Chapter 11:Lilian POV.A few days later, I arrived at Selena's house. As soon as I walked in, I noticed the difference. The house was clean and smelled of lavender. Selena greeted me with a smile."Hello, thank you for coming. Abriel is resting in the bedroom," Selena said as she led me to the room.When I saw Abriel, I couldn't believe the progress she had made. She smiled when she saw me, and I knew her condition was improving with the help of the Luminae Orchid. "Hi Abriel, how are you feeling today?" I asked."I'm feeling better," Abriel replied with a soft voice."That's great to hear! You're making such great progress. Soon, you'll be able to play like other children and be happy," I told her with a reassuring smile.Abriel's face lit up with excitement. "Really? You think so?""I know so," I replied confidently."She's doing so much better! She's gaining weight and can move some of her body," I said to Selena.Tears streamed down Selena's face. "I can't thank you enough. You
Chapter 12:Lilian POV:As soon as I opened my eyes, I was greeted by the bright light that was streaming in through the windows. "Oh, crap. I forgot to close the windows last night," I muttered under my breath.it was already the morning, I sat up on my bed and rubbed my eyes, trying to remember what had happened the previous night. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I had cried myself to sleep, and it had been a rough night. I didn't even know when sleep had taken me, so much I had cried almost all night long for about three hours, I felt filthy.I had to get up and get ready for the day, though.I got to my feet, slipped on my slippers, and walked over to the door. I locked it quickly, knowing all too well that Lucas had the unfortunate habit of opening doors without knocking. I wanted some privacy today.I felt disgusting, so I undressed myself , I needed a good bath .After washing and getting dressed, I looked at myself in the mirror. "Ugh, I look like a mess," I grumbled. The
Chapter 13Lilian POV."Hey Marisol," I called out to my maid as I entered the living room. "Do you know where I can find a store to buy some beauty accessories?"Marisol hesitated for a while before answering. "Why do you need to go to a store yourself? There have been a lot of rumors spreading around about you. It's probably better if you stay at home.""I understand the rumors, Marisol," I replied, "but I just want to look my best and hide these wrinkles. Can you please tell me where I can find a store to get the things I need?"Marisol let out a sigh and shook her head. "It's just a few blocks away. But please be careful, okay?"I thanked her and started making my way to the door. But before I could leave, Marisol added, "You know, I have some makeup and beauty products here that you can use. You don't have to go out and risk running into people who've been spreading false rumors about you."I paused for a moment, considering her offer. "I appreciate that, Marisol, but I just real
Chapter 14Lilian POV:Just then I leave the store, I spotted an old woman stumbling ahead. Concerned, I hurried over and said, "Excuse me, ma'am. Are you alright? Can I help you?"The old woman looked up at me with a glare in her eyes. It was the witch who had looked at me with disdain the day of my arrival, when I was in Eli-Dad's room "I don't need your help, young one. Especially not from someone like you."Confused, I asked, "What do you mean 'someone like me'? Is there something wrong?"She scoffed, "You should know, shouldn't you? I was the witch who took care of Eli-Dad before you came along. And I can assure you, I never liked you."Taken aback, I tried to defend myself. "I didn't mean to replace you. I was only here to help Eli-Dad heal. I promise, once my task is completed, I will leave."The witch refused to listen and pushed me away using her fallen scarf. With a devilish grin, she said, "You think that's all you have to worry about? Oh, my dear, you now have something m
Chapter 15:Lilian POV:I could see the turmoil and vulnerability in his eyes, mixed with a hint of fear. It was a side of Lucas I had never seen before, and it both frightened and intrigued me. Without saying a word, I reassured him with a gentle smile, encouraging him to trust me.Taking a deep breath, he opened his mouth to speak, but hesitated for a moment. I could tell he was fighting with his own thoughts, struggling to string the right words together. Seconds felt like hours as we both sat in that suspended silence, anticipation building in the air.Finally, his voice broke through the quiet space, still barely above a whisper. "I've noticed something," he began, his eyes meeting mine.I waited with bated breath, eager to hear what he had to say."My father, Eli-Dad," he paused, his voice trembling slightly. "I can see that he's getting better, and it's because of the care you provide."Surprised, I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. I hadn't expected him to say
Chapter 16:Lilian POV:I conducted chemical tests on the nitrate and observed that it had been tampered with. Based on this evidence, I concluded that it was undoubtedly a criminal act. Drew, the unpleasant individual, had previously vowed to make my life miserable. Thus, I strongly suspected his involvement. To ensure the safety of the remaining medication I had available for Eli-Dad, I disposed of it, as it was highly probable that it too had been sabotaged. Following that, I proceeded to Lucas' apartment to discuss the matter with him.Furious at Drew's actions, I decided to confront Lucas about it. Determined, I disposed of the remaining medication intended for Eli-Dad in case it had also been sabotaged, which was probably the case , and I headed straight to Lucas' apartment. As I arrived, I noticed that his door was wide open and without hesitation, I entered without knocking.Lucas was completely absorbed in his TV show, completely oblivious to my presence. I cleared my throat
