Chapter Forty-Eight: The Reckoning(Vivian's POV)I tapped my fingers against the edge of the wine glass, watching Lily with a satisfied smile.She lay on the ground, her limbs contorted with exhaustion. She was struggling for breath, her clothes stained and dirty, her hair all knotted. She looked just how I wished for her to—defeated."Pathetic," I uttered, savoring the wine.Nelson chuckled from where he sat on the couch. “She thought she could play games with Simeon and get away with it. Now look at her.”Lily didn’t respond. She hadn’t spoken in hours. She just sat there, staring blankly at the floor.I walked over to her and nudged her side with my foot. “What? No more attitude? No more pretending you’re better than us?”Still, she said nothing.Nelson let out a sigh. "She's no good like this. We should get rid of her once and for all."I grinned. "Not yet. I want her to suffer a little longer."I was just about to speak when a deafening bang shook the entire house.My wine glass
Chapter Fifty : The Moment of TruthLily's POVThe only thing I immediately noticed upon waking with my eyes was how comfortable the bed was around me. This wasn't cold, concrete floors I was used to—it was different. The blankets were still warm from previous, and you could catch a whiff lightly of the scent of the room still present in the air. The room was peaceful, quiet, and for that instant, I had forgotten where I was, or why I was even here.Then I felt it. The being beside me.My heart skipped a beat as I slowly moved my head, my body still trembling. Simeon. He was sitting beside the bed, his eyes fixed on me with those intensifying orbs. His jaw was set, his posture stiff, but he didn't look mad. Not yet, anyway.For a moment, I just stood there, staring at him in an effort to understand the reality of what was occurring. Everything that had happened up until then, everything I had done, seemed to blur. I tried to recall my last moments of consciousness—the terror, the pain
Chapter Fifty One : PainLily's POVThe house was a cage.It was massive, beautiful, and filled with all the things a human being could possibly require. But to me, it was nothing. It was cold. It was empty. It was dead.Since Simeon brought me home, I had been a shadow.He never spoke to me.He never even looked in my direction.I might as well not be here at all.I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, my chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. My body was exhausted from everything that had been done to me, but that wasn't what hurt the most.It was the way he looked at me now. Or rather, the way he didn't look at me at all.I had to talk to him.I had to beg.I longed to drop at his feet and ask him to forgive me.But no matter how many times I tried, I just couldn't say it.What could I even say?That I apologized?That I didn't want any of it to have happened?That my heart was still for him, although he didn't want it anymore?A fresh batch of tears burned my eyes, and I
Chapter Fifty Two : RevealedSimeon's POVI sat in the dark private lounge, drumming my fingers on the chilled surface of my glass, my forbearance wearing thin. Across from me, Nelson lounged in his chair, the smug expression on his face stretched wide into a grin. The atmosphere between us crackled with tension, but I fought to keep my calm.This was business. Anything else.At least, that's what I kept reminding myself."Let's not waste time," I said calmly, my gaze narrowing. "What do you want to talk about?"Nelson laughed, stirring the whiskey in his glass before sipping it slowly. His eyes sparkled with something I couldn't quite identify—something sinister."I was just thinking," he interrupted, setting the glass down, "how unpredictable life is. One minute, a man has everything—money, power, the woman in his life that he thinks belongs to him. And then. he loses it all."I clenched my teeth. "If you brought me here to waste my time on illusions, then—"Nelson held up a hand, s
Chapter Fifty Three: KnownLily's POVThe room was silent. Too silent.I lay on the bed, tucked under the thick blankets, but nothing broke through. The cold was from inside, from the hollowed space in my chest where my heart used to live until Simeon shattered it.He knew.I had no idea how, I had no idea when—but he knew.And still, he hadn't come.I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to shut out the pain, but it was useless. It crept inside me, taunting me with cruel reminders of everything that I had sacrificed. Simeon's trust. His affection—if he had ever truly cared for me. My pride.I had sold it all out for him. I had sold my soul to protect the man who had looked at me merely as a betrayer. And in the end, it hadn't mattered.A bitter laugh escaped my lips.I had been willing to be hated, to be thrown away, just so he wouldn’t lose his empire. And now, knowing the truth, he still hadn’t come for me.Would he ever?The question weighed heavily in my mind as I stared at the ceiling,
Chapter Fifty FourSimeon's POVBeyond my office window, the city awakened—cars driving by, people rushing to and fro, their lives continuing as if everything was fine. But inside me, everything was at a standstill.I sat at my desk, staring at the papers before me, but the letters blended together. No matter how I focused, my mind kept drifting back to Lily.Nelson's words would not stop haunting me.If anything ever happens to you, she'll be crawling again. And I'll make her pay with her body again like last time."I clenched my fists so hard my knuckles turned white. Like last time? What did he mean by that?The timing.The exact time when Lily had called on Nelson—it was when my business was on the verge of bankruptcy.And she knew.She knew I was losing everything.Would she… have done it for me?I shook my head in revulsion and laughed bitterly. No. That wasn't it. Lily betrayed me. She slept with another man, humiliated me, and destroyed everything we had. I had every reason to
