Chapter 30
Lilly opened her eyes and found herself lying in an incredibly cozy, large bed. She felt her abdomen and sighed with relief, feeling no pain, indicating her baby was safe. She sat up and surveyed the room, which looked quite familiar with its classical decor. Her portraits hung on the wall near the window, one from her younger years and another recently made. Seeing this room, she immediately knew who had taken her.
Her room remained mostly unchanged, except for a larger bed and a few additions to give it a more adult feel compared to its teenage design. The last time she had been in this room was a decade ago when she and her sisters left the country to continue their education abroad, distancing themselves from painful memories of their mother's death.
Walking around the spacious room, memories, both good and bad, flooded back. She and her sisters had lived in a separate part of the Blake mansion with their grandfather, who shielded them from the faces of Bella, their father, and Kate, who had shattered their once-happy family. Though Lilly was in her mother's womb when her father cheated and brought in Bella and the infant Kate, she had been told the story of her father's betrayal and the woman who claimed to be his wife alongside her mother. Her mother had died when Lilly was just five, the cause still a mystery that she was determined to uncover now that she was back.
She knew her return to the banquet hall, filled with reporters and high society, would alert her grandfather's spies. She had expected he would bring her back, but she hadn't anticipated being kidnapped by him, which made her laugh. He must have thought she would never return willingly.
Initially, she thought someone like Bella, who wanted to harm her and her baby, had kidnapped her. But it turned out to be her grandfather. She knew he was probably in his study, waiting for her to explain her two-year disappearance. Preparing for whatever punishment he had in store, she walked to the door, opened it, and saw the same bodyguards who had brought her here. "Where is my grandfather?" she asked.
"Follow me, ma'am," the guard said, leading her to her grandfather's study. Upon reaching the entrance, she knocked and heard the familiar deep voice that seemed capable of waking the dead.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and stepped inside, closing it behind her. She walked to the middle of the spacious study and sat on a soft mat on the floor, bowing her head low until her forehead touched the floor. She then looked up at her grandfather, who was sitting a bit farther away, writing on a modern scroll with an ink pen.
Despite living in the 21st century, her grandfather still preferred traditional methods. He continued writing with a serious expression, not yet acknowledging her presence. Lilly sat silently, waiting for him to finish and look at her.
After about ten minutes, he finally raised his head, his eyes filled with the worry of the past two years. "So, the wayward granddaughter returns," he said, his deep voice filled with restrained anger.
Lilly bit her bottom lip. "Grandfather."
Caleb slammed his hand on the table. "You dare call me that!" he shouted, making Lilly flinch. She kept her head down, not daring to look up.
"You selfish child!" he yelled, pointing at her in anger. "What kind of granddaughter vanishes for two years after her sisters' deaths? You didn't even attend their funerals!" Caleb was livid.
Lilly kept her head bowed, tears streaming down her face at the mention of her sisters. "Your punishment will be severe, especially since I just learned you married without my consent!" Caleb's fury was evident, having only been informed an hour ago about her marriage to Alexander Kane.
Lilly knew this was her cue to speak. "Do you think I wanted to disappear after my sisters died? If I had stayed or shown myself, you would have lost another granddaughter. I had to stay hidden and find evidence to bring their killers to justice," she said through tears.
Caleb listened silently, pondering if he might have lost her too. He had exhausted all his resources trying to find the killers and his granddaughter to no avail. His inability to catch the culprits suggested they were among his powerful enemies, and without evidence, identifying them was impossible. They had targeted his granddaughters, knowing they were his most precious possessions.
"There was no way you could have caught them while staying hidden. After your sisters' deaths, I provided strong security for you, but you still disappeared," Caleb said, his voice calmer now.
Lilly sighed, knowing her grandfather didn't suspect Bella and Kate of the murders since he believed they wouldn't dare under his watchful eyes. Only she knew their guilt but couldn't reveal it without enough evidence. Now that they knew she was alive, they would likely come after her again and fall into her traps.
"Grandfather, please forgive me for causing you so much worry these past two years," Lilly apologized, bowing her head and wiping her tears.
"Since you've explained and apologized, I'll lessen your punishment," Caleb said.
Recalling how her grandfather used to punish her and her sisters, Lilly swallowed. Even after two years in hiding, he wouldn't let her off easily.
"And also..."
Lilly looked up, waiting for him to continue.
"You have to divorce him."
"What?" Lilly was shocked by her grandfather's command to divorce Alexander.
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