightened and no words came out.

Then—

"Ugh!"

Winona doubled over,clutching her stomach.She gagged violently.I instinctively reached out to steady her—then stopped myself just short.

She caught her breath and looked up at me weakly.

"I’m sorry,Meredith,"she murmured."I’m pregnant too.Just feeling a little off today."

Lennon rushed to her side,gently supporting her as he patted her back with tender care.

"You’re pregnant too?"he asked gently."Come on,let me take you upstairs.I’ll get you some water to help you feel better."

Winona nodded weakly,looking pale and fragile.

As they ascended the stairs,she turned her head and gave me a smug,knowing smile—a smirk sharpened by triumph.

The door closed behind them.

A few moments passed—and then I heard it.The sound of water running.Labored breathing.Groans muffled behind the closed door.

I stood there,paralyzed,unable to move or breathe,like something was wrapped tightly around my throat.

Half a minute passed.

Then the door flew open.Winona stepped out,cheeks flushed,lips curved in a satisfied smile.

She walked past me slowly,wearing a satisfied smirk—like a victor flaunting her prize.But just as she passed the top step,a sharp scream cut through the air.

Startled,I spun around in shock.

Winona—who had been perfectly fine seconds ago—was now tumbling down the stairs,crashing step by step.Her screams echoed through the house,sharp and piercing.

She hit the floor with a sickening thud.Her face and hair were streaked with blood and the sunglasses she wore had shattered on the marble tiles,shards sparkling like broken crystal.

I stood there in shock—completely frozen.

Before I could even process what had happened,Lennon burst through the bedroom door and sprinted downstairs.

He rushed down the stairs and dropped to his knees beside Winona,his usually composed,obsidianlike eyes now filled with panic and fear.

"Winona!Are you okay?Please don’t scare me!"

His hands trembled as he fumbled to call 911.

Winona,barely conscious,lifted her bloodied hand and shakily pointed at me."Mr.Shepherd…I don’t understand…why did your wife push me?Does she want me dead?"

"It wasn’t me!"I shouted,stunned."I didn’t even touch her!She fell on her own—"

Slap!

His palm cracked across my face.

The force of the blow made me stagger backward.Lennon shook out his stinging wrist and looked at me like I was a stranger.

"Meredith,have you lost your mind?Are you really that jealous?Winona is our guest.She’s blind.She’s done nothing but help you and this is how you treat her?"

The ambulance arrived swiftly.Lennon snapped at the paramedics to be careful as they moved Winona onto the stretcher.He threw one final look my way—filled with disgust—then climbed into the ambulance without another word.

I was left alone in the vast,empty villa.My cheek throbbed.My chest felt like it was caving in.

I had no idea how long I stood there in a daze before my phone rang.

It was Lennon.

"Winona took a bad fall,but the baby’s okay—thankfully.The doctor said she’ll need proper care or she could end up with longterm complications."

"Since this involved you,you should make her some soup and bring it to the hospital.Show some remorse.You see?She’s kind enough not to blame you."

At one in the morning,I stepped into her hospital room.

I had expected Lennon to be asleep—he was a creature of habit,always in bed by midnight.But the room was glowing with bright light.

Lennon stood behind Winona,gently massaging her temples,his hands slow and careful.

"She can’t sleep and I’m just helping her relax."

I did not say a word.

I remembered how I once told him I had terrible insomnia.Yet,when I told Lennon about it,he only turned over with a grunt and buried himself deeper under the blanket.

"Isn’t closing your eyes the same as resting?Don’t bother me.I have work in the morning."

The memory hit me like a punch to the gut.Bitterness rose in my throat.

I placed the soup quietly on the table and turned to leave,until suddenly…

"Edith."

His voice stopped me.

"It’s late.It’s not safe to go back now.Just stay the night."

That longlost tone of concern made me hesitate.When I looked back and saw the worry etched on his face,something inside me wavered.

In the end,I bit my lip and gave a slight nod.But then,as if it were the most natural thing in the world,he gestured toward Winona’s legs.

"The doctor said her circulation’s poor.You’ve always been good with your hands—why don’t you massage her?"

I instinctively pulled back.

