The next morning, the living room was already buzzing with quiet energy when Lilian walked in. Noah and Moses were seated on the couch, engrossed in their own morning routines. Noah was scrolling through his phone with a cup of coffee in hand, while Moses tapped away at his laptop, his brows furrowed in concentration.Lilian had no idea when Moses had come back home the night before. She’d fallen asleep early and hadn’t heard the front door or any sign of him returning.“Good morning, brothers,” she greeted, her voice light but laced with curiosity.Noah and Moses looked up simultaneously.“How was your night?” Noah asked.“Did you sleep well?” Moses added right after, their words overlapping.Lilian smiled faintly and nodded. “Yes, I slept fine. Thank you.”She took a seat on the couch opposite them, her eyes immediately darting to Moses. He avoided her gaze, keeping his focus locked on his laptop. Lilian could tell he was trying to dodge the conversation he knew was coming.“Brother
Lily sat on the couch, her phone gripped tightly in her hand. Her gaze was fixed on the blank screen, her mind awash with uncertainty. She had been thinking about calling Marcus all day, but the same nagging doubt held her back. Would he answer? And even if he did, would he make time for her?The distance between them had grown lately. Marcus, always busy with his work as the CEO of his company, had been barely present in her life. Their wedding was a week away, but it felt like they were two strangers planning an event rather than two people preparing to spend the rest of their lives together.Lily sighed and ran a hand through her hair. She couldn’t take it anymore. She missed him, craved his attention, and she was tired of being pushed aside. If he wasn’t going to make time for her, she would have to find a way to make time for them.With a determined breath, she unlocked her phone and dialed his number. Her heart thudded as the phone rang once, twice, three times. Just as she bega
“Are you okay?” Lily asked as she stood up and reached for Marcus, her voice filled with feigned concern.Marcus took a step back, instinctively putting distance between them. “What did you do?” he demanded, his eyes narrowing as they darted around the room.Lily frowned, her brows knitting together. “What do you mean?” she asked, feigning confusion, though her heart raced at the accusation.Marcus didn’t answer. Instead, he moved swiftly toward the door, his unease growing with each passing second. Lily’s eyes widened. She couldn’t let him leave—not yet. Acting on impulse, she darted after him and grabbed his arm. Before he could react, she pressed her lips to his in a desperate kiss.Marcus froze. He didn’t reciprocate, his body stiff as if caught off guard. Lily, undeterred, tried to deepen the kiss, hoping it would erase his suspicion. But the moment was fleeting.As clarity returned to him, Marcus abruptly pushed her away. His movements were firm but restrained, as though he was
Marcus clenched the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles pale as anger and confusion churned within him. His thoughts replayed the events of the night over and over as he navigated through the dimly lit streets. Lily’s actions were inexplicable, and the strange sensations in his body were equally unsettling.When he reached his house, he parked his car in the driveway and stepped out, shutting the door with a forceful slam. The cool night air did little to calm his nerves. He locked the car, checked it twice, then strode to the front door. After locking himself inside, Marcus leaned against the door and took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure.Something wasn’t right.He made his way to his bedroom and threw his keys on the nightstand before heading straight to the bathroom. The faint sense of unease clung to him, making him feel restless. He filled the jacuzzi with cool water and lowered himself in, hoping it would help clear his mind.The chill of the water seeped into his
Marcus leaned back in his office chair, the phone pressed against his ear. He was quiet for a moment before finally speaking.“Lily called me last night,” he began, his tone calm but cold. “She said she was sick and needed me to come over immediately. I rushed to her house, of course, thinking something was seriously wrong. But when I got there, it was a lie. She said she just missed me and wanted to see me.”There was a pause on the other end of the line before Nicholas, his best friend, responded.“Wait, what? She faked being sick just to get you to come over?” Nicholas asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.“Exactly,” Marcus confirmed, his jaw tightening at the memory. “At first, I thought it was just some immature ploy for attention, but then… things got strange.”Nicholas was silent for a moment before replying, his tone laced with curiosity. “Strange how? What do you mean?”Marcus hesitated, recalling the unsettling sequence of events. “She tried to grab me. At one point, she e
Marcus turned his attention back to his laptop, trying to focus on the work in front of him, but he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something wasn’t right. Lily sat across from him, her smile unwavering, her demeanor as calm and innocent as ever. Despite his suspicions, her act was impeccable, and it left him questioning his instincts.“Are you sure you’re okay? You seemed really off yesterday,” Lily asked again, leaning slightly forward. Her voice was soft and tinged with concern, but Marcus couldn’t help but wonder if it was genuine.“I told you I’m fine,” he replied, his tone clipped. He adjusted his tie and focused on the numbers flashing on his laptop screen.“I’m sorry for lying to you about being sick,” Lily said after a moment of silence. “I just missed you so much. You’re always busy, and I just wanted some time with you.” Her voice cracked slightly, and Marcus glanced up to see her pouting, her eyes shimmering as if she might cry.Marcus sighed. He wasn’t sure if her
