Chapter 32

Lilly's mind raced as she tried to piece together the cryptic words her grandfather had left her with. What kind of man had she married? The question echoed in her mind like a relentless drumbeat. Caleb had been so sure-so certain-that there was something she didn't understand.something hidden beneath Alexander's cold exterior. The way the two men had locked eyes before she left the room, their silent tension unmistakable, made it clear that their relationship was more than it appeared.

"Lilly,you need to make a smart choice and stay." Caleb's voice had been low, but it carried a weight that unsettled her. His words still hung in the air as she glanced back at Alexander, who was waiting for her to make her move.

Her eyes flicked between her grandfather and her husband. She wanted to say something, to make sense of this chaos, but the tension in the room had become unbearable. After a long moment, Lilly spoke, her voice tentative. "Can I stay tonight and return tomorrow?"

"No," Alexander's response was immediate, his grip on her hand firmn as he gntly, but decisvely, led her toward the door. Lilly stole one last glance at her grandfather,and the expression on his face-disappointment mingled with a simmering fury-made her chest tighten. There was more going on here than she had realized, and as she stepped outside the mansion, she knew she was walking into something far darker than she had anticipated. Outside, James sat in the car, lounging as if he had all the time in the world. The guards stood at attention, guns at the ready,waiting for a signal from their boss to act. Lilly barely noticed them,her mind too clouded by the events inside.

The sound of another car pulling up broke through her fog. Peter, Bella,and Kate stepped out, their surprise evident as they took in thescene before them.

"What is happening here?" Peter asked, his voice low but sharp as he approached James.

"Alexander is here to retrieve his wife," James answered nonchalantly,watching the scene unfold.

Peter's gaze shifted to the armed guards, his confusion palpable. "I understand that, but why all the commotion?"

"They're just doing their duty to protect their boss," James replied, his tone dismissive, as though this were a matter of little consequence.

Before Peter could respond, Lilly emerged from the mansion, her hand still held tightly in Alexander's. Kate's eyes flared with jealousy as she watched the two of them walk toward the car, their connection unmistakable.

"Lilly!" Peter called out.

Lilly slowed her pace, prompting Alexander to stop as well, his grip on her hand tightening imperceptibly.

"Get in the car," he commanded, his voice as cold as steel. "Just a minute," she replied, her words quiet but firm. She broke free from his grasp and walked toward her family. Lilly's eyes swept over her mother and sister before landing onPeter."I just want you to know that I'm back, and you know what that means,right?" Her words were laced with an edge,and she let the unspoken threat hang in the air.

Bella's eyebrows arched, a silent undlerstanding passing between them.Kate's expression twisted into something darker, and Peter shifted uncomfortably, but Lilly paid them no mind.

"I'm glad you're back, Lilly; we were worried," Bella said, her voice dripping with a sweetness that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Lilly's smile was chilling, almost wicked. "If you were worried before, you should be even more worried now." With that, she turned, walking back to the car with Alexander.

As the two of them climbed into the car, Alexander cast one last glance at the three of them, his gaze unreadable. He didn't speak, only gestured for the driver to take them away.

James,always observant, climbed into their vehicle, the convoy following them silently into the night.

Peter stood watching, his fists clenched in quiet frustration as the cars pulled away from the mansion. He knew something was wrong,something had shifted, but he couldn't yet put his finger on it.

Kate's patience had long since run out. With a growl of frustration,she stormed back into the house, Bella trailing behind her like a shadow. The moment they were inside, Kate didn't hesitate. She stormed over to her dressing table, throwing things onto the floor in a fit of rage. "I'm so furious right now, Mother!" she spat, her voice trembling with anger."If Alexander hadn't been there, I would have slapped her! I can't believe she dared to threaten us like that! Does she think she can just waltz back into our lives?"

Bella's face remained impassive as she stepped forward, gently placing a hand on Kate's shoulder to calm her. "Shush, lower your voice," she murmured, her tone surprisingly soft.

Kate fought to control her breathing, but the frustration refused to dissipate. "I hate her, Mother. I hate that she's back. She's challenging me on every front. I can't believe she married Alexander! She must have known I liked him and is just trying to get under my skin!”

