Lilian POV Finally, the opening moment of my studio had arrived. I wore a beautiful, long and elegant wine-colored dress that left my back exposed and was tight at the waist and loose to the floor. I had straightened my hair earlier today just to maintain a difference with almost imperceptible, natural and elegant makeup. April, who was there with me in the dressing room where I went to get ready, squealed when she saw me ready. “You look so beautiful, Lilie! I'm so proud of you, girl,” she said with a huge smile, hugging me. “Thank you, April. You look so pretty, too!” I praise her. She also looked beautiful in a short, textured golden dress that reached the middle of her back. Her dress was strapless on one side, and on the other side it had a strap, which was quite elegant. She was wearing black high-heeled shoes, and she had also arranged for her hair to be tied into a bun on top of her head, with makeup that was a little flashier than mine, but it looked really good on her
Lilian POV I had my back to the door, still with my arms around Jensen. For me, the hug was just a way of thanking him for his unconditional support of the project we developed in the studio. He had been a fundamental presence in the last few weeks, helping me organize everything, especially in the moments when I felt completely lost. It was an innocent gesture, but at that moment, something deep in my stomach told me something was wrong. Before I even walked away, I heard the door open suddenly. The sound echoed through the silent hall, and my body froze. My heart, which was at a calm pace, raced in a matter of seconds. I knew, without even having to look, who was there. With a crushing weight on my chest, I slowly turned my head towards the door. Finn was there, standing still, his imposing figure blocking the light coming through the door. His eyes were fixed on me and Jensen, and I could see the mix of shock, anger, and hurt written across his face. He seemed paralyzed for a
Lilian POV I had barely left the office when everything around me seemed to fall apart. Each step I took was heavier than the last. The words I exchanged with Finn hammered in my mind incessantly, like an out-of-tune song that I couldn't silence. With each breath, the weight of guilt seemed to crush my chest, making each movement more painful. All I wanted at that moment was to disappear, to get away from everything. When I returned to the room, my eyes automatically searched for Jensen, as if his presence could bring me some kind of relief, but the truth was that not even he could save me from what I was feeling. He was there, casually leaning against one of the tables, seeming completely oblivious to the emotional hurricane that was hitting me. His face was calm, almost relaxed, as if what had just happened was just a small setback, an inconvenience of no real importance. “This guy has to stop hitting me. He’s so out of control,” Jensen murmured with a chuckle, shaking his head
Lilian POV I felt lost. Everything seemed to fall apart around me, and the weight of the conversation with Finn was still there, throbbing in the back of my mind. Sitting on the bathroom floor, my face still wet with tears, I wondered how things had gotten to this point. I should have been excited about the studio opening, the event I had dreamed of for so long, but all I could feel was a mixture of guilt and despair. I wanted to disappear, disappear for a while, and not have to deal with all this. The tightness in my chest didn't let me breathe properly. It was then that I heard a soft knock on the door. “Lilian? Open up, it’s me, April.” Her voice was calm, but full of concern. I knew she wouldn't leave until I opened the door, so I slowly got up and unlocked it. When April walked in, her eyes immediately met mine, full of concern and affection. Without saying a word, she hugged me. It was one of those hugs that only the closest friends know how to give, full of understanding,
Lilian POV I was completely stunned, my hands were shaking, and my heart was beating so fast that it seemed to want to come out of my chest. The words of that nasty article still echoed in my mind, reverberating like poison slowly spreading through every cell in my body. How could I, Lilian, be described as the "dishonest thief incapable of running a fashion business"? What had I done to deserve such cruelty? My dream, the one I had cultivated with so much care and effort, was crumbling before me because of a slander. I didn't know how to react. I didn't know whether to run, cry, or simply collapse on the floor. The day that was supposed to be a celebration was turning into a nightmare that I couldn't seem to wake up from. The studio, my refuge and symbol of months of hard work, sacrifices, and countless sleepless nights, was now shrouded in a dark cloud of public humiliation. The promises I made to myself that this would be one of the most special days of my life were shattered w
Lilian POV I felt my heart racing inside my chest, as if it were going to explode at any moment. Kate Nash was there, standing in front of me with that cynical smile and look of triumph. She didn't need to say anything. The mere fact of her presence at the event was enough to indicate that it had been her. The one responsible for destroying my reputation. Jensen's ex-lover, who I had never taken seriously, was now getting what she wanted: bringing me down. I took a deep breath, trying to find some semblance of calm to deal with the situation. But it was almost impossible. I knew that all my hard work, all my effort to design the opening of that exhibition, was threatened by a wave of past scandals that always seemed to come back to haunt me. That woman was managing, in front of everyone's eyes, to ruin everything. "Were you, right?" The words escaped my mouth before I could control them. My voice was weak, filled with a mixture of anger and disbelief. "Were you the one who publis