Winona reclined against the hospital bed with a pale,delicate expression and offered a soft,pitylaced smile."I heard you used to massage Mr.Shepherd every night after you two got married.Why the sudden hesitance now?Oh…I see.You're worried about your dignity,aren't you?Of course,you're the prestigious wife of Lennon Shepherd.How could you possibly stoop so low as to massage a blind woman like me?"

Lennon shot me a cold,disapproving glance."Why are you just standing there?Don’t forget—Winona got hurt because of you."

I drew a shaky breath,then slowly knelt by the bed and began massaging Winona’s legs.

She let out a soft,satisfied sigh and closed her eyes,like a queen accepting a servant's offering.

I remembered all those nights when Lennon came home exhausted from work.I had spent months learning massage just to soothe his stress,to give him comfort and care.

And now…he was asking me to do the same for his lover.

"Ow!"Winona shrieked."What’s wrong with you?That hurt!If you don’t want to do it,then don’t touch me!"

She suddenly recoiled in mock pain,pulling her leg away and kicking me hard under the chin.

"Oh—I'm so sorry!"she said sweetly,hands fluttering in fake distress."I forgot I was blind.I couldn’t see where I was kicking.Did I hurt you?"

Her kick knocked me backward and the back of my head slammed into the sharp edge of the cabinet.

My vision dimmed instantly.A highpitched ringing filled my ears.

The sharp,metallic scent of blood hit my nose.I reached behind my head and felt something warm and wet.My fingers came away slick with blood.

Fighting against the dizziness,I pulled myself upright,using the cabinet for support.

I could feel the blood trickling down the back of my neck,soaking through the collar of my shirt.

Lennon did not move an inch.Not even a glance in my direction.

"Lennon…"I whispered his name.My voice trembled with pain and disbelief.

"Quit playing the victim,"he replied coldly."Winona barely touched you."

Winona stepped behind him and smirked at me,satisfied.

"I feel so dizzy…"I pressed my palm to the wall to keep myself upright.The world around me began to blur,the hallway bleeding into red and gray.

Only then did Lennon finally look at me—and freeze when he saw the blood streaming down my face.

He hesitated,as if about to come over,but Winona clung to his sleeve."Lennon,my legs…they still hurt so much…"

He panicked immediately and swept her up into his arms without looking back at me.It was a kind nurse who rushed to help me,called the doctor and stayed by my side until I passed out.

I was hospitalized for three days and Lennon never came to see me.Not once.

When I went to collect my blood test results,I happened to pass by Winona’s ward.Inside,nurses were bustling in and out and laughter echoed through the hall.

I overheard them talking,full of admiration and envy.

"Mr.Shepherd is so attentive,Miss Myers,"one nurse gushed."He peels your apples and grapes too…even pours your water and gives you bath himself."

"She’s pregnant,you know.But right,he's so sweet.You’re so lucky to have such a devoted husband."

My chest caved in at their words.

I was the one who brought Winona into our lives—hired her to help Lennon with his condition.I even added her on social media,thinking she was kind.

Lately,she had been posting constantly.Every photo she posted was of him—holding her hand,smiling gently.On her wrist was his favorite bracelet,the one he never let anyone else touch.

Lennon and I had known each other since childhood and we had been married for years.Back then,even if I accidentally brushed against that bracelet,he would pull back almost swiftly.

But now,it was on her wrist.So,she was the one he truly loved,wasn’t she?

A sharp pain twisted in my chest.I instinctively placed a hand on my belly.

I had been so happy when I found out I was pregnant.But then,I overheard my own husband whisper to someone behind closed doors that even touching me made him feel dirty.That the baby I carried must be the child of some random homeless guy.

The memory made my whole body ache.

With trembling fingers,I walked to the OBGYN reception desk and registered for an appointment.

I had made up my mind.

I would terminate the pregnancy.

Soon…just a few more days…and I would finally be free of Lennon Shepherd forever.

The abortion was scheduled for the afternoon,two days from now.I returned to the villa to gather the things I would need for recovery since there would be no one to look after me after the procedure.I would be on my own.

But the moment I stepped through the front door,I froze.

My belongings were scattered across the living room floor like trash.Clothes,books,skincare products—things that had once been part of my daily life—were now trampled underfoot by unfamiliar men and women in staff uniforms,walking around them as if stepping over dirt.

