Lily felt awkward. She had wanted to see a pained, vulnerable expression on Lilian’s face—something to prove her presence still affected her—but Lilian’s features remained cold and indifferent, as though she were looking at nothing more than a passing stranger. That wasn’t the reaction Lily had hoped for, and it gnawed at her.“We’re leaving,” Clara said, her voice firm and crisp. She turned to Marcus with a look that brokered no argument. Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Matt’s small hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Let’s go,” she added, nodding toward Lilian.Lilian nodded silently, her expression neutral, and rose to her feet. Without a glance back, she followed Clara out of the restaurant. Her movements were slow, deliberate—steady in a way that seemed to irritate Lily even more.Left behind, Lily turned to Marcus with wide eyes, playing up her confusion and innocence. “It seems Aunty Clara still doesn’t like me,” she said softly, her tone carefully layered with
Matt blinked innocently at the question, his expression earnest. “We only met Grandma Clara, and she took us to the shopping mall. She bought me some toys before we went to the restaurant,” he said, carefully leaving out everything else that had happened.Lilian glanced at her Eldest brother, her lips lifting into a faint smile. “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me.” She tried to sound convincing, but deep down, she understood why they were concerned. They cared about her—it was as simple as that—and that thought melted her heart.“Why wouldn’t we worry about you?” Noah said, his voice tinged with both affection and exasperation. “You’re our only sister.”Lilian let out a soft laugh and nodded. “Yes, yes, I know,” she replied, brushing off their concern as gently as she could.Moses, the quieter of the two older brothers, gave her a small smile. “Just be careful,” he said, his tone firm but caring.Lilian met his gaze and nodded again. “I will, I promise. It’s just that Aunty C
The Next MorningLilian woke up before sunrise, the first rays of light barely illuminating her room. She had set her alarm early, determined to shake off the sluggishness of the past two days. Staying home felt unproductive, and her absence from the office weighed heavily on her mind.As she walked into the living room, her bare feet making soft sounds against the tiled floor, she saw Moses sitting on the couch. He was bent over his suitcase, organizing his belongings with practiced efficiency. He looked up when he heard her footsteps, his eyebrows arching slightly in surprise.“You’re up early,” he said, his voice low and calm, though a flicker of curiosity passed across his face.Lilian nodded, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. “Yes. I haven’t been to the office for two days, and I want to get a head start today. There’s a lot to catch up on,” she replied, her tone steady but laced with determination.Moses tilted his head, scrutinizing her. “Are you sure you’re up for it?
Lilian walked back into her office, the faint echo of her heels fading as she shut the door behind her. The familiar scent of coffee and paper filled the air, grounding her in the present. She sighed softly, her gaze drifting to the desk she had left cluttered earlier in the day.As she eased into her chair, a fleeting memory surfaced—a notification from her phone that she had ignored yesterday. Her brows knitted together as she recalled it.“What was that message again?” she murmured to herself, leaning back and slipping her hand into her pocket.She pulled out her phone, the sleek screen lighting up as she unlocked it. With a few taps, she found the unread message and opened it.A small smile tugged at her lips as she scanned the content. It was a wedding invitation—a digital card with soft golden borders and neatly scripted text. The message announced the union of Marcus and Lily.Lilian’s smile faltered, her lips pressing into a thin line. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her thumb
Lilian leaned back in her chair, her gaze resting on the now-clear surface of her desk. The files she had started working on earlier were completed, signed, and neatly organized. It hadn’t been a heavy workload to begin with, so she was able to finish quickly. Still, the sense of accomplishment brought a small smile to her lips.The quiet hum of the office surrounded her, and for a moment, she allowed herself to relax. Just as she was about to fully settle in, her phone buzzed, breaking the silence. Curious, Lilian picked it up, her brow furrowing slightly as she saw the name on the screen: Clara.Her lips curled into a warm smile as she answered the call. “Hello, Aunty Clara.”“How is your day going, dear?” Clara’s familiar voice came through, soft and warm as always.“It’s going well,” Lilian replied, leaning forward in her chair. “I’m at the company today, just finishing up some files.”“Ah, I see,” Clara said. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”“Oh, no, not at all,” Lilian reassured
“Are you leaving now?” the receptionist asked, looking up from her desk.Lilian glanced at her and nodded with a smile. “Yes, yes. I have some work to do outside,” she explained, trying to sound casual.“Oh, alright then,” the receptionist replied, her voice soft but polite.Lilian turned and walked out of the company’s front entrance. She hadn’t noticed that Emily had been watching her leave. As soon as Lilian stepped out, Emily hurried to the staircase and quickly ascended to the upper floors. She was determined to find out where Lilian was heading.Lilian hailed a taxi to Clara’s hotel. She hadn’t driven herself to the office today. Instead, Moses had dropped her off in his car, and since she wasn’t sure when she’d be back, she hadn’t taken her own vehicle.The taxi pulled up to the hotel, and Lilian paid the driver before stepping out onto the pavement. She took a deep breath, glancing up at the hotel’s entrance before walking through the revolving doors.As she entered, the recep
Finally, Clara answered the call. Her voice was calm, tinged with a hint of guilt. “I’m so sorry, I was taking a bath. Where are you now?”Lilian sighed audibly before responding, her tone low and exhausted. “I’m outside, in front of the hotel,” she said, her words clipped.“I’ll come to meet you now,” Clara assured her quickly before ending the call.Lilian exhaled deeply, slipping her phone back into her pocket. The evening air was cool, but the situation made her feel strangely restless. Thankfully, she didn’t have to wait long before Clara came downstairs, her hair slightly damp, as though she’d hurried out of her room.Clara approached briskly, her face creased with concern. “Why didn’t you wait inside at the reception?” she asked, her brows furrowing in disapproval.Lilian shook her head, her lips pressing into a tight line. “The receptionist asked me to leave the building,” she said simply, her voice steady but carrying an undertone of frustration.Clara’s expression hardened i
Clara led the way to her hotel room, her heels clicking softly against the hallway floor. Once they arrived, she slid her keycard into the lock, the light turning green with a faint beep. She opened the door and gestured for Lilian to enter first.“Come in,” Clara said warmly.Lilian stepped inside, her gaze sweeping across the neatly arranged room. She wasn’t surprised to see Alex, Clara’s husband, sitting at a small desk with his laptop open. She knew Clara and Alex were traveling together, so his presence didn’t catch her off guard.“Hello, Uncle,” Lilian greeted him politely, a small smile curving her lips.Alex looked up from his screen, recognition lighting up his face. “Oh, Lilian, how are you doing? It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” he said, his tone friendly.Lilian nodded. “I’m doing fine, thank you. And you? How have you been, Uncle?”Alex smiled warmly, closing the lid of his laptop. “I’m doing great. And might I say, you’ve grown into such a beautiful young woman.”Lilian ch
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