Chapter 5 of Marriage was His Lie, So I Left

Lulu

Scott didn’t come back that night. As I walked past the living room, I found it empty—only silence accompanied my steps. I had expected it. He was probably by Leia’s side, who was most likely pretending to be in pain just to keep his attention on her.

I couldn’t stay in this penthouse any longer. Every corner of it felt like a noose tightening around my neck. Without much thought, I packed a small bag with some clothes and walked out of the place I once called home.

A hotel would be my temporary refuge. I’d find a flat soon enough, but one thing was certain—I couldn’t return to the McCarthy residence. I didn’t want to face Uncle Montgomery or the rest of the family. I needed time and space to make sense of everything.

Once inside my hotel room, I changed out of my dress into a nightgown. I picked up my phone, rereading the messages from Morpheus. He intrigued me—felt like a stranger, yet oddly familiar.

"Do I know him?"

I tried to recall, but exhaustion crept over me. I yawned a few times before surrendering to sleep.

***

Three Hours Before the Incident

I sat in Langley Restaurant, waiting for someone who claimed to have important information for me.

Morpheus.

He arrived in disguise—baseball cap, dark sunglasses, and a mask covering most of his face. His movements were cautious as he took a seat across from me, as if making sure no one recognised him.

"Mrs Byrne, apologies for keeping you waiting. I ran into a bit of a technical issue."

I nodded. "It’s fine. I only arrived ten minutes ago. Please, have a seat, Morpheus."

He opened his bag, pulled out a few documents, and slid them across the table towards me. "This is a list of organ donors at St Avalon Health Centre over the past year."

I swallowed, flipping through the pages. My heartbeat quickened as I reached the transplant reports.

"What is this?" My voice trembled as I read the name listed.

Morpheus leaned back in his chair, watching me from behind his sunglasses. "Your mother’s heart wasn’t given to its intended recipient—you."

My hands shook as my eyes landed on the name of the patient who had received the transplant.

Charlotte Andrews.

"Leia’s mother," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Then it hit me. Leia had once told me about her mother—how she had suffered from depression and a congenital heart condition. She had been placed in a psychiatric hospital on the outskirts of London.

I shook my head, unable to believe it. "There must be a mistake..."

But deep down, the pieces were falling into place. My mother and Leia’s mother. The connection was undeniable.

Morpheus shook his head. "I’ve double-checked. These documents are authentic."

My mind reeled. Scott had told me my mother’s accident had been caused by a lorry driver who fell asleep at the wheel. But Morpheus handed me police investigation reports—her death wasn’t due to a collision.

"Brake failure."

I clenched my fists, my chest tightening.

"This wasn’t just an accident, Mrs Byrne." Morpheus fixed his gaze on me. "And the transplant surgery took place the same day your mother died."

My smartwatch beeped in warning—my heart rate was spiking. I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to control the pain.

No matter how much I fought it, I was powerless against the darkness closing in.

***

I woke up in my hotel room, a strange sensation washing over me. I didn’t remember how I got here. The last thing I recalled was being with Morpheus.

Reaching for my phone, I saw a message.

I brought you back to your hotel. You fainted at the restaurant.

I exhaled deeply.

Just then, a new email notification popped up. It was from Raven. My eyes widened as I read it.

Here’s the plan. Go to the photography studio and pretend you left your medication there. We’ll handle the rest.

I didn’t think twice. I grabbed my bag and headed out.

***

The photography studio at his office was eerily quiet. I stepped inside carefully, ensuring no one saw me.

Moving to the main desk, I searched the drawers. My fingers grazed the inner compartment, following Raven’s instructions.

Then, the sound of heels clicking against the floor echoed behind me.

I turned—too late. A hand grabbed my hair, yanking me backwards.

"You shouldn’t be here, Lulu."

I recognised that voice.

Leia.

Her lips curled into a cruel smile as she shoved me against a tall shelving unit stacked with heavy equipment. I struggled, but she was faster. She gripped my throat, her nails digging into my skin.

I clawed at her hand, desperately trying to pry her fingers off. Summoning all my strength, I yanked her hair hard, forcing her to let go.

But she wasn’t done. She lunged at me again, chasing me until I was cornered against the wall. A manic grin twisted her features.

"You should’ve died, Lulu. You always take what’s mine."

"You’re wrong, Leia."

"I don’t give a shit! I just want you dead!"

Leia grabbed a metal rod from the shelf, raising it above her head. As she swung it at me, I dodged just in time.

By some stroke of fate, the rod got stuck between the shelf brackets.

Leia cursed viciously, yanking at it. "For fuck’s sake, let go, you little bitch!"

I saw the shelf wobble from the force of her tugs. My body moved instinctively—I scrambled away.

Then, a sudden burst of blinding light filled the room. My ears rang from the deafening blast that followed.

A few seconds later…

"What the hell? I can’t see!" Leia shrieked.