A hot,nauseating wave of rage and humiliation surged through my chest.

I stormed toward the bedroom.

"Lennon,what the hell is going on?"I demanded."Why are my things thrown out like this?"

His voice drifted from inside,calm and detached.

"Winona is injured and she needs a peaceful place to rest.She happened to like your room,so I gave it to her.You should feel honored."

I let out a bitter laugh,hollow and sharp like shattered glass.

"Is that all this is?A generous favor?Or are you just easing her into my role as lady of the house?"

His expression flickered—just for a second—but I caught the guilt before it vanished.

"Meredith Evans,don’t twist things.There’s nothing going on between Winona and me.We do nothing wrong."

Before I could respond,a shrill scream tore through the room.It was Winona’s voice,crying out from my bedroom.

"Lennon!My stomach—ah—it hurts!It hurts so much!"

Lennon rushed toward her.I followed,silent,watching her writhe on my bed,clutching her stomach.

What now?

"Lennon…the soup your wife made for me...something’s not right.It hurts…"

She weakly pointed to the bowl at the head of the bed,her voice trembling.

Lennon’s face twisted into a mask of rage.Without a word,he scooped her into his arms and glared at me like I was filth.

"I’m taking Winona to the hospital.If anything happens to her,I swear,you’ll pay for it.I’ll deal with you when I get back."

And just like that,he was gone.

I stood alone in the wake of his fury.The air in the room had turned cold and thick.

None of the servants dared to look at me.They simply bowed their heads and kept still,as if waiting for something terrible to happen.

I wandered back into the living room and stood before the mess that used to be my life.

My clothes and jewelry were strewn across the floor.Photo albums—even our wedding pictures—had all been ripped apart.

I knelt on the floor and picked up a photograph with trembling hands.It was on our wedding day.He had once vowed to protect me for the rest of his life.

And now,without even blinking,he had cast me out for another woman.

A few hours later,Lennon came back.

His face was dark,fury burning in his eyes.Before he even said a word,he slapped me hard as soon as he entered the door.

Slap!

I staggered backward,my vision momentarily going white.Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth.

"Meredith,do you have any idea what you’ve done?"he roared,his voice sharper and colder than I had ever heard."Winona had a miscarriage!You killed her baby!"

"You heartless woman—you put something in the soup,didn’t you?Because you couldn’t stand to see her pregnant!"

I pressed a hand to my stinging cheek and slowly looked up at him.Then I laughed bitterly.

"So worked up,"I said bitterly."Because the baby in her belly was yours,right?"

His pupils shrank.He clearly was not expecting me to know.

"You...you knew?"

"I knew,"I replied coldly."I’ve known for a while.I know you’ve been sleeping with her behind my back.I know the baby was yours.And I know you’ve been dying to get rid of me so you could make space for her."

I paused,then added quietly,"So Lennon…let’s get a divorce."

His entire body stilled.His face turned pale,then darkened with rage.In the blink of an eye,he lunged forward and grabbed me by the throat,slamming me against the wall.

"Meredith Evans,what the hell did you just say?Divorce?I won’t allow it!"

His fingers tightened around my neck.My breath caught.Black spots danced before my eyes.And yet,I did not look away.

"Tell me,Lennon."When I spoke,my voice was barely a whisper."Did you ever love me?"

His grip loosened for a heartbeat.A flicker of panic passed through his eyes.But just as quickly,it was gone—buried beneath the seething rage.

"What does it matter now?You killed her baby!"

A broken laugh escaped my lips.

"Okay,"I said quietly."Thanks for finally giving me the closure I needed."

Thank you,Lennon,for shattering what little hope I had left,for making me realize there was nothing left to hold on to.

Soon,you would be free to stay with the woman you truly love,free from the woman you had never loved at all.

Maybe it was because I asked for a divorce—and Lennon simply could not accept that.In the days that followed,he changed.Almost as if he were trying to win me back.

He secured an invitation to the most prestigious auction in California and told me he was bringing me with him.

The venue was nothing short of breathtaking.Celebrities,politicians and business tycoons mingled in designer gowns and tailored suits,sipping champagne and trading smiles.

Lennon stood beside me,usually affectionate.He placed a warm hand on the small of my back,leaned in close and whispered into my ear.

