Chapter 244

Chapter 244
Lily's POV

After midnight, I stood at the door of Nathan's penthouse, my hand hovering over the handle. The ultrasound photo of my baby—our second miracle—was tucked safely in my pocket. It was the only thing I was taking with me. That was part of the deal: no belongings, no phone.

I'd already said goodbye to Nathan and Eleanor. My heart felt like it was being ripped from my chest, but I couldn't let my emotions control me now. This was for them. This was how I would protect them.

I pulled the door open only to find one of Nathan's security guards blocking my path.

"I'm sorry, Miss Donovan. You can't leave," he said firmly.

"Who says?" I challenged, though I already knew the answer.

"Mr. Sullivan."

Of course. Nathan had instructed his security not to let me leave when he wasn't home. On any other night, I might have found his protectiveness endearing. Tonight, it was an obstacle.

"Look, I have somewhere to be. He knows about this," I lied, praying my voice wouldn't shake.

The guard shifted uncomfortably. "Mr. Sullivan was very clear, ma'am. You're not to leave without him."

"Listen," I said, lowering my voice, "he knows about this. Do you want me to go wake him up?"

He hesitated, clearly not wanting to disturb Nathan. "No, no, I don't want to disturb Mr. Sullivan. I'll open the door for you."

"Thank you," I said, relief washing over me.

As I stepped into the hallway, I took one last look at the luxurious apartment I had thought would become my home. The place where Eleanor took her first steps. Where Nathan had held me in his arms. Where we'd planned our future.

I took a deep breath and walked away.

---

By nine o'clock, I'd reached the meeting point Jake had specified in his text. My heart pounded so hard I was sure it would burst through my chest.

"You finally came!" Jake's voice made me jump. He emerged from the shadows, his face half-hidden beneath a hood.

I forced myself to stay calm, offering a nervous smile. "Yes, I came."

Jake approached me, reaching out to play with a strand of my hair. I fought the urge to pull away. I'd never really liked Jake, even before I knew what he was capable of.

"I hope you haven't forgotten our agreement," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"We'll spare the Sullivan family, we'll return their money and property—and we've found a good doctor to take care of you," Jake replied, his eyes gleaming with something that made my skin crawl.

"And my life?" I asked, the words barely making it past the lump in my throat.

Jake grabbed my hair, pulling me closer. "Believe it or not, I'm not here to kill you. My dad has gone crazy, so be a good girl."

I swallowed hard and nodded, fear of Zane Sullivan coursing through my veins.

"We need to go before they realize you're missing," Jake said, pulling something from his pocket. "You'll be out for a bit, but it won't hurt you or the baby."

"What?" My heart rate doubled.

"This." He pressed a cloth against my mouth.

I struggled against him, trying to scream, to fight, to run—anything. But it was useless. The world started to blur, and my limbs felt impossibly heavy.

As consciousness slipped away, my last thought was of Nathan's face when I'd told him about the baby.

---

I woke with a jolt, my head pounding and my mouth dry. Instinctively, I tried to sit up, but my hands wouldn't move. Looking up, I realized with horror that I was handcuffed to the bed frame in a room I didn't recognize.

Panic surged through me. "Help! He—"

Jake burst through the door. "Keep it down!" he hissed.

He moved quickly to unlock the handcuffs. "I didn't want you running off."

"So you chain me up like a dog?" I spat, rubbing my wrists where the metal had dug into my skin.

"I'm sorry," he muttered, pacing the room.

I sat up, automatically placing a protective hand over my stomach. Jake looked afraid—genuinely afraid—which only intensified my own fear. If Jake was scared of what was coming, what chance did I have?

Would he keep his promise about the doctor? About letting my children live?

"It's morning," Jake said, his voice almost trembling. "You need to get ready! Take a shower, then come downstairs. Please."

I stared at him, confused by his behavior. The Jake I knew was arrogant and cruel, not this nervous wreck.

"Fine. I'll take a shower."

He stood guard outside the bathroom door while I showered, and when I finished, he'd laid out clothes for me—a tight black dress that made me uncomfortable. I tugged at the hem, wishing for anything else to wear.

"You look great," Jake said, though his eyes told a different story. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around my waist.

"Oh, so you do have a conscience," I remarked, surprised by the gesture.

---

As Jake led me through what appeared to be an abandoned mansion, I took mental notes of my surroundings. The place was dark, windows covered, armed guards at every corner. Escape seemed impossible.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"My dad is waiting for you for breakfast," Jake replied. "We're a minute late."

I laughed at his fearful expression. "Just one minute. We wouldn't have this problem if you hadn't made me wear this uncomfortable dress."

At the dining room doors, Jake grabbed my arm. "Don't be smart. Please."

The fear in his eyes was real. "I won't," I promised, terrified of what awaited me.

The doors opened, and my legs nearly gave out. Zane Sullivan stepped out from behind a large dining table, wearing sunglasses indoors. I could see his fake smile from across the room.

Maids stood around the room, all looking equally frightened.

"So this is the girl," Zane said, pushing past the maids to approach me. Jake had already stepped aside, leaving me alone.

I could feel Zane's breath on my face, his cold fingers touching my cheek. "Beautiful." His gaze dropped to my stomach. "How's the baby?"

"I... I..." My voice failed me.

"Dad, she needs a doctor," Jake interjected.

"I told you I'd handle it!" Zane snapped, making me flinch.

Zane was worse than Antonio had ever been. There was something unhinged about him, something that suggested he had nothing to lose.

"Sit down, eat breakfast!" Zane commanded, placing his hand on my back and guiding me to a chair. Jake sat at the opposite end of the table, leaving me next to Zane.

The nausea hit me hard—morning sickness amplified by fear. I couldn't eat, couldn't stop thinking about Nathan and our baby.

After a long silence, Zane spoke again. "I want you to eat. If you care about your child, you'll eat!"

I looked at Jake, who nodded encouragingly. With trembling hands, I picked up my fork and took a bite of vegetables.

Zane laughed loudly. "Healthy! Do you like it?"

I nodded, too scared to speak.

"Cat got your tongue?"

"Y-yes, I like it," I managed.

"Good. I sent Nathan a message about the money and property—I'll give both back to him—so you don't have to worry about that."

"You'll leave them alone, right?" I asked, desperate for confirmation.

Zane frowned. "As long as they don't try anything funny."

I was about to respond when Zane suddenly looked down at his plate. "Wait, why are there so many bones in my rabbit? Why!"

A maid stepped forward, trembling. "I-I'm sorry, sir!"

In one violent motion, Zane swept all the plates off the table. Glass shattered across the floor.

Then he turned to me, his face contorted with rage. "Was it you?"

"It wasn't her!" Jake jumped in. "Dad, how could it be her? She's been with me the whole time!"

"So?" Zane's hand went to his pocket.

"Dad, please. You know what will happen if we hurt her."

"So it wasn't her?" Zane pulled something from his pocket. My heart stopped.

"No, it wasn't her, Dad," Jake insisted.

"Then who was it?" Zane pointed at a random maid. "You!"

Before I could process what was happening, he pulled out a gun and shot the young woman in cold blood. Then he laughed.

The other maids screamed in terror. I sat frozen, unable to move, unable to breathe. My entire body shook as I stared at the lifeless body on the floor.

Oh God. What have I done? What kind of monster is he?

"Come on. I'll take you upstairs," Jake said, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the stairs.

As I regained my senses, one thought crystallized in my mind:

What the hell am I doing here?