Rebirth After Being Betrayed by My Husband by Isabella Reed

Chapter 157

+6 Peuris

The next morning, Lily stirred awake, immediately feeling the ache in her waist and the soreness in her body. She groaned softly, stretching her arms before catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror across the room. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight–her skin was dotted with faint marks, souvenirs of last night” passionate escapades. Shaking her head with a wry smile, she muttered to herself, “Ethan really went overboard

Turning to check the time, her casual glance at the clock turned into a double–take. “Oh, wonderful,” she sighed. “It’s already 10:30 Remembering she had plans to meet Riley at 10, she shrugged and chuckled. “Well, she can wait. What’s another hour!

Unhurried, Lily stepped into the bathroom and treated herself to a long, soothing shower, letting the warm water case her tired muscles. By the time she finished, she felt refreshed and ready to tackle the day. She made her way to the dining table, where Ethan had left a delicious breakfast for her before heading to work After eating leisurely, she dressed up and finally left for the café.

When she arrived, it was nearly noon–an hour and a half past their agreed meeting time. Spotting Riley seated at a corner table, Lily casually walked over and slid into the chair opposite her. “Hey,” she greeted simply.

Riley plastered on a smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Hi, you look gorgeous today,” she said with forced enthusiasm. The last time she saw Lily, she hadn’t looked nearly this radiant. Today, however, she seemed to exude confidence and elegance.

Riley’s real goal was to win Lily’s trust, so she had made an effort to arrive 30 minutes early to ensure she wasn’t late. But what she hadn’t expected was that Lily herself would keep her waiting for two hours. Still, she masked her irritation with a sweet smile. “How have you been?” she asked, trying to sound cheerful.

“Good, Lily replied curtly, offering no further explanation.

A passing waitress caught her attention, and she ordered a strawberry milkshake without bothering to acknowledge Riley’s effort to make conversation.

Riley clenched her fists under the table, taking slow, calming breaths. Despite waiting for hours, there wasn’t even a trace of apology on Lily’s face. No explanation, no regret–nothing. But she couldn’t let her frustration show. She needed to play her cards right.

“Look, Riley,” Lily said, breaking the silence. “I don’t have a lot of time to waste. So, let’s cut to the chase. Why did you ask me to meet you?”

Riley forced a laugh, though it sounded awkward. “Lily, what’s with the tone? We’re best friends, aren’t we? I just wanted to catch up with you and have a nice, friendly chat.”

“Are we?” Lily asked bluntly, raising an eyebrow.

Riley asked, feigning

tone calm but cutting,

Of course, we’re best friends! You and

not waste time beating around the bush. Just tell me what you really want.”

before che quickly recovered determined to stick

84

Chapter 157

+8 Pearls:

Rose about the new Luty, out witnessing it firsthand was unsettling. The confident, sharp–eyed woman sitting before her was unrecognizable from the soft- spoken girl she

Lily, trying to make sense of the drastic transformation.

breaking the silence. “What’s wrong? Are you just going to keep staring at me, or do you plan to say something? If you want, I can save you some trouble–take a picture. That way, you can admire me all you want later, she

“It’s just… you’re so different from before. What happened to you, Lily? You’ve

her lips. “You’re asking me what happened? That’s rich. Her

you left your family and cut ties with

much better at it than Rose. If I didn’t already

widened, panic setting in. “W–What do you mean?

that dense?” Lily’s voice dripped with mockery. “I know everything. After what you and your

rising in desperation. “Lily, please believe

down, Riley. People are watching. Remember, you’re still a celebrity. You wouldn’t want anyone to hear you shouting and uncovering

her spine. She grabbed the glass of water in front of her, drinking in an attempt to steady her

continued casually, as if the tension between them didn’t exist. “Oh, by the way,” she said, tilting her head slightly, “have you been to

would I

“Really? Your best friend didn’t tell you?” She clicked her tongue. “That’s odd.

gasped, her voice filled with shock. “Why? What happened to

laughter was soft but cold. “My husband beat him up.”