Chapter 37

Lily stood in stunned silence as the reality of Robert’s words sank in. The atmosphere in the study was thick with tension, far removed from the celebratory chaos of the party. Ethan’s expression morphed from shock to anger, his fists clenching at his sides. Sarah’s face paled, and she looked like she might explode.

“Dad, you can’t be serious!” Ethan shouted, his voice echoing in the room. “Lily? She’s just a—”

“A what, Ethan?” Robert interrupted, his voice firm and unwavering. “A what? She’s been a part of this family for years. She’s shown loyalty, dedication, and strength. You need to recognize that.”

Lily felt a mix of emotions swirling within her—gratitude, fear, and uncertainty. She had never expected to be given such an opportunity, especially not in front of everyone. “Dad, I—” she started, her voice trembling.

“Lily,” Robert said, cutting her off gently. “You’ve earned this. You deserve a chance to lead and make a difference. I believe in you.”

The weight of his faith in her was almost overwhelming. She glanced at Ethan, whose face was a mixture of disbelief and resentment. “This isn’t fair!” he spat, his anger evident. “You’re just handing her everything because of some misplaced loyalty!”

Margaret stepped forward, her expression stern. “Ethan, the word ‘loyalty’ doesn’t suit you right now. You’ve been married to Lily, yet you’ve kept a girlfriend and now have a child on the way. Are you even trustworthy?”

Ethan’s face flushed with rage as he processed his mother’s words. “This is about me and my future!” he shouted, his voice rising. “You’re throwing everything at her without considering how it affects me!”

Sarah stormed out of the study, her heels clicking angrily against the floor. Ethan hesitated for a moment, his gaze flicking between Lily and his parents, before following her out, the door slamming behind him.

In the sudden silence that filled the room, Robert turned to Lily, his expression softening. “I’m sorry you had to witness that,” he said, his voice filled with genuine concern. “You’ve always been part of this family, and you deserve the chance to prove yourself.”

Margaret nodded in agreement, stepping closer to Lily. “We’ve always believed in you, Lily. You have so much potential, and we want to support you in this new role.”

Lily felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes, overwhelmed by the unwavering support from Robert and Margaret.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself as emotions swirled within her.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “I didn’t expect this.” She paused, glancing down at her hands, which trembled slightly as she fidgeted with the fabric of her dress. “But this is really unfair to Ethan. He is your own blood, Dad.”

The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of her concern. She looked up, meeting Robert’s gaze, searching for understanding. “I don’t want anything. The love and support you show me is enough for me,” she added, her voice softening as she spoke.

Robert’s expression shifted, a mix of pride and sadness crossing his face. He stepped closer, the warmth of his presence grounding her in the moment. “Lily, you’ve been a part of our family for so long. You deserve this opportunity. But I understand your concerns for Ethan. But he needs to understand your value too."

Margaret, standing beside Robert, reached out to touch Lily’s arm gently. “Sweetheart, we’ve watched you grow, and we know how much you’ve sacrificed for this family. You’ve always been there for Ethan, even when he didn’t deserve it. But you can’t carry that burden forever. It’s time for you to step into your own light.”

Lily felt a swell of gratitude mixed with guilt. “I just don’t want to hurt him,” she said, her voice quivering slightly. “I know he’s made mistakes…”

“And he needs to pay for this,” Robert interjected, his tone firm but measured. “We can see who is right and who is wrong in this situation.” He placed his hand gently on her head, a gesture of comfort and reassurance.

****

Sarah stormed into the living room, her face flushed with anger, the remnants of the party lingering in the air as the last few guests began to filter out. Ethan’s old friends lingered, their chatter subdued as they sensed the storm brewing between the couple.

Ethan caught sight of Sarah and rushed to intercept her, desperation etched on his face. “Sarah, wait! Can we just talk about this?” He pleaded, reaching for her arm.

But Sarah jerked away, her voice rising in frustration. “Talk? You think talking will fix this? You need to wake up, Ethan! We’re about to become parents, and what are you doing? Your parents are giving everything to that gold-digging woman while you and your child are left with nothing!”

Ethan opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat. He could see the hurt and anger in her eyes, and it twisted his stomach into knots. “I'll talk to my parents…” he said weakly, but Sarah wasn’t having it.

“Talk?” she shouted, her voice echoing off the walls. “You need to do something! You can’t just let them hand over the family legacy to her like she’s some kind of prize! This isn’t just about you anymore—it’s about our child!”

One of Ethan’s friends, Jack, who had been watching the exchange with a frown, finally spoke up. “Sarah is right, man,” he said, his tone serious. “Your father did wrong by your unborn child. That kid deserves a legacy, not to be overshadowed by that orphan roadside woman who just came in and snatched everything you and Sarah deserve.”

Ethan felt the weight of Jack’s words pressing down on him. The room fell silent, and all eyes were on him, waiting for a response. He could feel the tension crackling in the air, a mix of anger and disbelief swirling around him.

“Jack, don’t—” Ethan started, but Jack cut him off.

“No, listen,” Jack insisted, his voice rising. “You’re letting your family treat you like a fool. You’re letting them give everything to someone who hasn’t earned it. You have to stand up for yourself and for your kid!”