Lily's POVThe chamber was filled with a heavy stillness, with only the quiet rustle of cloth as I packed my possessions into the bag. Each article of clothing that I put into it was such a piece of my heart inserted slowly into it, a pain-filled acknowledgment of the life left behind. The walls, who had witnessed our shared laughter and soft whispers years ago, stood now unmoving and unimpressed, indicating the chasm that had crept between us.As I wrapped a delicate silk scarf—a one that Simeon had given me in a moment of weakness—around my neck, bittersweet memories overcame me. My fingers lay on the fabric, traced its silky surface, as our history was played out vividly in my mind. The conversations that continued till the early hours of the morning, the furtive glances, the warmth of his arms—all now seemed distant echoes of a love that had withered away slowly.A deep breath escaped my lips as I laid the scarf gently over the tidy stacks of clothes. My gaze drifted to the framed
Chapter Fifty Six : A Love TestedLily's POVThe ride home was quiet. Not like last time, the heavy kind, but a quieter one, as if we were in our own worlds. Simeon gripped the steering wheel tightly, his jaw clenched as if he were afraid I would have second thoughts and run again.I stared out the window, the city lights blurring outside us. Somewhere in my mind, a part of me still refused to believe I was here, next to him all this after all. My heart was still broken, still dazed, but when he wrapped his arms around me again back on that sidewalk, I knew—I couldn't go yet.When we arrived at the house, Simeon drove into the driveway and cut the engine. We didn't budge, though. The house towered in front of us, dark and empty, but I could still feel the memories inside, waiting for me.Simeon broke the silence at last. "Lily," he said, softly but resolute."Before we go inside, there is something I need to tell you."I swallowed hard, fingering my locked hands. "Okay."He rose to fa
Chapter: Let's Play Her GameLily's POVThe whole house was silent, too silent. I was just sitting on the couch, looking at the wall. My mind was full of thoughts—too many. Simeon was sitting beside me, arms folded, looking as serene as ever, but I knew he was thinking too. Nelson was leaning against the window, looking out, not saying a word.I took a deep breath and broke the silence."Ah. Camila isn't what we imagined her to be," I declared slowly. My tone was gentle, but my words carried immense weight. "She's hiding from Adrian. She's Zara."Nelson spun his wheelchair around, looking tired. "I just don't understand. She wasn't the kind of person to hide something. She was just. Camila.""She misled you," I replied, sounding gruffer than I meant to. "She misled all of us."Simeon finally spoke up. "That's what spies do. They blend in. Be nice, talk sweet, make you feel safe—until they strike."I nodded, my fury bubbling in my chest. "She probably came here for a reason. To get clo
Chapter One hundred and forty five ; The Truth About CamilaLily's POVI'd just done putting away the plates after dinner. Nelson and Simeon were in the sitting room, discussing a new proposal from one of Simeon's business partners. I was going to sit down with them when the front door creaked open.Liora came in, spent. She was holding her computer bag in one hand and removed her heels just inside the door. "Hey, guys," she tried to say with a small smile."Welcome," I told her, smiling back.Something on her face caught me, however. She looked. restless. Like something was eating away at her from the inside out."Long day?" Simeon asked from the couch.She nodded and came in slowly. "Yeah. Long and strange.".I moved over to her and picked up her bag. "You want to eat?"She shook her head. "No, thanks. I saw something today. At Adrian's company."My heart jumped. Nelson, who had been scrolling through his phone, looked up suddenly.Simeon straightened up. "What did you see?"Liora l
Chapter One hundred and Forty FourMeeting with Camila:Lily's POV – The Meeting with Camila (Continued)The waiter brought us our beverages first. I thanked him quietly and looked over at Camila. She sipped a glass of orange juice, peaceful face, hands placed on the table. She did not seem nervous one bit. That made me a little angry. If I were introducing people near my boyfriend, I would have been somewhat shy or apprehensive.Not her.She laughed easily at Nelson’s jokes. She looked him straight in the eyes when she spoke. She even asked me questions politely, like she really wanted to know me.“So, Lily,” she said, smiling gently, “Nelson told me you’re very good at cooking. What’s your favorite thing to make?”I smiled back, keeping my voice soft. “I like cooking simple meals. Rice and stew. Pasta. Fried plantains. Nothing too fancy.”"Sounds good," she told me. "Someday I might even get to sample it."I simply nodded, my smile failing to reach my eyes. I observed how she didn't
