Lillian's POVI woke up to a gentle kiss on my cheek, and as I opened my eye, I saw Marcus gazing at me with adoration in his eyes."Good morning," he said, his smile beaming at me.I returned the smile, staring back at his face, wondering if this was all a dream. To make sure, I pecked him on the lips, and when I felt his warm, soft lips, my smile widened."Good morning," I greeted in return."You should get ready, you'll be late for school," he reminded me, and suddenly, I remembered that my classes started today. I jumped out of bed and rushed towards the bathroom, eager to make a good impression and arrive at class extra early.After a quick bath, I dressed in a black turtleneck and black pants, along with a trench coat to ward off the cold. I completed the outfit with a pair of boots. Keeping my makeup simple, I wanted to ensure I didn't look too pale. Once ready, I headed to the kitchen where Marcus and Martha were busy preparing breakfast.Marcus walked over, taking my hand,
Lillian's POVI can feel Lucas's glances on me, but I ignored him. When the other students started coming in, I decided to socialize to distract myself and to be away from Lucas.After a few minutes, the class started, and our professor stepped in.He was wearing round sunglasses, and his white moustache made him look old. He looked strict and intimidating.I sat straight and looked at him as he roamed his eyes around. When our eyes met, I smiled, but he just ignored me and took out an object from his bag - an apple."Paint this apple in an hour. Your timer starts now," he said, and he was about to walk away when Tiffany raised her hand."Won't we introduce ourselves first?" she bravely asked.The professor walked towards her, and I could see her hands trembling as he took a step closer."I don't care about your names, Miss. I care about your art. Impress me with your art, then I will be interested to know your name. But if you can't do that, why waste my time on knowing you?" he aske
Lillian's POVI feel guilty looking at him without being able to tell him that I am engaged to someone."Are you okay?" he asked.I stared at his face.Should I tell him now? But before I could even decide, I saw Lucas stepping inside the store with a woman.Our eyes met. He smiled at me while I remained frozen.Lucas walked towards us while the woman he was with headed to the counter."Hi fia-," Before he could even say that word, I stomped on his foot, making him whimper in pain."What is wrong with you?" he asked, looking at me completely confused. But instead of answering his question, I looked at Marcus, who was looking at us darkly."What's happening?" Marcus coldly asked.I fell silent, and I felt my heart beating loudly in my chest."You're on a date, I see," Lucas said, and a teasing smile played on his lips.If Marcus wasn't here, I would have already punched him in the face.Why does he have to show up here?The courage that I had earlier to confess everything to Marcus was
Lillian's POVMarcus studied my face intently as if trying to process the words I had just spoken."Since when?" he calmly asked."Dad called me last night and told me that I am engaged to Lucas Bennett, and our engagement will be announced next month."Nervously, I waited for his response. Silence enveloped us, and as the moments passed, it felt suffocating.Will he break up with me?"I'll talk to your Dad," he said, but I immediately shook my head, refusing to let him handle this situation. He had so much on his plate, and even though he wouldn't admit it, I knew how tired he was from dealing with everything."I'll handle this one. I will convince Dad to call off the engagement, and if he doesn't agree, then I will convince Lucas," I explained.After a deep breath, Marcus nodded his head after a while."Are you mad at me?" I asked, fear surging through me because of how his mood had changed upon learning about the engagement."No," he said.I reached for his hand and held it, mainta
Lillian's POVI heard voices, but they were blurry.Upon opening my eyes, I was welcomed by white walls and a bright light.I roamed my eyes around and slowly sat on the bed, despite the pain in my stomach."Where am I?" I asked weakly.Martha was the first to approach me. She held my hand, her eyes filled with worry."Where am I?"Tears fell from Martha's eyes. She cupped my face and caressed my cheeks as she looked at me."You are at the hospital, Lillian," she said.My forehead creased when I heard that, and that's when I remembered the blood on my dress, the only thing I remember before everything went black."What's wrong with me, Martha? Why did I bleed?"Before she could answer, Dad walked toward my bed and looked at me with the same cold expression.Beside him stood Victoria, whose eyes were also filled with worry."You'll abort that child, and you will marry Lucas Bennett," he said firmly.Confusion filled me upon hearing those words.What does he mean?"Child?" I asked, look
Marcus's POVI kept calling her name, but she didn't show up.I saw on the news that she's back in Washington, so I'm sure she's at the White House."Lillian, please!" I pleaded.I almost didn't recognize my voice. I sounded desperate, but I don't care. All I want is to see her.I know her dad is stopping her from calling me. It's been two days since I last heard her voice.I want to know if she's okay.I headed towards her room, but before I could open it, Gabriel showed up. He looks mad. Well, I created a huge mess, and his name is at risk, so I understand why he's angry with me."Leave, Marcus, I'm asking nicely," he said, not shouting, but I feel his rage."I need to see you, Lillian."I knelt on the floor, not minding what he would think of me. "Just let me see Lillian.""She isn't here," he coldly responded."Don't lie to me, please. I know she is here."I crawled towards the door and knocked with all my strength. "Love, please, I know you're in there."I kept knocking on her do
