Chapter 32

I felt a shiver run down my spine as Marco moved closer to me, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race. "Lilith, I want us back," he said, his voice low and husky, sending tremors through my body.

I tried to step back, but my feet seemed rooted to the spot. Marco's gaze was mesmerizing, drawing me in with a pull I couldn't resist. "Marco, I..." I started to say, but he cut me off.

"I know I messed up, Lilith. I was blind and stupid, and I lost you because of it. But I've realized my mistake, and I want to make it right. Let's take down Xavier and get back together, just like the old days." He took another step closer, his eyes burning with desire. "I want us back, Lilith. I want us to be together again."

My mind was reeling, my thoughts swirling in chaos. A part of me was confused about how Lilith lived her life, but another part was angry, remembering the pain both of them caused Xavier. I didn't know what to say, didn't know what to do.

"Lilith, please," Marco whispered, his breath caressing my skin. "Give me another chance. I promise I'll make it worth it."

"Marco, I..." I started to say, but he cut me off again.

"Lilith, please, just listen to me," he said, his eyes pleading.

But I needed to make him understand. "Marco, I'm not Lilith," I said firmly, looking him straight in the eye. "I'm Avery, and I'm married to Xavier. I have a life now, a good life, so please stop calling me Lilith."

Marco's face faltered, his eyes flashing with confusion. "What are you talking about?" he asked, taking a step back. "Of course, you're Lilith. Aren't you tired of lying? Or is it because I said I was going to tell Xavier you're Avery? Why are you walking around with fake IDs claiming to be Avery?"

I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and sadness. "Xavier is my husband, Marco. I'm not Lilith. I don't know why all of you are mistaking me for her."

Marco's expression changed from confusion to shock, and he took another step back, his eyes wide with disbelief. "I know you're a good scammer but it's me, Marco." he stammered. "You don't have to lie."

I shook my head. "Aren't you listening to me?"

Marco's face fell, and he looked at me with a mixture of sadness and regret. "Lilith...I...I don't know what to say, come on." he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

I took a deep breath and stood up straight, feeling a sense of strength and confidence. "You don't need to say anything, Marco. Just leave me alone and let me live my life in peace. I'm Avery Mills."

Marco's expression darkened, and he took a step closer to me, his eyes glinting with a sinister light. "You think you can just walk away from me, Lilith?" he hissed. "You think you can just ignore me and live your happy little life with Xavier?"

I stood my ground, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm not ignoring you, Marco. I'm just telling you that I'm not interested in anything with you. I'm happy with Xavier, and I want to keep it that way. Go find your Lilith. I heard she's dead."

Marco sneered. "You're happy with Xavier? Ha! I'll make sure Xavier suffers if you don't do what I want."

My heart skipped a beat as fear crept in. "What do you want, Marco?" I asked, trying to keep my voice from shaking.

"I want you to come back to me," Marco said, his eyes glinting with obsession. "I want you to leave Xavier and be with me. And if you don't...well, let's just say that Xavier will be very sorry."

I felt a cold dread creeping up my spine. "Please, Marco, don't hurt him," I begged, my voice shaking. "He's innocent. He has nothing to do with this."

Marco just laughed. "Innocent? Ha! Xavier is just a pawn in our game, Lilith. And if you don't play by my rules, he'll suffer the consequences."

I fell to my knees, begging. "Please, Marco, don't do this. I'll do anything. Just don't hurt Xavier."

Marco's expression twisted into a cruel smile. "Anything, Lilith? Are you sure you're willing to do anything?"

"Make Xavier sign the transfer papers," Marco said, his voice cold and calculating. "I want control of the company, Lilith, just as we planned before. And if you don't make him sign, I'll make sure he suffers."

I shook my head, horrified as I stood up. "No, Marco. I won't do that. I won't let you hurt Xavier or take advantage of him like that."

Marco's face twisted in anger. "You foolish woman," he spat. "You think you can defy me? I'll ruin you, Lilith. I'll ruin both of you."

I turned and ran, dashing upstairs to my room. I slammed the door shut behind me and leaned against it, trying to catch my breath. My heart was racing and my mind was reeling. How had things escalated so quickly?

I thought of Xavier, innocent and unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows. I had to protect him. I had to keep him safe from Marco's clutches.

I was frustrated and there was nothing I could do. I haven't cleared my name yet and there's another problem.

I turned on the television in my room, hoping to distract myself from the chaos that had just ensued. But as I flipped through the channels, my heart sank. There, on the screen, was Xavier's company building. And in front of it, a swarm of reporters and journalists.

My mind raced as I turned up the volume. What was going on? Why was Xavier's company being swarmed by the media?

And then, I saw him. Xavier. Standing in front of the building, microphones thrust in his face. He looked calm and collected, but I could sense the tension in his body.

"Lilith, what's going on?" I heard Marco's voice behind me.

I spun around, my heart racing. "What have you done, Marco?" I demanded.

Marco smiled, his eyes glinting with triumph. "Just a little press conference, my dear. I'm sure Xavier is enjoying the attention."

