Chapter 52

• Lily stood in the living room, a sense of excitement bubbling within her as she admired the decorations she had carefully arranged. It was her first birthday as Ethan’s wife, and she had gone all out—balloons floated from the ceiling, colorful streamers adorned the walls, and a beautiful cake sat on the table, waiting to be cut.
• This is it, she thought, her heart racing with anticipation. He’ll finally spend this day with me. No more feeling like a clingy teenager; now I’m his wife, and things will be different.
• She glanced at the clock, her smile unwavering as she counted down the minutes until he would arrive. He’ll walk through that door, and we’ll celebrate together, just like I’ve always dreamed.