Chapter 48

LILY

Mrs. Sinclair,

I regret to inform you that I won’t be able to make dinner tonight. A very important person has recently regained consciousness, and I believe you’ll understand why my priorities have shifted.

Feel free to order anything you wish. Consider it a consolation for being stood up.

—Michael Carmichael

I stared at the signature at the bottom, reading the words again and again and again.

A very important person has recently regained consciousness...

The sentence blurred for a second, a strange ringing noise dimly sounded in my ears.

Abigail.

Abigail was awake.

He didn’t even bother to say her name. He didn’t have to.

I wordlessly crushed the note in my fist, turned and walked out of the building, my stomach dropping all the way to my toes.

After ten years, Dominic's first love was finally awake. I laughed, but it came out brittle and choked. Maybe I needed the consolation dinner.

"To the hospital," I said to the driver as I slid in.

Anna's surgery would be done by now. After the hassle of today, I just wanted to hold my little girl, sleep off and forget everything.

I stared out the window as a light rain started, leaving raindrops rolling down the glass.

It felt like the universe was crying for me since I couldn't do it myself. I was too numb.

By the time I reached the hospital, my body was running on autopilot. The antiseptic scent of the corridors felt strangely comforting.

"Her surgery was successful," the doctor said to me as I ran into him in the hallway. My phone was already in my hands, to call my mother.

I shuddered in relief, a smile making it's way to my face. My hands twitched by my sides. I had to see her. I had to hold her. That was the only thing that could keep me grounded right now.

"She's been transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit, ma'am."

"I don't know where that is," I replied, looking around helplessly.

He directed me to a nurse who'd help before hurrying off as his pager beeped frantically.

The nurse told me Anna had been strong, responsive, even smiled before they sedated her. That was Anna, always smiling.

I briefly wondered if Dominic was like that when he was younger before I shook the thought away.

When I stepped into the PICU, I saw her small frame tucked under white sheets, a tiny oxygen monitor clipped to her finger. My throat went tight.

“Hey, my little fighter,” I whispered, brushing a soft curl from her forehead. Her skin was a bit dry, her lips parted in sleep.

She didn’t stir at my touch but her breathing was steady. There was a healthy red flush on her cheeks too.

I felt something unclench in my chest. I sank into the chair nearby, fighting the tears rising in my chest.

After battling with so much, she could finally live a normal life free of hospitals. It felt like a miracle.

The door opened and my mother walked in. Her face was tired but glowing, eyes red from crying and smiling all at once.

She didn't even notice my clothes or the fact that I had makeup on for someone who wanted to "take a nap".

“Mom.”

She came closer to me and pulled me into her arms. For a moment, I just let myself collapse there, breathing in her familiar perfume.

“She’s going to be fine,” Mom murmured, her hand rubbing my back. “The doctor said her recovery rate’s amazing. In four weeks, she’ll be running around again.”

Four weeks..

That was amazing!

A shaky laugh slipped out of me. “Four weeks. That’s… that’s incredible.”

"I know right?!" She laughed too, "The anaesthesia takes a day to wear off. Lily, I'm so happy!"

I stared at Anna softly, "Me too."

You'll take your bastard daughter and disappear... Marlene's words flashed in my head. My smile fell immediately.

I pulled away from the embrace, settling into the chair again.

"Are you really?" My mother sighed, scanning my face. I looked away. "You look pale, Lily. What's really happening?”

I felt her stroking my head before massaging my tense neck. "Talk to me Lilypad," she whispered.

The old nickname instantly broke my walls. Dad was the one who called me that.

I sighed, hesitating. How could I even begin to explain everything? Marlene’s threat, Abigail waking up, the cold silence between Dominic and I, Damien's strange friendship and then Maddy blocking me.

All of it felt too big, too cruel.

So I said the only thing I could manage. “There’s a strong possibility I’m going to leave Dominic.”

Her brows shot up in surprise. She instantly dropped into the seat next to me, holding my hand.

“Leave him? Why? Did something happen between you two?”

A lot.

I forced a smile. “Let’s just say I’ve been living on borrowed time. It’s… complicated.”

“Lily.” Her tone was soft but firm. "Have you thought it through? What about Anna? Didn't he adopt her too?”

I sighed.

“I'll sort it out," My voice cracked, "Don't worry."

Her expression softened. I instantly changed the topic.

“I can’t wait to take her shopping again. Enroll her in a new preschool,” I turned to look at my mum hopefully, "I can't wait for her to have a real life, mum."

A real life where she wasn’t someone’s secret and I wasn't someone’s replacement.

A week passed faster than I expected. There was no message from Dominic, no more word from Marlene. True to her word, she'd kept quiet about what she knew.

I lay in her bed cuddling with Anna, watching her cartoon with her, my mom asleep in the chair when my phone rang.

I picked it absentmindedly.

"Have you seen the news?" Mrs Croft's voice cut through. Anxiety flared in my chest instantly.

I sat up, patted Anna's head with trembling fingers before walking out of the room.

"No, what happened?" I whispered as the door closed behind me.

"You tell me," she snarked before the line went dead.

One headline after another filled my screen.

BREAKING: Is Maddy Sinclair Moving On With the Younger Sinclair Brother?

My blood ran cold.

I scrolled down and there they were. Photos of me and Damien at the hospital. Him handing me food. Me smiling faintly at him. The angle made it look intimate.

Shit.

Grace was already taking over the story. I read her blog, my face paling instantly.

Sources say the “adopted” daughter isn’t adopted after all. Insiders claim the child belongs to Damien Sinclair.

What?! I pressed the back of my hand to my mouth, willing myself not to scream.

While Maddy seems too comfortable with her brother-in-law, her husband, Dominic reconnects with his first love, Abigail Carmicheal who just woke up from her coma. What could be going on with the billionaire and his new wife? Stay tuned for more info.

I shut off the phone, staring blankly at the wall. So Dominic wasn't in Europe. He was here.

My time as Mrs Sinclair was already coming to an end.