I turned back to the TV, my mind reeling. What had Marco done? What had he said to the press?

He's face has been made public before and now. It's happening all again.

"Imagine if he gets his attack here." Marco yelled.

"He would be removed from his position as he's unfit to be the CEO."

But as I watched, Xavier's face appeared on the screen again. And this time, he looked worried. Scared even.

"Lilith, it's time to come downstairs," Marco said, his voice dripping with malice. "The show is about to begin."

I grabbed my phone and dialed Xavier's number, my heart racing with anxiety. Please pick up, please pick up, I chanted in my head.

But it went straight to voicemail.

"Xavier, it's me, babe. I need to talk to you. Please call me back as soon as you can. It's urgent."

I hung up and tried again, but still no answer.

I tried calling his office number, but that too went to voicemail.

"Xavier, please. You have to call me. I don't know what's going on, but I need to talk to you."

I hung up, feeling frustrated and scared. What was happening? Why was Xavier not answering my calls?

I felt a sense of panic rising up inside me. Where was Xavier? Why wasn't he answering his phone? It was then he clicked. I was so stupid. The news is live and there's no way he could hear his horn ringing.

I looked around my room, feeling trapped and helpless. I had to get out of here. I had to find Xavier.

But as I turned to leave, I saw Marco standing in front of my door, a smirk on his face.

"You're not going anywhere, Lilith," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "You're going to stay right here and watch the show."

Marco's grip was like a vice, holding me in place as he forced me to watch the scene unfolding on the TV. Xavier and his bodyguard were trying to escape the swarm of reporters, but they were surrounded. Xavier's face was etched with fear, his eyes darting back and forth as he tried to find an escape route.

My heart broke as I watched him, his usual calm and confident demeanor shattered. He was scared, really scared, and it was all because of me. Because of Marco's twisted game.

The reporters were shouting questions, their microphones thrust in Xavier's face. "Are you really Xavier Presley?" "Why have you never revealed your face?" "Why did you get married to Avery Mills and why did you suddenly reveal your face?"

Xavier's face was pale, his lips pressed together in a tight line. He was trying to stay calm, but I could see the panic in his eyes. He was trapped, and he knew it.

I struggled against Marco's grip, trying to turn away from the TV. I couldn't bear to watch Xavier like this. But Marco held me fast, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure.

"Watch, Lilith," he hissed in my ear. "Watch as your precious Xavier falls apart."

I felt a tear roll down my cheek as I watched Xavier's bodyguard try to push through the crowd. But there were too many reporters, too many questions. Xavier was trapped, and I was powerless to help him.

Marco's laughter was like a knife in my heart. He was enjoying this, enjoying Xavier's pain and fear. I knew in that moment that I had to get away from him, no matter what it took. I had to save Xavier, and I had to stop Marco.

As I watched, Xavier's bodyguard finally managed to push through the crowd and grab Xavier, pulling him into a waiting car. The reporters swarmed around the car, trying to get one last question in. Xavier's face was white, his eyes wide with fear.

Marco's grip on me tightened, his fingers digging into my arms. "You see, Lilith, this is what happens when you try to cross me. Xavier thought he was so smart, so above it all. But now he's the one who's scared, who's running."

I felt a surge of anger and hatred towards Marco. How could he do this to Xavier? How could he be so cruel?

I tried to struggle free again, but Marco's grip was too strong. He laughed, his eyes glinting with triumph.

"You're not going anywhere, Lilith. You're going to stay right here and watch as Xavier's world falls apart."

I felt a tear roll down my cheek as I watched the car drive away, the reporters still swarming around it. Xavier was gone, and I was trapped. Trapped with Marco, who seemed to take pleasure in my pain.

But I knew I couldn't give up. I had to find a way to escape, to get to Xavier and help him. I had to stop Marco, no matter what it took.

As I looked up at Marco, I saw something in his eyes that made my blood run cold. A glint of triumph, of satisfaction. He knew he had won, that he had broken me.

But I refused to give up. I would find a way to escape, to fight back. And I would make sure Marco paid for what he had done.

Marco's grip on my arm tightened as he leaned in close. "So, Lilith, it's time to make a choice. Will you cooperate with me, or do you want to watch Xavier suffer every day?"

I felt a chill run down my spine as I looked into Marco's cold, calculating eyes. I knew he was capable of doing exactly what he said.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"I want you to sign over your shares of the company to me and make Xavier sign the transfer of properties to me." Marco said, his smile growing wider.

I hesitated, knowing that if I did what Marco wanted, I would be giving him complete control over the company. But if I didn't, Xavier would suffer.

"I'll do it," I said finally, feeling a sense of defeat wash over me.

Marco's smile grew even wider as he handed me a pen and a contract. "Good choice, Lilith. Good choice."

As I signed the contract, I felt like I was signing away my soul. But I knew I had to do it to protect Xavier.

"Now, get me Xavier," Marco said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see you."

I followed Marco out of the room, feeling like I was walking into a nightmare. What had I just gotten myself into?