Chapter 232

Chapter 232
Lily's POV
The night before the engagement party, I was strolling in the garden outside the Spencer mansion, updating Beatrice about my situation over the phone while enjoying the evening tranquility.
"So you've already received lots of engagement gifts?" Beatrice asked curiously from the other end.
"Yes, too many to count, mostly expensive jewelry and precious items," I replied casually, my gaze drifting over the rose bushes bathed in moonlight.
"You don't sound very happy," Beatrice perceptively noted my mood.
I sighed softly. "It's nothing, maybe just a bit nervous."
"Lily, if you don't want to marry James, it's not too late to change your mind," Beatrice's voice was full of concern.
"What's been decided shouldn't be changed," I said firmly, despite the lingering reluctance deep in my heart.
After hanging up, I continued wandering through the garden, letting the cool night breeze dispel my frustration.
"After tomorrow, I'll be the fiancée of the Alexander family."
At that moment, I noticed a figure climbing over the fence from outside. Immediately alert, I quietly hid behind a decorative rock in the garden to observe.
In the dim light, the person's watch reflected a faint blue glow, and I instantly recognized the familiar silhouette.
"William? What's he doing here?"
Instead of shouting about an intruder, I silently approached and covered his mouth. "William, what are you doing here?"
When William realized I'd discovered him, he wasn't surprised. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me into his embrace with one swift movement.
His strength was considerable; I couldn't move, only feeling how tightly he held me, as if trying to meld me into his body.
In that moment, I felt his longing and reluctance. His heart was beating as fast as mine.
"Don't get engaged," his deep voice sounded in my ear, with a hint of pleading.
"Why shouldn't I?" I asked firmly, though my heart was already wavering.
"I love you." Three simple words that made my heart race.
I froze for a few seconds, then laughed coldly. "That sounds incredibly hypocritical coming from you now, William. I really don't know how to continue this conversation."
"I had reasons for treating you that way before, I..." he tried to explain, but I cut him off.
"Because Elizabeth was kidnapped, so you had to endure silently, forcing me to break up, and then you actually went through with it, right?" I stated the truth bluntly.
William looked at me in shock. "How did you know?"
"Nicholas told me everything the first day I came back," I sighed deeply, stepping backward to create distance between us.
In the moonlight, William's expression became complex—surprise, pain, and regret intertwined. I could tell he hadn't expected me to know everything.
"But I never thought you wouldn't tell me anything. Just as Nicholas said, you don't even have the courage to be with me, so why should you have me?" I expressed the pain and disappointment I'd felt all this time.
"I just didn't want you to live this turbulent life with me," William's typically calm face showed a crack as he embraced me tightly again.
"Nicholas could interfere once, and he would do it countless times. I couldn't predict what methods he'd use to threaten me next. Rather than risking that, I preferred to let you be happy," he explained, his tone full of resignation.
I listened to his explanation, my heart filled with mixed emotions.
"Happy? William, do you know what happiness is? It's staying together through everything, never abandoning each other. But from the moment you pushed me away, you should have known that I, Lily, would never look back." My words struck him hard.
William slowly released me. "I'm sorry. I was a coward." His face was filled with remorse and guilt.
"So?"
"I want to make it all up to you. I hope it's not too late. Can you forgive me this once?"
Looking into William's sincere eyes, my previously resolute heart began to waver again. I didn't understand why whenever I saw William, I always felt drawn to him.
Is this love?
William seemed to know my weakness, looking at me with puppy eyes that were incredibly endearing.
Especially thinking about how cold William usually was, this contrast was irresistible.
I looked at him.
"William," I called his name, my voice soft yet determined.
"When I first learned about Elizabeth's kidnapping, I already indirectly figured out where she was being held, and I've already made arrangements there. We could retrieve her at any time." I told him that I was never the weak one who needed protection.
William's eyes widened slightly, seemingly surprised that I had already understood everything and even prepared countermeasures.
I looked directly into his eyes. "I'll give you a chance. Take me away." I was betting that William would cherish me more this time and understand my importance to him.
"Love isn't about endurance, restraint, or avoidance. What we've encountered is just a small step in life. We'll face even more difficult challenges in the future. I don't want to be the abandoned one every time. I'd rather walk side by side with you."
In the moonlight, I saw determination shining in William's eyes—the decisive William I knew well.
William suddenly smiled, pulling me into his arms and saying firmly, "Alright, I'll take you away!" In that moment, I knew the trust between us had been rebuilt.
"Do you have a plan?" I asked softly, my heart racing.
William nodded. "My private jet is ready. We'll leave Manhattan tonight."
"Where to?" I inquired.
"Somewhere Nicholas can't find us," William's voice was confident and resolute. "I've been preparing for a while, just waiting for your answer."
I smiled slightly. "Give me ten minutes to pack."
"You don't need to bring much. We need to travel light," William looked at me, his eyes full of adoration. "I've already prepared everything for you."
"Let me change clothes at least. Pajamas aren't ideal for running away," I turned to head back to the mansion but was stopped by William.
"Be careful. Don't alert anyone," he cautioned.
I nodded and snuck back to my room. Fortunately, most people were already asleep, with only a few guards patrolling in the distance.
I quickly changed into black athletic wear suitable for movement, took my passport and some essentials, and packed them into a small backpack.
Finally, I glanced at the engagement ring box on my nightstand, hesitated for a moment, then left it where it was.
"I'm sorry, James. But I can't lie to my heart."
I tiptoed out of the room, avoiding the patrolling guards, and returned to the garden.
William was already waiting at our meeting spot. When he saw me, he immediately took my backpack.
"Ready?" he asked softly.
I took a deep breath and nodded. "Let's go."
William took my hand and led me to a secluded corner by the wall.
He had already cut off the surveillance in this area and prepared a rope ladder for us to climb over the wall.
"You planned this thoroughly," I couldn't help but admire.
William smiled slightly. "For you, I'd do anything."
We successfully scaled the wall, and in the nearby woods, a black SUV was quietly waiting.
William opened the car door, and we quickly got in and left.
In the darkness, the car headed toward the airport. I leaned on William's shoulder, feeling both nervous and excited.
"This time, I chose to bravely follow my heart."
"Does this count as eloping?" I asked, half-jokingly.
William chuckled. "If you want to call it that, then yes."
"Nicholas will be furious," I worried, imagining the scene at tomorrow's engagement party.
"Don't worry, he can't hurt us," William said firmly. "This time, I won't let anyone separate us."
I watched Manhattan's night scenery rapidly receding through the window, feeling a strange sense of liberation. Perhaps this decision was crazy, but at that moment, I felt an unprecedented freedom and authenticity.

James's POV
The next day, on the engagement day, Lily and William had already left. News of Lily's escape spread throughout high society.
Nicholas was furious, and the Spencer family became a laughingstock for a time.
In Manhattan's top hotel, the atmosphere in the once-beautifully decorated hall was now tense.
I stood in what should have been the place where Lily and I received blessings, facing surprised guests and an angry Nicholas.
Nicholas looked at me very seriously and said, "James, don't worry, I'll make this right!"
I smiled, my eyes full of darkness: "Don't worry, I'll bring Lily back myself. She is my bride, and always will be!"
"Lily, you can't escape!"