Chapter 74

The next morning, the family of three sat down for breakfast together. Lily ate quickly, not wanting to linger at the table with Alexander, who had been silently watching her. They hadn't exchanged a word all morning, and she could see how much it was bothering him—he was struggling internally.

Alexander kept his eyes on his wife, who had been avoiding him completely. She had slept in their daughter’s room last night, leaving him alone, because she was upset with him. Should he finally tell her about his mother? It’s not as if it would change anything.

Viola pouted as she noticed her mother avoiding her father, who had been trying to get her attention since breakfast began. She was sharp enough to figure out that her father was the one at fault.

Viola set her spoon down, gaining her parents’ attention.

“What’s wrong, sweetie? Don’t you like the food?” Lily asked.

“I do, but I don’t want to eat.”

“And why is that?” Alexander asked.

“Because you two aren’t talking.”

Lily and Alexander exchanged looks, surprised that their three-year-old had noticed.

“Did you two have a fight? Mommy didn’t talk to you when she got home yesterday. Daddy, did you make Mommy sad?”

Viola always felt sad when her parents argued.

Alexander was speechless. There was no denying it; she was asking to see if he’d lie.

“We’ll sort it out, like always, baby. Couples argue, but they always make up, right, love?” He glanced at Lily, who shifted her gaze to their daughter, completely ignoring what he’d said.

“Mommy has to go to work now. Do you want Mommy to drop you off at school and buy you something different for breakfast?” Lily asked.

“Yes, Mommy, I’m coming with you.” Viola was helped down from her seat by one of the maids and followed her mother out of the dining room.

Alexander sat there, watching as they both left him alone at the table.

His wife and child were upset with him. How was he going to fix this?

The servants glanced at him with pity as he ate breakfast alone. After dropping Viola off at school, Lily headed straight to work. Upon arrival, she was escorted to her office by her assistant, Karina.

“What’s my schedule?” Lily asked as she settled into her executive chair, trying to maintain a calm demeanor despite the frustration lingering from her disagreement with Alexander.

Karina handed over her schedule for the day, and Lily quickly scanned it.

“First, you have a meeting with Peter Blake, CEO of BSC, and his team in an hour.”

After reviewing her schedule for the week, Lily set it down. “What’s my schedule for the rest of this week and the start of next?”

Karina ran through the details.

It was Thursday, which meant Lily had just four days left before she would travel to G City to meet with Alexander’s mother. Last night, she’d emailed Amanda, who had shown her photos of Angela in prison. It was the first time Lily had seen pictures of Alexander’s mother, and she realized how much he resembled her—Angela was truly beautiful.

“Cancel my schedule for Friday, Saturday, and Monday and Tuesday next week.”

“Huh?” Karina was taken aback.

“You heard me.”

“But, ma’am, these meetings are very important.”

“Should I cancel them instead, or will you reschedule?”

“I’ll reschedule. I’ll inform the companies right away about the changes.”

“Good.”

“But, ma’am, may I ask why you’re canceling the meetings?”

“I’m heading to G City on Saturday. I’ll make travel arrangements tomorrow.”

It takes about eight hours to fly from Aurora City to G City.

“Okay, ma’am. Would you like me to book your flight?” Karina refrained from asking more questions, understanding that her boss's reasons for going to G City were personal.

“No need, I’ll take care of that.”

After giving Karina additional instructions, Lily called Michael to let him know she’d be joining him and Jacob in G City on Saturday.

“Wow, you suddenly decided to come along. What changed your mind?”

“Well, I figured since you guys are going, it’s the perfect time for me to go too. I’d love to spend time with all three of you.”

“That’s great! Have you told your husband and daughter?”

“I’ll let them know today.”

“Okay.”

“Could you book my flight for me at the same time as yours?”

“Of course,” Michael replied.

“Thanks. We’ll talk later—I have a meeting.”

“Bye, Lily.”

“Bye.”

She ended the call and gathered her things for the meeting with her father.

In the meeting room, Lily sat in the executive chair, waiting for a representative from BSC to present their project.

Her grandfather had called earlier, admitting that he’d mistakenly approved the project and handed it over to the project team without waiting for her or her father’s input.

As Lily listened to the project plan, she couldn’t help but acknowledge that it was well-prepared and flawless.

“The project plan is excellent, so we can proceed to the next phase. This meeting is adjourned,” she announced, standing up and heading out.

Peter followed behind her. “Lily.”

She stopped and turned to him. “Yes, Father?”

“Thank you for approving the project, and I’m sorry for keeping you in the dark. Would you be free for dinner this evening? I’d love to have dinner together so we can catch up. You can bring Alexander and Viola along. Let’s have a family dinner—I’ve really missed you.”

“Okay, Father, just text me the location and time, and we’ll be there.” Peter hugged her. “Thanks for letting me back into your life. I’ve really missed you.”

Lily smiled and hugged him back. “Me too, Father.”

After attending two more lengthy meetings, Lily tiredly walked back to her office, only to be met with a surprise.

When she entered, she found Alexander and Viola sitting on the office couch.

“Mommy’s back from her meeting!” Little Viola rushed over and hugged her mother.

“Oh my, this is a pleasant surprise,” Lily said as she spun her daughter around, who laughed happily.

“How was school?”

“It was good.”

“Did you come to visit Mommy at work?”

Viola nodded. “And Daddy too,” she pointed at Alexander, who was walking toward them.

Alexander wrapped his arms around both her and their daughter, kissing Lily’s cheek. “How’s work going?”

Lily didn’t respond.

“Apart from that other issue, there’s nothing in this world that you could want that I wouldn’t give you, my love. You know I’d do anything for you, right?”

“You know I love you so much and hate seeing you upset.”

Lily blinked at his words, which were whispered close to her ear, making her blush.

Viola grinned when she saw this. “Put me down, Mommy. I want to go see Aunt Karina.”

Lily put her down, and Viola used the excuse to leave her parents alone in the office.

After their daughter left, Alexander wrapped his arms around Lily and kissed her on the lips. “I brought you flowers.”

“I don’t want flowers,” she frowned.

“Then what do you want? Just tell me, and I’ll get it for you,” he promised.

Lily smiled. “Anything?”

Alexander nodded. “I always keep my promises.”

Lily played with her fingers, thinking about how to phrase her request. She knew he would come to apologize, and she planned to use the opportunity to get what she wanted.

“I’ll be going to G City with Michael and Jacob on Saturday. We want to visit Sarah and hang out like old times.”

“Did you say G City?” Alexander frowned.

“Yes,” she watched as his mood shifted.

“No.”

“Why can’t I go?” she asked.

“You can ask Sarah to visit instead.”

“She visited six months ago, so it’s only fair that I visit her this time. Besides, I’ve never been to G City before, so I could use the opportunity.”

Alexander stared at her in silence, clearly struggling with himself. He was trying not to say anything that would upset her, especially since they had just reconciled.

“Then I’ll come with you.”

Lily immediately shook her head. If he came along, her entire plan would be ruined—she wouldn’t be able to visit his mother.

“Why don’t you want me to come with you?” Alexander asked, frowning.

Was he beginning to suspect something?