Lilian carried Matt to his room, holding him carefully as if he might slip away. Once inside, she helped him take a lukewarm bath, her hands gentle as she scrubbed his little arms and legs. When they were done, she wrapped him in a fluffy towel, drying his hair with the utmost care. Matt giggled softly, his cheeks rosy from the warmth of the bath.Lilian handed him his pajamas. “Here, sweetheart. Change into these,” she said, her voice soft and motherly.Matt obeyed without complaint, slipping into the comfortable pajamas his mother had picked out for him.She unplugged the hair dryer after using it to finish drying his hair. “Alright, it’s bedtime now. You’ve got school tomorrow,” she said, holding his hand as she led him to his bed.Matt climbed onto the bed, and Lilian sat beside him, placing a cool hand on his forehead to check his temperature. She sighed in relief when she found it normal—just a habit she had developed over time to ensure he was always okay.Before leaving his si
Lilian arrived at the office early that morning, as she always did. The quiet hum of the building was soothing at that hour, a stark contrast to the buzz of activity it would soon host. Settling into her chair, she immediately got to work, her hands moving swiftly as she reviewed and organized the files stacked neatly on her desk.The company telephone rang, breaking her focus. Without looking away from her laptop screen, she picked up the receiver. “Hello?”“It’s me. Come to my office—I need to show you something,” Moses said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement, as though he had just stumbled across something funny.Lilian raised an eyebrow at his tone. “Alright,” she replied before placing the receiver back on its cradle.Rising from her chair, she smoothed the creases on her blouse and walked out of her office, her heels clicking lightly against the polished floor. She approached Moses’s office and knocked gently on the door.“Come in,” came Moses’s voice from inside.Lilian op
Lilian glanced at her wristwatch and saw that it was getting late. Taking a deep breath, she made her way to the conference room. The door was closed but, as usual, left unlocked. Without hesitation, she twisted the doorknob and stepped inside.The shareholders were already seated, their expressions a mix of seriousness and indifference. They barely acknowledged her entrance, most assuming she was just another assistant. Only a handful of them truly knew who she was.“Hello,” Lilian greeted warmly, a bright smile lighting up her face.The shareholders gave her a quick nod, some barely looking up from their documents. Their lack of enthusiasm didn’t bother Lilian. She had long stopped expecting recognition in such settings.She made her way to where Moses was seated at the head of the table. Without a word, she took the seat beside him. A few of the shareholders exchanged questioning glances, visibly puzzled by her boldness, but no one said anything—especially since Moses didn’t object
They walked out of the conference room to find Emily standing just outside. Emily’s gaze lingered on Lilian, studying her carefully.Moses frowned as soon as he saw her. If not for his sister’s involvement, he would have fired Emily without a second thought that very day.“What are you doing here?” Moses demanded, his face darkening with irritation.Emily shook her head, her gaze darting nervously between Moses and Lilian. “I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I just went to make some coffee and was heading back to my department.”Moses scrutinized her silently, his expression hard to read.Lilian, however, looked at Emily with an amused smile. She clapped her hands lightly, as though she had just thought of the perfect idea. “Excellent timing! There are some coffee cups left behind by the shareholders. You should clear them and rinse the cups,” she instructed, her tone both sweet and commanding.Emily’s expression soured at the suggestion. “I’m not an errand girl,” she protested, frowning. “Y
Noah drove directly to a restaurant. The two enjoyed a quiet meal together, catching up and laughing about small things. Once they finished eating, Noah suggested they go to a gaming club to watch some fights.At first, Lilian hesitated. It had been years since she last went to one of those places—five years, to be exact. She used to find the matches thrilling, especially since she enjoyed learning self-defense techniques by observing the fighters. However, after giving birth to Matt, her priorities had shifted, and she stopped going entirely.Noah, noticing her hesitation, smiled reassuringly. “Come on, you used to love it,” he said.Lilian nodded eventually. She did enjoy it back then, and it wouldn’t hurt to relive the experience for just one night. “Alright,” she agreed.When they arrived at the gaming club, Noah spared no expense, purchasing VIP tickets. Their seats were in a private room with a perfect view of the arena. It was comfortable and quiet, allowing them to enjoy the m
Weeks passed, and preparations for the upcoming company banquet were in full swing. The event was designed to be a grand occasion, meant to introduce Lilian officially as the family’s long-lost daughter and reveal her true identity to the world.The family had wanted to host the event much earlier, but Lilian wasn’t ready then. The idea of stepping into such an unfamiliar spotlight had felt daunting. However, now that she had grown closer to her family and adjusted to her new life, she was finally prepared.When Moses brought up the banquet during a casual conversation, Lilian had surprised him by agreeing without hesitation.“It’s time,” she had said simply, her tone calm but resolute.Overjoyed, Moses wasted no time informing their father, who was elated by the news. Their father, always supportive, promised he would attend, no matter his packed schedule. Her brothers were equally enthusiastic, eager to be part of the event and to show their support for their sister.Moses dove head
Lilian and Noah walked into the dimly lit bar, the chatter of patrons and the faint clinking of glasses filling the air. The siblings had left their house without informing their older brother, Moses, who would undoubtedly disapprove if he knew where they were.Lilian had taken extra care to disguise herself. She wore an oversized black shirt and baggy trousers, her hair tied up neatly in a way that concealed its length. Her androgynous outfit, coupled with her posture, made her look convincingly masculine. If someone didn’t study her closely, they wouldn’t think twice about assuming she was a man.As they entered, Lilian choose a seat near her brother, easing into it with deliberate nonchalance. The room smelled of beer and roasted peanuts, and dim yellow lights cast a warm glow on the polished wooden tables.A cheerful waitress approached them, her lips curving into a friendly smile.“Hello, gentlemen. What can I get you tonight?” she asked, her tone casual but polite. She glanced a
It was Marcus again!Lilian felt a wave of frustration rise within her. Must she run into him—or one of his meddlesome family members—every single time she stepped out? She averted her gaze, hoping he hadn’t noticed her. Even the waitress at the bar had mistaken her for a man tonight, so perhaps Marcus wouldn’t recognize her either.Lowering her head, Lilian quickened her pace, attempting to slip past him unnoticed. But just as she thought she was in the clear, a firm hand grabbed her wrist.“Lilian,” he said, his voice unmistakably familiar.Her heart dropped. How had he recognized her? She froze for a second before forcing herself to respond. “I’m not Lilian,” she said, her voice pitched lower in an attempt to sound masculine.Marcus laughed—a low, amused chuckle that sent chills down her spine. “I know it’s you,” he said with confidence. “I could recognize your scent anywhere. Stop pretending.”Lilian frowned, her mind racing. My scent? she thought incredulously. Did she even have
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