Chapter 35

I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day. The drama with my mother-in-law and Marco seemed like a distant memory, and I was eager to get back to work with Xavier. We had so much to discuss, and I was excited to dive into our projects again.

As I got dressed and ready for the day, I felt a sense of normalcy wash over me. Maybe yesterday's chaos was just a blip on the radar, and we could finally move forward.

Just as I was about to head downstairs, my phone rang. I hesitated for a moment, wondering who it could be. It was an unknown number.

But when I heard Marco's voice immediately I picked my heart sank. What did he want now?

"Hello?" I answered cautiously, bracing myself for another confrontation.

"Lilith, please listen," Marco said, his voice surprisingly calm. "I know I messed up yesterday, and I'm truly sorry. I was wondering if we could talk? This place isn't for me at all."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. What could Marco possibly have to say that would make up for his betrayal?

"Okay," I said finally, curiosity getting the better of me. "But make it quick. I have a lot of work to do today."

"Thanks, Lilith," Marco said, sounding relieved. "I promise it'll be worth your time."

I sighed, wondering what I was getting myself into. But something about Marco's tone put me on guard. This wasn't the same arrogant guy who'd tried to sabotage Xavier's business. What had changed? And what did he want from me now?

"Listen, Lilith," Marco said, his voice dripping with malice. "I know you think you've won, but I've got something that'll change everything. You see, I've been doing some digging, and I found out your little secret."

My heart skipped a beat as I wondered what he was talking about. What secret? I knew nothing good could come out of him.

"You're not who you say you are, are you, Lilith?" Marco sneered. "You're actually Lilith, Xavier's high school sweetheart. The one who made him this way but you're hiding and lying you're Avery."

My mind raced as I tried to process how Marco wants to use this against me.

"Look, Marco, I don't know what you're talking about," I tried to bluff, but Marco just laughed.

"Don't play dumb, Lilith. I have your ID cards, proof that you're really Avery even though you're Lilith. And if you don't do what I say, I'll make sure Xavier sees them."

My blood ran cold as I realized the extent of Marco's blackmail. He had me right where he wanted me.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked reluctantly, knowing I had no choice.

"I want you to get me released from jail," Marco demanded. "Use your influence with Xavier to make it happen. Or else..."

He didn't need to finish the threat. I knew exactly what he'd do if I didn't comply. He'd ruin everything I'd worked so hard to build with Xavier.

"Fine," I said through gritted teeth. "I'll do it."

Marco's triumphant laugh made my skin crawl. "I knew you'd see things my way, Lilith. You have 24 hours. Get me out of here, or Xavier will know all about your little deception."

The line went dead, leaving me shaken and trapped in a nightmare of Marco's making.

I rushed to Xavier's office as he had already left for work early in the morning, my heart racing with anxiety. I had to convince him to release Marco, no matter what it took. I couldn't let Marco expose my true identity and ruin everything.

"Xavier, please," I said, bursting into his office. "You have to listen to me."

Xavier looked up from his desk, a hint of surprise on his face. "Babe, what's wrong?"

"It's Marco," I said, trying to catch my breath. "You have to release him. I don't think he's the thief." I lied

Xavier's expression darkened. "What do you mean babe? I have evidence."

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Just please, Xavier. You have to trust me. Release Marco and I'll explain everything later."

Xavier leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing. "No, babe. I'm not going to let Marco manipulate you like this. He's committed a crime and he needs to face the consequences."

I felt a surge of desperation. "But babe, please! You don't understand. Marco has to be released. Do this for me please babe." I moved closer to him and kissed his cheeks.

Xavier's expression softened slightly, but his voice remained firm. "Babe, I don't know what's going on with you, but I can't just let Marco go. It's not right."

I knew I was running out of options. "Xavier, please," I begged, tears welling up in my eyes. "Have mercy on me. Release Marco and I'll do anything."

Xavier's face hardened, his jaw clenched. "No, babe. What's wrong with you? You told me to find who's stealing the company's money and I did."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I begged Xavier again, my voice shaking with desperation. "Please, Xavier. Have mercy on me. Release Marco and I'll do anything. Just please don't let him ruin everything."

Xavier's expression softened, and he stood up from his chair. He walked around the desk walking away from me, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and determination.

"Babe, I'm not going to let Marco get away with this," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "But I also can't bear to see you like this. You're scared and desperate, and it's breaking my heart. What's wrong?"

I felt a tear roll down my cheek as I reached out to him and he brushed it away with his thumb. "Please, Xavier," I whispered, my voice cracking.

Xavier's eyes locked onto mine, and he leaned in close. "I love you babe and I'll do anything to make you happy but I can't grant this request. Marco messed with you and I'm not letting it go."

His lips brushed against mine in a soft, gentle kiss. I felt a wave of relief wash over me, followed by a spark of hope.

"Babe," I whispered, my heart filled with pain.

