He Married Me for the Heart Inside My Chest Chapter 17

He Married Me for the Heart Inside My Chest Chapter 17

Three months later. 

I spoke at a women’s entrepreneurship summit. 

I wore a sharp red suit, radiating a life I’d never felt 

before. 

Backstage, I ran into someone unexpected. 

Mrs. Moore. 

She looked lighter, holding a bouquet of 

sunflowers. 

“Sweet girl, congratulations.” 

She handed me the flowers, her smile warm. 

“Thank you.” 

“Elowen’s watching from above. She’d be so happy for you.” 

She squeezed my hand, voice soft. 

“There’s something I never told you.” 

“What?” 

“Before she died, Elowen told me she wanted her 

heart to go to someone free–spirited.” 

“She said life was too heavy for her. Always 

putting everyone else first. Silas’s suffocating love 

crushed her.” 

I stood frozen. 

Elowen hadn’t been happy either. 

That so–called “devotion” was a cage for the 

person you love. 

“So don’t feel guilty. Don’t think you’re a 

replacement.” 

“You’re living the freedom she always wanted.” 

My eyes stung. Tears threatened to spill. 

In that moment, I finally made peace with the 

heart in my chest. 

We weren’t host and spare part. 

We were two souls, reborn in one body. 

Silas waited outside the prison. 

Not for me. For Vera. 

Vera’s mental state deteriorated, so she was 

transferred to outpatient care. Silas was there to handle the paperwork. 

He stared at my car for a long time when I pulled 

1. up. 

I stepped out and walked toward the bookstore 

across the street–not toward him. 

“Lila.” 

His voice was rough and worn. 

“Vera’s lost it. Doesn’t even recognize me 

anymore.” 

“She got what she deserved.” I didn’t look back. 

“Do you really not feel even a little sorry for her?” 

I stopped and turned, looking at the man I once 

thought I’d spend my life with. 

“Silas, when she forged the will and hired trolls to 

ruin me, did you ever ask if she felt sorry for me?” 

“When you whispered another woman’s heartbeat 

in my ear every night, did you ever ask yourself if 

you felt sorry for me?” 

He fell silent, head hanging. 

“The world doesn’t need more misplaced pity.” 

I walked into the bookstore. 

I bought a book about travel. 

I wanted to see the world–not living in anyone’s 

shadow. 

Spring came early downtown. 

I stood at the airport gate, sunlight spilling over 

the glass walls, gilding everything. 

Wren called from behind. “Lila, did you take the 

pic? Post it on TikTok!” 

I smiled, lifted my phone, and shot a photo of the 

clear blue sky. 

Caption: [New life, beating free.] 

My heart beat steady and strong in my chest. 

Healthy. Alive. 

I didn’t think about Elowen’s favorite things 

anymore. 

I ate spicy hot pot I loved, drank strong liquor I 

enjoyed. 

No more compromising for anyone. 

As the plane lifted, I felt a weight lift, then smooth, 

steady flight. 

All the past, all the schemes, all the love and hate -locked away beneath the clouds. 

I looked out the window. 

A bright rainbow arched across the sky. 

I knew there was so much ahead. 

Time enough to build a life that was mine–only 

mine.