Lily's hand shot out. Her fingers brushed the cold, crisp bills, but instead of taking them, she shoved them.
The money scattered off the piano, fluttering to the floor like dead leaves.
"I don't want your money," she said. Her voice was muffled by the mask, but the tone was unmistakable.
Ethan stopped. He turned around slowly, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Excuse me?"
"I said," Lily stood up, the piano bench screeching against the floorboards, "keep your charity."
Serena was watching from the booth, a smirk playing on her lips. She wanted this. She wanted the scene.
"Pick it up," Ethan said, his voice dropping to that dangerous, quiet level. "You're making a scene."
"Am I?" Lily reached up behind her head. She pulled off the glasses. She unhooked the mask.
She let it fall.
Ethan's eyes went wide. His pupils dilated, swallowing the grey irises. He looked at her face-pale, devoid of makeup, eyes burning with a fire he had never seen before-and he took a step back. The recognition hit him like a physical blow.
"Lily?" The word was a breath, a question.
The restaurant fell silent. Diners turned in their seats.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Ethan hissed, stepping closer to block her from view. "Dressed like... this? Playing for tips? Are you trying to humiliate me?"
"I'm working, Ethan," Lily said, her voice clear and carrying. "It's called earning a living. You froze my cards, remember?"
"I froze them so you would come home! Not so you could cosplay as a servant in my favorite restaurant!" His face flushed with anger. "Get your coat. We're leaving."
He reached for her arm.
Lily stepped back. "Don't touch me."
"Lily, stop this madness. You're my wife."
"I am your employee," she corrected. "Or I was. Until I quit."
Serena appeared at Ethan's elbow. "Oh my god, Lily! Is that you?" Her acting was Oscar-worthy. She covered her mouth with a manicured hand. "I didn't recognize you in those... rags. Ethan, don't be mad at her. She's obviously desperate."
Serena opened her clutch. She pulled out a checkbook. "Here," she said, scribbling quickly. She tore off a check. "Five thousand. That should cover a hotel and some new clothes. Please, stop embarrassing Ethan."
She held the check out to Lily.
Lily looked at the paper. Then at Serena's face. The malice in Serena's eyes was shining bright and clear.
Lily took the check.
Serena smiled triumphantly.
Lily ripped the check in half. Then in quarters. She threw the pieces into the air. They rained down on the bodice of the midnight blue dress.
"You can buy his time, Serena," Lily said, her voice shaking with adrenaline. "You can buy his bed. You can even wear my dress. But you can't buy me."
Serena let out a dramatic gasp, stepping back as if slapped. "Ethan! She's crazy!"
"That's enough!" Ethan roared. He stepped between them, shielding Serena. He looked at Lily with pure disgust. "You have lost your mind. Look at yourself. You're pathetic."
Pierre, the manager, rushed over, sweating profusely. "Miss! You are fired! Get out! Immediately!"
"I'm leaving," Lily said. She grabbed her purse from under the piano.
She walked past Ethan. He didn't try to stop her this time. He was too busy brushing the confetti of the check off Serena's shoulder.
Lily walked out of the warm restaurant and into the biting cold of the New York night. The snow was falling harder now, thick flakes that stuck to her eyelashes.
She stood on the sidewalk, her chest heaving. She had no job. No coat. No husband.
She started to laugh. It was a broken, jagged sound.
Behind her, the restaurant door banged open.
"Lily!"
Ethan strode out into the snow, ignoring the valet who ran toward him. He looked furious. He looked terrifying.
He marched toward her, closing the distance in three long strides.