Xavier smiled and pulled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I have a lot of work to do. But I promise you, I'll do everything in my power to make this right. Marco would face the consequences of his actions."

With that, he turned and walked back to his desk, his mind already focused on the task ahead. I watched him as my heart broke.

"I'm going home." I grunted.

"Bye babe. I love you." He said and I left without replying.

I couldn't take it anymore. Marco's constant calls and texts were driving me crazy. I felt like I was being stalked, harassed, and blackmailed all at once.

"Leave me alone, Marco!" I yelled into the phone, but he just laughed and told me he'd never stop until he got what he wanted.

I'd had enough. I dialed the police department's number and asked to speak to Officer Johnson, the one who'd arrested Marco earlier.

"Officer Johnson, it's Mrs Presley. Marco's harassing me nonstop. Can you please do something?"

"I'm sorry, Mrs Presley But Marco's a VIP. We can't just seize his phone ma'am. You know how your family is, he has bribed some officials already and his release is already pending ma'am. I have no power here ma."

"A VIP? Are you kidding me? He's a criminal!"

"I understand your frustration, Mrs Presley. But our hands are tied. It's better you call the high ranking officers ma."

I felt a surge of anger and frustration. "So I'm just supposed to sit here and take it? Let him ruin my life?"

"I'm sorry, Mrs Presley. That's just the way it is."

I slammed the phone down, feeling helpless and trapped. Marco was going to get away with this, and I was going to be the one who suffered.

Just then, my phone buzzed again. Marco's name flashed on the screen.

"Leave me alone, Marco!" I screamed into the phone, but he just laughed and said, "You'll pay for this, Lilith. You'll pay dearly. Just get me released already."

I threw the phone across the room, shattering it against the wall. I couldn't take it anymore. I needed a way out.

I'm terrified. Marco's constant harassment has me on edge, and I'm scared that he'll eventually reveal my secret. What if Xavier finds out that I'm not who I say I am? What if he discovers that I've been lying to him all this time?

The thought sends a chill down my spine. I can't bear the idea of losing Xavier's trust, his love. What if he turns on me, rejects me?

And what if Marco takes it further? About the real reason I'm here? Xavier might end up going crazy. He might get locked up in some psychiatrist's home.

The thought is unbearable. I can't let that happen. I have to protect myself, protect my secret.

But how? Marco's not going to stop until he gets what he wants. And what if Xavier finds out anyway?

I felt like I was living in a nightmare, trapped in a web of lies and deceit. I didn't know how much longer I can keep this up.

What if Xavier discovers the truth? What if he rejects me?

No, no, no. I can't think like that. I have to stay strong, keep my secret safe.

But what if...what if...what if...

My mind raced with worst-case scenarios, each one more terrifying than the last. I was scared, so scared. I don't know what to do.

I trudged downstairs, my heart heavy with worry. I couldn't shake off the feeling that my world was about to crash down around me.

As I entered the kitchen, I saw my mother-in-law, standing by the counter. She turned to me, her eyes blazing with anger.

"You're the reason Marco went to prison," she spat, her voice venomous. "If it wasn't for you, he'd be a free man."

I felt a surge of defensiveness, but tried to remain calm. "Mother that's not fair. Marco made his own choices."

But she wouldn't listen. "You've always been trouble, Lilith. You've always been a manipulative, deceitful little..."

I felt a sting from her words, but tried to stand my ground. "Mother stop. This isn't my fault."

But she kept going, her words cutting deep. "You're the reason Xavier is like this. You're the reason Marco's life is ruined."

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but refused to let them fall. I wouldn't give mother the satisfaction.

"That's enough," I said, my voice firm. "I won't listen to this."

But mother just laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "You'll pay for what you've done, Lilith. Mark my words. I'll make this house a living hell."

I couldn't take it anymore. Mother's words were suffocating me, making me feel like I was trapped in a nightmare. I needed to get out of there, clear my head.

"I've had enough," I said, my voice firm. "I need some fresh air."

Mother face twisted in a scowl. "You're just running away from the truth, Lilith. You can't handle the fact that you're the reason Marco's in prison."

I didn't bother responding. I just turned and walked away, leaving mother's toxic words behind me.

As I stepped out into the bright sunlight, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill my lungs.

I started walking, not knowing where I was going. I just needed to get away from the house, from mother's venomous words.

As I walked, I felt my mind start to clear. I realized that I couldn't control what others thought of me. All I could control was how I reacted to it.

I thought about Xavier, about how much he loved me. I thought about how far we'd come, despite all the obstacles in our way.

And I knew that I couldn't let mother's words bring me down. I was stronger than that.

I kept walking, feeling the sun's warmth on my skin. I knew that everything would be okay. I just had to believe in myself.

As I walked, I felt a sense of determination growing inside me. I realized that I couldn't just sit back and let Marco and mother bully me. I needed to take action.