"Whatever you want tonight,it’s yours."

I gave him a faint smile and said nothing.

Then,just as the next item was about to be introduced,the massive auction screen flickered.And in an instant,the feed switched.

A single image appeared.An image of me.

My hair tangled.My body was limp and exposed.Unconscious.

Gasps echoed through the room like breaking glass.

"What the hell is this?"Lennon shot to his feet,his face draining of color,then quickly reddening with fury.

The host scrambled to regain control,but the screen only grew more grotesque—photo after photo,each one faked but disturbingly convincing.Then,a shaky video.

"Oh my god…isn’t that Meredith Shepherd?"

"I always thought she was so elegant.No one could ever imagine she did something like that behind closed doors.

The whispers came like a storm,crashing into me from all directions.My skin went cold.I felt as though I had been plunged into a frozen lake.

None of it was real.I knew it.

But who would do something this cruel?

Then I turned my head and there she was.Winona Myers.

She stood at the back of the room,holding a glass of wine,her lips curled into a smirk.Slowly,deliberately,she mouthed the words,"You’re finished."

"Mr.Shepherd,please,we’re so sorry—"The auction manager rushed over,drenched in sweat as he tried to explain.

Lennon grabbed the man by the collar,his voice erupting.

"Shut it down!Now!Or I’ll make sure this place never hosts another event again!"

The man nodded frantically and ran to the control booth.

However,the damage was done.

Lennon turned back to me with eyes colder than ever."Meredith,what the hell else are you hiding from me?"

I tried to speak,but my throat locked up.No sound came out.

Slap!

This time,the blow was harder than before,knocking me clean to the floor.

My ears rang.My mouth filled with blood.I tasted iron as red droplets dripped onto the soft,pale carpet beneath me.

Lennon looked down at me,his voice filled with nothing but loathing.

"You really disgust me."

Then he turned,plucked a flash drive from his pocket and threw it to a nearby waiter.

"Forget the finale piece,"he barked."Play this instead.A lovely little video of Meredith Evans screwing a homeless guy."

I stayed unmoved.I stayed crumpled on the floor,blood pooling at the corner of my lips,as laughter filled the room—sharp,delighted,merciless.

"Oh my god...she was really doing that with a homeless man?"

"Tch,no wonder Lennon hasn’t brought her to any public events lately.Turns out he knew she was trash all along."

"A woman like that should be thrown into a cage like a wild animal."

I clenched the carpet beneath me.My nails dug into my palms so deeply I felt the skin tear.

On the massive screen,doctored images and faked footage looped endlessly—Lennon’s twisted production,designed to portray me as some depraved woman assaulted by vagrants.Every frame crushed me under the weight of shame.

And Lennon just stood there,watching it all without a flicker of remorse.Never once asking for the truth.

He had already chosen his version of the story—and the role I would play in it.

"Mr.Shepherd,the finale piece has been removed.You may display…whatever you wish."

The auctioneer handed over the remote control with shaking hands.

Lennon took the remote from him,towering above me like a god of judgment,his eyes cold and gleaming with a cruel glint.

"Meredith,"he said,"since you like attention so much,let me give you all of it."

He pressed the button and the next video began to play.

Something worse than humiliation.A new level of hell.

It showed me surrounded by filthy men,their bodies grotesquely close,violating the image of me with staged,degrading movements.

The audience erupted in horror.

"Oh god!This is sick!"

"Poor Mr.Shepherd…married to that?How did he stand it for so long?"

My whole body shook.I could not even see clearly anymore through the tears clouding my vision.

I knew the footage was fake—Winona had it made.I knew that.

Yet,I knew,no one wanted the truth.

Lennon did not even want justice.

He wanted to destroy me,making my life feel like hell.

Then the auctioneer spoke again,voice rising above the chaos."Ladies and gentlemen,tonight’s final item is…rather special."

"Mr.Shepherd here has decided to auction off his wife,Meredith Evans."

What—?

My head snapped up.I stared at him,not sure I had heard it right.

Lennon actually wanted to...auction me?

"The starting bid is one dollar,"Lennon said,his voice calm and cruel."Because frankly,that’s all she’s worth."