Lilian POV I sank into the armchair in my studio, as if my body had been emptied of all energy. The space that once inspired me now felt suffocating and heavy, as if the walls were closing in on me. Everything I worked to build was in ruins, and why? Because the past, once again, had come back to haunt me, and this time with destructive force. Kate Nash, with that cruel, triumphant smile, had achieved exactly what she wanted—tarnishing my reputation and ending my dream of launching my new brand. The opening of ‘It’s Lilie’s’ was supposed to be a proud moment, the highlight of my career. But instead, it was a complete disaster. Rumors spread on the internet, poisonous articles, and lies manufactured to destroy everything I had built with so much effort. All because of that woman. "Lilian, you need to stay calm," said my friend, who was sitting next to me, holding my hand firmly. "It's not the end of the world, we can turn things around. We can find new sponsors, redesign the strat
Lilian POV It was Madam Christina. I couldn't believe it. The woman who was standing right there, in the hall of my studio, was nothing less than one of the biggest influences on the fashion world in our city, maybe even in the country. The kind of person who, with one word, could elevate a brand to luxury status or destroy it completely. For someone like her to come to the launch of a brand, it would normally be necessary to already be established in the market and have a huge influence. But here she was, at the launch of my brand, "It's Lilie's", something I thought was on the verge of collapse after the Kate debacle. I could barely process what was happening. The shock left me paralyzed for a moment, and I realized I was just standing there, mouth open, staring at her. The words escaped me, but I knew I needed to compose myself quickly. I swallowed hard and stood up, trying to maintain as much composure as possible. "You are very welcome, Madame Christina," I managed to say, a
JensenThe restaurant was small and discreet, with soft lighting and the unmistakable smell of Italian food wafting through the air. I sat there, my head spinning and my nerves on edge. I wasn't sure what to expect, but the invitation gave me no choice: “I need to talk about Rome. Come alone; let's meet at Mamma Zu.”When she walked in, I couldn't hide the anger that rose in my throat. That red-haired woman. The woman I only knew as the one responsible for making my life hell. I stood up immediately, the table shaking with the impact of my abrupt movement. The other customers in the restaurant looked on curiously, but I didn't care. I just wanted to know what she had to say.I stared at her, not knowing what to feel. The anger, the disgust, everything seemed mixed up inside me. I had no idea how to react, but anger prevailed.“You!” My voice was louder than I wanted, drawing the attention of those at the surrounding tables. “You're the damn woman who destroyed everything!”She didn't
Sadie POVThe wedding party was incredible. Everything seemed like something out of a fairy tale. The lights, the soft sound of music, people's laughter... It was as if everyone there was having the best day of their lives. I was busy, as always, taking care of the triplets. Ruby, Rory, and Ryan were so excited, running around.“Ms. Lilian, they are running again!" I warned, trying to keep my voice controlled, but she just smiled. “Sadie, you're doing an amazing job. Just relax a little and enjoy the party too, okay?”I nodded but remained attentive. Working for Mrs. Lilian was more than just a job. I liked them like they were my family. But that night, something different happened.As I ran after Ryan, who was trying to reach one of the sweets on the dessert table, I noticed a boy looking at me. He was standing on the other side of the room, with a smile that seemed a little shy and full of curiosity. He wasn't much older than me, maybe my age, or close to it.I felt my face heat up
Lilian POVMy hand instinctively rested on my 9-week-old's belly as I admired the party. The dance floor was an organized chaos. The colored lights flashed over everyone, reflecting on the polished floor, while children ran from side to side, trying to imitate the adults' steps. Ruby led the steps, spinning with a smile of pure joy, and Rory tried hard to follow, imitating everything she did but with exaggerated animation. Ryan, of course, was in his own world, doing acrobatics and improvised dance moves with his arms raised as if he were preparing for a big show. "Ms. Lilian, have you ever thought about signing them up for a dance group?" Sadie commented from beside me, smiling as she watched the three of them. “If I can convince them to rehearse and behave at home, maybe,” I replied, with a soft smile. "Or at least Ryan," Sadie added, watching the boy with an amused expression. "He definitely seems like he has uncontrollable energy." “No doubt,” he said, laughing. "But it's
