Chapter 3 Keep Pretending.

Lila's POV

Heartbroken, I stood in the living room, facing Joshua and Jasmine as I had said all those things. The air felt heavy with tension. "How could you do this to me?" I shouted, my voice trembling with pain. "You're my husband, Joshua!"

"It's not what you think, Lila!" Joshua said, trying to defend himself, but I couldn't listen to his lies anymore.

Jessica smirked, stepping closer to him. "You really thought we were going to be happy together, didn't you? "You're just a backup plan," she taunted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Backup plan?" My heart felt like it was shattering even more. "I thought you two loved each other!"

I could see the joy in their eyes as they stood together. Meanwhile, I felt smaller than ever. "You are both pathetic!" I yelled, anger bubbling inside me. "How could you betray me like this?"

"Lila, please calm down," Joshua said, his voice now defensive. "This isn't what it seems."

"Not what it seems?" I laughed bitterly. "You think I don't see what's happening? You and she were supposed to be away! You lied to me!"

"No one lied," Jessica interrupted, her tone mocking. You just didn't want to see the truth. Joshua deserves better than you."

My heart sank at her words. "Better than me? I thought I was enough for him!"

Joshua looked at me with anger and frustration. "You were never really there for me, Lila. You always had your head in the clouds. I can't keep pretending I'm happy when I'm not, and you were just a means to an end. You had all the means to an end to get what your grandfather left you. I was never in love with you."

"Oh, that's rich, is your "not being happy" supposed to cover all this?!" I shot back. "You just wanted to use me to get what you could." My property. "My grandfather left everything to me because I'm his only grandchild!"

Jessica laughed, crossing her arms. "And how convenient it was for you to snag him first." You knew he wanted more, and you had to take him for yourself."

"Please, both of you!" I yelled, feeling the tears welling up. "You think this is my fault?" You think I wanted this?"

"Lila, you're so naive," Joshua said, shaking his head. "You always think the world revolves around you."

"Stop it!" I screamed, feeling completely overwhelmed. "You really think I planned any of this? I loved you both!"

"Love? You don't even know what love is," Jessica said, her voice cold. You're just a foolish girl. You thought you could keep Joshua with your tears."

"I never wanted to keep him!" I shouted back, anger coursing through me. I just wanted to be part of a family and have a life with him. But you destroyed that!"

"Enough of this!" Joshua said, frustration spilling over. Jessica and I are in love and getting married. You need to accept that."

"Accept that? "You're kidding, right?" I shook my head in disbelief. "You're going to throw away everything we had just like that?"

He stepped closer, his face serious. "You don't get it, do you? I was never in love with you. I was with you because it was easy. But Jasmine... she's the one I really want."

My heart shattered into a million pieces. "So this was all just a game to you?" I whispered, feeling numb.

"Not a game, Lila. Just reality," he replied. "And you need to move on. We both do."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "You think this is just easy for me? I thought we would have built something real! But you threw it all away!"

She stepped forward, grinning. "This is the best for all of us. You'll see. Joshua and I will thrive without you holding us back."

I felt rage boil inside me. "You are both heartless! You think it's fine to hurt me just like this?"

"Oh please, Lila," Joshua rolled his eyes. Stop playing the victim. You brought this to yourself."

I sighed, staring at them. "You know what? I don't want to be part of your twisted little world anymore. I will take back what is mine and live my own life."

"Good luck with that," Jessica said with a laugh.

I had to step out of the room, but before I

I could, I felt something heavy come down my head and I slipped.

"Good riddance if she dies." I heard Jessica's voice say as life left my body.

"She's no use to anyone dead or alive anyway. I'll get someone to clean up this disgusting mess."

I was disgusting? As I lay there, bleeding out, all the memories flashed through my mind. I had loved him and wanted him, but what did I get in return? Nothing but misunderstanding, hate and betrayal.

"I–I wish I could have another chance. G–God, please give me another one."

The darkness came and completely took over.