**Chapter 71**Ray picked up his phone and dialed Derek’s number. After a few rings, Derek answered.“Derek, I need you to come over,” Ray said, his voice tense. “It’s important.”Derek could sense the urgency in Ray’s tone. “Alright, I’ll be there shortly. What’s going on?”Ray didn’t elaborate, ending the call with a frown. Derek’s mind began to race. Ray had been calling him frequently, and it was often for something out of the ordinary. First, it was a psychologist; now, he didn’t even explain. Derek concluded that something serious was happening and hurried to see him.A short while later, Derek arrived at the address Ray had sent. He was surprised by the new location. Why wasn’t Ray at home?“You’re late, man,” Ray said instead of welcoming him inside. Really? That was the first thing Ray was going to say to a man who put his work on hold to come see him, Derek thought.“You sounded urgent,” Derek replied.“I need you to confirm if my baby girl is pregnant.”What! I hope I’m not
**Chapter 72**Chloe couldn’t shake the unease bubbling within her. She had always admired her boss’s calm demeanor and sharp mind, but this time, things were different. Her boss was about to step back into the real world after the whole death incident, fully aware of the chaos that awaited her. The upcoming press conference would mark her role model's official return, and Chloe knew the impact would be seismic.As she reviewed the final preparations, Chloe's thoughts wandered. *My boss facing the world again will be epic.* The idea seemed almost surreal. For two months now, her boss had operated from the shadows, controlling everything with an iron grip while remaining out of the public eye. But now, everything was changing. And while Chloe trusted her boss’s judgment, a small part of her couldn’t help but worry about the storm that was sure to follow.Meanwhile, in another part of town, James Anderson sat in his study, brooding over the latest developments. The rumors Helena had pos
**Chapter 73**Lilly hung up the phone, her expression as blank as ever. Across the room, Ray Manchester observed her carefully, searching for any sign of what she might be thinking. He knew her well enough to understand that reading her emotions was almost impossible—her face remained impassive, her eyes cold and calculating. Still, he couldn’t help but try.“Lilly?” Ray ventured cautiously, hoping to gauge her mood. “Who was that?”“Well, it was my amazing father,” she answered sarcastically.Ray looked into her eyes, trying to make out her train of thought. It was always hard to pinpoint what each of her expressions meant, which made understanding her quite difficult. “What does he want?” he eventually asked.“Control,” she replied flatly, setting her phone down on the table with a soft click. “He always wants control.”Ray nodded, sensing there was more she hadn’t said. She seemed to be up to something, and he had overheard her earlier speaking to her assistant about a press confe
**Chapter 74**Helena’s eyes flicked over the screen of her phone, and her face twisted into a mask of rage as she read the latest news. Her manicured nails gripped the device tightly, her knuckles white with anger. The headlines screamed about Ray Manchester’s unexpected marriage to Liliana Anderson, and it was more than she could tolerate.“What the hell is this?” Helena screeched, her voice echoing through the opulent living room. She flung her phone onto the couch, sending it skittering across the cushions. “Liliana Anderson—married to Ray Manchester? How dare she!”Her voice rose in pitch as she tried to comprehend the reality before her. “How is that even possible? How in the world would he marry that… that piece of shit?”Helena’s rage boiled over, and suddenly, she snapped. Her hand shot out, grabbing the nearest object—a crystal vase sitting delicately on the coffee table. With a guttural scream, she hurled it across the room. The vase shattered against the wall, shards of gl
**Chapter 75**Helena’s fury was far from quelled as she paced through the wreckage of her living room. Her rage had simmered into a cold, dangerous intensity. As she glanced around at the shattered remnants of her possessions, a dark idea formed. She grabbed her phone from the floor where it had landed during her tantrum and dialed Ellen’s number, her fingers trembling with residual anger. Only Ellen could help her now—her mother wasn’t reliable.The call connected quickly, and Ellen’s calm, sweet voice greeted her. “Baby, what’s wrong?”“Ellen,” Helena snapped, her voice tight with frustration. “I need your help. Liliana is married to Ray, and I can’t stand it. I want her gone. I need you to take care of her.”Ellen’s voice, though steady, held a hint of something deeper. “I see. You want me to… take care of her?”“Yes!” Helena’s voice was sharp with desperation. “I want her out of my life. She’s made a fool of me, and I want her to pay.”There was a pause on the other end of the li
**Chapter 76**Words couldn't capture the whirlwind of emotions Ray was experiencing. The reality of Lilly being his, completely and irrevocably, was nothing short of fascinating."So, Mrs. Manchester," Ray murmured, his voice thick with affection, "what do we do now?"Lilly looked up into his eyes, her gaze meeting the warmth and love that radiated from him. It was a feeling so foreign to her, yet undeniable. She didn’t need anyone to tell her that the man standing before her was deeply in love. Maybe she had been wrong earlier to question his feelings for her—reading those relationship books was a good idea. Now she knows how a man in love behaves."Mr. Manchester, you tell me