CHAPTER 19: Conviction
Lily’s POV
The rhythmic hum of the engine was the only sound accompanying me as I drove through the dimly lit streets. Nightfall had settled, the air crisp and still, yet my thoughts were anything but calm. My grip on the steering wheel tightened, knuckles white against the leather as memories kept clawing their way to the surface.
It had been months ago, over brunch at her place. I sat across from her, feigning interest as she picked at her salad, her brows knitted in frustration.
“Ethan has been so distant lately,” she had confided, her eyes clouded with worry. “He’s always busy with work, meetings, or God knows what. Sometimes I feel like we barely see each other anymore.”
I had nodded sympathetically, offering the same comforting platitudes I always did. “He’s probably just under a lot of pressure. You know how demanding his job can be.”
My lips had threatened to curve into a dark and malicious smirk, I had wanted to gloat, to tell her right there and then that her husband was distant because I kept him away from her, because i kept him occupied by fucking and indulging him in ways she never could.
She had always been a saint, even in college, she’d keep to herself while we girls went partying and all. She never did learn to be wild, and Ethan loved it wild. He loved it unhinged, he didn’t like boring and careful old Victoria.
She had sighed, swirling her fork through her untouched salad. “I know. But sometimes I can’t help but feel like he’s avoiding me.”
I had forced myself to keep my expression neutral, biting back the satisfaction threatening to bubble to the surface. Of course, he was avoiding her- because he was with me.
But then Victoria had said something that made my stomach churn with anger.
“You know, Lily,” she began, her tone light and teasing, “you should consider letting me set you up with one of Ethan’s friends. They’re all successful, charming… I’m sure we could find someone perfect for you.”
I had laughed it off at the time, masking my irritation. The nerve of her, to sit there and suggest matchmaking me like I was some charity case. As if I couldn’t find someone on my own. As if I wasn’t good enough.
It wasn’t just the suggestion itself that stung; it was the implication. Victoria didn’t see me as her equal. To her, I was the sidekick, one in need of her charity and benevolence.
The memory faded as I turned onto Ethan’s street, my pulse quickening. The house loomed ahead, its silhouette stark against the night sky. I parked in the driveway, pausing for a moment to collect myself. My heart pounded in my chest, but I forced a calm expression onto my face.
Ethan opened the door before I could knock, his gaze wary. “Lily,” he said, stepping aside to let me in.
The tension in the room was palpable as I entered, the warm lighting doing little to soften the storm in his eyes.
“Well?” he prompted, crossing his arms. “Did you take care of it?”
I nodded, keeping my tone measured. ‘It’s done. The video won’t be an issue anymore.”
I let out a heavy breath I hadn’t realized I had been holding. His brows furrowed, skepticism flickering in his expression. “How? What did you do?”
We both knew Victoria, he knew she wouldn’t have given up the video without a fight.
I hesitated for a fraction of a second, just long enough for him to notice. “Let’s just say I handled it. You don’t need to worry about it anymore.”
“That’s not an answer, Lily,” he said, he raked his fingers through his hair anxiously. He was truly on edge. “What did you do?”
I met his gaze, my own steady. “It doesn’t matter how I did it. What matters is that it’s no longer a threat. You’re safe. We’re safe.”
He shook his head.
“Lily, you need to tell me everything.” He said. “I can’t take risks right now. That bastard Blackwood is sniffing around for anything he can use to bring me down.”
Why was he pressing on? Why wouldn’t he let it be?
1/2
3:48 PM
CHAPTER 19: Conviction
Issank into the chain closest to me, keeping my movements calm and deliberate, masking the stormrolingheath mysskin. It’s gone,” said simply, offernt humal faint smile. He won’t find anything.”
He stopped paring and turned to me, his brows drawn tight with suspicion. “That’s noitamanswer. Mity Inveedddetails. What did you do?”
The pressure in his voice was palpable, but I refused to let it rattle me. Foiding my legs neatly, let my handssresstommyllan, my demeanor perfectly Commposed. Come on, I’ve known Victoria for ages, getting rid of a single video is that much of a deall
Ethansenched Stop being vague. Did you pay someone off? Steal it? Destroy it? I need to know how you handled it
Thecoomerofy mouth twitched in faint amusement at his paranoia. He always did like having controlloverenerwysstuation butt this wasn’t something heecoubid micromanage. didn’t do anything reckless, if that’s what you’re worried about, said evenly. Twasscarceul Etiam Yoouknow|lailways.cam.”
Yalonoomanstring me, he said exasperatedly, his voice cutting through the tension. “What aren’t you telling me. LEW?
Dort by youtuastme?ksnappediss rose to my feet sharply. That video is as implicating to me as it is to you. Doyouthinkerssketingitget exposed??
Heestarredate hhisegvesbbore into mine deeply as he breathed heavily, and then he sighed. He didn’t need the details: he justtrezzieridttobrelievettie probbean was gooMe.
Rodmanganhla rart throughhh shhair. hes sighed again. “No, you wouldn’t. He replied. He seemed caimer now. trust you.”
Audits sorrytteen létaas sites onvermy lips.
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