The room burst into roaring laughter.Dozens of mocking eyes bored into me,stripping me bare.

I bit down on my lip so hard I tasted blood.

This was the man I once loved.

This was the reward for every sacrifice I had ever made.

Slowly,I rose to my feet.

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth…and I smiled.

"Let me show you what I’m worth."

The words were quiet,but the whole room went dead silent.

"Mrs.Shepherd,"the auctioneer asked cautiously,"are you sure?We’ll have to verify your capital."

I nodded,forcing down the pain clawing at my chest.

"But first,I need to make a call."

The line rang once.Twice.

Then a voice came through,warm,familiar,gentle.I almost broke just hearing it.

"Can I borrow some money?"I asked."And…remember when you said you wanted to have a child with me?I’m ready now."

There was a beat of silence on the other end of the line—followed by a low,steady voice.

"Give me five minutes."

I ended the call,wiped the tears from my cheeks and walked back into the auction room.

Lennon’s face had soured,clearly had not expected my firm resistance.

"Meredith,do you really think a phone call can save you?"he sneered."Tonight,you're destined to become the whole city’s biggest joke."

Laughter flickered around the room.The crowd’s faces glowed with smug delight.

"Look at her face,crying like a baby.The Evans Family can’t even afford a decent dinner,so how could she afford something as extravagant in an auction?You should just accept your fate.”

Even Winona joined in with a condescending smile.

“Why don’t you beg Lennon for forgiveness?Maybe he’ll be kind enough to pretend none of this ever happened.”

I did not answer.I just stood there—silent,composed—waiting for fate to turn.

Exactly five minutes later,the grand doors of the auction hall burst open.

Gasps rippled across the room as a team of men in sleek black suits entered with practiced precision.Their shoes tapped crisply on the marble floor as they made their way toward me.Without hesitation,they bowed.

“Ms.Evans,”one of them said,“our boss sent us to ensure your safety.He also asked me to deliver this message:all his assets have been transferred to your name.You may use them however you wish.”

I gave a small,composed smile and raised my hand slightly toward the auctioneer.“Please verify the funds.”

The auctioneer took my bank card with trembling hands and slid it through the machine.

Moments later,his expression shifted sharply.His expression drained of color and his hands began to shake violently.

“Verification complete…the liquid assets exceed one billion dollars.”

The room gasped as one.Stunned silence engulfed them.

I did not spare Lennon a single glance.I just picked up my bag,turned to the bodyguards and said calmly,“Handle the rest.I’m tired.I’m going home to rest.”

I took a cab straight to the hospital.Today was the day of my abortion.

When I woke up after the procedure,I instinctively placed a hand over my flat stomach and my eyes stung with tears.

Two months ago,when I first found out I was pregnant,I was overjoyed.I thought this child was a blessing from heaven—meant for me and Lennon.

Yet,everything changed when I learned the child was not even his.And he…had never even touched me.

Lying on the hospital bed,I stared blankly at the night sky through the window.The anesthesia was wearing off,leaving a dull ache in my lower belly.Yet,it was not nearly as hollow as the ache in my heart.

The door creaked open.I turned my head slowly.Lucan Shepherd,Lennon’s older brother,stood there.

That was the same man I had called earlier at the auction.

He held a lunch box,still cool from the breeze outside.

“I’m sorry,”he said gently.“I had someone track your location.You didn’t sound right on the phone.I was worried.”

He placed the lunch box on the table beside me.“I had them make chicken soup with red dates.It’s good for your recovery.Drink it while it’s hot.”

I managed a faint smile.“It’s fine.Thank you…really.”

He sat at the edge of the bed,poured the warm soup into the lunch box with practiced ease,then brought a spoonful to my lips after gently blowing on it to cool.

Instinctively,I reached for the spoon,wanting to feed myself,but he pulled it slightly back.

“Don’t.Let me.”

His tone left no room for argument,but his eyes were incredibly gentle.

No one had ever treated me like this before—not even Lennon.

The soup was just the right temperature,so warm and comforting.I sipped it slowly,but soon,without warning,tears welled up in my eyes and fell silently into the bowl.

Lucan set the spoon down and reached out,wiping the tears from my cheeks with soft fingers.

“Why are you crying?”he asked gently.