what you want," she replied softly.Ray’s grin widened. He was enjoying this playful exchange more than he anticipated. "Can I want anything?" he asked, his voice teasing as he moved closer, his arms itching to wrap around her, to merge their bodies and souls into one."Well, hubby," Lilly began, attempting a
A few hours later, Lilly’s estate was buzzing with an energy that hadn’t been felt in quite some time. Ray had called his closest friends, and true to their word, they arrived in no time, eager to meet the woman who had finally captured their friend’s heart. Lilly stood by the window, watching as cars pulled up the driveway. She felt a flutter of calmness in her chest. This was new—being surrounded by people who were close to Ray, who cared for him. It was daunting, yet she knew this was a necessary step. She had spent far too long isolating herself, keeping everyone at arm's length. It was time to let them in, even if it was just a little. This gathering was a new experience in her life, meeting people, and she was going to be drinking and laughing with them. Ray walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing a kiss to her temple. “You okay?” he asked, his excitement rising. Lilly nodded, leaning back into his embrace. “Yes… You are happy, right?” she aske
Chapter 78 Jerry was the first to recover, letting out a nervous laugh. “Well, I guess that makes two of you with a twisted sense of humor,” he said, trying to ease the tension. The others quickly followed suit, laughing along, though their eyes still lingered on Lilly with a mix of curiosity and wariness. The world really was right about her—she truly was an ice queen, frightening people with even the slightest hint of emotion. Ray, still beaming, looked at Lilly with a soft expression. “Why don’t we all sit down? We have plenty of catching up to do,” he suggested, guiding Lilly to the couch. As everyone settled in, Felix spoke up. “So, Miss Anderson, how does it feel being married to our Ray?” he asked, clearly curious about her thoughts on the matter. Lilly paused for a moment, considering the question. “It’s... the same, I guess. I don’t really know yet,” she said, tapping her finger on her cheek as she pondered the best answer. “It feels like before. But I suppose I’ll kno
Liliana’s voice wavered, but her anger burned steady. “What about the girl who grew up feeling unwanted?” she demanded, her hands trembling at her sides. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to be your daughter? To live a life where love was a distant dream?” Her breath hitched, her throat tightening. “Liliana’s life was miserable. Mine was too, growing up with you.”Evelyn flinched, her lips parting in a silent protest, but Liliana didn’t give her the chance to speak.“You said you were trying to protect me,” she continued, her voice thick with emotion, “but your protection felt more like a cage, Mother. Every single day, I felt trapped, suffocated by the life you built around me. I was always seeking, always pleading for freedom, even when I knew it was impossible.”Evelyn’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her expression contorted with guilt and confusion. “I—I only wanted to keep you safe…” she whispered.Liliana let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “Safe?” she spat. “You ca
Liliana’s breath caught, and she took an involuntary step back. “So you didn’t see her—my twin—after that? You didn’t even try to stop him?”Evelyn shook her head frantically, tears spilling down her face. Her shoulders trembled as she clutched her arms, her entire body wracked with guilt. Perhaps she was too caught up in her emotions to notice that Lilly was referring to someone else, her words laced with an underlying recognition that she herself hadn’t fully grasped yet.“I tried, Liliana,” Evelyn choked out. “I begged him to tell me where she was. But he wouldn’t answer. He just kept saying it was necessary, that I wouldn’t understand. And then he disappeared.” She sucked in a shaky breath, her voice barely above a whisper. “He left me alone. With no way to find him. No way to find her.”The air in the room felt suffocating. Lilly’s nails dug into her palms, her hands clenched into tight fists at her sides. She was shaking, fury and betrayal crashing over her in violent waves.“Yo
Lily felt like her Liliana entire existence was a sham. She had been living a lie, dead believing in a lie and the truth was only now beginning to unravel. The man who had tormented her, whom she thought was her father, was actually not her biological parent. It was a shocking revelation, and she couldn't wrap her head around it. How could this be? How could her whole life be a fabrication?As she grappled with these questions, Lily's emotions were in turmoil. She felt like she was vibrating with anger and frustration, and she couldn't seem to calm down. Her existence, her identity, everything she thought she knew about herself was a lie.And to make matters more complicated, she had just discovered that she had a twin sister, who was somehow seven years older than her. It didn't make sense - how could two people be twins, yet be born at different times? It was a mind-bending concept, and Lily was desperate for answers.She hoped that the explanation she was about to receive would be
