Lily walked into the party, hand in hand with Axel. They looked like a perfect couple. A match made in heaven. Just like Axel had promised, he ordered Lily an entire store of designer dresses and a delivery was made while Lily was still washing herself up in the bathroom.And when she came out, they had both collectively picked out the perfect dress for the occasion. Lily felt somewhat out of place, looking at other people and their dates. She was younger than most, almost like a sugar baby. And in that moment, she couldn’t be more grateful that Axel made their engagement public.Axel, as if noticing her discomfort, held her closer to himself. “Relax,” he saidLily smiled dryly. “I am relaxed,” she replied.Axel chuckled. “Not with that tensed shoulder of yours,” he argued.Lily breathed in and they continued moving forward. Lily held on tight to Axel’s biceps, her nerves almost overwhelming her. Of course she belonged to high society, but balls and formal parties of this kind were
Lily looked at Axel with tears spewing from her eyes. She was expecting him to say something, to counter whatever his ex-wife was saying. He remained silent. Pain clawed in her heart as Axel’s shaky hand fell on hers, holding onto her. She couldn't believe he would hide something as big as this from her. Axel, seeing that pain and hurt reflection in Lily's eyes felt his chest constrict even more, to a point where he was almost gasping for breath. He was falling apart on the inside, he was at a crossroads. . .“Tell me what she's lying, Axel,” Lily’s whispered voice fell through his thoughts.Silence.“Tell me everything she said is a lie, a ploy to cause a rift between us,” She demanded, this time, her voice firmer. Still, Axel remained silent. He couldn't think of a way to defend himself in the situation. Alice’s face curled into a sinister smile, which she masked immediately. She walked up to Lily, laughing hysterically.“You didn't think he would be married to a stable, beautifu
Austin was Axel's son. She tipped her head to the side and her eyes connected Axel’s. She was silent, but her eyes asked the one question hanging heavy on her tongue. “Is Austin your son?”Axel didn’t speak, but when a shuddered breath wracked through him, that was all the answer Lily needed to hear.Hysteric laughter erupted in her throat.Lily's head exploded and she bit down on her tongue, an attempt to keep herself from falling completely apart. “You mean you’re acquainted with this girl that broke our family?” Alice’s voice echoed louder than necessary. Of course she’d raise her voice—it was obvious her aim was to embarrass Lily. “Yes. She is the lady I was telling you about,” Austin answered, the corner of his mouth curved up.Lily smiled, nodding. This was their plan after all, to come here and make a mess of her where the world could see. But her anger wasn’t directed at them. She was angry at the man who put her in this situation.Axel. . .If only he was open about everyt
The silence in the room was so loud it almost drove Lily out of her mind. A small whimper elicited in her throat, the sound so low that no one could hear it. But Axel heard it, and he knew what it meant.He sighed, tired, resolved.If unhappiness was his fate, then he was willing to accept it. But he couldn’t stand by any longer and watch his ex-wife and son ruin the life of an innocent girl whose only crime was allowing herself to be swayed by him.“I warned you not to call her a whore again,” Axel said, his eyes intent on his ex-wife. Lily was still dumbstruck, her mind running in circles, trying so hard to understand what had just happened.Axel just hit a woman—her mind kept singing. And then for Alice and Austin, it was a surprise. Especially for Alice. Axel was never a violent man. He had never put his hands on her throughout their years of marriage, he never touched her in any harmful way no matter how many times she crossed the line.And it was in that moment that she realiz
Once Lily and Axel were both out of the door, the journalists came rushing toward them.“Is it true you dated the son of your Fiance?” “How do you feel about being the center of attention in a scandal?” “Is it true you got engaged to Axel George because of his Wealth?” Lily felt the urge to scream her lungs out. What was it with people and insinuating she got together with Axel because of his wealth? She came from money and everyone knew it. But it was a normal thing in society—belittling women and making it seem as though they were nothing without the men in their lives.She wanted to stop and lash out on the journalists, but Axel held her firm, pulling her through the crowd, shielding her from the desperate, hungry journalists. He guided her till they got into their car. Once they were safely inside, Lily immediately withdrew her hand from Axel’s and moved the edge of the seat. Axel sighed, his head bobbing once in understanding.“Take us home, James,” he said to their chauffeu
The stillness of the night seemed heavier now, the air thick with tension and unspoken truths. The faint hum of distant crickets only made the silence between them more unbearable. They still sat beneath the towering tree by the roadside, the soft rustle of leaves overhead doing little to soothe the chaos brewing between them.Lily’s gaze bored into Axel, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. The words she had asked moments ago hung in the air like a storm cloud.“Did you know about my past relationship with your son?”Axel didn’t answer. He couldn’t. The weight of her question, laced with both vulnerability and fury, pinned him down like a guilty verdict.Instead of replying, he glanced away, his jaw tightening, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard.Lily’s heart dropped. She didn’t need a verbal confirmation. The way his shoulders tensed, the way his gaze faltered, told her everything she needed to know.“You knew,” she whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief. “You knew, d
