Chapter 74

Lily’s POV

I returned to the bedroom, my mind still whirling with the knowledge that Christopher was in the safe house. The young boy sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes bright with wonder as he looked up at me.

"So..." I started, leaning against the door frame. "What do you think about Victoria?"

His face lit up immediately. "Victoria auntie? She's really nice! She gives me presents all the time—even when it's not my birthday or Christmas."

I nodded slowly, trying to gauge if I could really trust what Nathan had told me about forgiving her. "Do you think Nathan would ever hurt you?"

Christopher looked at me like I'd asked if the sky was purple. "Nathan? No way! He's the best. But Dad says..." he trailed off, looking away. "But we can trust Nathan. He would never hurt me."

I bit my lip, worried. If I told Nathan about Christopher being here, he might send him away—back to Antonio. And that would be hurting Christopher, wouldn't it?

"Christopher," I tried again, sitting beside him on the bed. "What's your relationship with Victoria auntie like?"

He shrugged, picking at a loose thread on the comforter. "Victoria auntie is nice to me. I trust her."

"I heard she was a snake," I said carefully, watching his reaction.

Christopher's eyes widened with curiosity. "A snake? Like a real snake?"

I couldn't help but smile at his innocence. "No, not a real snake. It means... someone who isn't always honest."

"Oh." He frowned, considering this. "But she always brings me what she promises."

"Yeah, I think she might be past that phase now, which is why I'm asking about your relationship with her."

When I suggested that Victoria might help us, Christopher's face clouded with worry. "Will she help me? But I want to stay with you! Tyler told me to stay with you!"

My heart skipped at the mention of my twin. "I need to make sure my brother is safe, Christopher."

"I told you, he's okay!" Christopher insisted, his voice rising slightly.

"Do you have any proof?" I asked gently.

He tilted his head, studying me with those large, innocent eyes. "Do you and Tyler have twin telepathy?"

A laugh escaped me despite everything. "I wish we did. If we did, we wouldn't be in this situation right now."

I ruffled his hair, trying to distract from the heaviness in my chest. "Hey, want to see something cool while I contact Victoria auntie?"

Christopher nodded eagerly, and I reached for the remote, turning on the TV mounted on the wall. I flipped through channels until I found a cartoon.

"I'll get you some snacks too," I offered, realizing it was well past noon. I went to the small kitchenette and returned with a bag of chips.

His eyes lit up. "Chips for lunch? Awesome!"

"Don't tell anyone," I winked, handing them over.

I locked the door behind me and told Christopher I needed to use the bathroom. Once inside, I pulled out my phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I dialed Victoria's number.

When I heard her voice, I froze. This was the woman who had tried to kill me and my baby. Who had betrayed Nathan, the man she claimed to love.

"Get it together, Lily. You need her," I whispered to myself.

"Hello?" Victoria repeated.

"It's me," I said, my voice steadier than I felt.

There was a pause. "Li-Lily?"

"Did you apologize to Nathan?" I asked, cutting straight to the point.

She hesitated, and I could almost see her nervously twirling her hair around her finger like she always did. "Yes, I did."

"And?"

"He... forgave me."

I closed my eyes, relief washing over me. Nathan had mentioned that he would cut ties with her if I wanted him to. This was good.

"So let me ask you again, are you ready to do anything for my forgiveness?"

Victoria took a deep breath. "Yes."

"Can I trust you? You said my friendship with Nathan was up to me, so."

"Yes, Lily. You can trust me."

I exhaled slowly, feeling everything falling into place. "Good. I'll text you an address. I need you to come now."

"Now? I—"

"And bring clothes for a ten-year-old boy. Underwear too."

"What?" Victoria gasped. "Lily, what are you—"

"Funny," I cut in, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "That's exactly how I reacted when I heard you tried to kill me."

There was silence on the other end.

"Be here in two hours. And don't tell anyone about this conversation." I hung up before she could protest further.

Two hours later, I was pacing the room, anxiety gnawing at my insides. What if she didn't come? What if she went straight to Nathan?

"She'll come," Christopher assured me from his spot on the bed, now surrounded by chip crumbs. "Victoria auntie always keeps her promises."

I'd already threatened the guards to keep Victoria's visit a secret. It hadn't been easy convincing them.

"If you tell Nathan about this, I'll tell him there's a problem with your security system," I'd warned, hoping my bluff would work. "And after we're married, I'll forget what your faces look like."

They'd eventually relented, though reluctantly. I knew Nathan had never given Victoria this address, and there was probably a reason for that.

Just as I was about to give up hope, I heard the front door open. I rushed downstairs as quickly as I could.

Victoria stood in the entryway, clutching a shopping bag, her eyes darting nervously around the safe house. When they landed on me, I didn't feel the fear or hatred I'd expected. Just pity for this pathetic woman.

I grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the stairs. "Don't just stand there. Come with me—quick!"

"Lily, you're scaring me—I just came to apologize. There's no need to torture me," Victoria said, fear evident in her voice.

I laughed. "Torture? Victoria, I'm not like you—I need you for something else."

I opened the door to my room and pushed her inside. Victoria froze when she saw Christopher sitting on the bed.

"Christopher?" she gasped. "What's going on?"

"Victoria auntie!" Christopher cried, jumping off the bed and running to hug her.

Victoria looked at me, horror dawning on her face. "Lily, what is he doing here? Does Nathan know about this?"

I didn't answer, closing the door quietly behind us.

Victoria gently pushed Christopher away, backing toward the door. "No, no, no—this is not going to help me regain his trust. I'm going to pretend I didn't see anything and leave."

She turned to open the door, but I blocked her path. "Victoria, move. I brought the clothes, but that's as far as I go."

Christopher looked at her with pleading eyes. "Victoria auntie, she needs your help."

"Do as I say—I'll put in a good word for you, come on," I said, nearly begging.

Victoria's jaw clenched. "I brought the clothes. Now let me go."

"No, Victoria—you're an accomplice to kidnapping now, and you have no one backing you—so you're staying," I threatened, crossing my arms over my chest.

She stared at me for a long moment, her shoulders finally sagging in defeat. "Fine. You win."

I thought to myself: She's right. I win.