Gone Like It Was Never Here

When Lily Rosenfelt is eight months pregnant, Zeke Connolly brings home the woman he truly loves—Sophie Cruz, who's also eight months along.

To give Sophie and the baby the recognition they deserve, he goes public with a statement saying that he and Lily are already divorced and that he'll be marrying Sophie soon.

Thinking Lily is still blind, Zeke tricks her into signing the divorce papers. He even sleeps with Sophie in his own villa. What he doesn't know is that Lily has long regained her sight.

When she and Sophie fall down the stairs together and Zeke, without a moment's hesitation, chooses Sophie, something in Lily breaks. She buries her love for him along with their child.

It's not until she's truly gone that Zeke starts to panic.

"Mrs. Connolly, I've finished your check-up," said the doctor, Owen Aldinger. "Your health has been poor from the beginning, so carrying the baby this far hasn't been easy. But these last two months are critical.

"You'll need to take extra care, or you might lose the baby."

"I understand. Thank you, Dr. Aldinger."

Lily Rosenfelt bowed her head. Her gaze drifted to her swollen belly. A hollow ache unfurled in her chest.

"Oh? Mrs. Connolly, you've regained your sight?"

Owen had only just noticed. He looked genuinely pleased.

"Yes. My vision started to come back during my last check-up. The doctor said it might be the pregnancy hormones."

"That's wonderful news. Mr. Connolly must be overjoyed. Why didn't he come with you today?"

She hadn't told Zeke Connolly yet. She wasn't sure he'd even be glad to hear it.

She offered a faint smile. "He's busy."

He was with the woman he loved most—Sophie Cruz. Of course, he didn't have time to bring her to a prenatal checkup.

She unfolded the white cane in her hand and stepped out of Owen's office. As she moved through the hospital lobby, Zeke's interview flickered across the television screen.

"Sophie isn't carrying some illegitimate child. She's carrying my baby. The two of us have been together for a long time."

The host looked intrigued. "But Mr. Connolly, isn't it true that you've been married for quite some time?"

"Yes, but the divorce is finalized. I'll be marrying Sophie soon and giving her the recognition she deserves."

"Congratulations to you both. Wishing you two a healthy baby soon."

Zeke and Sophie leaned in. Their smiles were tender and identical for the cameras.

"Thank you," they said.

Lily looked up. Her eyes were fixed on the screen. Zeke was standing with Sophie close in his arms. Sorrow welled in her eyes.

"Zeke really is devoted! He actually divorced his wife for Sophie."

"I heard he never loved Mrs. Connolly at all. He never once brought her on TV. They were married for five years, and the moment Sophie came back, he left her. Honestly, Mrs. Connolly's situation is just heartbreaking."

"I heard Sophie got pregnant after someone assaulted her overseas. Is that even true?"

"It has