“You don’t look happy to see me,” Marcus said as he took a seat across from her, his eyes scanning her features with a quiet intensity.Lilian glanced at him before rolling her eyes. “Who would be happy to see their crazy ex?” she replied with a carefree shrug, sipping her coffee as though she were unaffected.Marcus raised an eyebrow at her nonchalant response. “Crazy?” he repeated, letting the word linger in the air between them.Lilian set her cup down, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him. “Yes, crazy. And if you’ve forgotten, we’re divorced now, so stop acting like we’re still tied to each other.” Her voice was firm but measured.He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he observed her. “Oh, so now I’m crazy, huh?” he said, his voice cold with a hint of amusement. “What do you want, Lilian? You think we can’t talk like normal people?”Lilian met his gaze without flinching, her voice steady as she spoke. “If people see us together, they might think we’re involved, that
Lilian stepped through the door of the company building, the familiar, reassuring clink of her heels echoing in the otherwise quiet corridor. It had been another exhausting day, but nothing compared to the chaos she had experienced earlier. The weight of the morning’s events lingered in her mind as she made her way to her office, ready to tackle whatever else was thrown her way.Before she could even reach the door to her office, she saw him. Moses. His broad frame filled the doorway, his sharp eyes watching her every movement. He hadn’t been standing there long, but it felt as if he had been waiting for her all day.The moment she spotted him, Lilian raised an eyebrow in surprise. “You’re here?” she said with a smile, her voice light and slightly teasing. There was always something about Moses that made her feel safe, but she couldn’t help but playfully question his sudden appearance.Moses didn’t take long to respond. “I heard Marcus was at the coffee shop today,” he said, his voice
At the same time, Franklin pulled out his card and handed it to the cashier, his movements calm and deliberate. Mrs. Thompson, standing at a distance, shook her head in visible disgust as she watched the scene unfold. Her lips tightened, and her arms crossed over her chest, her disapproval practically radiating from her.She had been watching Franklin and Lilian the entire time, though she pretended not to. Her eyes occasionally darted away to feign indifference, but her glances were sharp and judgmental, as if silently cataloging every flaw she perceived.The cashier swiped Franklin’s card, her professionalism unbroken, and handed it back to him with a polite smile. “Thank you,” Franklin said curtly, picking up the shopping bag with one hand.“Let’s go,” he added, glancing at Lilian. She nodded without a word, her face neutral, and together, they walked out of the mall. Their exit was quiet, but it left a tension hanging in the air.Mrs. Thompson, watching their retreating figures, f
Marcus nodded, barely acknowledging the item Mrs. Thompson had suggested. His focus remained glued to his phone, his thumb moving in a rhythmic pattern as he scrolled. The faint glow from the screen illuminated his face, highlighting his disinterest.Mrs. Thompson sighed, her lips curving slightly upward into a knowing smile. “Let’s take it,” she said, her voice brisk but decisive as she turned to her daughter, Lily.“Okay, Mom,” Lily replied obediently, adjusting the strap of her purse.They didn’t head to the cashier immediately. Instead, they wandered the aisles a bit longer, their steps leisurely as they perused the shelves. The mall’s ambiance was lively yet refined, with the soft hum of conversations and the occasional ding of registers creating a backdrop of familiarity. Shoppers moved with purpose, some clutching baskets overflowing with items, while others strolled with less urgency, seemingly enjoying the experience.Eventually, Mrs. Thompson and Lily made their way to the c
The next morning, Lily walked into the living room, her steps slow and deliberate. She had spent the night at Mrs. Thompson’s house because today was the day they were set to visit Marcus’s grandparents. The thought of the visit made her stomach churn, and as much as she wanted to avoid it, she knew there was no escape.“You’re awake,” Mrs. Thompson greeted warmly, looking up from the sofa where she sat sipping tea. Her smile, as always, was bright and welcoming.“Yes. How was your night, Mom?” Lily asked, attempting to mirror Mrs. Thompson’s energy despite her inner anxiety.“It was fine, dear. And you? Did you sleep well?” Mrs. Thompson asked, setting her teacup down on the table.Lily nodded. “Yes, I did. Thank you.”Mrs. Thompson beamed at her. “Marcus will be here soon. I already called him.”Hearing this, Lily raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Oh, we’re going this morning?” she asked, unable to hide the slight reluctance in her voice.“Yes, dear,” Mrs. Thompson replied, her tone c
