Chapter 26

Lilly’s mind spun with confusion as she watched Alexander sip his coffee, his demeanor distant yet oddly intent on their conversation. It wasn’t that she opposed attending prestigious events by his side, but his sudden eagerness to showcase their marriage publicly unnerved her.

“I thought we agreed to keep our marriage under wraps,” Lilly ventured cautiously, her eyes searching his for some hint of his thoughts.

Alexander’s gaze remained cold, almost indifferent, as he set his cup down with deliberate care. “I don’t recall ever agreeing to that,” he said flatly, as though the decision had always been his alone.

Lilly swallowed her rising unease. “But isn’t there a reason to keep it hidden, given that our marriage is supposed to end soon? It was part of the contract…”

Alexander’s eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through her like a blade. “Don’t question my decisions,” he warned, his voice chillingly final. Without another word, he rose from the table and left the room, leaving Lilly alone with her turbulent thoughts.

Her mind raced as she pondered what could have prompted this change. Alexander was a man of meticulous control; he never did anything without a reason. Was this event truly just a display of his power, or was there something more at play?

Later that day, Lilly returned to her old apartment, only to find Jacob, Sarah, and Michael already there, their faces etched with concern.

“You’re here early,” Lilly remarked, trying to mask her disquiet with a forced smile.

Jacob gestured toward a chair set in the center of the room, its positioning too deliberate to be anything but confrontational. “Take a seat,” he said, his tone serious.

Lilly’s smile faded as she sat down, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension. Jacob wasted no time, his questions direct and probing.

“Why did you get pregnant? Was that part of the plan? What are you hiding from us?” Jacob’s voice carried a mix of worry and frustration, mirroring the fears that gnawed at her.

Lilly took a deep breath, steadying herself. “I’ll answer your questions, but right now, we have a bigger problem.”

“What could be more pressing than Kane discovering your true identity?” Michael interjected, his anxiety palpable.

“Alexander wants me to accompany him to a grand event—the birthday celebration for the head of the Lawrence family. It’s a high-profile affair, with all the elite of Aurora City in attendance, including my family, and the media will cover it extensively. The worst part is…” Lilly hesitated, her words hanging in the air like a heavy cloud.

Sarah’s eyes widened. “What could possibly be worse?”

Lilly met their gazes with a look of determination. “He plans to introduce me as his wife.”

The room fell into stunned silence, the implications of her words sinking in like a stone. Jacob was the first to speak, his voice barely above a whisper. “I thought the plan was to keep the marriage secret. What changed?”

Lilly shook her head, still grappling with the same question. “I don’t know. This isn’t like him, but I have no choice. I have to go along with it.”

Sarah frowned, her protective instincts flaring. “You know that if your family sees you, they’ll realize you’re alive. Do you understand what that means?”

“Yes,” Lilly replied firmly. “I believe the time has come to confront them openly. The more public the setting, the harder it will be for them to deny me. My stepmother and Kate will be forced to reconsider their plans when Grandfather learns the truth.”

“But how will you handle Alexander when he finds out who you really are?” Michael asked, the concern in his voice deepening.

“And we still don’t have enough evidence to take legal action against them. Are you sure about this?” Jacob added, his face lined with worry.

Lilly’s expression hardened with resolve. “I don’t know how I’ll face Alexander, but I can’t keep hiding. Being out in the open will force them to make mistakes, and those mistakes will be their downfall.”

Jacob’s eyes widened in alarm. “Lilly, you can’t take such risks, not now that you’re expecting a baby.”

“I agree,” Sarah chimed in, her voice laced with concern. “You have to think about the baby.”

Lilly’s gaze softened as she looked at her friends, appreciating their concern. “I am thinking about the baby. Sarah, you said it yourself: Alexander will protect his child, no matter what. I need to be strong for both of us. There’s no other way.”

The room fell into a heavy silence as her words sank in. They all knew there was no turning back now.

At the Blake Headquarters

At the grand headquarters of the Blake empire, Kate walked into the boardroom on the 30th floor, flanked by her mother and assistant. The executives who greeted them were a testament to the power and influence the Blake family wielded. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation.

As they reached the entrance to the boardroom, Kate hesitated, her nerves fraying at the edges. Bella, sensing her daughter’s unease, squeezed her hand. “You’ve worked hard for this, Kate. Today, you prove yourself as the future of the Blake empire.”

The Blake empire, a sprawling conglomerate with interests ranging from construction to fashion, hospitality, and healthcare, was a titan in the business world. Kate was about to take over Blake Real Estate Management, a jewel in the empire’s crown. Bella’s pride was evident, her smile wide and approving.

“I’m excited, Mom,” Kate replied, her voice steady, but beneath the surface, a storm brewed. She had prepared for this moment for years, enduring rigorous training, countless hours of study, and a relentless drive to prove herself worthy. Today was her day to shine.

Yet, her thoughts strayed to Lilly, the woman she had once known—or thought she knew. A memory flashed of seeing someone who resembled Lilly at a mall, a ghost from her past that she couldn’t shake. If Lilly reappeared, Kate would be ready.

More than anything, Kate was determined to win two things: the position of chairman and Alexander Kane’s heart. She had loved him from afar for too long, waiting for the moment when she could step into his life as an equal. Now that she was the new CEO and future heir to the Blake empire, she was certain Alexander would see her in a new light. The Lawrence family’s grand celebration was the perfect stage to begin her pursuit.

With renewed determination, Kate smiled at her mother.

“Are you ready to show them what you can do?”

“Yes, Mom. I’m ready.”

Bella nodded approvingly, and Kate’s assistant opened the door to the boardroom. As Kate entered, her stride confident, she acknowledged the directors with brief nods, exuding the composure and grace expected of a Blake.

Taking her place beside her mother, Kate faced the room, her voice clear and poised. “Good afternoon. I’m Kate Blake, the new CEO of Blake Real Estate Management.”

The applause that followed echoed through the room, a resounding affirmation of her arrival. As Kate scanned the faces around her, including her parents’, she felt a deep sense of accomplishment. But beneath her polished exterior, she knew this was just the beginning of a far greater battle—one that would test her in ways she had yet to imagine.

Back at Lilly’s Old Apartment

The tension in the room was palpable as Lilly explained her plan, her voice unwavering despite the gravity of her decision. Her friends were silent, their faces etched with concern and disbelief.

“You realize the risks you’re taking?” Jacob asked, his voice low and tense. “Once you’re out in the open, there’s no going back. Your family will know you’re alive, and they’ll stop at nothing to silence you.”

“I know,” Lilly replied, her eyes steely with determination. “But I’m done hiding. It’s time to face them head-on.”

Sarah bit her lip, her worry evident. “But how will you deal with Alexander when he finds out who you really are? You’ve kept your identity a secret for so long…”

Lilly looked away, her heart heavy with the weight of what lay ahead. “I don’t have all the answers, but I know I can’t keep running. Alexander will have to confront the truth, just as I have to. And once the truth is out, they’ll be forced to reveal themselves.”

Michael shook his head, his expression conflicted. “You’re putting yourself and your baby in danger. Are you sure this is the only way?”

Lilly met his gaze, her resolve unshaken. “I’m doing this for my child—for our future. I won’t let them control me anymore.”

The room fell into an uneasy silence as her friends processed her words. They knew there was no stopping her now. Lilly had made her choice, and they could only hope she was strong enough to face the consequences.

A Few Days Later: The Banquet

Lawrence Grand Hotel