Lilian woke up again and glanced outside the window. She had no idea when she’d fallen asleep. Groggily, she looked around for her phone to check the time.But it wasn’t on the bed. Frustrated, she got up, showered, and quickly changed into her work attire.She walked downstairs and into the living room, where Noah was lounging on the couch, watching a show.Hearing her footsteps, he raised his head and looked up. “Oh, you’re awake,” he said.Lilian nodded, her expression still groggy. “Yes. What time is it?” she asked as she walked toward the kitchen.“3:50 p.m.,” Noah replied casually.“What??” Lilian’s voice rose in shock. She couldn’t believe how late it was.Noah smirked, turning his attention fully to her. “What time were you planning to go to work?” he asked, chuckling.Lilian rolled her eyes, still processing the wasted day. “I thought I only took a one- or two-hour nap,” she admitted with an awkward laugh.Noah shrugged. “Brother said you could take the day off today,” he rem
Mrs. Thompson frowned deeply when she heard this. “Moses?” she asked Lily, her voice laced with suspicion.“Well…” Lily trailed off, glancing toward where Lilian was seated. Her eyes studied the man sitting with Lilian and the boy.Mrs. Thompson followed her gaze and raised an eyebrow when she saw someone entirely different. “Who is that? She’s dating this one too?” Mrs. Thompson asked, her voice raised slightly in disbelief.Lily shook her head quickly. “I don’t think so. It might just be business,” she replied, trying to sound calm, though her uncertainty was evident.Mrs. Thompson scoffed, her lips tightening. “Business? Look at the way they’re sitting together, so close. You’re far too naive if you think there’s nothing more to this,” she said, her tone firm.“Well… maybe,” Lily conceded softly, glancing away to avoid her mother-in-law’s piercing gaze.Mrs. Thompson’s friends, noticing the exchange, turned their attention toward Lilian’s table. One of the women leaned closer, her
Lily couldn’t stop smiling as she drove away from the restaurant. Her heart raced with excitement as Mrs. Thompson’s words played on repeat in her mind. Soon, she would finally become the official mistress of the Thompson family. After years of waiting and patience, her dreams were about to come true. She couldn’t wait to share the news with her parents and friends.Most of all, she couldn’t wait to flaunt it in front of Lilian. That woman had no right to Marcus, no right to the Thompson family. Everything Lily had worked for, everything she had endured, was finally paying off.The buzz of her phone broke her thoughts.Ringgg…Lily frowned as she saw the name on the screen: Aria. She considered ignoring the call but thought better of it. With a sigh, she pressed the green button and answered.“Hello?”“Where are you?” Aria’s voice sounded curious, almost nosy.“I’m on my way to a friend’s place,” Lily replied curtly. “Why are you asking?”“Did you hear about the banquet Moses is organ
Marcus sat at his desk, the hum of the air conditioning blending with the faint rustling of papers as he sifted through a stack of documents. His office was quiet, save for the occasional creak of his chair or the soft scratch of a pen. The silence suited him. Work had always been his sanctuary, a place where he could focus and leave the noise of the outside world behind.Then, a knock interrupted his thoughts.His brows furrowed. He wasn’t expecting anyone. “Come in,” he said, his voice steady, though a hint of annoyance crept in.The door opened, and in walked Mrs. Thompson. Her presence instantly made Marcus straighten in his chair.“Mom?” he said, standing as she approached.She smiled warmly, holding out a bowl wrapped in a pristine white napkin. “I brought you some soup. You need to take care of yourself, Marcus. Drink it while it’s still hot.”Marcus sighed but accepted the bowl. He motioned to the couch. “Have a seat.”Mrs. Thompson settled onto the plush sofa with the grace o
Lily could not calm down. Mrs. Thompson still had not called her to confirm whether Marcus had agreed to the marriage.She had already broken the news to her parents, and they were eagerly anticipating the union. They had even begun spreading the word, using it as an opportunity to brag about their daughter’s soon-to-be prestigious match.Lily could not afford to wait any longer. She decided to visit Mrs. Thompson in person.Upon arriving at the house, Lily parked her car in the garage, stepped out, and adjusted her dress. With a bright smile plastered on her face, she walked toward the door, her heart pounding in anticipation.“Aunty,” Lily called out as she stepped into the living room.Mrs. Thompson was seated on the couch, chatting with her younger sister’s family. Her face lit up the moment she saw Lily.“Lily, you’re here!” she exclaimed, patting the empty space beside her. “Come, sit here.”Lily nodded politely, flashing a warm smile at Mrs. Thompson’s visitors before making he
