Lily felt as if she had been thrown into a blazing fire. The scorching flames seemed to consume her, the searing pain attacking every nerve, every inch of her skin. The pain was unbearable, yet she couldn't scream out. Her mouth tasted bitter, a sensation that spread from the tip of her tongue down her throat and into her very core, making it hard for her to breathe.She struggled desperately, resisting with all her might. Just when she thought she had escaped the abyss, she found herself plunging into the depths of a vast, bottomless ocean. The surging waves crashed against her, one after another, and the icy coldness seeped into her warm body, bringing with it a bone-chilling despair.Suddenly, a glimmer of hope appeared in the distance. Using all her strength, she swam towards it, only to find Ethan standing on the shore. But why was he looking at her with such cold eyes? Just as she was about to call out to him for help, in the blink of an eye, the figure transformed into Julian.
Startled, Lily reached out, her fingers touching the cold bedsheet. Slowly, she opened her sore eyes to see a beautifully decorated ceiling. She stared blankly for a moment, trying to comprehend where she was. The intricate patterns overhead seemed like poisonous vines, wrapping around her, constricting her heart, making her feel suffocated.Yes, she remembered now. This was the lair of that demon, and she had become his unfortunate prey. The shame of the previous night still lingered on her body, along with the pain he had inflicted. Why wouldn't he let her go? Why her?Was it karma? Had she committed sins in her past life to deserve this fate with such an arrogant man in this one?Her eyes were dry and stinging, no tears left to shed. She wanted to move, but every joint, every muscle screamed in pain, pulling at her from all directions. Pulling the silky sheet around her, she gingerly stepped out of bed, shivering as her skin met the air. She was clean, as if someone had bathed her.
Lily screamed, glaring at the man so close to her. How could he be so audacious? Wasn't he afraid she'd expose his deeds?As if reading her thoughts, he chuckled coldly. Holding her wrists tightly with one hand and gripping her chin with the other, he calmly said, "Just stay with me. What can't you have if you're on good terms with me? Don't waste your time on pointless endeavors. You probably don't even know which way the courthouse doors open. Don't make a fool of yourself."Upon hearing his words, Lily, with eyes blazing in fury, managed to push Julian to the ground. She sat atop him, her fists flying as she struck him repeatedly, her actions wild and unrestrained. She cursed and hit him as if possessed by madness. Yet, Julian remained motionless, watching her with cold eyes as she took out her anger on him. For a long while, he observed her. Her punches and slaps felt more like playful taps to him, not causing any real pain. He could have dismissed them as a lover's playful quarre
When they awoke, they were lying in the bedroom, nestled closely together like two spoons in a drawer. A sleek, dark blanket covered them, and from a distance, they looked like inseparable lovers, the scene as serene as a painting.Julian Sterling slowly opened his eyes to find Lily Parker, looking lovely as ever, nestled in his embrace, her eyes closed in peaceful slumber. She seemed like a docile little bunny snuggling up to its owner. A sense of indescribable contentment filled his eyes. This version of Julian, it felt as if it wasn't him but someone else. Perhaps it was the feeling of finally having what he desired; everything felt perfect.At that moment, Julian didn't realize that relentless possession would never yield true love.He nuzzled her ear affectionately, his hand resting intimately on her waist. She seemed ticklish, swatting his hand away unconsciously and curling up tightly, effectively pushing him away.Such a posture indicated a deep-seated need for affection. But
Receiving no response from her, Julian's patience finally wore thin. Pulling the blanket, he coldly said, "It's still dark outside. Sleep a bit more." His arms encircled her like iron bands. After a while, she heard his steady breathing. The tension in her body eased a little, and she finally succumbed to sleep. She was exhausted, both physically and emotionally.Close to noon, as he stepped into the bathroom to freshen up, she got out of bed. Hearing her movements, he emerged, looking into her eyes, asking, "Where are you going?"Lily averted her gaze, softly replying, "I'm going back to school. I have classes." She pushed all her resentment deep into a corner of her heart, trying to calmly face this man who had treated her worse than an animal and acted as if nothing had happened. If she had a choice, she'd send him straight to hell.Julian chuckled lightly. Going to class was just an excuse, wasn't it? She was truly trying to avoid him. He buttoned up his shirt, "Alright then, I'll
In the elevator, which was empty at the time, Lily sat down, hugging her knees and sobbing. Julian, Ethan, and Lucas were all friends. Her appearance in Julian's apartment, especially being seen by Lucas, meant he could easily deduce they had been intimate. Did that mean Ethan would find out? If he learned of her cold abandonment and her involvement with his friend, would he be disappointed in her?Lily felt a throbbing pain in her head. After leaving the apartment, she walked aimlessly. The midday sun was blinding, and she instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes. The sunlight made her fingers appear translucent, revealing every bone. The owner of these hands once wished only to bear children for the man she loved, to care for her family, and to be a devoted wife and mother. Yet, even such a simple dream now seemed out of reach.She felt a momentary daze. Her mother often said that the Parkers had the temperament of scholars, which, in simpler terms, meant they were stubborn.
Not long after she returned, a courier delivered a brand-new phone. Lily recognized it from a massive advertisement in a mall. It was a top-of-the-line model, both in terms of features and design, making it exorbitantly priced. There was only one number saved in it. Naturally, who else could it be but Julian Sterling? Holding the phone, she felt as if she was holding a piece of molten rock, something that could destroy her with a mere touch. For three consecutive days, Lily didn't turn on the phone. She called home to tell her mother that her phone had been stolen and then spent her days in her dorm room, lost in thought. Aria found her behavior odd, but despite her inquiries, Lily remained silent, leaving Aria to respect her wishes. Who would want to revisit such a shameful and humiliating experience? Lily didn't want to think or do anything. She felt like a zombie. Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the knowing look from the lady at the pharmacy when she picked up the m
Hearing her soft voice, Julian's expression eased a bit, and he even seemed a tad smug. "You should've said so earlier. Alright, let's go shoe shopping." They headed to the shoe section on the second floor. Lily Parker didn't genuinely intend to buy shoes, so she didn't fuss over her choice. She casually pointed to a pair, and Julian Sterling insisted she wear them immediately. She obediently changed into the new shoes, and to her surprise, felt a hint of happiness. Julian observed the faint smile on her flushed face, thinking she was happy because of him. His own smile broadened, and he impulsively bought several pairs of the season's latest sandals. He leaned in close, whispering warmly in her ear, "Look how beautiful you are when you smile. Don't always be so stubborn; it's unsettling. I'm actually quite easy-going, as long as you obediently listen to me." Lily responded with a docile smile, but internally, she found him laughable. How could such a despicable man feign kindness?