Lillian's POV. "Lillian, it's not like that," Alexander muttered, leaning closer. "I'm just surprised by everything. I'm not thinking straight right now, and I don't know what to do. I don't want to hurt you, but I don't want to hurt...""You don't want to hurt Jessica either," I sniffled. "I know I should understand you by now, but the selfish part of me wished you would choose me without hesitation.""Lily, this is all so confusing to me," Alexander admitted, his bewilderment evident. "I'm in a dilemma. I don't know how or what to feel about this situation. My feelings are all over the place."Fresh tears streamed down my cheeks at his words. I couldn't blame him for being confused. I was in a tight spot too. I seemed selfish to everyone for taking Jessica's place so easily, but I also wanted to stay with Alexander.I loved him. It would be hard to let go after everything we had been through together. I just couldn't imagine my life without him. "I remember my promise to you," he
Lillian's POV."Jessica, don't talk to her that way," Alexander finally spoke, shifting his gaze to her.But it didn't matter if he said anything or not. It was evident that I had no place in this home, and it would be better if I left.My life with Alexander had become so complicated and filled with lies over time. A good relationship shouldn't be built on things like that."Alexander, can you stop defending her?" Jessica snapped, turning her irritated gaze to me. "What are you waiting for? Leave already!""I came here to make sure that happens," Gianna said loudly, stepping into the mansion."I also came as well," Mrs. McQueen's voice chimed from behind. As she walked through the door, her gaze was filled with disgust."Why are you still here?" Gianna asked me directly, walking up to me. "Haven't you done enough damage by deceiving everyone? Have you no ounce of shame?" she questioned, shooting daggers with her eyes. "You heard what my daughter went through and you're still trying
Lillian's POV. "Ma'am, I'm sorry but all the rooms have been booked," the receptionist said to me."I let out a sigh of disappointment. This was the second hotel I had been to. The first one told me the same thing. It seemed like everything was working against me tonight."Isn't there somewhere else I can sleep?" I inquired, my voice low, unwilling to receive any judgmental looks."I didn't get that, Ma'am," the receptionist said, looking confused.I didn't know if her confused look was genuine or if she just wanted to mock me."I asked if you had a room or somewhere in the hotel that I could stay for the night. I'm a bit desperate right now and it's so late already," I muttered, my voice straining with exhaustion."I would have loved to help you, but there is no other space available ma'am. I could direct you to another hotel nearby where you might find a place to sleep," she said, her tone polite but firm. I lowered my gaze to my weak legs, wondering if I could walk any further.
Lillian's POV."Please..." he pleaded, the softness of his voice making my heart skip a beat."Fine," I relented, gently removing his hand from my face.I knew it was a mistake to succumb to such temptation, but what could I do? I didn't have many options. I would just let him help me tonight, and figure a solution tomorrow. "Finally," he sighed, his voice sounding relieved. "I thought of carrying you into my car, and taking you away if you had still refused my offer.""That's a crazy thought. I would have bitten off your ear," I retorted, trying to sound stern but failing miserably. "Ow, that was brutal," Alexander teased, reaching for his ear like it hurt.I couldn't believe we were acting like we were still couples. I had to become serious and show him that I wasn't willing to be his side piece.It seemed like he was actively pursuing me now, and even if he truly cared, the pressure from his parents, Jessica's parents, and Jessica would change everything. I didn't want to get my
Lillian's POV.I didn't know why I jumped straight to that assumption, but if she didn't have kidney issues again, then why would she be in the hospital? She would be foolishly trying to help that monster out of jail instead. Besides, the way her face paled in surprise confirmed my suspicion."I thought Dustin got you a new kidney?" I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest. "What happened again?" I asked, unconcerned, but curious. "Oh, I see," I nodded, my lips curving into a wicked smile. "You couldn't get my magical kidney. The one that was supposed to preserve your life. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Such a pity."Maureen looked horrified at my reaction. But what did she expect? Did she think I would feel sorry for her end wish for Jesus Christ to heal her? How stupid was she?"What's with that stupid smile on your face?" she cried out, tears slipping down her cheeks."What's wrong with the smile on my face?" I retorted. "Shouldn't i be happy that you're finally getting what you deserve? I mea
Author's POV. Dustin was shaking in his cell. He had been locked with a few more criminals and they had been bullying him. "When will the cops take you to the main prison?" one of them asked, pulling closer to him. Dustin cringed and tried to move away, but his inmate grabbed his arm, pulling him back. "Where do you think you're going without answering my question?" he snarled, smacking the back of Dustin's head. "Why are you being so rude? Do you think I'm one of the employees in that stupid company of yours?" Dustin shook his head, his body shivering, "No...no." "Good," His inmate said with a sheepish grin. "Why haven't the cops come to take you like the others? And apart from the fraud case you're involved with, what other crimes are you here for?" "I'm not a fraud—" his words got interrupted by a sudden slap on his cheek. Dustin teared up as his lips quivered out silent sobs. "Why did they bring these degenerates here?" he cried inwardly. "Even if there wasn't eno
