Chapter 44

LILY

The line clicked and rang for what felt like hours.

My hands wouldn’t stop shaking around the phone as I paced in the private bathroom of Anna's room.

Please answer, Maddy.

The coppery taste of blood filled my mouth when I gnawed too hard on my lip. What would I say to her? Where would I start?

I married Dominic partly so your family's reputation wouldn't be ruined and because your parents threatened me and then, not only is Dominic the father of the child I never told you about, he's also using me for some will of his grandfather but please come back and take your role so I can be free?

I exhaled through my nose as the call went unanswered.

I tried again and this time, only rang twice before the call was answered.

"Hello?" I hopefully whispered.

"Hello. Who is this?"

The voice knocked me off balance. It was hers! It was really Maddy.

I let out a deep breath, clutching the phone tighter.

“Lily?”

I could hear the hesitation in her tone. Somehow, she knew I'd find her.

"Yes! Maddy, it’s me!” I almost cried with relief.

There was a sharp inhale from the other end of the line.

"Maddy—" I sighed, suddenly tired. Where would I start? Why did you run away? Why didn't you tell me you were in New York? When are you coming back?

"Sorry but you've got the wrong person," she mechanically said. My breath rushed out of my lungs. I blinked rapidly, shocked. How could she say that when she just called my name?!

I rushed through my words before she could end the call.

“Maddy, please, please, just listen," I begged, "I just need to talk to you!”

There was an audible pause on the other side of the line. I could hear her anxious breathing. I swallowed heavily, trying again.

"Where are you?" I whispered, leaning against the sink, "Look, your parents..."

The line went dead instantly.

I stared at the blank phone screen for a full minute before sinking to the floor. The dial tone still echoed in my ears, the sharp click of Maddy hanging up, the heavy silence that followed...

She’d heard my voice. She knew it was me.

And she’d still hung up.

The bathroom suddenly felt colder. My vision blurred for a second before I forced myself to blink it away. I couldn’t cry, not here, not now.

I leaned against the wall, pressing my palm to my mouth. The last thing I’d expected after the threats, the contracts, the humiliation, the lies, the endless pretending was for her to shut me out too.

Didn't she care? Didn't she feel bad in New York, knowing I was living the hell she'd escaped from?

She hadn't even said hi!

I ran a hand through my hair, rising to my feet and flushing the sparkling clean toilet.

"Are you okay?" I heard my mother ask. I nodded absentmindedly, heading out of the room. I needed air. I needed time to think. There was a dull ache in my chest and it was suffocating me.

I didn’t even notice Damien until he was standing a few steps away, a frown on his face.

I blinked, looking around. I was in the hospital's parking lot. How I'd gotten there was a mystery.

"Hey, you look like you've seen a ghost," Damien remarked, scanning my face. "Are you okay? Do you need to sit down?"

I nodded quickly, brushing off his approaching hands even though the lump in my throat said otherwise. “I just… need a minute.”

He didn’t push. For a moment, neither of us spoke. I tried to organize my thoughts.

"Were you waiting for me?" I managed to ask. He laughed awkwardly, scratching his neck.

"I thought you'd need a ride back home."

A ride back home...

The thought was so repulsive, bile rose up my throat. Back to the Sinclairs and their toxicity? No, thank you.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. Was it Maddy calling back? I hopefully fished it out, not even caring about Damien right in front of me.

But it wasn’t Maddy.

It was Dominic.

My mood crashed as fast as it had risen.

Stay away from Damien, Maddy. I mean it.

Hot irritation surged in my chest, my hands even trembled from it.

I turned the screen off, sucking in a deep breath.

“Damien…” I started softly, my voice trembling a little. “You should go.”

He frowned. “What?”

“I’m staying here with Anna tonight. You should head home.”

Something flickered across his face, maybe surprise, maybe disappointment before he nodded slowly.

“If that’s what you want.”

I nodded.

“It is,” I lied.

He hesitated, giving me a concerned look, "Are you sure though? Can you manage here all by yourself?"

I gave him a watery smile. "I'll be alright."

"Alright then, take care of yourself. And if you ever need help… " he gave me a knowing look, "Any kind of help… call me.”

Something about his statement prickled, as if there was a deeper meaning but before I could ask, he turned and left, leaving me with an odd feeling.

Was I reading too much into his words?

I turned back toward Anna’s room, the weight of exhaustion pressing against my chest.

Just as my fingers touched the door handle, my phone buzzed again. I almost ignored it. But what if it was Maddy?

The name flashing on the screen made my stomach drop.

It was Mrs. Croft.

My heart thudded painfully in my chest. Sweat ran down my neck as I stared at my phone ring.

Did she know I'd called Maddy? I glanced around like a thief before answering.

“Lily.” Her clipped, businesslike tone made my spine straighten instinctively. “I hope you realize the kind of mess you’ve created.”

Shit! She knew.

I froze. “I— I don’t understand.”

She tsked irritatedly.

“Of all people to piss off, why did you choose the most dangerous one?!"

“What are you talking about?” I whispered, genuinely confused.

There was a pause, long enough for my pulse to start pounding in my ears.

“Micheal Carmichael,” she said finally, voice low and sharp.

What?

“What did you say to him? Word is, he’s been asking about you. Our sources say he even showed interest in that little stunt Grace posted online!" She hissed.

I gripped the phone tighter in panic. “I… I haven’t done anything.”

“Well, apparently, you had to have done something!” she snarked. “Micheal isn't a man you want attention from. Look! The man doesn't like you, I totally understand that but you have to do something."

I threw my hands up in frustration.

"Like what?!" I angrily whispered, "I didn't even know about him until Grace mentioned his daughter and Dominic! You could've said something, you know," I gritted.

"I don't have time for your nonsense. Invite him to lunch on Friday. We'll be watching."

The call ended before I could protest. Friday was Anna's surgery!