Chapter 86

Lily's POV

Jake turned on the sofa. "Wait, are you jealous?" he teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Shut up, Jake," I blushed and playfully pushed him.

Michael laughed and shook his head. "You know, Nathan talks about you a lot."

I looked at him skeptically. "Really?"

"Yes, really!" Michael insisted, "Do you know what his phone lock screen is?"

I shook my head.

"It's a picture of you, the one taken in the backyard of the Long Island estate. He always says the baby will inherit your beauty, hoping she looks like you."

I lowered my head, feeling a warmth spreading through me.

"He may not always show it, preferring to put on a tough guy act—but he really loves you, Lily."

I smiled as I looked up. "Thank you, Michael. That makes me feel better."

Just as I was about to ask more questions, Jake suddenly jumped up from the sofa, holding out a phone towards me. "Lily, it's Nathan—he wants to talk to you!"

I took the phone, thinking of moving to a quieter spot, but the two guards immediately followed me.

Michael waved them off. "Give her some privacy, let her breathe." The guards hesitated for a moment, then retreated to a certain distance.

I walked to the end of the corridor, took a deep breath, and brought the phone to my ear. "Nathan?"

"Lily." His voice was low and firm, making my heart race.

"How's Christopher?" that was my most pressing question.

"He's fine," Nathan replied briefly.

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. Do you know where Joseph is? You're going to save him, right?"

"Yes, I will—Joseph and Christopher will be safe," he assured.

"Can I talk to Christopher?" I asked eagerly.

There was a heavy sigh on the other end, and I knew the answer was negative.

"Listen—" Nathan's tone suddenly changed, "your dad and your brothers know about Tyler."

My heart skipped a beat. "They... what did they say?"

Nathan was blunt. "He obviously hates them, might never speak to them again after this is over—but your brothers will understand, that's what really matters."

"He hates them?" I repeated, shocked at the coldness in Nathan's tone.

"Tell me, how's our baby?" he changed the subject.

"Our baby," I corrected him, emphasizing the word "our." It was important to me.

"Our baby," he repeated, his voice softening a bit.

"She's fine, I'm fine," I replied, stroking my belly.

"I was about to ask about your condition," he almost sounded like he was smiling.

There was a sudden noise on the phone, then Nathan's voice became clearer, as if he had moved to a quieter place.

"Lily, I love you."

The words came so suddenly, I was momentarily speechless. "Wh-what?"

"I said I love you," he repeated, "just in case something happens tonight—"

"Stop," I immediately cut him off, "you can tell me when we see each other. I don't like the implications in your words."

"No, Lily, please listen." Nathan's voice carried a plea I had never heard before.

"If something happens, I want you to know I love you, I never meant to hurt you... I'm sorry for everything so far, I'm truly sorry."

I shook my head, even though he couldn't see it. "We've discussed this already, don't bring it up again—we're okay."

"There are many things I haven't told you," he continued, "in case something happens—you should know the truth, you should hear it from me."

My heart raced. "If it makes you feel better to tell me now, you can. Tell me everything!"

There was only a deep sigh on the other end, followed by a long silence.

"Nathan?" I called out softly.

"I just wanted to say I love you," he finally said, "you must believe me—I'm sorry."

I repeated his words, tears welling up in my eyes. "You love me, I must believe you, you're sorry."

"Nathan, this is all my fault, I'm sorry." If I hadn't impulsively tried to save Christopher, we wouldn't be here now, facing the looming family war.

"No, don't think like that." Nathan's voice became firm, "Lily, listen—what you did was right, I'm proud of you for putting family first, so don't say that. This was going to happen anyway, whether today or a week later..."

He paused for a moment. "None of this is your fault."

Then, his tone suddenly lightened. "If Jake bothers you, let me know, I'll send someone to kill him."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Jake and Michael have been great, they've been with me all along."

A voice called out for Nathan on the other end of the phone.

"I know you're busy," I said, "we'll talk later."

"Okay," he responded, "we'll talk after all of this is over, in a few hours we'll be able to go home, you, me, and the baby..."

His voice turned even softer. "Don't forget my words."

"I know," I replied, "you love me, I must believe you, you're sorry."

"Remember that." He sounded a bit surprised, "when you need it most, repeat those words in your heart."

I smiled, despite the tears in my eyes. "I will, I love you too."

After hanging up the phone, I leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. Just a few more hours to endure, and everything would be over, everything would return to normal. Nathan would come back, and we could live like a regular family. At least, that's what I hoped for.

But Nathan's unusual apology and declaration of love left me feeling unsettled. What was he not telling me? And more importantly, did he really have everything under control to resolve tonight's crisis peacefully?

I caressed my belly, feeling the baby's movements. Whatever happened, I had to protect her. That was the one thing I was certain of.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. One step at a time, one hour at a time. Get through tonight first, deal with everything else later.

"You love me, I must believe you, you're sorry," I repeated softly, like a mantra, bringing myself a bit of comfort.