“Because this isn’t fair for you,”I whispered hoarsely.“You being this kind to me…I don’t deserve it.”

My chest tightened.I took a breath and forced the words out.“I’m sorry.I should tell you the truth.I…I was violated.By random homeless guy.I’m not…clean.”

His expression darkened.His voice dropped to a firm,unshakable tone.“Meredith,do you think that’s something I’d care about?”

He leaned in,cupped my face in both hands and made me look at him gently but firmly.

There was no trace of disgust,only genuine pain and fury.

“I care that you were hurt.I care that Lennon—that bastard—ever let this happen to you.”

My lips trembled.More tears spilled,this time uncontrollably.

And then he pulled me into his arms.

His embrace was warm and strong.For the first time in what felt like forever,I felt safe.

“Whether it’s fair or not,that’s for me to decide,”he murmured,stroking my hair with aching tenderness,“And from now on,Meredith Evans,your tears—if you ever cry again—will only be for me.But I’ll do everything I can to make sure you never have to.”

I rested against him,listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.At that moment,I felt like I could finally breathe again.

He pressed a soft kiss to the top of my head.

“Sleep,”he whispered.“I’m here.I’m not going anywhere.”

After the auction,Lennon brought Winona back to the villa.

She kicked off her heels with a laugh and tossed her sunglasses onto the vanity,flopping onto the kingsized bed with a sigh of satisfaction.

"Finally,I don’t have to pretend to be blind anymore.Babe,Meredith just ran off like that—you didn’t even chase after her?"

Lennon climbed into bed behind her,wrapping an arm around her waist as he pulled her close.

"Let her run,"he said with a sneer."You know how she is—give her a couple of days and she’ll come crawling back,begging for forgiveness.This time,she’s the one in the wrong.I’m done bending over backwards for her.She’s gone now and that means it’s just us."

Winona turned around with a smug smile and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"But what if she doesn’t come back?"she teased.

Lennon scoffed,his voice laced with disdain."She’s tainted—used up by random guy and disgraced in front of the entire city.Who would want her now,besides me?"

Then he leaned in and kissed her.

When I woke up,Lucan took me to the hospital for a full medical exam.

The process was long and draining.I sat quietly,legs swinging from the exam table,while the doctor reviewed the results.His expression darkened as he read.

"Ms.Evans condition is concerning,"he said,voice serious."Aside from the expected postabortion weakness,she’s severely malnourished.There are early signs of anemia."

As he spoke,Lucan’s face hardened with every word.His hands clenched into fists,knuckles turning bonewhite.

"What about past injuries?"he asked tightly.

The doctor paused,hesitating as his eyes flicked to me for permission.

I lowered my gaze in silence.

Lucan’s voice dropped into a dangerous calm."Say it."

The doctor let out a slow breath,then said carefully,"There are signs of previous trauma—injuries consistent with longterm physical abuse."

The room fell still.Thick.Suffocating.

Lucan’s jaw flexed,his breathing shallow and sharp.A storm brewed in his eyes.

Without another word,he turned abruptly,storming for the door.

I reached out instinctively and grabbed his wrist."Lucan!"

He stopped in his tracks,his back still facing me.His entire body was tense,his rage barely contained—and I knew it was not directed at me,but at Lennon.

"Don’t…"I whispered,my voice cracking."He’s not worth it."

Slowly,he turned and pulled me into his arms with such urgency that I could hardly breathe.

"Meredith,"he ground out my name,his voice trembling with emotion he was trying so hard to suppress."How am I supposed to just endure this?"

I pressed my face against his chest.My tears soaked into his shirt as he held me tighter.

He took a long,shaky breath.Then,gently,he ran his hand along my back and whispered,"All right.I won’t go."

After a moment,he added quietly,"But promise me this—starting today,you’re mine.And I swear,I’ll never let anyone hurt you again."

I closed my eyes and nodded.

"Edith..."he said,voice breaking from steel to tenderness,"Marry me,will you?"

I nodded again,this time without hesitation and wrapped my arms around him even tighter.

Meanwhile,back at the Shepherd Family villa…

Lennon lounged on the couch,scrolling through his phone.His expression twisted into annoyance.

"She’s still not back?"he muttered."Tsk.Meredith’s really milking this tantrum."

