Chapter 79

Lily's POV

Bang, bang, bang—the urgent knocking interrupted my thoughts.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the pounding in my chest that threatened to burst out. It was Nathan. I knew this moment would come sooner or later, but I still wasn't prepared to face his reaction.

Opening the door, Nathan's tall figure immediately filled the doorway. His green eyes bore into me, filled with concern and a hint of unease.

"Nathan, you're here," I tried to make my voice sound calm, but I could feel my hands trembling slightly.

"Are you okay?" he asked as he walked into the apartment, his sharp eyes scanning my expression, seemingly searching for any signs of trouble.

"I'm fine, the baby is fine too," I quickly replied, subconsciously placing a hand on my slightly protruding belly.

Nathan took off his coat and casually draped it over the back of the couch. "How was your day today?"

"Fine," I mumbled, avoiding direct eye contact with him.

"My father hired a new personal assistant," he said casually, but his eyes kept darting around the apartment, "We should have more security here, every corner of this apartment lacks surveillance."

My heart sank. He was already suspicious. Nathan never brought up such things without a reason.

He started moving around the apartment, checking every room, every corner that could possibly hide secrets. When he headed towards the bedroom, my heart almost stopped beating.

I quickly stood in front of the bedroom door. "Don't— I mean, the bedroom is a bit messy."

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Really? Is it related to those plates from last time? Move aside."

I shook my head, meeting his eyes directly. "No, Nathan."

His expression turned serious, his voice low and with a clear warning. "Lily, move aside—I won't say it a second time. Move, or I'll take you away."

I knew he meant it. But Christopher was inside, I couldn't—

Before I could continue to think, Nathan easily moved me aside and pushed open the bedroom door.

The following silence felt like an eternity.

"Christopher?" Nathan's voice was filled with disbelief.

In the bedroom, the little boy was sitting on the bed, holding my tablet, apparently playing a game. Seeing Nathan, his big eyes widened even more, a look of being caught red-handed on his face.

"Hey, Nathan," Christopher weakly greeted.

Nathan turned to me, his expression complex. "I thought you had hidden another man here... maybe a bit older."

Despite the tense situation, I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Don't be ridiculous."

His expression quickly shifted from shock to anger. "Lily, damn it, what is he doing here? Are you trying to get us all killed?"

Christopher jumped off the bed, eagerly saying, "Nathan, please don't be mad at her—it was me who called her to save me."

"What?" Nathan looked at Christopher, then back at me, "What's going on?"

I bit my lip, knowing the time for hiding was over. "Christopher called me yesterday, said Tyler went missing, Antonio—" I glanced at Christopher, choosing a more delicate wording, "his father was angry with him. Christopher was scared, so I went to get him."

"And?" Nathan pressed on, knowing this wasn't all.

I took a deep breath. "Victoria helped me find Tyler, he's safe now. Joseph has been messaging me, demanding Christopher back."

"And you didn't tell me any of this, why?" His anger was barely concealed in his voice.

"Because you would hand him back—you know you would," I met his eyes, accusingly.

Nathan's jaw tensed. "Christopher, can you go play in the living room for a while? I need to talk to Lily alone."

The little boy nodded and quickly slipped out of the room with the tablet. I led Nathan to the hallway, not wanting Christopher to hear our argument.

"After Nathan used my poor brother, he didn't even notice he was missing. " I said in a low voice, trembling with anger.

"If I had known he was missing, I would have helped find him!" Nathan retorted.

"You wouldn't have saved him because he's not valuable to you."

"Don't say that, he's your family—of course, he's important. If you had told me, I would have figured something out!"

"I can't tell you anything because you confuse me, you're unpredictable..."

"I've always been honest with you."

"You've called me stupid multiple times, said I lack brain cells..."

"That was all in jest!" Nathan grabbed my shoulder, trying to make me look at him.

"I've never laughed, not even once. Jokes are supposed to be funny." I shrugged off his hand, my voice cold, "Christopher isn't going anywhere—he'll stay with me."

Nathan sighed, "You ever thought what would happen if someone found out I was hiding him here? The enemy's son?"

"I saved my brother and an innocent child, what's wrong with that?"

"I think you took a big risk bringing him here."

I scoffed, "We have five hours left until someone notices Tyler is missing."

Nathan's expression froze, "Five hours? We had everything planned, we had a week— and you had to..."

"I saved my brother, and that's ruining the plan?" My voice rose with anger, "You ask me to forgive Derek and Victoria, turn a blind eye to their betrayal, but I can't save my own twin brother? They can betray you, but I can't save my family?"

Nathan closed his eyes, trying to control his emotions. When he opened them again, I saw determination, "I'll take him away, I'll make sure he's safe—don't worry."

"What?"

"I know Tyler doesn't want anything to do with your family, but now it's time for him to speak up. Things have gotten more complicated."

I grabbed Nathan's arm, pleading in my eyes, "You must protect Christopher, don't betray me."

"I won't." His voice was calm and firm.

"Nathan, if you hand him over to Joseph or your family—I will never forgive you." I said each word, as if etching them into my heart.

Christopher suddenly appeared at the end of the hallway, his voice small, "Can I come with you?"

Nathan walked towards Christopher, crouching down to meet his eyes, "Yes, I'll take care of you." He gently embraced the boy, speaking softly.

Then he stood up, looking at me, "Please don't say never forgive such foolish words again."

"Uh." Christopher made a face in the midst of the tension between us.

Nathan's expression softened, "I'm not saying goodbye, Lily, we'll meet later—right, Christopher?"

The little boy nodded, eyes filled with trust.

"Lily, when all this is over, we'll go home. You, me—and the baby." Nathan finally said, gently squeezing my hand, then he picked up Christopher and left the apartment.

After the door closed, I leaned against the wall, slowly sliding to sit on the floor. Silent tears streamed down my cheeks.

Will we really?