Rebirth After Being Betrayed by My Husband (Lily and Ryan)

+8 Pearls

Standing outside a dimly lit, second-rate bar, Lily frowned, her unease evident. "Why did you bring me here?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion. A quick glance at the establishment made it clear it wasn't the sort of place she'd expect someone like Ethan to frequent. The lively yet questionable atmosphere seemed out of sync with his typically refined demeanor.

Ethan smiled, his hand gently encasing hers. "Come inside, and you'll find out.” Without waiting for her consent, he led her through the entrance.

Inside, the bar buzzed with life. Patrons of various ages crowded the space, their conversations blending with the clinking of glasses and pulsating music. Waiters and waitresses weaved through the throng, their attire deliberately suggestive, catering to the uninhibited crowd. To Lily, it felt like a far cry from the upscale venues she was accustomed to.

As they found a table in a corner, Lily quickly ordered drinks, her curiosity battling her discomfort. When their drinks arrived, she turned to Ethan, her gaze sharp. "Now will you tell me why you brought me to a place like this?"

Ethan's lips curled into an enigmatic smile. "Patience, my love. Just a little patience."

Lily glanced around, her unease growing. The air reeked of alcohol and sweat. Groups of people laughed raucously, seemingly oblivious to their surroundings. She caught sight of a waitress brushing off an inappropriate advance from a customer, while another woman seemed to encourage similar attention. The scene left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Before she could voice her discomfort again, a waitress approached their table. She was young and heavily made up, her short skirt and tight blouse leaving little to the imagination. With a practiced, sultry smile, she leaned closer to Ethan. "Hello, sir. Can I get you anything else?" she purred, her tone dripping with innuendo.

Lily's eyes narrowed. "Leave," she said curtly, her voice cold.

But the waitress ignored her, her attention solely fixed on Ethan. Her gaze was bold, her intentions unmistakable. "Sir, if there's anything you need, anything at all, just let me know. I can make sure all your wishes come true," she added, her voice laden with suggestion.

Lily's irritation flared into anger. Was she invisible? She glanced at Ethan, who appeared utterly unfazed by the waitress's advances. The lack of reaction from him only fueled her frustration. Turning her sharp gaze back to the woman, she said, her words dripping with sarcasm, "How about undressing right he then he'll take you up on your offer."

Maybe

The waitress froze, clearly taken aback by Lily's bold retort. For the first time, she seemed to notice the woman seated beside Ethan. Her shock was evident as she realized she had completely misjudged the situation. Lily, dressed modestly with only her eyes visible, had been overlooked, but her fierce words left no room for further missteps.

The waitress mumbled an apology and quickly retreated, leaving the couple alone. Lily turned back to Ethan, her expression a mix of annoyance and curiosity. "Care to explain now?" she asked pointedly.

Ethan chuckled softly, reaching out to take her hand. "All in good time, my love. All in good time."

Almost all the waitresses working at this bar had a way of earning extra money by entertaining wealthy patrons. When this particular waitress saw Ethan walk in, she immediately recognized an opportunity. From his attire and demeanor, she could tell he was both rich and undeniably handsome. Most of the men frequenting this bar were far from refined. their intentions blatantly obvious, but Ethan was a rare

10:54 Sun, 16 Mar

exception.

90%

+8 Pearlsnoveldrama

Determined not to miss her chance, she acted quickly before another waitress could swoop in. However, as she approached, she felt the intense, almost murderous gaze of Lily piercing through her. It was clear that if she said or did anything more, she might face serious consequences.

Understanding the situation, the waitress wisely chose to back off, retreating quietly. As she walked away, Lily's tension eased, and a satisfied smile replaced her earlier scowl. Turning her attention to her husband, she noticed him watching her with an amused expression. Ethan's lips curved into an innocent smile. "You look adorable when you're jealous," he teased.

"Oh? I look cute when I'm jealous?" Lily repeated sweetly, though her tone hinted at mischief.

Ethan nodded, still grinning.

“Then let's find out how you look when you're jealous,” she said, her hands moving to unzip her leather jacket.

His smile froze. "Wait, wait!" Ethan quickly stopped her, his voice tinged with panic. "Wifey, my mistake. Lesson learned. Never provoke your wife-the consequences are unbearable."

Satisfied with his swift capitulation, Lily finally relaxed. "Now, care to explain why you brought me here?" she asked, her curiosity reignited.

Ethan gestured toward the staging area at the front of the bar. "For her," he said, pointing to a woman stepping onto the stage.

Lily's eyes followed his direction. The woman on stage was tall and slender, her figure accentuated by a shimmering gown. A golden mask concealed the upper half of her face, adding an air of mystery, but even so, it was evident she was strikingly beautiful.

"What about her?" Lily asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Her voice," Ethan replied simply, taking a sip of his drink.

The woman moved gracefully to the center of the stage, and as she began to sing, her voice filled the room. Lily was instantly captivated. “What a stunning voice!” she exclaimed. Yet, as she listened, a sense of familiarity tugged at her mind.

"Ethan, don't you think this voice sounds familiar?" she asked, her brows furrowing as she tried to place it. "It feels like I've heard it before, but I can't recall where."

Ethan chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Maybe it's the same voice you hear in the song I sang for you," he suggested.

Lily's eyes lit up as realization dawned. She remembered the song he had performed for her not long ago— a song she had composed herself. It had been played at a company event, where she and Ethan had shared a memorable dance. The female voice in that song was unmistakably the same as the woman's on stage.

Her mind raced with possibilities. Not long ago, she had been searching for a singer who could rival Riley—someone powerful enough to aid her in her plans

for revenge. Now, it seemed she had found that voice.

"Who is she?" Lily asked, her tone laced with determination.

"Aurora," Ethan replied, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

10:54 Sun, 16 Mar

Rebirth After Being Betrayed by My Husban