Bella's eyes narrowed, a slow smile curling on her lips as she settled onto the couch. "Relax," she said, her voice cool and calculating.“Alexander doesn't like women, so how did he end up marrying Lilly?"

Kate paused, her fury momentarily faltering. “That's true. How did he marry her?”

Bella's smile deepened as she began to piece things together in her mind.“And how did they meet? Alexander was shocked that she was she's a Blake. That means their meeting-and marriage-must have happened under different circumstances."

Kate's mind raced, trying to connect the dots. "Exactly. What I need to know now is how they met.., and why he married her.Something's not right about this." Bella stood, walking over to Kate with an air of quiet authority.She took her daughter's hand, squeezing it gently. “Don't worry about it. I'l find out everything she's been up to for the past two years. All you need to do is focus on your role as CEO and act normal around her.” Kate scowled."That will be hard, Mother. I despise her."

Bella's smile was soft but dangerous. "I'll handle her. Leave her to me.I promise she'll be out of our lives soon enough."

Kate smiled back, her anger simmering beneath the surface.“Okay, Mother.”

The drive back to Alexander's mansion was suffocatingly silent. Lilly had tried to speak, to explain herself, but Alexander's cold demeanor cut her off at every turn. His words were sharp, accusing. “You're a liar and a deceiver," he spat, his grip on the steering wheel tightening with anger.“And after yougive birth to my child, I'll divorce you."

Lilly swallowed hard, the sting of his words cutting deeper than she had expected. HHer phone buzzed with messages from Michael, Matthew,and Sarah,but she ignored them for now. They deserved an explanation,but she knew she couldn't offer one until she confronted Alexander. And that,she knew, was not going to be easy.

She glanced at him, watching as his fingers flew over his phone screen,his expression locked in icy silence. What had she missed? What did she not know about Alexander? What was it that had made Caleb so sure she had no idea who she had married? When they finally arrived at the mansion, it was already 2 a.m. Lilly was exhausted, every muscle in her body aching from the emotional strain of the night. But she knew she wouldn't sleep until she had explained herself to Alexander until she had convinced him she wasn't the person he believed her to be. As soon as the car stopped, Alexander stepped out, moving toward the house with purposeful strides. Lilly followed, trying to gather her thoughts.

Inside, Clara greeted them with her usual warm smile. "Welcome back, sir,"she said, but her eyes flicked nervously between Alexander and Lilly.

"Welcome back, ma'am," Clara said softly, offering Lilly a polite smile.

Lilly managed a tight smile before moving past Clara and stepping into the elevator. Alexander was already inside, his posture rigid and unyielding. Lilly reached for the door just as it was about to close,stepping inside before it could.

The elevator doors slid shut with a soft chime, and the tension between them was suffocating. Lilly dared not speak, not with the murderous expression on Alexander's face. She waited. She had no choice but to wait until they were in the privacy of their room.

The moment the door closed behind them, Lilly opened her mouth to speak,but Alexander was faster.

“You're a liar and a deceiver," he growled, advancing toward her,his eyes dark with anger."If you knew I was taking you to the banquet, why didn't you tell me? Why did you hide from your family?"

Lilly's heart thudded painfully in her chest. She had no idea where to begin, but she owed him the truth. "I should have told you before the banquet," she whispered, her voice shaking. "But I was afraid... so afraid.Two years ago, my sisters and I were targeted, and they were murdered.I was the next target, so I had to hide my identity to protect myself.Then you came into my life, and I thought... I thought it was the wrong time to tell you the truth." Alexander's face remained impassive as he processed her words,but his next question struck her like a blow. "Why did you marry me? Was it for money?” Lilly's throat tightened. How could she explain it to him? How could she tell him that she married him because she loved him

? But the truth was, she was scared of losing him. The words stuck in her throat.

Before she could speak, Alexander reached out, grabbing her wrist with a strength that made her wince. "Tell me the truth. No more lies,"he said darkly, his grip tightening. "If you lie again... you'll regret it."

Lilly's heart raced. She could feel the truth welling up inside her,but was she ready to say it? Could she tell him that all this time, she had only wanted to be with him?

The silence stretched between them, heavy with expectation. And then, in that moment,something shifted.

Would she finally tell him the truth?