Lilian POVI was in the bridal room, holding hands with April, watching her with a look full of affection and admiration. She looked stunning in her wedding dress, with the veil delicately falling over her shoulders and the radiant smile that only she had. I felt a pang in my heart. We were there, together, in that special moment, but there was a touch of melancholy in her words."I really hoped you and Jensen were getting married too," April said, her eyes shining with a mix of joy and sadness. "You know, how we agreed... on Christmas Eve, together... I dreamed about this so much."I knew that the episode in Rome had ruined a lot of what we had planned. All of us, April, Phillip, Jensen and I, had been arguing for years about how much it would mean to get married together, but life had other plans. I wanted to say something to comfort her, but the words didn't come easily. Instead, I hugged her tightly."I know, honey. I know... But you and Phillip are here, and that's what matters r
Jensen POVIn the last few days, my routine has completely changed. After work, I went straight to Lilian's house. I went there for the kids and also because being there gave me a sense of normalcy that I hadn't felt in years. Something about seeing the three of them running around the room, laughing and fighting, brought me a peace I didn't even know I needed. When I parked that afternoon, Ruby was the first to greet me. She opened the door before I even knocked, as if she knew I was there. "You're here, Daddy!" he exclaimed, jumping into my arms with so much energy that I almost lost my balance. "I'm here, my sunshine," I replied, laughing and lifting her into the air. "How was your day?" "Well... but Rory ate almost all of Mom's cookies, and now she's mad at him." "Really? Is he hiding again?" Ruby nodded with a knowing smile and pointed down the hall. "There in the room. I think he knows what he did wrong." Ryan appeared soon after, crossing his arms like a little ju
Kate Nash POVThe door to my house slammed behind me with such force that it made the entrance frame rattle. The sound echoed, accompanying the throbbing in my head. I was on the verge of a breakdown. Jensen had dared to reject me once again, as if I meant nothing. I hurried across the room, throwing my bag on the couch, not caring where it landed. The normally spotless space felt oppressive at that moment. It all felt like a reminder that despite all my effort, nothing was working as it should. The bar was my immediate destination. My hands shook as I reached for the bottle of whiskey. The golden liquid glistened in the lamplight, almost mocking me. "After everything I've done," I muttered as I poured the alcohol into the crystal glass. The feeling of failure was suffocating. From the beginning, my goal was clear: to get Lilian away from Jensen and make sure he finally saw that I was the only one for him. But he remained blind, trapped in a ridiculous idea of morality and loy
Jensen POVDriving home after talking to Lilian was like going through a storm. My hands on the steering wheel were tense, and my thoughts were a mess. I respected her decision, but that didn't mean it was easy to accept. I still loved Lilian deeply, and the idea that she no longer saw us as a couple cut me to the core. As soon as I got home, I threw my keys on the counter and sat on the couch for a moment, trying to collect my thoughts. Lilian needed space, and I would do whatever it took to give her that. But giving up on her? Never. After a few minutes, I went up to my room. All I wanted was a hot shower and the chance to erase this day from my mind, even if just for a few hours. But as soon as I pushed the door open, I stopped in place, my entire body tense. "Kate?" My voice was low, but filled with disbelief. She was lying on my bed, wearing nothing but red lace lingerie, clearly waiting for me. His smile was calculated, almost predatory. "Hi, Jensen," she said, her voice
Lilian POVThe garden was silent, but my mind was anything but. Jensen was sitting next to me, visibly excited today after my talk with Finn."Good God, that guy doesn't get real, right," he was commenting. "Why doesn't he realize straight away that he's never going to have anything to do with you? You don't even like him, he acts desperate, he even went so far as to lie that he was the father of the baby you're expecting. See if he can do that!" He laughed with a shrug, as if he finally felt like he had the upper hand now."Well, you've also done a lot of crazy things to be able to be with me," I reminded him. Jensen wasn't innocent, right? He had done so much to have me in his control. I still vaguely remembered Rustburg...He was giggling awkwardly now. "You're right, Lilie. I did a lot, yes, but it was all because I always knew you loved me, that's why you never gave up." He looked at me with a charming smile. "That's why to this day I don't give up on you."I sighed, feeling the
Lilian POVAfter the children left for school, the house became calmer, but no less tense. Jensen went to the living room, playing on his cell phone, while Finn remained in the kitchen, finishing his coffee. I knew that conversation with Finn couldn't be postponed. The time was now. I took a deep breath before calling him, “Finn, we need to talk. Can it be in private?” He looked up in surprise and hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. “Of course, Lilian.” I led him to the back garden, where the fresh air helped calm my nerves. I leaned against the porch railing as he stood a few steps away, hands in his pockets. “Finn,” I began, choosing my words carefully. “I want to understand why you lied to Jensen about the baby. Why did you say you are the father?” He looked away, clearly uncomfortable. He ran his hand through his hair before answering. “Lilian, I did this to protect you.” "Protect?" My voice was louder than I intended, and I crossed my arms, trying to remain calm.