Lilian POVAfter weeks of working tirelessly, I finally decided I deserved a break. It was one of those rare days when I could breathe without the constant pressure of work or childcare responsibilities. And who better to accompany me on this break than April? She had arrived in the city recently and was completely fascinated by everything. Ever since she set foot in Richmond, she couldn't stop talking about the storefronts, charming cafés and sophisticated restaurants she saw on the streets."I want to know everything!" she said excitedly on the phone the night before. “I have no idea when I’ll have an opportunity like this again.”I laughed. April has always had this free and light spirit, as if she were enjoying every moment of life without worrying too much about the future. She didn't have the same resources that I do now, but that never stopped her from dreaming big. Knowing that she wanted to explore the city, I decided it would be the perfect day for us to venture into the mos
Lilian POVI knew that meeting Kate Nash would shake me, but I never imagined that she would be able to shake me so much. From the moment we exchanged those words in the city center, my mind kept turning over every detail of the conversation, and the feeling of guilt began to consume me. Her accusations, as malicious as they were, touched a nerve that I had been trying to ignore for months. After all, I had truly left Rustburg behind. Left Finn behind.That afternoon, after I got back from my walk with April, my façade completely crumbled. Kate's words were still fresh in my mind, like splinters embedded in my heart. April tried to comfort me, telling me to ignore what Kate had said. She hugged me tightly, telling me that I was doing the best I could under the circumstances and that being a mother of two young children and dealing with Jensen was more than enough for anyone."You're not doing anything wrong, Lilian," April said, her voice full of firmness. "You're just surviving and t
Lilian POVI knew I had no other choice. Jensen's gaze was sharper than ever, his eyes boring into me with suspicion and distrust. The way he crossed his arms, waiting for my answer, left no doubt: he was pressuring me, demanding an explanation that I didn't want to give. I could feel the weight of that conversation hanging over us, and the kids were up there, innocent of everything that was happening between the two of us.My mind ran in circles, looking for a way out, but each path seemed to lead to the same conclusion: I needed to tell the truth. Not all of it, of course, but enough to calm Jensen down and, at the same time, make sure I had the chance to do what I needed to do."I'm not running away," I repeated, trying to sound calm even though my heart was beating frantically in my chest. "I just... I just need to get back to Rustburg."Those words seemed to hang in the air for a second before hitting Jensen with full force. He uncrossed his arms and took a step towards me, his e
Lilian POVI never imagined I would feel this way again. Like I was constantly under surveillance, and every decision I made needed to be approved by someone else, in this case, Jensen. The atmosphere between us was charged, and although he didn't say it clearly, I knew I couldn't go anywhere without his consent. The decision to return to Rustburg, which should have been mine, seemed to have turned into something dictated by him.Despite everything, I went. The need to see my city, to feel the place that used to be home again, was greater than any desire to resist Jensen's control. Maybe deep down, I wanted to believe he wasn't just manipulating me. Maybe there was something more behind his intentions, something he wanted to show me.The drive to Rustburg was long, but not as long as I remembered. Roads that were once familiar now seem strange. There were new buildings and new sections that made me feel like I was going to an unknown place. It was an unsettling feeling, as if Rustburg
Lilian POVAfter a while visiting the new town being built in Rustburg, I left Jensen with the mayor and walked to my old house, which had a flower shop underneath. No one was around, not the neighbors or the children who always played in the little square in front of the flower shop. Jensen said it was good for everyone, but I couldn't deny that I was going to really miss the way Rustburg used to be. .In my old house, the place was still destroyed, with rubble piled up just as I had left it the day everything collapsed. I sighed, looking at that place. Maybe I really needed to look one last time, so I could accept my new life and say goodbye to my old one.I mean, my new life in Richmond would be much better than what I had here. It wasn't about Jensen and the fact that I was living in his house, but rather the fact that now, with my studio, I could actually achieve giving myself and my triplets a good life without worries, maybe that was what I really should do. I should let go of
Lilian POV“Where were you, Lilian?” Jensen asked as soon as I returned to the city hall after he called me. “I was here, and the next thing I knew, you were gone.” He was analyzing me, looking a little scared by the suddenness.I chuckled smugly. “Chill, I didn’t run away. I'm still where you want me to be,” I said sarcastically, making Mayor Reynolds look our way curiously. Of course, Jensen introduced me to everyone as his wife, as if we still had a relationship, so that's why the mayor was curious about my words.Embarrassed, Jensen put his hand on my elbow and led me to a more private place, a little away from the others. “Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to embarrass me in front of the mayor?” he asked, looking at me with a furrowed brow.“Embarrass you? Should I remind you that I never agreed to be your wife again? Or pretending I'm your wife again?” I asked sharply.He sighed in annoyance. “I can't understand why you still keep denying it. I'm doing everything I can
Lilian POV"Hello?" I said so as soon as I answered Jensen's call. “Why are you calling me? Any problems?” “Oh no, it’s everything okay. I'm just calling you to ask what time I can come by and pick you up so we can go home together,” he said on the other end of the line.It was four in the afternoon, and I was in my studio still sorting things out for the opening. Since starting a fashion studio from scratch was a very difficult job, I even hired some people to help me because, alone, it was too overwhelming for me. I had to order fabrics, the materials and the models. There was also the whole process of image and public relations, not to mention the legal process, which somehow my ex-husband helped me with this technical part, but other than that, the work was still a lot, so I ended up hiring some people to help me.Now he was calling me to ask what time I was going to drop off so we could go back to the mansion together. That call wasn't new to me, since he always did that and alw
Lilian POVTo my surprise, Finn Sawyer took me to an exquisite five-star restaurant in the city center that was close to a beautiful view of the James River that washed the city's coast. The place was beautiful and cozy, with nice music. He pulled out the chair for me, and I sat down, thanking him for his kindness.“Thanks, Finn. You are a true gentleman,” I told him with a smile.“You deserve it, Lilian. All this and more,” he smiled charmingly at me and then sat down facing me. “What do you think of this place? Do you like?"“It’s really beautiful here, I like it that way,” I replied while the waiter poured wine into our glasses. “But to be honest, I didn't expect you to take me to such an expensive place. Actually, the place doesn't matter as long as it's with you,” I held back.I didn't want him to be too worried and think that he has to please me, since he knew that my life before Rustburg was all fancy and high social class, so he might be feeling a little pressured by dating so