Chapter 4

Lillian's POV

I sat alone in my room, staring at the blank canvas before me. Tears streamed down my face, not out of sadness, but from a deep sense of frustration.

I felt a rage building inside me, unable to voice my thoughts because I grew up that way.

Dad forced me to be like that. To please people and simply agree to everything they have to say because that is the only way for them to like me...to love me.

Ever since I was a child I was silenced keeping my opinion to myself.

I always have this urge to speak up but fear always consumed me. I am afraid that if I revealed the real me they won't like me, especially my father.

I want him to see me as a perfect daughter because he loves me that way. He will only love me if I am a perfect daughter.

While drunk in self-pity, my phone lit up, and upon checking I saw a message from Alexander.

From: Alexander

I'm sorry about what happened, Lillian. I hope it won't change anything between us.

I stared at the message, unsure of how to respond. Pleasing others had become my speciality, always conforming to their expectations and forgetting my desires.

Was what happened earlier really what I wanted?

From: Alexander

Let's have dinner tomorrow to talk things out.

After a few minutes of contemplation, I mustered the courage to compose a reply.

To: Alexander

Okay.

I sent the message and turned off my phone, deciding to leave my room. Sleep seemed impossible, so perhaps a warm glass of milk would help calm my racing thoughts.

As I entered the kitchen, I noticed a light coming from within, and there sat Marcus on the kitchen island. Initially, I considered retreating to my room, but he turned his head and looked at me.

"Are you hungry?" he asked casually.

I gazed at him for a moment, then nodded silently.

Taking a deep breath, I approached the kitchen. Retrieving a fresh glass of milk from the refrigerator, I decided to warm it up.

The minutes felt like an eternity as I could sense Marcus stealing glances in my direction. Summoning my courage, I looked directly at him.

"What is it?" I asked, trying to sound composed.

"Are you okay?" he blurted out, leaving me puzzled.

"Of course," I replied, turning my attention to the milk I was warming.

Transferring the milk into a cup, I was about to leave the kitchen when Marcus spoke up again.

"Why are you so obsessed with maintaining your perfect image?" he asked, his words striking a nerve.

Furrowing my eyebrows, I looked him in the eye and answered defiantly, my heart pounding in my chest.

"People love perfection, Marcus. They're obsessed with it," I said, trying to hide the fact that his words had rattled me.

"So, you want everyone to love you? You want them to be obsessed with you?" he pressed further.

His gaze weakened my knees, and my throat grew dry. Swallowing hard, I managed to reply, my voice strained.

"So I have power over you, Lillian? Because I can make your perfect image disappear with a snap of my fingers?" he said, a taunting smirk playing on his lips.

I glared at him, taking deep breaths to maintain my composure.

"Why are you doing this? Are you enjoying seeing me suffer?" I retorted, anticipating his response.

He simply smiled at me, folding his arms across his chest, and looked bored, as if my emotions were of no interest.

"I just despise people like you," he stated flatly.

His words struck me with disbelief. Anger surged within me, but instead of losing control and lashing out, I managed a smile.

"I despise you too, Marcus," I said, marching out of the kitchen and heading towards my room.

I shut the door behind me and walked to my bed. I sat down, gripping the glass tightly, and downed the milk in one go, hoping it would bring some calmness. Yet, it failed to soothe me.

I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. My mind raced with thoughts of cruel revenge against Marcus. I wanted to punch him in the face.

I don't know how I managed to fall asleep that night, but I awoke to a knock on my door.

"Lillian! It's time for breakfast," Martha's voice called out.

Half-asleep, I dragged myself out of bed.

"Just give me five minutes, Martha," I replied, before heading to the bathroom to freshen up.

I didn't want to face the world looking like a sleep-deprived zombie.

Once presentable, I stepped out of my room and made my way to the kitchen. A sigh escaped my lips when I saw Marcus already seated at the table. I approached my father to greet him.

"Good morning, Dad," I said, kissing him on the cheek.

My father simply nodded in response.

Turning to Victoria, I repeated the gesture, kissing her cheek.

"Good morning, Mom," I greeted her, forcing a smile.

Victoria smiled back at me, radiating warmth.

"Good morning, Lillian," she greeted me with a sweet smile.

I took the seat next to her and began eating my breakfast quietly, longing for solitude. But it seemed I wouldn't get that today.

"I'm thinking of organizing a charity auction, hon. Is that okay with you?" Victoria asked my father, her eyes filled with hope.

Without hesitation, my father nodded, and Victoria's face lit up. She hugged my father, planting a kiss on his lips, causing me to look away.

"Lillian, you will help with that," my father declared, not bothering to ask for my opinion. I turned to Victoria and forced a smile.

"I will help you, Mom," I said reluctantly.

Victoria looked at me in awe, wrapping me in a tight hug.

"Thank you, Lillian," she exclaimed, her face beaming with joy.

I mustered a forced smile, nodded my head, and resumed eating my breakfast in silence. However, it seemed I couldn't escape the inevitable.

"Are you busy, Lillian? Perhaps you can help me find sponsors for the event?" Victoria inquired. As I was about to agree, a message from Alexander flashed in my mind.

"Why? Do you have other plans, Lillian?" my father asked when I hesitated to answer Victoria's question.

I swallowed hard, feeling the nervousness creeping in.

Glancing at Marcus before responding, I gathered my courage.

"I... I agreed to have dinner with Alexander, Dad," I confessed, confusion etched onto my father's face.

"Why?" he questioned.

Nervousness surged through me as I recalled the events from the previous night.

"I want to apologize for my behaviour, Dad," I admitted.

My father studied me intently before nodding.

"It's fine, Lillian. You can go ahead with your plans," Victoria interjected, smiling at me.

"Thank you," I replied, forcing another smile.

"It seems you and Vice President Montgomery are quite close, Lillian," Marcus commented, his words provoking something within me.

I glanced at him, feeling fear surge through me.

"Alexander is a good friend of mine. He has seen Lillian grow up and has become a second father to her," Dad explained.

Marcus nodded, his eyes fixed on mine.

I felt my hands getting cold while fighting the intensity of his stare.

"Do you see him as your father, Lillian?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow.

The intensity of his gaze overwhelmed me, and I looked away, unable to withstand it.