Chapter One hundred and Fourty threeChapter: Lily's Caution and Meeting CamilaLily's POVI had been inside the kitchen, at last doing the dishes which I had cooked for dinner. Stew fragrance filled the atmosphere, and ringing of plates that I set in place on the dining table. Things were just fine, yet my head wasn't well-oriented towards the food. It was onto Nelson's girl, Camila.Nelson had been boasting to me about how great she was. He was ecstatic, but something in me just wasn't working. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but after all that had gone down with Adrian and with our company, I just felt like we needed to be careful. I didn't want to hurt Nelson's feelings, but I couldn't help but say something.Nelson," I burst out, trying to be calm. "Are you sure about her? I mean, I just don't know."Nelson looked at me, confused. "What are you talking about? Camila's a good girl. She's friendly to me.".I took a deep breath and put a spoon on the table. "I don't know. I ju
Chapter 142 – Quiet MovesLily's POVI did not say a word until we got home.Simeon simply acted as if nothing had happened. He came in, took off his jacket, and even smiled at me as he had a glass of water.But I was not able to contain my feelings.My heart kept racing. My hands were cold. The way Adrian showed up before us last time—his smile, his words, the way he glared at Simeon like he was about to destroy everything we had built—it kept ringing in my head."Simeon…" I whispered as I sat on the couch, holding a pillow close to my body. "Are you not worried?"He looked at me with uncomplicated eyes, like the whole affair didn't happen to him. "No."I blinked. "You're saying no what? That was Adrian. He broke into our firm—like that—and delivered a threat.""He did not deliver a threat," said Simeon, sitting down beside me. "He simply displayed his teeth.".I scowled. "That's worse. You see what he means. And the way he glared at me. as if he was threatening you as well. What if
Chapter One hundred and Fourty one – The Unexpected VisitLily's POVThe morning started off like any other.The sun was shining through the window, and the office was quiet. I had just finished talking with Simeon about the new files we needed to prepare for Vincent's team. Nelson was on the phone. Liora was scanning documents on her computer.Everything was normal.Until the elevator rang.I didn't think much of it at first. People were always coming and going. But then I heard Nelson cut off in the middle of a sentence. And I saw the color drain from his face.I turned towards the door.And there he was.Adrian.He walked in slowly, as if he owned the whole building. Dressed in a sharp black suit, dark glasses, and that smile—the sort that doesn't mean he's happy—it was proud, cold, dangerous.My heart skipped a beat.I couldn't breathe for a second. I rose from my seat, hands trembling.Simeon stood up too, but he didn't react. Not even slightly. He just gazed at Adrian as if he h
Chapter: Unspoken TrustLily's POVThe moment the door shut behind Nelson, I recognized something was off. His light footsteps were replaced with a pause I had not previously seen. He came in, his gaze on me with a mixture of determination and uncertainty. Simeon leaned against the kitchen counter, his usually calm expression not quite as sharp tonight, behind him.Nelson's eyes locked on mine as he walked towards the couch, the tension between us heavy. My chest was aching just to glance at him, wondering what news he'd brought."Lily," he began, his voice uncertain, "I have to talk with you and Simeon about something."Simeon didn't move, simply sitting there with a quiet attention. I stayed in the doorway to the kitchen, glancing over at the two of them, waiting. My hands were still wrapped around a glass of water that I hadn't even known I'd picked up. I put it down hastily."What is it?" I snapped more harshly than I intended.Nelson took a breath and brushed a hand over his hair
Chapter 140 – Her True FaceNelson's POVIt was a mellow afternoon. The sky was pale blue, and the sun was not too intense. I sat at an outside café, waiting patiently. The street was not busy, just a few cars driving by and pedestrians. I lazily drummed my fingers on the table, my mind trying to stay calm.I hadn't seen Camila in a couple of days. Lily had cautioned me to be cautious, and Simeon had cautioned me too. They didn't believe that something was amiss with her. But I wasn't sure. Camila had never provided me with a reason not to trust her.But I was being cautious.Then I saw her.She came up the sidewalk, her bright red hair flowing in the gentle breeze, a soft smile playing on her lips. She wore a simple blouse and jeans, nothing fancy, and still, she looked. serene. Ordinary. Innocent."Hey," she said, breathless, as she reached the table."Hey," I stood to greet her, pulling out a chair for her to sit.She smiled a little and sat down, sweeping her hair back from her fa
Chapter 138 – Be Careful, NelsonLily's POVIt was a quiet afternoon, and for once, the house did not feel like a battleground. The air was peaceful, and the tension that had been present for weeks appeared to have taken a wee break. The deal with Vincent was going smoothly. He had called only two nights prior and told me that he would be in touch soon with the final papers.I had just cooked lunch—rice and hot chicken with fried plantains. The smell wafted through the house, inviting and warm. Simeon and Nelson were in the living room, both staring at their phones. Liora was out on an errand, and I took advantage of the moment to sit between the two men now that I considered them the best pillars around me.Simeon appeared relaxed, one arm draped over the back of the couch, his other hand scrolling through his phone . Nelson sat on the edge of the cushion, tapping something on his phone with a small smile on his face.I rested my head and smiled. "You've been smiling at your phone fo