Chapter 9: A New Beginning

Six months later.

The first snowfall of winter quietly covered the streets of Jovialle.

I stood in front of my classroom, smiling as my students handed me handmade greeting cards.

"Happy New Year, Ms. Carter!"

"Thank you," I replied warmly.

Life had finally returned to peace.

After the divorce, I focused entirely on my career.

The school promoted me to head of the language department, and my days were once again filled with laughter instead of arguments.

As for Xavier, news about him occasionally reached my ears.

After losing the lawsuit, he had been dismissed from the company.

No employer wanted to hire someone whose affair had gone viral across the internet.

Sandra's situation was even worse.

Justin divorced her immediately after the DNA test confirmed that the unborn child had belonged to Xavier.

She lost both her marriage and her career.

The child was never born.

Rumor had it that the stress caused her to miscarry only weeks after the divorce.

Neither of them ever appeared in my life again.

One afternoon, as I was leaving school, someone called my name.

"Lily."

I turned around.

Xavier stood across the street.

He looked much thinner than before.

"I heard you've been promoted," he said quietly.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you," I answered politely.

There was an awkward silence.

Finally, Xavier smiled bitterly.

"I used to think you would never leave me."

"I thought no matter what happened, you'd always forgive me."

"Only after losing you did I realize you were the best thing that ever happened to me."

I looked at him calmly.

"Unfortunately, some lessons are learned too late."

"Take care of yourself, Xavier."

I turned and walked away.

This time, he didn't follow.

As I stepped into the falling snow, I raised my face toward the sky.

In my previous life, I had died full of resentment and regret.

But fate had given me another chance.

I had exposed the lies.

I had protected myself.

And most importantly, I had chosen myself.

The snowflakes landed softly in my palm before slowly melting away.

Just like the painful memories of the past.

Some scars would remain forever, but they would never define the rest of my life.

Because my new life had only just begun.

**THE END**