Lillian's POVI feel hollow, forcing a smile in front of the camera as my father speaks. I want to cry and scream for him to stop, but I'm paralyzed, unable to move."Are you okay?" Lucas asks.I nod, turning my head back to face the front."The beach photo was completely edited. My team is tracking down the person who uploaded it and I will make sure they will be punished for tarnishing my daughter's and stepson's reputation," my father says.I listen to his speech, knowing he's a skilled liar."Mr President, what do you say about the rumour that your daughter's engagement to the heir of Bennett Corporation is to cover up her sinful romance with her step-brother?" a reporter asks.My dad looks at me, then at Lucas, before returning his gaze to the camera. "Lillian and Lucas have been engaged for a while now, but we kept it private to give them space and protect them from pressure. We're only going public now to clear my daughter's name."Tears appear in my father's eyes, and I can't
Lillian's POVWaiting for Lucas's response felt like an eternity, and before I could even hear his answer, Dad stepped inside the room."Let's go," he said, but Lucas remained frozen.My heart beat loudly as I waited for him to stand up.Telling him that I am pregnant was a bad idea. What if he couldn't accept it?What if he calls off the engagement? I know Dad will kill me if that happens.Dad looked at Lucas intently, waiting for him to stand, but he remained sitting. "Lucas?"Dad's call snapped him back to the present. He seemed dazed, probably trying to process the truth I confessed.From his expression, I could already tell that he was having second thoughts. I understood him. Discovering that your fiancee is pregnant with another man's child before your wedding would make anyone rethink the marriage.I knew he might call off the engagement, but I hoped he wouldn't because my child's life depended on him.Keeping my secret would have made things easier, but I couldn't do that to
Lillian's POVMy memories are still blurry but one thing remains clear.My feelings for him.I know that I love him. My heart feels happy whenever I am with him.I can't remember some memories I have with him but that won't stop me from marrying this man.When the door of the art gallery opened I felt my heart beating loudly against my chest.My hands went cold so I held the bouquet tightly trying to find some strength and ease the nervousness that I was feeling.I roamed my eyes around.I saw art hanging on the wall and everything looked familiar to me but I can't tell when I exactly saw it or what particular memory it holds.As I took a step forward all eyes were on me. People who are close to us are watching my step closely and it made me even more nervous so I fixated my gaze on him...to the man who can calm my storm.He smiled at me but he wiped something on the corner of his eyes as if he was crying.Seeing him cry made the corner of my eyes water as well but I suppressed it so
Marcus's POVI felt my heart swell in happiness as I wrapped them in my arms.The emptiness that I had been trying to battle for a year was now gone.Everything feels complete again.She's finally here.She came back just like what she promised."I told Daddy, Mommy will come back just like what she promised,"A soft chuckle escaped my lips when I heard Amari utter those words.We broke off the hug and my gaze drifted on Lillian again.She's smiling genuinely. A kind of smile that reaches her eyes indicating that she is truly happy."Thank you for not giving up," she uttered.My hand reached for her face and gently caressed her cheeks.I still can't believe it.It feels like a dream seeing her stand in front of me looking at me with her eyes filled with love and happiness."Thank you for coming back," I whispered as my hands gently caressed her cheeks.She leaned her face on my palm and closed her eyes as she found comfort in the warmth of my hand.She looks peaceful to watch.I alway
Lillian's POVI saw happiness glistening in his eyes as he looked at me.He looked happy when I told him about the glimpse of memory that I had but I wasn't sure if it was mine or if my mind was playing tricks on me.I was confused if I was Lillian or if I was just forcing myself to believe that I was Lillian just to fill the memories that I had lost.Up until now I still can't remember anything and it frustrates me.I am slowly doubting my parents wondering if they are telling the truth or making me believe in lies.But why would they do that? Why would they lie to me?Why am I doubting them just because of this man in front of me whom I barely knew?His happiness was replaced by confusion when I fell silent.He was about to hold my hand but I hid it behind me afraid that if he touched me I might feel something again.Pain crossed his eyes when I refused to be touched by him."What's wrong?" he asked pain filling his voice.I shook my head and avoided his gaze. I focused my eyes in f