Chapter 17:Lilian POV:I felt really bad, I just wanted to disappear.Taking a moment to collect myself, I retreated to my room and reached for the package of makeup that I had bought from Cassandra's parents. I hadn't even used it yet. Carefully opening it, I examined the array of colors available to me.With a determined expression, I picked up the deep red lipstick and applied it, adding a touch of mystery and power to my look. Next, I chose a smoky eyeshadow palette, blending the dark grays and shimmering blacks. It enhanced my eyes, giving them an intensity that matched my resolve. Finally, I brushed a touch of blush on my cheeks, adding a subtle hint of color to my otherwise pale complexion.Feeling transformed yet ready to face whatever lay ahead, I looked at myself in the mirror. The result was quite good. With a final adjustment to my hair, I left my room, still donning my new fierce appearance, and made my way to Selena's , my only friend and ally here. I needed some comfor
Chapter 18:Without warning, the guards burst into my room and grasped onto me, their strong hands dragging me out forcefully.I was alarmed and confused. "What's going on?" I quizzed the guards haltingly, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand. "Where are you taking me?""Quiet, woman," one of the six guards barked sternly, grabbing me by the arm. "You'll find out soon enough."I tried to resist, but it was futile. They were too strong and too numerous."What's happening?!" I cried in confusion, my voice trembling with fear."Stay quiet and come with us," one of the guards commanded, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.I frantically looked around, still in my pajamas, a transparent pink robe, feeling exposed and vulnerable. Panic raced through my mind as I futilely attempted to resist their overpowering strength."Please, tell me where you're taking me!" I pleaded, my voice desperate and filled with uncertainty.The guards exchanged a glance, their faces remaining stoic. They ign
98Lilian My heart sank at his words, but I forced myself to stay calm, though every part of me wanted to lash out. “Why?” I asked, my voice almost breaking. “Why would you do that, Lucas?”He gave me a look of exaggerated disbelief. “What? A guy like me can’t settle down?”“You and I both know this isn’t about settling down,” I said bitterly, trying to keep the anger from spilling over. “You’re playing a game, as always.”Lucas shrugged, completely unbothered by my accusation. “Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. What does it matter? Grace is head over heels for me, and I thought, why not? Might as well have a little fun.”“Fun?” I repeated, my voice rising despite my best efforts to keep it steady. “You’re talking about someone’s life, Lucas! Grace actually believes this is real!”“And whose fault is that?” he shot back, his smirk fading just slightly. “She chose to believe what she wanted. I never promised her a fairy tale.”“You proposed to her!” I spat, unable to contain my frustration a
97Lilian I stood there, frozen for a moment after Grace left, her excitement lingering in the air while I was trapped in a whirlpool of my own thoughts. Damien hadn’t said a word since she left, but I could feel the storm brewing inside him. His shoulders were tense, and he kept running a hand through his hair, something he only did when he was stressed beyond measure.I cleared my throat, trying to ease the tension in the room. "Damien, what’s going on?" I asked softly, stepping closer to him. "You’re clearly not fine."He stopped pacing, his eyes meeting mine, and I could see the frustration brewing behind them. "Lilian, we need to talk," he said, his voice low but sharp. My stomach clenched. I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear what was coming next."What’s wrong?" I pressed, hoping to keep the conversation calm.He took a deep breath, rubbing his temples like he was trying to gather the right words. "It’s about the money."I blinked, confused. "The money? What about it?""You’ve been
96Lilian A few days later, I sat on the sofa, half-watching a TV show that I wasn’t really invested in. My mind kept drifting back to Lisa’s situation and the overwhelming feeling of helplessness that had gripped me since my conversation with Rebecca. The tension in the house was palpable, but I was trying to distract myself, anything to escape the weight of reality for a little while.Suddenly, I heard a loud knock at the door, followed by the unmistakable sound of someone letting themselves in. Before I could even process what was happening, Grace came barreling into the living room like a whirlwind."Lilian!" she shouted, her voice brimming with excitement as she practically leapt at me. I barely had time to react before she was hugging me tightly, her energy infectious. “Grace, what—?” I started, trying to get a word in as she pulled back and thrust her hand in front of my face. I blinked, trying to focus on what she was showing me.Her eyes were practically glowing with joy as