It had been twenty four hours since Lily returned to her father’s mansion. Twenty-four hours since she fell apart, and twenty-four hours of crying that left her hollow. “I’ll be in my room,” she had muttered the moment they stepped inside. Her father’s voice had followed, gentle but heavy with concern. “Are you okay, butterfly?” Lily had turned to him, her eyes red and glassy. She tried to speak but couldn’t find the words. Finally, she croaked, “I don’t know, Dad. I don’t even know what *fine* means anymore. Everything feels wrong.” Daniels had stepped closer, his hand resting on her shoulder. “Talk to me, baby girl,” he urged, guiding her to the couch. As they sat, the floodgates opened. “I should’ve known,” Lily whispered, her voice trembling. “The resemblance, the way he spoke, the little things—it was all right there, and I didn’t see it. Twice, Dad. Twice I fell for him, and both times he fooled me.” Her father pulled her close as the sobs wracked her body. “I can’t
Lily woke to the steady vibration of her phone on the nightstand, its soft hum cutting through the silence of the room. Her eyes opened reluctantly, swollen and heavy from the tears of the night before. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, dreading whatever waited for her.The phone buzzed again, and she turned her head slowly, the light from the screen piercing through the dimness. Notifications filled the screen—dozens of them. She reached for the phone with trembling fingers, unlocking it hesitantly. Headlines leapt out at her: "Heiress Lily at the Center of Scandal," "Greedy Gold-Digger or Misunderstood Lover?"She scrolled past quickly, her heart sinking further with each passing headline. Her name was everywhere, tangled in rumors and venomous accusations. She tossed the phone onto the bed, pressing her palms against her temples as a fresh wave of nausea rolled over her. The room felt smaller somehow, closing in on her as the weight of the world’s judgment pressed down.
“I’m ashamed.”“What?”“It’s shame,” Lily repeated, chuckling bitterly, “and it’s funny how I’m just realizing this now.”“Why are you ashamed? Can you think of any reason?” Alora asked further, her tone gentler, softer, like a mother caring for her child.She and Lily wasn’t so far apart in age, but motherhood had really made Alora into a more grounded woman, a woman who knew how to nurture those around her. And for the first time since loosing her mother, Lily felt so at peace, so comfortable.Clearing her throat, she began speaking. “I think I’m mostly ashamed of my desperation. Of how I moved from a bad breakup to becoming someone’s fiance. And then I suddenly realized that I didn’t even care to know the man I was marrying, I simply wanted to marry him because he was good to me, because he helped me forget about the pain of betrayal.”“Were you happy? While you were engaged to him, did he make you happy?” Alora quizzed.Lily nodded, a silent sob erupting in her throat, the tears a
“Miss Daniels!”Lily spun around, her curious eyes searching through the space, wondering who called out to her. And when her eyes landed on Mrs. Alora Mount, a smile coated her lips.Both women swerved through the crowd of organizers running around to put everything in order before the guests started arriving, and when they were close enough, they both kissed each other on the cheeks in greeting.“It’s so nice to see you again, Mrs. Mount, you look as radiant as ever,” Lily almost squealed excitedly.Alora chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Please, call me Alora.”Lily grinned. “Not until you start calling me Lily.”Both of them chuckled excitedly.Alora Mount was the wife of Keylor Mount, one of the biggest business men in the city of New York. And she herself as his wife had built herself a big brand in the fashion and beauty industry. One known fact: she built her brand using her husband’s influence and she was unapologetic about it. It was something Lily admired her for.Lily a
Lily slid the key into the lock with trembling fingers, her chest tight from the weight of the evening. Her heels clicked softly against the tile as she stepped inside, the faint click of the door closing behind her sounding final. She leaned back against the door, her knees buckling. Slowly, she slid down to the floor, letting her purse fall to her side. The tears at the brim of her eyes cascaded down her face. She cried silently at first, then it built into quiet sobs. Then into louder sobs. She buried her face in her hands, shoulders shaking as the emotions of the evening spilled out. Everything felt overwhelming. Axel’s sudden return to her life, the unresolved tension between them, and the notification that had shattered the fragile peace of their dinner. That wife of his. . .why is she hellbent on destroying my peace and happiness? Lily wondered, a hand dragging through her hair.“Oh gosh,” she breathed, her breaths shallow, “fuck him, and her, and those fucking bloggers. .