Author's POV.A sly smile appeared on Jessica's lips. She knew how soft Alexander could be. She also knew how to get him when she wanted."Are you sure you want to do better, or you're just saying it so I won't get dramatic again?" Jessica smirked, almost rolling her eyes.Before she turned to Alexander, the smug look on her face vanished and was replaced with a feigned sad expression. "I'm saying it because I don't truly want to treat you this way," Alexander said, his voice laced with sincerity. "I don't want to see you hurt or in pain.""So, you're treating me this way because you pity me?" she lifted her brows, setting a bait for him. "No," Alexander shook his head, but deep inside that was what he felt for her. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he didn't love her as much as he did before. He was happy that she returned and escaped that awful life, but apart from that, he felt nothing else. "Are you sure, Alexander?" Jessica asked, her voice low and calculating. "Are you
Author's POV.As they got to the mansion, Alexander removed his hand from Jessica's grip."I'll head upstairs and have a shower before coming back down for breakfast. I feel a bit sweaty," Alexander muttered, using that excuse to get away from her.He rushed upstairs and took off his clothes. He glanced at the painting of Lillian, and his heart raced wildly in his chest."I don't know what I'm doing anymore," Alexander sighed, walking over to the painting. "I promised her that I would never leave her side, and we would elope together. I just broke that promise without even fighting to fulfill it.""But how can I fight in this situation? She seemed to have given up on us, or rather unwilling to be the other woman," Alexander muttered, tracing his finger over Lillian's lips in the painting."I miss the softness of her lips," Alexander whispered, licking his lips. "It's so different and relishing. I also miss her taste. There's never a time when she doesn't taste delicious. She just gets
Lillian's POV."What is he doing here?" I whispered to myself, my heart pounding. I turned away and walked behind a tree, hiding. I touched my face and realized I wasn't wearing a mask. Quickly, I searched through my bag and pulled out a face mask. I wore it, still wondering what Vincent truly wanted from me. He said that he only helped people. Why was he here now? Did he lie last night? Was he a stalker or something? Slight fear crept into my heart but I shoved it off. Summoning courage, I walked over to him. As I reached him, he was still ringing the bell, not noticing me. "Vincent," I called him and he turned to face me. "Oh, Lillian, I have been knocking on your door for a while now," He stepped closer to me and smiled. "How was your night? I hope you didn't feel too cold. Sorry for not offering you a jacket last night. My chivalry slipped yesterday.""You don't have to apologize, but what are you doing at my apartment? I didn't recall you saying anything about visiting me,
Lillian's POV. It seemed like he noticed how uncomfortable I was, so he fell silent.I gulped, holding onto my seat belt. Why was he so eager to see my face? What was his curiosity about me? It wasn't like I was some celebrity.I glanced at him, and his eyes were on me again. Oh goodness! Would he just focus on the road? I was still traumatized by what happened during the accident that day. I didn't want to experience that again.Why was he staring at me so much? Did he have any interest in me? But he hadn't even seen my face, I guessed he was just curious."If you ever find it difficult to catch a ride, please let me know," Vincent said, his voice soft."I don't think I want to inconvenience you again. I can't afford half of the gas used to keep this car running, and I can't afford your time either," I replied firmly. "You shouldn't see it that way. You might not be a chef, but you're my colleague," He said gently."I am, and that's what I want to remain. I don't want to inconvenie
Lillian's POV. "Alex?" I gasped, utterly astounded.Did Alexander go as far as following me here? Why would he do something like this?"No," the voice was completely different from Alexander's. It wasn't him."Oh, I'm sorry," I apologized, my face reddening in embarrassment. "I didn't mean to bump into you.""There's no problem. It didn't seem like you did it on purpose," he muttered.I wondered about expression behind his mask."I'm one of the cooks here. I just resumed," he said, helping me stand straight. He withdrew his hand from my waist and kept it by his side."You're new here?" I asked, before I could stop myself."No, I came late," he clarified, lowering his gaze as if embarrassed. "I don't want to stall you. You can resume your duties.""Okay sir," I nodded, bowing slightly.As I was about to brush past him, he grabbed my arm, stopping me.I was surprised by his sudden grasp, but remained calm."Sorry," he apologized, releasing my arm. "I just wanted to ask your name.""It'
