Chapter 241

Chapter 241
Lily's POV

I stood in the cramped changing room of a department store, my heart racing as I checked my phone again. I'd managed to contact Jake through connections that Kevin had unwittingly helped me find. The fluorescent lighting cast harsh shadows across my face, making me look even more nervous than I felt.

"I know this is a stupid idea," I muttered to myself, smoothing down the dress I pretended to try on. But public was the only way I could ensure some safety, even if the location was small and uncomfortable.

A shadow fell across the thin strip of light under the door, and I held my breath.

"Lily..." a familiar voice spoke from behind me, making me jump. "We meet again."

I spun around to find Jake standing there, wearing a gray hoodie pulled low over his face. Despite everything, I found myself hoping that some part of the old Jake still existed – the one who'd taken bullets meant for me, who'd protected me when I needed it. But the cold smile on his face told me otherwise.

"What, no hug? No warm welcome?" he mocked, leaning against the wall of the tiny cubicle.

"After everything you've done?" I replied, my voice steadier than I expected. "Alex's uncle is dead because of you."

Jake's face contorted with rage, and he slammed his fist against the wall beside me, making me flinch back into the corner. "Shut up!" he snarled, looming over me. "That was my father. Not me, so shut up!"

I could see I'd hit a nerve. Jake might be working with his father, but perhaps he didn't agree with all his methods.

"Believe it or not..." Jake continued, his voice dropping lower, "I don't always agree with how he does things."

I wanted to believe him. I really did. But I'd seen enough to know better.

"You still have a choice, Jake," I said softly. "Richard and Logan would welcome you home. You know they would."

Jake's expression hardened again. "What do you want, Lily? You didn't arrange this meeting to reminisce."

I took a deep breath. This was it. "I'm here to make a deal. One your father will like."

Jake's eyebrows rose slightly. "I'm listening."

I steadied myself. I wasn't running anymore. I wasn't going to betray the Sullivans either. I was taking control.

"I heard your father changed his mind," I began carefully. "That he'd trade the Sullivan family's peace for me."

Jake nodded slowly, a smirk playing on his lips. "You heard right."

"Taking someone Nathan cares about is like attacking the family business," Jake explained. "It's the quickest way to bring him to his knees."

"Nathan cared about you too," I reminded him. "You broke his heart."

Jake scoffed, looking away. "He didn't. If he cared, he would have been there for me."

"I want to make a deal," I said. "I want your father to return all of Eleanor's money—and I need him to guarantee that I get to live for... ten more months."

Jake's eyebrows shot up at my unusual request.

"I'll turn myself in," I continued, "but only under those conditions."

Jake laughed. "Ten months? That's specific." His eyes narrowed with amusement. "You know we're not going to kill you, right?"

I met his gaze steadily. "I'm pregnant."

The words hung in the air between us. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. I should be sharing this moment with Nathan, not his traitorous cousin in a mall changing room.

Jake's eyes widened before a smile spread across his face. "Pregnant?" he echoed, laughing again. "You just don't know how to take a breath, do you?" He shook his head. "What's the point of protection if people don't use it?"

I ignored his taunts. "Those are my conditions. The baby goes back to Nathan too."

Jake studied me. "So let me get this straight. You want to trade your freedom for Nathan and your... child."

"Yes, I would," I confirmed, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "Do we have a deal or not?"

Jake held up his hand, cutting me off. "Deal."

"My father will be very happy to hear this." His smile was predatory. "Meeting with me was a good decision, Lily."

I narrowed my eyes, suddenly suspicious at how easily he'd agreed. "Was it? How do you know I'm not lying?"

Jake reached out and twirled a strand of my hair between his fingers. I forced myself not to recoil at his touch.

"Because I know what kind of person you are," he said calmly. "You're a greedy, gold-digging bitch who would do anything to make sure your daughter doesn't end up like you, dancing for money."

I bit the inside of my cheek, reminding myself to stay calm.

"How do I know you're not lying?" I countered. "I know how badly you want the family business—"

Jake laughed loudly, cutting me off. "I don't give a damn about the business as long as I get to see Nathan suffer!"

Before I could respond, Jake leaned forward and pressed his lips against my cheek. I closed my eyes in disgust.

"It's been nice seeing you, but I'm afraid I have to go, princess," Jake said, pulling back. "I'll discuss this with my father. You'll be hearing from me soon."

As he slipped out of the changing room, I leaned against the wall, my palms sweaty. The deal was made. In a few days, I would belong to Zane and Jake.

"Lily, we're back. Are you still alive in there?" Kevin called from outside. "How's the dress coming along?"

I took a deep breath, composing myself. "Great! Yes, I'm still alive."

When I stepped out of the changing room, I saw Tyler leaning against Kevin's shoulder, looking thoroughly exhausted. Despite everything, I couldn't help but smile.

Kevin pointed at Tyler with his thumb. "Well, your brother is dying."

Tyler groaned dramatically. "Taking him shopping is worse than Victoria. At least she just drags me to baby stores."

Kevin patted Tyler's back. "You should cut Victoria some slack. When Landon's mom was pregnant, she did the same thing." His voice softened. "I was never there for her."

I watched Kevin, thinking about how he'd raised Landon alone after his fiancée died in childbirth. Nathan would do the same for Eleanor, I knew that. And he would love this new baby too.

I discreetly wiped away a tear. I'm doing this for them, I reminded myself.

"Let me help you with that," Tyler said, reaching for the clothes in my hands.

I smiled sadly, knowing I wouldn't be wearing any of these dresses anyway.

Kevin tried to take out his wallet, but Tyler stopped him. "Lily and I came from the same womb," he declared proudly. "So I'll take care of her, thank you very much."

Kevin smacked the back of Tyler's head. "We all came from the same womb, idiot!"

"Yeah, but not at the same time!" Tyler protested.

While they argued, I quietly paid the cashier, who giggled at their antics.

As we walked out of the store, I felt a strange mix of emotions. I'd barely had time to know my brothers, and now our time together would be even shorter. This special bond – like we'd grown up together despite our separation – I didn't want to lose it, but I had no choice.

"Hey, guys?" I called to them, holding up the shopping bag.

Kevin and Tyler turned, noticing what I'd done. Kevin gave an embarrassed laugh.

"Come on, guys, let's go," I said, smiling despite the heaviness in my heart.

As we were leaving, the cashier slipped Tyler a card with her number on it. "Call me!" she called out.

Tyler looked at the card smugly. "She could have given you her number, but she gave it to me!" he told Kevin.

Kevin rolled his eyes. "And why do you think that is?"

Tyler shrugged. "Because I'm better than you?"

Kevin snatched the card from Tyler's hand. "Too bad you have a pregnant fiancée."

"That didn't stop Nathan," Tyler shot back.

I winced internally. I wished they'd be more sensitive about that subject.

"Then you wouldn't mind if I called Victoria and asked how she feels about this?" I threatened lightly.

Tyler's eyes widened in horror as he grabbed the paper back from Kevin. "No no no? Please don't!"

Kevin laughed. "So much for coming from the same womb at the same time!"

I smiled, watching them. These precious moments with my brothers – I hadn't had nearly enough of them, and now my time was running out.

I'll miss this, I thought, the smile still on my face even as my heart broke a little. I'll miss this so much.