Chapter 248

Lily's POV

I stared at the wall clock, watching the second hand tick around with maddening slowness. Almost twenty-four hours. I'd been trapped in this room for nearly a full day, and I was starting to lose my mind.

My thoughts circled back to escape for the hundredth time. Could I make a run for it? The windows were barred, and even if they weren't, I'd seen the armed guards patrolling outside. I'd never make it past them. And if I did somehow manage to get away... what then? I had no phone, no money, no idea where I even was.

No, trying to escape would just get me killed. Or worse, it might make Zane take out his rage on Nathan and Eleanor. The thought of my baby girl made my chest ache so badly I had to close my eyes.

The clock's ticking seemed to grow louder. I guessed Jake would be coming soon. From what I could tell, I was only released from my restraints at mealtimes and for bathroom breaks. That was when I might have a chance to... to what? Overpower Jake? The idea was laughable. Though he wasn't as physically imposing as Nathan, he was still much stronger than me.

I jumped at the sound of the door opening. Jake walked in carrying some clothing.

"Dinner time," he announced flatly. "You need to change."

He came over to unlock my handcuffs, his eyes carefully avoiding mine. Was it guilt? Or was he just disgusted by me? Either way, I wasn't going to waste the opportunity to build some kind of rapport.

"This time I got you a long dress," he muttered, still not meeting my eyes. "This one has sleeves."

Guilt, then. He was trying to be considerate in his own twisted way.

"Thank you, that's very kind," I said, keeping my voice soft and grateful as I accepted the floral dress.

His eyes finally flickered to mine, surprise evident in them. He clearly hadn't expected courtesy from his prisoner. I headed to the bathroom to change, seeing a tiny opening to establish some humanity between us.

I emerged a few minutes later in the dress, which hung loosely on my frame. Jake gestured for me to follow him, and I did, my legs still unsteady from being confined for so long.

The hallway seemed endless, but finally, we approached what appeared to be a dining room. My stomach churned at the memory of what had happened here just hours ago – Zane executing a maid in cold blood. Would I be able to eat anything, knowing that someone had died on this very floor?

"Can I sit next to you?" I asked Jake, unable to keep the fear from my voice.

He hesitated, then nodded. "I don't see why not."

My palms were sweating as we entered the room. Zane wasn't there yet, thank God, but the long dining table was set for multiple people. I tried to stay calm, but my heart was hammering so hard I was sure Jake could hear it.

I sat down where Jake indicated, trying to control my shaking hands. The table was elegantly set, crystal glasses gleaming under the chandelier's light. It was surreal – like a dinner party in hell.

The door opened suddenly, and I flinched as Zane strode in. I couldn't bring myself to look at him directly, instead fixing my gaze on the table.

"Don't be shy!" Zane called out. "Stand up, turn around – let me see you!"

I froze, panic flooding through me. Jake nudged my shoulder with his elbow.

"Do it," he whispered urgently.

Humiliated, I stood and turned in a small circle, my cheeks burning with shame.

Zane's smile vanished. "That's not the dress I prepared for you."

I glanced helplessly at Jake, who stepped forward.

"It's cold, Dad," he said quickly. "We can't have her freezing to death. If Nathan saw her like—"

"She's mine!" Zane shouted, his mood shifting instantly. "When did Nate get so much power? It's annoying."

Jake pulled me back to my seat as Zane continued to grumble. I sat rigidly, afraid to move or speak. Part of me felt a twisted sympathy for Zane's hatred of the Sullivan family, considering what I knew about their shared history. But that didn't excuse any of this.

When the food arrived, Zane looked at me expectantly.

"You'll eat this time, won't you—Lily?" he asked, his voice suddenly gentle.

I nodded quickly, not wanting to provoke him.

Looking at the plate of food in front of me, I couldn't help thinking of Nathan. He always noticed how much I ate and would tell Martha so she'd prepare the right portions. It was one of the countless small ways he showed he cared, even when he struggled to express it in words.

We ate in silence for a while before Zane spoke again.

"I missed lunch with you both because I was working on a special project," he announced, smiling proudly.

My stomach clenched. Was he going to call off whatever he was planning? Was that part of our deal?

"Don't worry," he continued, noticing my expression. "I'm not planning anything crazy..." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Though I'd love to kill my father."

I couldn't hide my reaction. The idea of him wanting Logan dead made me sick.

"Lily?" Zane caught my expression. "Did I scare you?"

"I-is that—" I started, but he cut me off.

"You know, the old man, Henry—he was scared of me too," Zane said conversationally. "You should have seen his face when I told him I was going to burn him alive."

A chill ran down my spine. The casual way he spoke about such cruelty was terrifying.

"I actually considered blowing up that entire building with all of you Sullivans inside," he continued, taking a bite of his food. "But Jake convinced me not to. Good thing too—I'm glad I didn't hurt Richard."

I nearly choked. Eleanor had been in that building. My baby could have died, and he was talking about it like it was nothing. But I was surprised that Jake had actually stopped him.

"I really don't want to hurt anyone," Zane insisted, his tone eerily sincere. "All I want is the family business that belongs to me and my son. But somehow the Sullivans managed to turn Alex against me... he's doing everything his mother would have hated."

That gold-digging demon who started all this, I thought bitterly.

Zane suddenly pointed his fork at me. "Or actually, it was you... you took my son away from me. You took Alex from me."

No, not this again.

"You separated me from my son, just like my father separated me from the love of my life," Zane continued, his voice rising. "It was you—"

"Sir, your guests have arrived!" a guard announced, bursting into the room.

I blinked in confusion. Guests? At least Zane's attention was diverted from me.

"Ah, excellent, bring them in!" Zane straightened his collar, suddenly animated. He waved his hand dismissively at the staff. "All of you, leave us. This is family business."

My heart pounded as I noticed the extra place settings. Zane had been expecting visitors all along. Who could it be? Hitmen coming to finish me off? Some perverted friends he wanted to show me off to?

I stared anxiously at the doorway, my mouth dry with fear. When the door opened again, I nearly collapsed from shock.

Nathan, Alex, Tyler, and Joseph stood in the entrance.

I couldn't breathe. Relief and terror collided inside me. Were they really here, or was I hallucinating from stress? Nathan's face was like stone, his eyes immediately finding mine across the room. Alex stood beside him, his expression unreadable, while Joseph looked pale but determined.

I couldn't decide if this was the best thing that could happen or the worst. Had Nathan walked right into Zane's trap? Or was this finally going to end?