Chapter 474 Too Late
Lillian's vision went black, but she couldn't stop shaking.
She heard Jackson's raspy voice. "Lillian, I look terrible. Don't look."
This felt familiar, and Lillian froze.
He used to cover her eyes during their most emotional moments, and she thought it was because he didn't love her.
But now, she realized she might have been wrong.
If he didn't want to face her, he would have covered his own eyes, not hers.
Jackson thought she didn't love him, so he always held back, afraid of scaring her.
He said he loved her, but she never felt it.
Strangely, at this moment, she sensed a trace of the restrained affection he'd been hiding.
He was not as invincible as she once believed, forever standing tall and in control of their relationship.
Jackson had his uncertainties, insecurities, and fears too.
In an instant, Lillian gripped the edge of the table, her nails digging into the wood, her heart aching.
Tears began to seep from her tightly closed eyes.
She thought it was such a pity—she understood too late.
If she had realized sooner, perhaps they could have understood each other better and built trust, and she might have had the courage to face the storm with him.
But there are no "what-ifs." So much had happened, and so many obstacles had come between them.
Her mindset had changed, trust shattered.
She was no longer fearless. It seemed they could't go back.
Jackson's palm was damp, his face drained of color.
He shut his eyes tightly, pressing a soft kiss to Lillian's forehead, his voice rough.
"Don't cry. I'm sorry."
He pulled a thin blanket around her, lifting her up and carrying her.
In the bathroom, the sound of running water filled the space. Lillian had started the tub after back, and now the water was overflowing.
Jackson bent down to turn it off, checking the temperature, and then gently placed Lillian and the blanket into the tub.
The sound of the water masked the sound of Jackson's footsteps as he left.
Lillian submerged in the water, the warmth enveloping her, slowly easing her rigid and cold body.
She opened her eyes to find that Jackson was no longer in the room.
Huddled in the water, she wrapped her arms around herself, covering her face, her shoulders trembling as she finally let herself cry.
In the days that followed, Jackson, who used to come home daily, became very busy and was away for several days in a row.
Lillian was occupied with the dance troupe's performances, and at night, lying alone in the large bed, she would sometimes think of Jackson.
She thought maybe Jackson was exhausted too.
And she wondered about Star's relentless efforts, the support from the Price family and Daisy—perhaps their progress was swift.
Even without seeking out details, Lillian heard rumors about the Price family's missing daughter being found and making high-profile appearances in various socialite circles.
Dominic and Susan were reportedly overjoyed.
By the time the second performance in Miracalia concluded, the dance drama had gained significant fame.
As Lillian stepped out of the dressing room, the hallway was filled with floral arrangements sent by the audience.
When she entered the restroom, a cleaning lady followed her in.
While Lillian washed her hands at the sink, the cleaning lady, wiping down the nearby counter, spoke up suddenly, "Miss Young, be prepared for Aetherwell's first performance. The Price family will host a return party for Miss Price that day. Miss Price will keep Mr. Frane occupied and arrange for your departure abroad."
Lillian's hands froze mid-wash, her grip tightening. She took a deep breath before responding, "I understand. Please also inform the Price family that my friend is well aware of my departure. If the Price family cannot safely ensure my exit from the country, and I cannot contact my friend smoothly, she will immediately inform Jackson of everything."
He wasn't as strong as he seemed, always in control.
He had doubts, insecurities, and fears too.
Lillian gripped the table edge, her nails digging in, her heart aching.
Tears seeped from her closed eyes.
She thought it was a pity she understood too late.
If she had known earlier, maybe they could have connected and built trust.
But too much had happened, too many obstacles.
Their mindset changed, and trust collapsed.
She wasn't brave anymore, and it seemed they could never go back.
Jackson's palm was sweaty; his face pale. He closed his eyes, kissed Lillian's forehead lightly, and said, "Don't cry, I'm sorry."
He wrapped her in a thin blanket and picked her up.
The bathroom had the sound of running water; Lillian had filled the bathtub.
The water had overflowed. Jackson turned it off, checked the temperature, and placed Lillian, blanket and all, into the tub.
The sound of water covered Jackson's departing footsteps.
Lillian sank into the warm water, her stiff body gradually relaxing.
She opened her eyes, and Jackson was gone.
Lillian hugged herself, covered her face, and finally cried out loud.
After that day, Jackson, who used to come home daily, became very busy and didn't return for several days.
Lillian was busy with the dance troupe's performances. Late at night, lying alone in bed, she occasionally thought of Jackson.
She thought Jackson was probably tired too.
With Star being proactive and the Price family and Daisy being supportive, they might be making rapid progress.
Even without inquiring, she heard about the Price family's missing daughter being found and making high-profile appearances.
Dominic and Susan were said to be overjoyed.
When the second performance in Miracalia ended successfully, the dance drama became famous.
When Lillian came out of the dressing room, the hallway was filled with flower baskets.
As Lillian walked into the restroom, a cleaning lady followed her in.
While Lillian washed her hands, the cleaning lady wiped the counter and suddenly spoke, "Miss Young, be prepared for the first performance at Aetherwell. The Price family will host a return banquet for Miss Price. Miss Price will keep Mr. Frane occupied and arrange for you to be sent abroad."
Lillian's hand-washing stopped, her hands clenched. She took a deep breath and said, "I understand. Also, tell Star my friend knows everything about my departure. If she can't safely send me abroad and I can't contact my friend, she will inform Jackson of everything."
Lillian couldn't fully trust Star and the Price family.
But if something happened to her, Jackson and Star would clash.
Star wanted to be with Jackson, and even sending her away was done cautiously. Lillian thought, 'She wouldn't take such a big risk, right?
'After all, with my departure, Star already has a chance.'
"I will convey your words."
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