Chapter 242

Lily's POV

The front door opened, and I turned to see Nathan enter, his shoulders tense despite his smile. With every passing day, I found myself more attached to him, which only made my decision about Zane more painful.

"Hey," he said softly, shrugging off his jacket. "Sorry I'm late. How are you feeling?"

"Lonely," I admitted before I could stop myself. "I mean—I'm fine. Just... it's quiet here by myself."

Nathan's face fell. "I know. I hate leaving you alone." He approached, wrapping his arms around me. "How about we go see my dad? I could end work early today."

I nodded against his chest, savoring the warmth of him. "I'd like that."

An hour later, we walked through the hospital corridor toward Richard's room. I touched Nathan's arm, stopping him.

"Would it be okay if I went in alone first?" I asked. "I'd like to talk to him... just the two of us."

Nathan's eyes narrowed slightly, studying my expression. "Why?"

Before I could answer, William and Derek approached from the waiting area. Their demeanor toward me had changed dramatically in recent weeks, especially since Richard's health began declining rapidly.

"I can't believe you're letting your girlfriend kick us out so she can have alone time with Dad!" William said to Nathan, but his tone was playful rather than accusatory.

Derek raised an eyebrow at me. "You're not planning to smother him with a pillow, are you?"

"Of course not," I replied with a forced smile. "I was thinking more along the lines of bare hands."

They laughed, but Nathan didn't. His gaze remained fixed on me, concerned and suspicious.

"I don't think that's a good idea," he said quietly. "I'll come in with you."

I wanted to protest but realized it would only raise more suspicion. "Fine," I conceded.

Richard's face brightened when we entered, though the effort seemed to cost him. He immediately broke into a coughing fit, and Nathan rushed to his side, helping him sip water.

I hung back, taking in Richard's appearance. He'd lost so much weight in the past few weeks, his hospital gown hanging loosely on his frame. His eyes, though, still held that Sullivan intensity.

"How's my granddaughter?" Richard asked once he caught his breath.

"She's perfect," I answered, moving closer to the bed. "Elizabeth is watching her today."

Richard nodded, then looked at Nathan. "Have you seen my custom coffin?"

I felt Nathan stiffen beside me. "Dad, don't. Not now."

"We all know I'm dying soon!" Richard snapped, then softened. "I just want to make sure everything's taken care of."

The room fell silent. I watched Nathan struggle with his emotions, and my heart ached. I was going to leave him when he was at his most vulnerable. What kind of person did that make me?

Richard reached for Nathan's hand. "I need you to promise me something."

"Anything," Nathan replied immediately.

"I want you to promise that you'll take care of Lily, that you'll never let her go." Richard's eyes were intense, almost desperate.

Nathan nodded. "I won't."

"Don't make this poor girl wait too long. Marry her!"

"I will," Nathan said, his voice thick with emotion.

Richard turned to me, his expression softening. "Lily... I haven't been good to you. I lied to you about your parents. I made you work in a... strip club, and for that, I'm so sorry—"

"Don't apologize!" I interrupted, tears filling my eyes. I moved closer, taking his free hand. "If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have found Nathan, I wouldn't have found my birth parents... During those days at the club, I never knew what having a father felt like, until you became mine."

Tears slipped down Richard's cheeks, and I knew this was goodbye. I squeezed his hand, memorizing the feeling, storing it away with my other precious memories.

After spending the day with Richard, we drove toward the Sullivan estate in silence. I gazed out the window, thinking about how I still needed to say goodbye to Elizabeth and Nathan's grandfather. I understood now why my parents had made the sacrifices they did all those years ago. Sometimes, protecting the people you love means walking away.

Nathan glanced at me, his eyes soft in the fading light. I felt his gaze lingering.

"Watch the road... please," I said quietly.

"I just keep looking at you because I can't believe how lucky I am," he replied.

The sincerity in his voice cut deeper than any knife. I swallowed hard, staring ahead.

The silence stretched between us until Nathan finally broke it. "Lily, you've been like this for days. If something's wrong, you have to tell me."

"I'm fine—"

"Did I do something wrong?" he pressed.

"No!" I snapped, emotions suddenly boiling over. "Just stop."

"I can't just let this go. I need you to talk to me so I can fix whatever's wrong!"

"Stop, you're scaring me," I whispered.

"Why?" His voice rose slightly.

"Because you're being too nice to me!" The words burst out before I could stop them. "You can't just suddenly care and be nice to me whenever you feel like it!"

I regretted it instantly. Nathan fell silent, his jaw clenching as he focused on the road. I couldn't tell if I'd hurt him or angered him, but the atmosphere in the car had become unbearably tense.

When we reached the Sullivan estate, Nathan silently pulled me toward the front door. I dug in my heels.

"Wait... I'm sorry," I said.

He turned to me, his expression unreadable. "What are you sorry for?" His voice was flat. "You don't even know what you're apologizing for, so just drop it. Let it go. We can't be like this in front of Eleanor—"

The door swung open, revealing Elizabeth with Eleanor in her arms. I forced a smile onto my face, even as Eleanor reached for Nathan, ignoring me completely.

"Eleanor, Mom and Dad are back!" Elizabeth announced cheerfully.

Nathan's face transformed as he took our daughter, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I missed you!" He glanced at me. "Give Mommy a kiss!"

Eleanor buried her face in Nathan's neck instead.

"Look at you two!" Elizabeth laughed. "I don't want Eleanor catching a chill, and I think she needs a diaper change."

"I'll do it!" Nathan said quickly, already heading inside, clearly eager to escape our tension.

I deserved that, I thought, watching him disappear down the hallway.

"Hey," Elizabeth said, breaking into my thoughts.

"Hey. Thank you. I really appreciate your help," I said, trying to sound normal.

"Never thank me for watching my granddaughter!" she replied, leading me into the living room.

I hesitated before asking, "Why aren't you at the hospital with Richard?"

Elizabeth's smile faltered. "He keeps talking about his coffin, what food to serve, what music to play, who to invite... I just couldn't take it anymore."

I nodded, unsure what to say.

"Nathan will be devastated," she continued. "He won't know how to handle losing his father. I'm so glad he has a fiancée like you. Someone who will be there for him when he needs it."

Her words were like daggers to my heart. I nodded again, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I discreetly checked it to find a message from Jake:

Four days from now. 9 PM. I'll send you the location. Don't bring anything, just yourself!

"You will, right, Lily?" Elizabeth was looking at me expectantly.

I quickly hid my phone, summoning a smile. "Of course."

Four days. That was all the time I had left with the people I loved.