Evelyn’s voice broke as she began, her trembling hands gripping the edges of the chair she sat on. She couldn’t meet Liliana’s eyes. Her gaze seemed fixed somewhere in the distance, as if reliving the memories she was about to unveil.“When I found out I was pregnant, I was overjoyed,” she began, her tone soft and uneven, every word weighted with emotion. “It felt like my whole world had fallen into place. I was carrying a piece of the love I shared with your father—your father, Liliana. He was my anchor, my safe haven.”Her lips quivered as a small, bittersweet smile appeared, only to disappear almost immediately. “I still remember the tears on his face when I told him. He held me so tightly, like he was trying to hold on to the moment forever. We had so many dreams, plans to build a home, a family. We talked about the little things—what color the nursery would be, what names we’d pick. Life felt… perfect.”Her voice cracked, and she brought a trembling hand to her face, swiping away
Evelyn walked slower when she saw her daughter’s figure from a distance, her voice carrying over, deeper with hurt. “You said you wanted to talk, right?” Liliana’s voice wavered, the tremble betraying the anger she tried to keep steady. She turned slightly, her hands clenched at her sides. “What do you want to talk about? Or are you here just to make sure I’m unhappy?” She laughed bitterly, her gaze falling to the ground for a moment before meeting Evelyn’s. “You know, Mother, if you really care as much as you claim, if you’re really here to make amends like you say, you wouldn’t have done what you did.” Evelyn stayed silent, her chest tightening as she watched Liliana brush at her cheeks roughly, trying to hold herself together. “Even if Ray had done something wrong,” Liliana continued, her voice sharp but trembling, “as a mother, you could have at least tried to hide it. Tried to make it seem like nothing was wrong. Do you know what I did, Mother?” She laughed again, this time s
Ray’s protective instincts flared, his jaw tightening as he turned to Evelyn. “You what?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. Evelyn raised a hand, her expression placating. “Relax, Ray. That’s all in the past now. I came here to make amends, not to dredge up old wounds.” Liliana scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. “Amends? Is that what you’re calling this little stunt?” Evelyn smiled serenely, ignoring her daughter’s hostility. “Yes, darling. I’m here to make things right. You’ll see.” She turned her gaze back to Ray. “And as for you, young man, you seem like a good match for my daughter. I’m pleased she found someone who can handle her fire. But why are you cheating on her though.” Ray didn’t respond, his mind racing with questions and suspicions. He could feel Liliana trembling beside him, her emotions barely contained. He placed a reassuring hand on her back, silently promising her that he wouldn’t let this woman cause her any more pain. And that he didn’t cheat
Finally, she swung the door open. There she was. Evelyn Altee stood on the doorstep, her radiant smile as poised as ever, her eyes sparkling with an unsettling calm. She looked utterly at ease, as though she had every right to be there, as though she hadn’t faked her own death or threatened Lilly just weeks ago. “Hello, darling,” Evelyn said sweetly, her voice as smooth as silk. Lilly stared at her, unable to form words. Her mother looked almost exactly as she remembered from the few weeks back, only that this time she looked better and emotional state seems balanced and the guilt and fear from weeks ago was gone. Evelyn’s smile widened, and she tilted her head slightly. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?” Lilly’s lips parted, but no sound came out. A wave of emotions crashed over her—shock, anger, confusion, and an overwhelming sense of betrayal. “Why…?” she finally managed to choke out, her voice trembling with disbelief. “Why are you here? After everything? You—” She broke o
As they walked toward the dining room, Mitchell slowed her pace just enough to fall in step beside Ray, her expression calm but her eyes sharp. When she was sure Liliana wasn’t looking, she tilted her head slightly toward him and mouthed, “Have you told her? Or has she seen the news?”The weight of her question hit Ray like a ton of bricks. His smile faltered briefly before he quickly composed himself, shaking his head subtly in response. No.Mitchell’s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes narrowing for a moment before she returned her attention to Liliana, who was inspecting a vase of fresh flowers near the dining room entrance.Ray inhaled deeply, forcing a smile back onto his face as he guided Liliana to her chair at the head of the table. “Here you go, baby girl. Sit tight, and I’ll get you settled.”But the moment he stepped back, Liliana’s gaze pinned him. Her eyes were sharp now, missing nothing. “What are you two hiding from me?” she asked, her voice cool and measured, devo
Ray chuckled, his hand gently resting on the curve. “I think it has, love. Our little one’s making their presence known.”Liliana’s cheeks flushed as she stepped out of his hold and dashed toward the walk-in closet, her curiosity getting the better of her. She stood in front of the full-length mirror, turning this way and that, examining her figure with wide eyes.“I can’t believe it,” she murmured, a soft smile spreading across her face as she touched her belly.Ray leaned against the doorway, his heart swelling at the sight of her so captivated by the change. “You look beautiful,” he said warmly, his voice full of love.Liliana glanced back at him, her eyes shining. “I’m fascinated. I mean, I knew it would happen, but seeing it… feeling it…” She trailed off, her hand lingering over the gentle curve.Ray stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. “It’s incredible, isn’t it? And it’s only going to get better from here.”She turned her