Marcus's POVI finished my work early so I headed home.I searched the house to look for the kids until I heard giggles coming from the garden.I followed the laughter and there I saw Amari sitting on a small chair while painting a flower on the canvas while Augustus was on his stroller playing with his toy.My gaze then shifted to Isabelle.She's smiling while putting some colours on the canvas.She's painting the same sunset that she ruined.Her every stroke reminds me of Lillian.I was taken back to that moment when I watched Lillian draw the sunset.The way she put colour on the canvas is the same way Lillian coloured the sky.I watched her every moment intently and as I watched how she mixed different colors I felt my heart ache.She's Lillian.I am sure she's Lillian but why is she lying to us?Why is she hiding in the name of Isabelle?Does she forget about us?Or maybe I am just being drowned in longing once again making myself believe that Lillian is still alive?Maybe I am j
Isabelle's POVMy heart started to race.When I stepped inside the cab I held my chest tightly and let out heavy breaths, panting as if I came from a long run.After giving my address to the driver I leaned my head against the window and focused my attention outside.Why am I acting this way?Why did my heart race when he kissed me?"Maam we are already here,"I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard the driver speak.I immediately handed my fare and stepped out of the cab.I stared at the house standing in front of me.It was a white house just enough for a small family.I grew up here they said but this place doesn't feel familiar.I can't remember any memories I have in this house. Even fragments.It's been a year since the accident happened but I still can't remember anything.They are telling me stories but it doesn't ring a bell. I can't find it inside me, the memories they telling.I let out a deep breath and walked towards our house.The moment I stepped inside I heard my
Marcus's POVI can't look away.I am having a hard time processing everything.She looks exactly like Lillian.Her hair is a bit different since it was cut short but her other features resemble Lillian.The only difference is that she looks at us differently.She looks confused as if she's looking at a stranger."Your name is Isabelle?" I asked still having a hard time accepting that she's not Lillian.She slowly nods her head. "Yes Sir," she politely responded.I saw her gaze shifted to Amari. Her gaze lingered before she looked at me again."My Mom left for a while to process some documents for my father's operation so she told me to look after your son for a while. I am sorry she's in a hurry so she failed to inform you,"She talks so gently.Her voice sounds exactly like Lillian and while I listened to her I felt pain surge in my system.She reminds me of Lillian and it hurts."I'm sorry if we scared you. You look exactly like my late wife so we thought you were her,"I swallowed
Marcus's POVIt's been a year since she left but I am still mourning. Everything still feels empty and I have no idea if I will ever recover.If Amari isn't here I bet I already killed myself. She's the only reason why I chose to survive each day.She needs a father so I have to be strong and act like I am still okay even though my insides are shattered into pieces."Daddy, where's my uniform?" I heard her shouting from her room.I immediately wiped my hands and hurriedly ran towards my daughter.Upon opening her room I saw her searching her cabinet."It's here. I ironed it earlier," I said as I got the uniform hanging on her cabinet."Once you're done here head to the kitchen and eat your breakfast okay?" She smiled at me and nodded her head.I stared at her face for quite some time before I smiled back.I always do that whenever I miss Lillian. I always stare at our daughter's face because I can see a glimpse of her in Amari.Whenever I look at Amari it feels like she's still here.
Marcus's POV"Daddy,"It was that soft call that made me lift my head.When I saw my daughter standing in front of me with tears streaming down her face I felt my chest tightened.I can see Lillian in Amari. She looks like her and that made everything feel heavy.I tried to act strong in front of her but when her small arms pulled me into a tight hug the tears that I had been suppressing fell non-stop.I cried on my daughter's shoulder, releasing all the pain and heaviness inside me.I thought after crying the pain and heaviness inside my chest would vanish or somehow lessen but nothing happened.My tears already dried out but the pain didn't subside. It still feels too much.When Amari broke off the hug she cupped my face and smiled at me."Let's go home, Daddy. Let's wait for me Mommy in our house. Let's wait for her in our home,"I bit my lower lip when tears were about to fall once again.I stared at my daughter's face and I can't help but blame myself for what happened.If I just
Lillian's POVDays after what happened Amari finally decided to come with Marcus.I don't want to let her go but for now, I have to but I'll make sure to work hard so I can get my daughter's custody.Carrying all my things I stepped out of the house and grabbed a taxi to go towards Marcus' place.I still have things to do. I need to finish the artwork because he already paid for it. I can feel that Alice doesn't want my presence but she has no choice.When I arrived at the house it was awfully quiet so I started searching for them.I put my things first in the living room before I started roaming around.After a while I heard voices coming from the room upstairs so I traced it.I didn't want to eavesdrop but curiosity filled me especially when I heard my daughter's name.I recognized their voices. It was Alice and Matthew's voices."Why can't we just tell them the truth? Just come with me, Alice. Why do you have to go crazy over Marcus when he is treating you this way?" I hear desperat