95Lilian As I pulled into my driveway, I was surprised to see Damien’s car parked outside. It took me a moment to remember that today was Wednesday, his usual day to come home early. I entered the house and found Damien in the living room, lounging on the sofa with a book. He looked up as I walked in, his eyes narrowing slightly with concern. “Hey, Lilian,” he said, setting the book aside. “You’re home early. Everything alright?”I hesitated, trying to concoct a believable excuse. “Oh, um, I wasn’t feeling well, so I decided to come back early,” I said, forcing a weak smile.Damien’s expression softened, but there was a note of reproach in his voice. “I told you not to push yourself too hard. You should really take it easy. If you’re not feeling well, it’s better to rest up for a few days.”“I’m fine,” I insisted, though I knew it was a lie. “I didn’t think it was that serious.”“No, Lilian,” Damien said firmly, rising from the sofa and walking over to me. “You need to stay home a
94Lilian Once I was in my car, I pulled out my phone and quickly searched for the best private detective agency in town. After a few rings, a calm, professional voice answered.“Good afternoon, Zenith Investigations. How can we assist you today?”“Hi, this is Dr. Lilian Grey,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I need to hire a private detective to investigate someone. It’s urgent.”“Certainly, Dr. Grey,” the receptionist replied smoothly. “May I ask for some details? Who is the subject of the investigation, and what exactly are you looking for?”I hesitated, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. “Her name is Grace Walters. I suspect she might be involved in something... illegal. I need someone to dig into her background, her recent activities, everything.”“Understood,” the receptionist said. “We’ll assign one of our best detectives to your case. When would you be available for a meeting to discuss this further?”“Right now,” I said, not wanting to waste any more t
93My jaw tightened as I struggled to keep my composure. “That’s great to hear, Grace.”Lucas looked at me with a mixture of surprise and unease. “Lilian, I didn’t expect to see you here.”“Apparently,” I said, my tone sharper than I intended, “neither did I.”Grace’s smile faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered. “Well, Logan and I have been working through things. He’s taking responsibility now, and I really believe we have a future together.”I fought to keep my eyes from rolling. “I’m glad you think so.”Lucas shifted uncomfortably, his gaze darting between Grace and me. “Lilian, I—”“Don’t,” I interrupted, my voice cold. “I don’t want to hear it.”Grace’s eyes widened, her enthusiasm dimming as she sensed the tension. “Is everything okay, Lilian?”“No,” I said, my frustration bubbling to the surface. “Everything is not okay.”Grace looked between us, her confusion evident. “What’s wrong?”I took a deep breath, trying to control my emotions. “Lisa Hackerman is in jail, and yo
92**Lilian’s POV**I sat in my car, the engine humming softly, and stared at the police station. The building loomed in front of me, a cold reminder of the mess everything had become. I took a deep breath and forced myself to get out of the car. I needed to see Lisa, to understand what was happening from her perspective. With a determined stride, I walked to the entrance and was met by a stern-faced officer.“I’m here to see Lisa Hackerman,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the knot of anxiety in my chest.The officer raised an eyebrow, his gaze scrutinizing. “You’re allowed five minutes. Follow me.”My heart pounded as he led me through the maze of corridors. I tried to ignore the gnawing worry that threatened to overwhelm me. Finally, he stopped in front of a cell and unlocked the door. As it swung open, Lisa looked up, her face lighting up with a mixture of surprise and hope.“Lilian!” she exclaimed, her voice cracking slightly. She rushed to the bars, her eyes wide
91I stood there, staring at Lucas, feeling the frustration and anger boiling inside me. The tension between us was thick, and I struggled to keep my voice calm as I asked, "So, you’re still with her?"Lucas nodded, avoiding my gaze, and that small movement made my blood boil. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. "Yeah... for now. I need to figure things out, Lilian. Everything’s so messed up right now."I clenched my fists so tight that my nails dug into my palms, trying to control the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. "Lucas, this isn’t just about you figuring things out. Grace deserves to know the truth, and so does Lisa. You can’t keep stringing everyone along like this."“I know,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. His eyes met mine briefly, filled with guilt and weariness, before he looked away again. "I know," he whispered again, almost like he was ashamed to admit it. "But I’m stuck, Lilian. I don’t know how to make this right."I could feel the frustration a
90Lilian's POVThe next day, Damien left early for work, his usual confidence masking the tension that still lingered between us. I felt a knot of frustration tighten in my chest as I watched him go, his words from the night before still echoing in my mind. I couldn't shake the doubt he’d planted, but I also couldn't let go of my belief in Lisa's innocence. I needed to talk to someone who might understand, or at least help me see things more clearly. I decided to visit Lucas. I had to know what he thought about Lisa’s arrest. Maybe he could offer a perspective that would ease my troubled mind. As I walked to his apartment, my heart pounded with a mix of anxiety and determination. I wasn't sure what I was hoping to hear, but I knew I needed to talk to him.When I reached Lucas’s door, I hesitated for a moment, my hand hovering just inches from the wood. Finally, I knocked, the sound echoing through the hallway. A few seconds later, the door creaked open, and there he was, looking a l