Lilian POVIt all happened so fast that I barely had time to process it. Suddenly, I was back in that mansion in Richmond, next to Jensen and the kids. It felt like a dream—or maybe a nightmare, depending on how I looked at it. The plan to continue fighting in Rustburg, to try to stop the mayor, had been abruptly interrupted. I knew that, in some ways, I had no choice. Jensen was persuasive and insistent, as he always was. When he decided that the triplets and I should return with him, there was no room for argument.Not that I was the type to argue or create trouble. I never went. My way has always been more... passive. I wasn't one of those women who raised their voices or stamped their feet to get what they wanted. On the contrary, I have always tried to find peace and harmony in situations, even when life seemed to be falling apart around me. And now, here I was again, returning to a life I had left behind.The children, on the other hand, were delighted. On the plane, Rory, Ruby
Lilian POVThe mansion was huge and imposing, and every hour it seemed bigger to my eyes. Since we got back to Richmond, everything was more or less as I remembered it. The same silk curtains hanging across the windows, the elegant furniture scattered throughout the rooms, and the soft rugs beneath my feet. It was as if time had stopped while I was gone, as if Jensen had kept everything intact, waiting for me to return.He was visibly happy to have us back. I saw it in his every gesture. From the moment the plane landed, he couldn't hide the joy of having the children and me under the same roof again. It was even comical to see him like this after that horror show he put on in that small town where the children and I lived, he was the devil himself, and here, he seemed like just a father and an ex-husband worried about getting his family back. Jensen talked about it all the time, always reminding me how much the house had missed me and how much he himself had missed it."You have no
Lilian POVThe morning was cool and silent when I got out of bed. The house, as always, was monumentally peaceful. It was difficult to get used to so much space and so much silence after years of living in much smaller and noisier environments. The children were already awake and, as always, excited about the new life they were leading here. For them, Richmond was a paradise. For me, however, it was a gilded cage.I dressed quickly, determined to follow through with my plan. What I wanted was simple: a job—something that would allow me to rebuild my life from scratch, away from Jensen's shadow, and look for things that brought back memories of Rustburg. I couldn't, I didn't want to depend on him forever. And what's more, this was the only way to guarantee my independence and, eventually, that of my children.“Good morning, my little angels,” I said to the three as I entered the kitchen, going to kiss them on the cheeks. They were too busy with their games and conversations to notice m
Finn POVThe days seemed to drag on like an endless nightmare. Arrested in the Rustburg police station, I felt like I was buried alive. The weight of helplessness suffocated me, every second that passed reminded me of the life I had lost and of what was taken from me without warning. The cell was small and claustrophobic, with only a narrow, barred window through which a sliver of light entered. I spent hours looking at the sky outside, but at the same time, I didn't have the energy to get up. I knew that things were literally falling apart on the outside.My mother's house... destroyed. Everything I had left of her, everything I had to remember our moments together, was now nothing more than rubble. And me? I was here, locked up, unable to do anything while everything around me was torn to pieces. This feeling of helplessness was what hurt the most. Knowing that if I had been out there, maybe I could have done something. Maybe I could have prevented that brutal demolition. But no. I
Lilian POVThe days at Jensen's mansion had passed like a haze. Everything was different now. Ever since I left Rustburg and came to Richmond with the kids, it was like I was living a borrowed life. I had a home there, yes, and Jensen was doing everything he could to make me feel comfortable, but something inside me was still broken. I couldn't forget what happened, and no matter how hard he tried, it wouldn't change so easily.Still, I couldn't ignore the effort Jensen made to please me. Every morning, he surprised me with romantic gestures—simple things that had meaning. Like breakfast in bed. I would wake up to the soothing aroma of coffee, fresh fruit, and warm bread, and there he would be, smiling as he placed the tray in front of me. I pretended everything was fine, forcing a smile, because, in a way, it was difficult not to be affected by him.Jensen was magnetic, I couldn't deny that. His presence filled the space, and even if I tried to move away, he always found a way to pul
Lilian POVA week had passed since our children and I moved into Jensen's mansion. Time here ran strangely. Even with all the tranquility and comfort, I couldn't help but feel like I was living in a place that wasn't mine. It seemed like every second I spent there took me a little further away from who I was and everything I had built in the time I spent in Rustburg. I was trying to adapt, but the change had been too quick and drastic for me and, especially, for the children.They still weren't dealing with all of this well, and I knew that every time I saw Rory and Ryan's lost look or when I saw Ruby with her doll, whispering softly, asking to come home. They missed the routine and the security we had before, no matter how simple it was. And most of all, they missed Sadie. The nanny had been a constant in their lives since they were born, and now, with everything turned upside down, I knew her presence would make all the difference.That morning, I woke up determined to talk to Jense
Lilian POVThe constant sound of the sewing machine was something that gave me peace. Each time the needle pierced the fabric, I felt like I was slowly stitching together the broken pieces of my life. Since I was able to rent the studio with the compensation money, I dedicated myself entirely to this project. It was my refuge, my escape from the chaos that had become my life recently.Being there, among the fabrics, needles and threads, gave me a sense of purpose. I knew that if I could make the studio work, I would be able to give my children a new life. We could leave Jensen's mansion and build something of our own. A small but welcoming home, far from the wounds of the past.That night, I was particularly tired. I had spent hours working on a collection of dresses, and the day seemed to have no end. When I looked at the clock, I realized it was after eight, and, as usual, Jensen was outside waiting for me. It was like this every night since I opened the studio. He would arrive with
Lilian POVI was dedicating myself completely to my studio, which was almost ready for opening. Working here helped me keep my mind busy and not think so much about sad things. I was already dreaming of the time when I would be able to rent a house and move out of Jensen's mansion for good.Even though Jensen remained respectful and present in a subtle way, without touching on emotional issues between us, the situation was still difficult. However, on that particular day, something unexpected happened that brought me a brief moment of happiness. I was in the middle of adjusting a dress when I heard a soft knock on the studio door. I wasn't expecting anyone, so I approached with some curiosity. When I opened the door, my heart skipped a beat when I saw who was on the other side.“April!” I shouted before running to hug her.My best friend was there, right in front of me. It had been so long since I last saw her. She was always a constant in my life, my confidant, someone I could count