Lilian descended the stairs slowly, her hand brushing against the smooth wooden railing. The sound of muffled voices from the living room reached her ears, sparking her curiosity. She hesitated at the bottom step, tilting her head slightly as she tried to discern who her father was talking to. When she stepped into the living room, she paused, surprised to find her dad sitting with another man she didn’t recognize.Her eyes flicked between the two, and her brow furrowed. Who’s this? she wondered. Her father wasn’t exactly the most sociable person. In fact, he barely interacted with others outside their family. The idea of him befriending someone so quickly—especially since it hadn’t even been a week since he’d returned home—seemed odd.“Dad,” Lilian called, her voice breaking the quiet hum of their conversation. She smiled as she spoke, her tone warm and familiar.Francis looked up, his expression betraying a mix of surprise and amusement. “Oh, Lilian. You’re home?” he asked, clearly
“Did he take you to meet his grandparents yet?” Mrs. Thompson asked suddenly, her voice breaking through the calm of the afternoon.Lily froze, her heart skipping a beat at the unexpected question. “They’re back?” she asked, her voice tinged with both surprise and unease.Mrs. Thompson nodded with a warm, reassuring smile. “I suppose they were informed about the wedding, so they came back. You don’t need to be nervous, dear. They’ll accept you—they’ve always trusted Marcus’s judgment,” she said confidently.“Oh,” Lily muttered, nodding slowly. Her mind was already spinning. Grandpa Thompson, back so soon? She had hoped to avoid another encounter with him until after the wedding.Mrs. Thompson studied Lily’s face for a moment, then continued. “I’ll talk to Marcus and make sure he takes you to meet them this week. It’s important to pay your respects before the wedding. That’s how it’s always been done in this family,” she added firmly but kindly.Lily forced a small smile, though her st
“Have you made a list of the guests you want to invite to the wedding?” Mrs. Thompson asked once they had finished eating, her tone gentle but filled with curiosity.Lily shook her head. “I’ll just let you decide,” she replied with a warm, effortless smile.Mrs. Thompson’s expression softened even more, her pride in Lily evident. “That’s very considerate of you. But surely, you’d like to invite some of your friends, wouldn’t you? Or do you not have anyone in mind?” she asked, tilting her head slightly, a knowing smile on her face.Lily thought for a moment, her gaze drifting to the window. “Well… I do have a few friends I could invite,” she said softly, as if she hadn’t considered it before.“Good. Just give me their names, and I’ll add them to the guest list,” Mrs. Thompson said with a nod, her organizational mind already at work.“Sure, Mom,” Lily replied, her smile bright and sweet.Mrs. Thompson leaned back slightly, looking at Lily thoughtfully. “Have you seen Marcus this week?”
Lily breathed a sigh of relief as she scrolled through her phone, checking the news and social media updates. There was nothing—no mention of her confrontation with Lilian at the mall. The tense exchange still lingered in her mind, replaying in flashes of sharp words and raised voices. If someone had seen them and posted about it, she would have been mortified. More importantly, Mrs. Thompson might have found out. The thought alone made her shudder.Mrs. Thompson valued poise and self-control, qualities Lily had worked hard to demonstrate since meeting Marcus’s family. If the older woman learned that Lily had been publicly arguing with Marcus’s ex-wife, it could damage her carefully built reputation. It didn’t matter that Lilian had provoked her—what mattered was the perception. Thankfully, it seemed the incident had gone unnoticed, allowing Lily to relax for now.She adjusted her dress as she stepped out of the car, the soft fabric falling neatly into place. The Thompson residence lo
The attendant clenched her fists tightly, her eyes fixed on Lilian, filled with frustration and anger.“Security!” the manager called out, his voice sharp as he noticed the attendant still kneeling on the floor. His face was flushed with embarrassment, the scene drawing unwanted attention from nearby shoppers.A security guard entered the store almost immediately, his posture firm but professional. The manager pointed toward the attendant, his expression stern. “Throw her out,” he ordered.The security guard approached her, his tone calm but commanding. “Please stand up and leave,” he said.The attendant let out a deep, frustrated sigh. Slowly, she rose to her feet, brushing off her uniform as if trying to regain some dignity. “Fine, I’ll leave,” she muttered under her breath. Then, turning to Lilian, her voice rose with bitterness, and her glare hardened. “Are you happy now? You’ve cost me my job! I’m the breadwinner of my family, and because of you, they’ll starve. I hope you’re pro
The manager noticed the commotion brewing near the front desk and quickly descended the stairs to investigate. His polished shoes clacked sharply against the marble floor, each step reverberating through the quiet tension that hung in the air. His brow was furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line as he approached the group.“What is going on here?” he demanded, his deep voice slicing through the awkward silence. He directed his question at the attendant, whose eyes darted nervously between him and Franklin. The manager’s gaze lingered briefly on Lilian, her flushed face and clenched fists a testament to her frustration, before finally landing on Franklin, whose calm yet imposing presence filled the room.The moment the manager’s eyes fell on Franklin, his expression shifted. The irritation etched into his face melted into something resembling recognition, then alarm. His posture stiffened, and his tone softened, carrying a note of deference. “Sir,” he said, addressing Franklin with