Chapter 46

LILY

Friday evening cane faster than I liked. I plastered my best smile as Anna was prepped for surgery even as guilty nearly ate me raw.

"You're sure you have to go?" My mother asked for the hundredth time as I picked up my purse.

"Yeah, I don't feel well right now," I lowly said. The exhaustion in my voice was genuine even though I was lying through my teeth.

She gave me an alarmed lok.

It wasn't often I fell sick and I never gave in to exhaustion so me admitting it must have scared her.

I sighed. I didn't want to scare her. It was the exact reason I was lying!

The failed attempt to get to Maddy had drained me more than I wanted to admit and then this fucking dinner...

I drew her close to hug her. Her arms tightened around me when I tried pulling away.

"I'll be fine,mum. It's just a short nap."

I wish.

"What should I tell Anna when she asks?" She worriedly glanced at the empty bed in the room.

The lump in my throat grew tighter. I blinked the tears away, shouldering my bag firmly.

"I've explained to her already. I'll be back before the surgery's over," I met her eyes, "I promise."

I headed out of the hospital before I could overthink it, distractedly ordering a ride.

And ran straight into Damien in the process.

The scent of his cologne hit me first before his presence registered in my head.

Damien was here... Why?!

"Hey, sister-in-law," he greeted, flashing me a smile.

The sight of him had thoughts of Dominic flying in my head. I blinked, dazed for a second.

His usual carefully styled hair was mussed up, he was dressed in casual tee and jeans and were those...glasses?

He looked.. well.. hot. Too hot for his own good.

The thought was uncomfortable but it was the truth.

Everyone around us snuck glances at both of us. Or more specifically, him. I just looked like a tired mum.

His eyes took me in with an unreadable look.

"Leaving so soon? How's she?" He frowned with genuine concern at my silence.

I shook my head, snapping out of my thoughts.

"She's going in for surgery soon," I said, glancing around uncomfortably. He was drawing too much attention.

I placed a hand on his arm, leading him out of the hospital.

"Why are you so good-looking? You're drawing too much attention," I muttered under my breath.

He snorted in response.

He'd heard. Shit.

"Me? Good-looking? Coming from my awesome sister-in-law?" He placed a hand on his chest as if he was touched.

For some reason, I sputtered for words. My cheeks grew warmer as he laughed.

"Shush, you," I grumbled, looking away.

Raising his arm drew my attention to the takeaway bags in his hands.

He followed my line of sight, then sighed.

"Can you wait a little? I got you a little something."

I stared at him in surprise. It was his turn to look away uncomfortably.

Silence stretched between us. We both knew he was treading on dangerous waters.

Dominic didn't want me talking to him for some reason and with the tension in the house concerning the will and the company's CEO position, Damien's arm of friendship was a bit suspicious.

My phone beeped to inform me of my ride.

I hesitated for a second before taking the food from his grip.

"Thank you, Damien. It means a lot," I sincerely said and before he could respond, I cut in quickly, "I have to go. Thanks again."

"I can drive you—"

I hurried away from him towards my ride, pretending as if I hadn't heard.

Thoughtful or not, I had to be very careful around the Sinclairs and their associates.

I was out of the car before it even rolled to a stop at the house. The bodyguards on duty stared at me in surprise before quickly greeting me.

I nodded distractedly at them before entering the house.

I already had a dress in mind that I would wear. There was no part of me willing to put in an effort for dinner with a man who probably hated me.

Light makeup, a nice dress and a plastic smile would serve.

The automatic lights blinked on as I stepped out of my shoes and wore my indoor slippers.

"Good evening ma'am," the maid greeted.

"Good evening Sonya."

Deep down I'd missed her and this house. At least I had peace here.

"Will you be having dinner with Madam Marlene tonight?"

Her words stopped me midway to my bedroom.

"What?"

"Um.. Madam Marlene asked me to ask you. She's been waiting for you for a while now."

Wait.. what?!

I whirled around, looking at my surroundings. There was a chic jacket draped on an arm of a chair and I could almost catch a faint whiff of another perfume.

I drew Sonya closer, my heart thudding hard in my chest.

"What's she doing here? Where is she?"

The soft clacking sound of heels behind me answered my question.

I froze for a second before turning around.

There she was, in my house with the entitlement air of a woman who always got her way, looking at me with thinly veiled disgust.

"Aunt Marlene," I breathed, glancing at my watch. Half past four.

She narrowed her eyes at me.

"Going somewhere?"

"Yes, actually," I coolly responded, "Did you want to see Dominic? He's not home."

She scoffed, waving Sonya away with an impatient flick of her wrist.

"Dom is in Europe right now. I'm very aware of where he is," she snapped, pointing at the seat opposite her.

I managed to keep my smile in place.

"I really have somewhere important to be but Sonya can—"

"Sit the fuck down, Maddy," she tilted her head, staring at me with an icy glare, "Or should I say Lily Baker since that's your real fucking name."

The blood drained out of my face instantly.