Winona curled against his side,head resting on his shoulder.She giggled softly.

"What’s the matter—starting to miss her?"

"Miss her?"Lennon scoffed."She’s damaged goods.I only ever took her in because I pitied her."

He tilted Winona’s chin with one hand.

"You,look at you here,you’re perfect—obedient,pure."

Winona beamed and planted a kiss on his cheek."Obviously.I’m nothing like her."

Lennon smirked and pulled her into his arms,full of lazy confidence.

Where else could Meredith possibly go?She had no one,nowhere to run.No one else would take her in.Just two days and she would come crawling back.

And then,maybe,he would consider taking her back.

Once I had recovered,I returned to the villa—not to reconcile,but to pack up and hand Lennon the divorce papers myself.

The moment I stepped through the door,I saw him sitting in the living room.His eyes widened,stunned at first,then something like joy flickered across his face,but it quickly hardened into the cold,guarded indifference.

"So you finally decided to show up?"he said,voice sharp."Good.We still haven’t settled things—especially your little betrayal.Might as well deal with it now."

I did not bother with a reply.I just tossed the divorce agreement on the table in front of him.

"There’s nothing left to deal with.Sign it.I’m only here to grab my things."

His eyes dropped to the papers.He did not even read them before his expression twisted with fury.In one sudden motion,he shot up and ripped the divorce agreement to shreds.The pieces fluttered to the floor like falling ash.

"Meredith,have you lost your mind?"he gritted his teeth and his voice trembled with disbelief."You think I’m just going to let you walk away from me?"

I scoffed and brushed past him,heading straight to the bedroom.I did not hesitate and began to pack my things.

Clothes,documents,jewelry—I packed swiftly.There was no hesitation,no secondguessing,no lingering sentimentality.

But Lennon was not done.He stormed in behind me,grabbing my wrist in a brutal grip.His fingers dug into my skin.

"What the hell do you think you’re doing?"he yelled,panic bleeding through his anger."You’re still mad,is that it?Fine!I get it,all right?I shouldn’t have done what I did.I messed up and lost my temper.Can’t we just slow down and work it out?"

I yanked my arm away,my eyes like ice."Don’t act like you’re some heartbroken victim,Lennon.You think I don’t know about you and Winona?"

His face went blank for a second—then flared with anger.

"That’s not true!Winona and I—there’s nothing going on.We’re innocent."

"Innocent?"I laughed,dry and sharp.I reached into my bag,pulled out a neat stack of photographs and hurled them at his chest."Is this what you called innocent?"

The glossy prints scattered to the floor—snapshots of him and Winona.Holding.Kissing.Smiling.Touching her like he never once touched me.

Lucan had given them to me days ago.

I sneered.

"She's not even blind."

"Lennon,you lied to me over and over again just for her.You betrayed me over and over.If you’d just told me the truth back then,I would’ve walked away without a word,but you couldn’t even give me that."

His face turned ashen,drained of color.

He stood frozen,the silence dragging on until he finally managed to choke out,"Edith,listen…just let me explain—"

"There’s nothing left to explain,"I cut in,voice sharp and final."You were the one who wanted the divorce,remember?You threw me to the wolves,let others disgrace me,refused to even touch me.So don’t stand there pretending to care now."

I zipped my suitcase shut with a cold finality."Sign the damn papers,Lennon.Let’s just end this cleanly."

Just then,the sound of heels echoed on the marble floor.Winona stepped into the room,her expression full of smug sweetness.Her eyes swept across the scattered photos.

"Oh my,what’s all this?"she said with feigned innocence.Then she sauntered over and hooked her arm around Lennon’s,looking at me with smug satisfaction."Meredith,if you’ve already made your decision,don’t waste Lennon’s time."

I did not even spare her a glance.I just grabbed up my suitcase and headed for the door.

"Meredith!"Lennon shouted after me."Where the hell do you think you can go without me?You know what the Evans Family is now.I’m the only one who can protect you!"

I did not pause.

"Is there someone else?"

This time,I stopped.

"Yes."

And with that,I walked out into the sun.

The air was fresh,the sunlight warm against my skin.And for the first time in years,I could finally breathe again.

Lennon and I were finally over.And this time,it was for good.