Chapter 3: The Past Refuses to Stay Buried

The official divorce notice arrived at the Lennon residence exactly two days later.

Mark had just returned from work when the courier handed him the envelope.

He frowned the moment he saw the law firm's logo.

"Collins Law Firm?"

His expression darkened as he opened the documents.

The first page bore Lily's signature.

The second outlined the division of their shared property.

The third confirmed that attorney Emma Collins officially represented her.

This wasn't another emotional outburst.

It wasn't an empty threat.

Lily had truly begun the divorce process.

"Dad?"

Anthony walked into the living room carrying a basketball.

"What's that?"

Mark quickly folded the papers.

"Nothing."

"Adult business."

"Is Mom coming home today?"

The question caught him off guard.

For the first time in years, Anthony sounded uncertain.

"She... needs some time."

"But she'll come back, right?"

Mark forced a smile.

"Of course."

"Your mom is just angry."

Anthony nodded before returning to his room.

The moment he disappeared upstairs, Mark's confident expression vanished.

He immediately dialed Emma Collins' office.

"Mr. Lennon," Emma answered professionally.

"How may I help you?"

"I received these divorce papers."

"Tell Lily to stop being ridiculous."

"I'm afraid Mrs. Lennon has made her decision."

"Impossible."

"She wouldn't leave her family."

"Apparently," Emma replied calmly, "she already has."

The line went dead.

Mark stared at his phone in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Lily had spent the last two days doing something she hadn't done in years.

Living for herself.

She woke up without preparing breakfast for three people who never appreciated her effort.

She read books.

She walked through the nearby park.

She even enjoyed coffee alone without constantly checking whether someone needed her.

It felt unfamiliar.

Yet strangely peaceful.

That afternoon, Emma invited her back to the office.

"There's something I think you should see."

Lily arrived half an hour later.

Emma handed her a thin file.

"I reviewed the police records from ten years ago."

"Something doesn't add up."

Lily frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"The original investigation closed unusually quickly."

"Several witness statements disappeared from the file."

"Disappeared?"

"Exactly."

"Someone requested they remain confidential."

Lily's heartbeat quickened.

"Can we access them?"

"Not easily."

"But I've already submitted a formal request."

"It may take several days."

Hope flickered inside Lily for the first time in years.

What if...

What if the truth had been buried all along?

After leaving the law office, she decided to revisit the old neighborhood where everything had happened.

The streets looked smaller than she remembered.

The old convenience store still stood on the corner.

The traffic lights remained unchanged.

Only the abandoned alley seemed exactly the same.

Lily stopped at the entrance.

Ten years ago...

This place had destroyed her life.

"Miss?"

An elderly shop owner recognized her.

"You're Lily, aren't you?"

She turned in surprise.

"Mr. Harris?"

The old man smiled kindly.

"I haven't seen you in years."

"How have you been?"

"I'm managing."

"Do you still remember... that night?"

His smile slowly faded.

"How could I forget?"

"The whole neighborhood talked about it for months."

"Actually..."

He hesitated.

"There was always something that bothered me."

Lily leaned forward.

"What was it?"

"I remember seeing your friend standing here alone nearly twenty minutes before the police arrived."

"She wasn't running."

"She wasn't screaming."

"She looked like she was waiting for someone."

Lily froze.

"You're sure?"

"Very sure."

"I almost asked if she needed help."

"But then customers entered my shop."

"When I came back outside, police cars were already everywhere."

Lily's heart pounded violently.

This was the first time in ten years anyone had questioned Sophie's story.

"Would you be willing to tell the police that?"

Mr. Harris sighed.

"If anyone finally asks... yes."

"I've always felt guilty for staying silent."

Lily thanked him before walking away.

For the first time in years, the impossible suddenly felt possible.

Elsewhere, Sophie enjoyed lunch with several friends.

One of them laughed while scrolling through her phone.

"So..."

"How's married life with Mark?"

Everyone laughed.

Sophie pretended to blush.

"Don't joke like that."

"People might misunderstand."

"Misunderstand?"

Another woman smirked.

"Half the city already thinks you're Anthony's mother."

"You practically live at their house."

Sophie's smile widened ever so slightly.

"Mark just feels responsible for me."

"After everything that happened."

She carefully lowered her eyes, perfectly recreating the image of a fragile victim.

Her friends immediately apologized.

"We're sorry."

"We didn't mean..."

"It's alright."

"I've already forgiven Lily."

"I just hope one day she'll forgive herself."

The women nodded sympathetically.

Exactly the reaction Sophie expected.

That evening, Mark visited Sophie's apartment.

"She actually hired a lawyer," he muttered while handing Sophie a copy of the divorce notice.

Sophie's brows rose.

"She's serious?"

"Apparently."

"What are you going to do?"

"Wait."

"Eventually she'll calm down."

"What if she doesn't?"

Mark remained silent.

The possibility hadn't truly occurred to him until now.

"Mark..."

Sophie spoke gently.

"Maybe you've been too hard on her lately."

"I never wanted your marriage to suffer because of me."

"Don't blame yourself."

He sighed heavily.

"This is Lily being unreasonable."

"She knows why I've always looked after you."

Sophie's expression softened.

"You're still the kindest person I've ever known."

Those words eased Mark's frustration.

He didn't notice the brief smile that appeared on Sophie's face after he looked away.

Back at the hotel, Lily received another phone call from Emma.

"Good news."

"The court accepted our application immediately."

"Your first hearing is scheduled next month."

"That quickly?"

"Yes."

"There's something else."

"One of the former suspects involved in the assault case was released from prison last week."

"Former suspect?"

"Yes."

"He served time for unrelated crimes."

"His name is Daniel Cross."

"Why does that matter?"

"Because according to old police notes..."

"He repeatedly claimed Sophie lied about certain details."

Lily's breathing stopped.

"Can we find him?"

"I'm already trying."

"If he's willing to talk..."

"Everything could change."

After ending the call, Lily sat quietly beside the hotel window.

Outside, rain slowly began falling across the city.

For ten years she had accepted everyone's hatred because she believed she could never prove her innocence.

Now...

The past was beginning to crack.

Small pieces of the truth were emerging one by one.

She didn't know what would happen next.

She didn't know whether people would finally believe her.

But she knew one thing.

She would never allow herself to be blamed for someone else's lies again.

Across the city, Mark stood alone inside the empty kitchen.

Without thinking, he opened the refrigerator.

It was almost empty.

No neatly prepared meals.

No handwritten reminders.

No fresh ingredients organized by date.

Only bottled water and leftovers.

He stared blankly for several moments before quietly closing the door.

For the first time since Lily left...

He noticed just how much of their home had depended on her.

And somehow...

The silence felt much louder than before.