Chapter 11
Lily and Michael had known each other since university, and when she returned to the country with her sisters, Michael followed. Then there was Lucas, whom she met after her sister's death. He helped her hide her identity and provided a new one to evade her stepmother and grandfather. They had been crucial in her investigation into her sister's death over the past eight months, so she owed them an explanation.
"I got married," Lily announced abruptly.
Shock registered on their faces. "You did what?" Michael was the first to recover.
"Are you serious, Miss Evans?" Lucas sought confirmation, needing to be sure he heard correctly.
"Yes, I got married. I'm sorry I didn't tell you both sooner."
"When did this happen?"
"A few days ago."
"To whom, and why?" Michael pressed.
Lily hesitated briefly. "Alexander Kane," she finally confessed.
"Alexander!" Lucas half-shouted, covering his mouth in disbelief.
Lily nodded.
"Jesus Christ, Alexander of all people!" Lucas exclaimed again.
"Yes."
"He's the powerful figure I mentioned who sent people to investigate you, Miss Evans."
"I know. That's why I instructed you to ensure his people found nothing. Now is not the time for him to discover who I am."
"Alexander isn't just anyone. Marrying someone that influential will inevitably expose you to higher society. Sooner or later, your family may find you," Michael reasoned.
"He's right," Lucas added. "Your grandfather is still searching for you. If he finds you, he'll force you back home, putting you in danger."
"Then you must ensure he doesn't find me yet, Lucas."
Lucas sighed. "Your grandfather's connections are formidable, as are Alexander's. I'll do my best to keep both parties at bay."
"Please do," Lily implored, then turned to Michael, who was still processing.
"Why did you get married?" he murmured.
"It's complicated," Lily replied softly.
After briefing them, Lily headed back to Alexander's mansion. The traffic delayed her, and it was already 10 pm when she arrived. Surprisingly, the usually heavily guarded estate had the staff waiting outside.
"She's finally back," one of the maids exclaimed, catching Clara's attention.
Clara approached Lily with relief evident in her eyes. "Ma'am, you're finally home."
Lily raised an eyebrow. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, everything's fine."
"Then why are you all outside in the cold?"
"Mr. Alexander instructed us to wait outside until you returned. We're glad you're back."
"Enough chatter," Clara snapped at the maid who spoke out of turn. She then turned to Lily with a smile. "Please come inside; it's cold out here."
"Is what she said true, Clara?" Lily asked, needing confirmation that they had indeed waited outside for her.
Clara hesitated briefly. "Now that you're back, Miss, we can all go inside."
Lily didn't press further but wondered why Alexander had ordered them to wait outside. He had made it clear earlier that day what their relationship was.
Inside the mansion, Lily headed to the bedroom but found it empty. Alexander must be in his study. After a quick bath, she discovered the closet filled with new clothes, shoes, and accessories, all luxurious and unfamiliar. Her own belongings, including her late sister's scarf, were nowhere to be found.
Panic rising, Lily frantically searched the closet, tossing clothes in every direction. Alexander had removed her old belongings and replaced them, leaving her feeling unsettled.
She threw on one of the new outfits, loose and unfamiliar, and stormed into Alexander's study on the second floor.
"Where are my things?" she demanded.
Alexander glanced up from his work, eyeing her with displeasure. She wore one of the new outfits, her hair still damp.
He frowned darkly. "How dare you barge into my office?"
Undaunted, Lily pressed on. "Where did you put my belongings?"
Instead of appreciating the upgrade from her old things to luxury items, she accused him ungratefully. "They're where they belong," he replied curtly.
"What do you mean, 'where they belong'? Just tell me where you've hidden them. There's something very important to me among those things," Lily's voice quivered with emotion. The scarves were precious reminders of her sisters.
"In what way?" he raised an eyebrow, detecting a hint of sentimentality.
"They're important to me, and you had no right to move them while I was away," she half-yelled.
In an instant, he pushed her against the wall, pinning her there. Lily winced, meeting his gaze defiantly.
"This is my house, my rules, young lady. I could lock you up here for months, and no one would come looking. Then we'll see how many rights you have left," Alexander threatened, considering his options after her late return.
Lily held his gaze firmly, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and anger. "I won't be kept prisoner in my own marriage," she retorted, her voice steady despite the tension.
Alexander's grip loosened slightly, surprised by her boldness. "You think this is a game?"
"No, I think you're overreacting. I just want my things back," Lily replied, trying to remain calm.
Alexander studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Slowly, he released her and took a step back.
"Fine," he conceded, gesturing towards the closet. "They're in there."
Relieved but still wary, Lily approached the closet cautiously and began searching through the neatly arranged clothes. After a few moments, she found the familiar scarf hidden beneath a pile of silk blouses.
Pulling it out gently, she held it close to her chest, feeling a rush of comfort and sadness. It was a link to her past, to her sisters who were gone but never forgotten.
"I'm sorry for moving your things," Alexander said quietly, breaking the silence. His voice held a rare note of sincerity.
Lily glanced at him, surprised by his apology. "Thank you," she murmured, her defenses softening slightly.
Alexander hesitated, as if unsure how to proceed. "You don't have to be afraid here," he added, his tone softer now.
"I'm not afraid," Lily replied, meeting his gaze steadily. "I just need to know where I stand."
With a nod, Alexander seemed to understand. "You stand wherever you want to," he said, his voice gentle yet firm.
Lily nodded in return, feeling a tentative sense of relief. Maybe there was more to Alexander than his powerful exterior suggested.
As they stood in the quiet of the study, an unspoken understanding passed between them. Despite their tumultuous beginning, they both realized they were navigating uncharted territory together.
Outside, the night grew deeper, and the mansion settled into a peaceful stillness. For Lily and Alexander, it was the start of a journey neither had expected, where trust would be hard-won and truths would be uncovered, but perhaps, in each other, they might find the solace and strength they both needed.
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