Marcus walked into his house and flicked on the light switch. The soft hum of the bulbs filled the silence as he stood still for a moment, scanning the room. Slowly, he walked toward the couch and sank into it, exhaling deeply.Ringgggg.The sudden shrill of his phone startled him. He reached into his pocket, retrieved the device, and glanced at the screen. The name “Aunty Clara” flashed across it.He hesitated for a second before answering.“Hello, Aunty,” he said, his voice respectful but curious.“I’m at your gate,” Clara’s voice came through, calm but direct.Marcus blinked, confusion creasing his forehead. “My gate?” he asked, needing to confirm he’d heard her right.“Yes,” she replied. “Come and open up.”Marcus stood abruptly, the surprise evident on his face. Without another word, he ended the call and walked briskly out of the house. As he opened the gate and peered outside, his disbelief turned to certainty. Clara stood there, looking as composed as ever.“Are you not happy
Lilian and Moses sat on the couch in the living room, the air between them calm and quiet. The TV hummed softly in the background, though neither of them paid it much attention.The front door creaked open, and Noah stepped into the house with Matt trailing close behind. Noah, full of energy as always, called out excitedly, “I heard something!”Moses let out a low groan and rolled his eyes as he leaned back on the couch, clearly unimpressed. Noah always had something to say—whether it was important or not was another matter entirely.Lilian, on the other hand, tilted her head, curiosity getting the better of her. “What is it?” she asked, looking at him expectantly.Noah’s grin widened when he realized Lilian was interested. “You won’t believe this,” he said, pausing for dramatic effect. “I heard that Marcus is getting married to Lily!”He dropped onto the couch with a satisfied look, as though he had just delivered groundbreaking news.The moment the words left his mouth, the living r
The next day, Lilian stepped into a small tea shop, the chime of the doorbell ringing softly as she entered. The warmth of the place enveloped her immediately, a welcome escape from the brisk air outside. She rubbed her hands together as she approached the counter, eyeing the menu before placing an order for a warm cup of green tea.As she waited, her gaze drifted over the room, taking in the few customers scattered around the tables. That was when she saw her.Clara.For a moment, Lilian thought her mind was playing tricks on her. It had been so long since they last met, and this was the last place she’d expected to see her. She blinked, as though to clear the vision, but Clara was still there—sitting at a small corner table, staring into her cup as if deep in thought.Lilian froze. Her heart raced as a wave of emotions washed over her: surprise, happiness, and something she couldn’t quite name. Before she could overthink it, she moved toward the familiar figure.Clara, noticing the
The question caught everyone off guard. Mrs. Thompson turned to Grandpa with a cautious, observant look, trying to gauge his mood before responding.“Grandpa, this is her,” Mrs. Thompson said, pointing at Lily with a forced smile.Grandpa Thompson’s sharp, scrutinizing gaze shifted to Lily. His eyes raked over her from head to toe, lingering long enough to make her visibly uncomfortable. Lily froze under his stare, unable to move or even look away. Her wide, fearful eyes mirrored the storm of emotions raging inside her.“You think you can fool me with a substitute?” Grandpa finally snapped, his authoritative tone cutting through the tense atmosphere. “I want to see your wife! Not a stand-in!”Despite his age, his voice carried the same commanding presence it likely had decades ago, and the room seemed to shrink under the weight of his words.Lily clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as her face flushed with anger. I’m not a substitute, she thought bitterly. Lilian is t
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