"Have you. . .legally divorced her yet?" Lily’s voice resounded with demand, her voice shaking.Fuck—Axel screamed internally.Why was this happening? Why now?He wanted to speak to her about it, but he needed to secure the perfect time before doing so, and now. . .why, why, why?His jaw locked in an instant, the hesitation in his expression cutting Lily more than she expected. He let out a heavy breath, his hands dropping to his sides. "It's in the works," he admitted, the words measured, his tone strained. Lily’s throat tightened, a lump forming. "In the works?" she repeated, her voice rising, the pain in her chest too much to handle. "What does that mean, Axel?"“I’ve served Alice the papers,” he said, his voice strong, and yet so quiet, as if trying to calm the anger growing in her. “She won’t sign them. She’s making this hard, Lily.”Lily laughed in a bitter way, the sound empty, hollow. It sent fear down Axel’s core, because he knew what that laughter meant. It was a sound s
Lily Daniels had gone to many fancy dinners, walked on red carpets in designer clothes, and enjoyed the love of wealthy people. But when the shiny black car stopped at a simple brick building in the center of the city, she became curious."This isn't a restaurant," she said, looking at Axel, who was sitting up beside her, completely calm.A little backtracking: The driver had gone to Axel’s company to pick him up.Axel smirked, his confidence maddening. "It's better than any restaurant."The driver opened her door, and Axel got out first, reaching back his hand to her. Lily waited just a moment, contemplating before putting her hand in his. The warmth of his hand made her feel a tingle up her arm."Where are we?" she asked, stepping onto the sidewalk. The building had no sign and no clue as to what was inside."You will see," Axel said, his voice quiet and playful.He escorted her through the doors, where a well-dressed concierge nodded at them. Lily's breath caught as they stepped in
Tomorrow arrived quicker than expected and Lily couldn’t contain her nerves.She stood in front of her mirror, smoothing the soft fabric of her emerald-green dress. It fit her perfectly, the neckline modest but with a hint of allure. She reached for a gold necklace and fastened it around her neck. Her hands shook slightly, and she told herself it was just the excitement of the evening.Axel afterall promised to blow her mind away and she couldn’t wait to see what he had instored for her, considering that he was the king of surprises. From the doorway, Kate leaned casually against the frame, her arms crossed and a teasing grin on her face. “So, you’re really going through with this?” Lily turned to face her, raising an eyebrow. “What do you mean by ‘this’?” Kate stepped into the room, her heels clicking softly on the floor. Lily couldn’t help but notice the elegance Kate exuded especially since becoming a law student at a prestigious school.And honestly, she felt truly happy fo
One week later. . .The lights dimmed, and a soft golden glow bathed the runway as the final model made her way down the platform. Lily followed close behind, her gown flowing in perfect sync with her graceful strides. The crowd erupted into applause, the flash of cameras bright against the dusky backdrop. But Lily’s focus faltered for a heartbeat. In the front row, Axel sat among the elite, his sharp suit and relaxed posture making him stand out. His eyes weren’t on the models, the designs, or even the spectacle of the evening. They were on her. His gaze was steady, unwavering, and intense, like he could see right through the mask of confidence she wore. Like he was studying her.Lily’s breath caught, and she almost stumbled on her feet.Why did she feel so excited to be watched like a prey? She wondered, a gulp forcing down her throat. The pride in Axel’s expression was undeniable, but it was the hunger in his eyes that sent a ripple of warmth down Lily’s spine. She quickly loo
Axel woke to the dull throb of pain in his head and the uncomfortable tug of something taped to his hand. He blinked against the harsh light filtering into the room, his throat dry and scratchy. Slowly, his eyes adjusted, and he noticed the IV drip attached to his hand. The stark sterility of the room around him confirmed he wasn’t in his penthouse.Confused, he shifted and a groan escaped him. His muscles were stiff and his body sore.His head lolled to the side, and that was when he noticed her. Lily.She was sitting beside the bed, her hands clasped tightly on her lap. Her posture was tense, but her face was soft, almost hesitant. She looked exhausted, dark circles under her eyes, but her presence alone brought a sliver of warmth to his chest that he hadn’t felt in months.Of course she had to come. It had been two months since they saw one another, and when she got a call that he had collapsed in his penthouse, she just couldn’t stop herself from seeing him.“Lily?” Axel’s voice
Two months post-separation from Lily had been Axel’s nightmare. He couldn’t sleep, he couldn’t eat, he couldn’t operate like a normal human being. He simply craved the one person who made him feel whole.His Lily. His little bird.She had been his breath of life. And then she left. And then darkness fell upon him again.A thick darkness he couldn’t find his way out of.He buried himself in work during the day and submerged himself in alcohol at night.Do you know what’s laughable? The fact that he couldn’t even manage his work anymore. He couldn’t run his empire. He was crashing from the inside out.And now, it was another night, and he had lost count of how many bottles he’d downed. His vision was already blurred, his words slurred, and the ache in his chest didn’t ease, no matter how much he drank.“Axel,” one of his closest friends grumbled, grabbing his arm, “we need to get you home, man. You’ve had enough for one night.”Axel chuckled darkly, pulling his arm free. “Enough?” he sl