登入ARIANA'S POV I had a terrible headache all morning, but Lillian didn't seem bothered at all. The three of us were sitting together watching TV. There were three glasses of milk and a plate of warm, freshly baked cookies on the table.“Damn, I'm famous now,” Lillian said, staring at her phone.I rolled my eyes. She had been on that damn phone for almost an hour, scrolling through it with a proud smile on her face.It was like she didn't understand that what she did yesterday could get her into serious trouble. I needed to make her realize that we were all in a serious situation now.“Lillian—”“Ariana, check this out!” she interrupted, walking over to show me something on her phone. “Someone commented that Sophia looks so pathetic. I mean, they have a point. And look, someone else said Sophia deserved it. Finally, someone who can see that woman for who she really is.”On her phone screen was a video of our argument with Sophia from yesterday.Somehow, someone had recorded the whole t
ARIANA'S POV We finished our shopping about an hour ago, and now we were taking our time strolling through the mall. I wanted to head home soon since we'd left Elena alone at the apartment. Although I'd locked the door securely, I still couldn't shake the uneasiness of leaving my daughter by herself. But Lillian insisted that it had been far too long since we'd spent time together and that we deserved a little “girls' day out.”“Let's go over there. I want to get you something,” Lillian said, pointing toward a row of stores filled with makeup and other women's essentials.We stepped into one of the makeup stores. The staff welcomed us with warm smiles. From the heavy discounts displayed throughout the shop and the steady stream of customers, I assumed it was newly opened.“Ariana, which one do you think looks better, this one or this one?” Lillian asked, holding up two lipsticks in slightly different shades.“I'd go with this one,” I said.“Okay. Make sure you pick something for your
ARIANA'S POV I tried my best to push Lillian's words from my mind, but they continued to echo in my thoughts against my will. Deep down, I knew she had been right all along. One day, my daughter would grow up and ask me about her father.And when that day came, what would I tell her? Would I continue hiding the truth from her forever, or would I finally come clean? What if Elena discovered the truth from someone else and ended up hating me?“I'm ready!” Lillian's voice pulled me back to reality. She stepped out of her room, already dressed in blue jeans and a baby-blue blouse. She had even put on some light makeup and styled her hair.“Where are you going?” I raised an eyebrow.It had been four days since we returned from the hospital, and she simply couldn't seem to stay indoors for even a day. Every day, after the nurse finished checking on her and left, she would ask me to go outside. Sometimes it was just for a walk to get some fresh air or to grab something to eat.“Aren't you t
ARIANA'S POV The following morning.“Nathan and I had already finalized our divorce before my car accident,” I said, my voice unsteady despite my attempt to keep it composed.This wasn't something I wanted to discuss again, but now that Lillian had brought it up, I couldn't bring myself to lie to her.I had made myself accept that my relationship with Nathan was over. Besides, wasn't this supposed to be the end of our marriage from the very beginning? I may have hoped he would eventually fall in love with me after we got married, but reality had made me see just how foolish and naive I truly was.Lillian's expression was filled with disbelief, as though she suspected I wasn't telling her the truth.“So he divorced you after his former lover returned...” she murmured to herself. “Was it really that easy for him?”“Yes, Lillian.” It had always been that simple for Nathan. He held all the power in our relationship, while I was left with no choice but to accept every decision he made. “H
ARIANA'S POV “I think so. If Lillian violates the agreement she entered into, they could take legal action against her and your uncle's company, considering the substantial amount they invested in the business,” Damian said.That left me speechless. I never imagined the situation would become this serious. If they decided to take legal action, my uncle's company could be affected as well, and Lillian might even end up in prison.“Please, we have to find a way to free Lillian from them.” I sounded desperate.“Ariana, I'm afraid it won't be that simple. There has to be a way to terminate the contract with them, of course, under a condition they would accept.”“What is the condition?” I asked.I needed to know what it was. Whatever it took, I was willing to do it to sever Lillian's connection with them.“It must be stated in the contract, and only Lillian knows about it. You can ask her later,” Damian said. “If she's willing to tell us.”I'm certain Lillian will tell me if I ask her. Sh
ARIANA'S POV Ah, finally. A place to rest my head for a while that doesn't feel like a prison,” Lillian sighed as she sank into the couch.After an hour of looking around, we finally found an apartment that matched my expectations. I glanced around the place, feeling quite satisfied with the unit we had chosen.The apartment was cozy and just the right size, fully furnished, so Lillian didn't need to bring in anything else. I settled beside her and took a deep breath. A sense of relief washed over me as one burden was finally lifted from my shoulders.Next on my to-do list was getting some groceries to stock the fridge, so Lillian wouldn't have to go out whenever she wanted something to eat.“Would you like to stay here tonight?” Lillian asked, and I noticed her eyelids growing heavy as sleep slowly took hold of her“Yes, sure, if that's what you want.”“Thanks,” Lillian said, holding back a yawn.“Let me take a look at your room first,” I said. Lillian didn't respond. I turned towar







