Chapter 47
LILY
Marlene threw a stack of photos and documents in my direction.
"Save your lies."
I was suddenly grateful I was seated. Every part of me was trembling, my heart pounding loudly in my ears.
The papers fluttered to the ground.
I sucked in a deep breath, curling my fingers into fists.
"Whatever this is, it's not what you think," I began, my voice tighter than I wanted.
Marlene’s laugh was soft, cruel. "Oh, sweetie. It’s exactly what I think."
She leaned back on the couch, crossing her legs.
"How long have you and the Crofts been planning this? Years?"
"You're mistaken—"
"It can't be a coincidence you and Maddy look so alike and are just best friends. I wasn't born yesterday, girl." She narrowed her eyes.
Shit, shit shit! How did she find out? Grace?
"Where's the real Maddy?"
The Crofts said they had my past under wraps for God's sake!
I had to do something! Think, Lily, think!
"I don't know what you're talking about," I replied, plucking one of the pictures from the ground.
My lungs seized.
It was an old photo I took of Anna on her first day of preschool.
I tried to hide my surprise. How did she get this?
I swallowed heavily, picking up the next one. It was a medical report. My mother's medical report, detailed to the very drugs she was taking now.
What the fuck?
I picked up another. My high school certificate. Another, my birth certificate. Another, my old driver's licence.
A shiver ran down my spine the more I sifted through the documents.
How deeply had she investigated? And how long?
The next paper I held was the worst shock of all.
A copy of the contract I signed with Dominic.
"What is this?" I breathed, my fingers trembling so badly the document fell from my grip.
She basically knew everything.
She smiled coldly, "Still playing dumb? That signature at the bottom doesn't look familiar?"
I swallowed hard.
"I don’t know where you got these, but this is ridiculous."
She leaned forward, her perfume sharp and suffocating.
"I don't know what you and Dominic are up to, so you'd better start talking before I investigate it myself and trust me," she gave me a hard glare, "it won't be private."
My throat went dry. I shifted in the chair uncomfortably.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Marlene. I'm serious."
Her hand shot out, gripping my chin so hard it hurt. I gasped in surprise.
"Don’t test me girl."
My heart pounded so hard, a wave of dizziness washed over me. Our gazes locked. Her eyes were dark, brimming with fury and impatience.
Lying would get me nowhere with this woman.
"I’ve dealt with women like you before," she hissed. "Leeches, gold diggers, fucking parasites who think they can crawl into our family. I never trusted you, not for a second."
She released me roughly, eying me in disgust.
"I won't let you ruin this family, girl. Not at this important moment. Not after everything Xavier's done."
I exhaled shakily, rubbing my jaw, my heart racing in my ears.
She stared pointedly at the printed contract by my feet, a sharp smile on her face, "So Dominic didn't marry you for love? At least that's a fucking relief. He's still got some sense left in his head."
There was a question bubbling in my mind. Why? Why was she here?
"If you're so convinced I'm a fake," I whispered, "why did you come to me? Why didn't you take it public?"
After all the investigations and digging, she'd come here first.
Something told me she hadn't told anyone else either. Marlene Sinclair cared too much about the family reputation.
She pushed back her greying curls away from her face with a half frustrated, half irritated expression.
"Because I have a proposition for you and you better listen good. If not, you're going to wish you never met me."
She took in a deep breath.
"You have from now till Xavier's will is read and Dominic's fate is known," she regarded me icily, "After that, you will draft up an excuse, revoke the adoption papers, divorce Dominic and disappear with your bastard daughter. He won't miss you, I can assure you."
I opened my mouth to speak and shut it instantly. Pain twisted in my chest at her words.
I was disposable, yes. She didn't have to rub it in my face.
The tension in the air between us grew thicker and thicker with unsaid words.
At least she didn't know Anna was Dominic's biological child.
My nails dug harder into my palm.
She knew about the contract with Dominic but not the one with the Crofts.
She didn't know everything if not, I probably wouldn't still be seated.
I closed my eyes, fighting the headache buzzing behind my eyes.
"It's either this or you go to jail for impersonation. Take your pick."
I didn't really have a choice. The evidence was substantial and she was wealthy and powerful. I'd rot in jail for the rest of my life.
Shit.
"I didn't do it for myself," I truthfully whispered. She had to know I wasn't with Dominic because of money or fame. I just wanted to help my best friend and my family.
She rose to her feet, dusting her gown. "That's what makes you an even bigger idiot. Enjoy your few weeks left as 'Mrs Sinclair'," she sneered, turning to leave.
Thirty-five minutes later, I was dressed in a soft peach gown, seated at the backseat of Dominic's Porsche on my way to dinner with Mr Carmichael.
It felt as if my spirit and body were splitting apart. What would I tell the Crofts? What if Marlene decided to get rid of me after the will was read?
Marlene's words kept on ringing in my brain even as I tried to focus on taking in deep breaths.
I calmly walked into Skypoint building. The private dinner reservation was on the rooftop of the impressive skyscraper.
The air was heavy with wealth and class.
A neatly dressed woman in a suit approached me as I looked around, a bit lost. I just wanted to get this over with.
"Are you Mrs Maddy Sinclair?" The woman's voice was a soft lilt.
I nodded.
She fished out a crisp note from her shirt pocket, "Mr Carmichael won't be joining you tonight, ma'am but he asked me to give you this."
Carmichael wasn't joining me? So what was I here for?!
I impatiently glanced at the neat, short note.
My eyes widened. I even reread it twice.
No. It couldn't be true.