Author's POVAlexander's face filled with shock."A month's time? is this a joke or something?" he exclaimed, springing up from his seat. The chair behind him fell to the floor with a loud thud."What's wrong with marrying in a month's time?" Mrs McQueen asked, surprised by his reaction. "We can hire one of the best and fastest wedding planners and—" Alexander's patience finally snapped, "I'm still trying to cope with the engagement and everything else happening in my life right now. How can you suddenly bring up a wedding date?" "Why are you being so angry and agitated? Three years ago, if we allowed you to marry Jessica a week after your engagement, you would have. What has changed?" "Everything has changed. I don't love her anymore, and I doubt that I could bear spending the rest of my life with her," Alexander couldn't say it out loud, though his heart screamed the truth. "Alexander, I understand that you're overwhelmed by the situation..." "I'm not just overwhelmed. I feel s
Alexander's POV. I dreaded spending another day with her but I had no choice. Our contact was bearable yesterday only because I tried getting some information from her, but today, she annoyed me endlessly."Alex, would you like to watch a movie with me?" she asked, sitting on the couch beside me.As her skin brushed against mine, I instinctively pulled away. "I'm doing something on my phone. I'm not interested in watching a movie right now. Maybe later," I lied, not looking up. "Okay, I'll watch a movie on my own then," she said, letting out a dramatic sigh loud enough for me to hear.As she stood to leave, she suddenly turned back to face me. "I forgot to tell you that my parents and your mom will be coming tonight for dinner," she announced without any warning. "What?" I exclaimed, lifting my gaze in shock."Why are they coming to have dinner with us?" I questioned sharply, unable to hide my fury. "They want to discuss about the engagement and wedding. Since we've sorted out o
Lillian's POV.I stared down at the money Martin had given me; Alexander had asked him to give it to me because it would take a while to unfreeze the accounts. Slowly, I recalled how Martin told me almost everything that had been happening in the mansion during my absence.His stories sounded a bit exaggerated, but based on what I experienced today, I was sure that they were true. He told me how crazy, manipulative, and controlling Jessica was. He said he felt sorry for Alexander because he was under so much pressure.I felt bad for him too. I couldn't imagine living with a nut job like that woman.Martin narrated, rather passionately, how torn apart Alexander was without me. I was also heartbroken by everything, but what could we do? We were both helpless in this situation.He was unwilling to leave with me, and his parents, along with Jessica's parents would only make our love difficult. Despite how inconvenient things were, we just had to keep living apart.I let out a sad sigh and
Author's POV.Jessica inhaled sharply and walked to her room. Upon entering, she grabbed her phone from the bed before sinking into it.She swiped a pillow below her head, making herself comfortable as she searched for a good drug that could get Alexander under her control for a while until she achieved her aim.Although she had no desire to be a mother, Jessica was convinced that getting pregnant would mark a turning point in her relationship with Alexander. Alexander always had a soft spot for kids. She would be the center of attraction."Would it be wise to drug him with something that would make him unconscious or something that would make him aroused?" Jessica thought, biting her bottom lip mischievously. "There is no fun in fucking an unconscious body. I think giving him an aphrodisiac would be best."Jessica rubbed her thighs against each other, closing her eyes in imaginary pleasure."This is going to be more exciting than playing the supportive partner," Jessica smirked. "But
Author's POV."I want to get rid of her as much as you do," Gianna said, her tone laced with frustration. "But I can't touch her for now." Jessica's face twisted in anger. Her mother was her only hope in getting rid of Lillian without a trace,but now she seemed hesitant?"What do you mean by that?" Jessica demanded, frowning deeply. "Your father is being suspicious," Gianna replied, her voice wary. "He asked if I knew Lillian or if she could be your twin." "What did you tell him?" Jessica's brows furrowed in concern. "I told him that I didn't understand what was happening, but promised to look into it," Gianna said, letting out a sigh. "I might just make up a lie that she was stolen at birth, but it might backfire and give her an advantage over us," Gianna said her voice laced with worry. Jessica also became worried at her father's curiosity about the situation. She just hoped he would back down and not have anything investigated. "But how am I going to handle her going after A
Author's POV. "How could you do this to her?" Alexander yelled, glancing at Lillian, who was on the couch. Alexander, upon his arrival, saw Lillian lying on the floor, unconscious and pale. He was stunned and baffled by the sight. He carried her into his car, then took her into the mansion. He suspected that it had something to do with Jessica. The current guilty look on her face confirmed his suspicion. "What did you do to her?" Alexander demanded, his rage evident. Jessica was a bit taken aback by how he kept yelling at her. This wasn't the Alexander she knew. This man was completely different, driven by another force, which was not the love for her. "Jessica!" She flinched, wondering the right words to say, in order not to upset him some more. "Jessica, how could you do this? There are bruises all over her body. What is wrong with you?" he queried, wondering how Jessica could be so awful.Jessica did not want to lose face so she yelled back, "How did you know that I did tha