11. Embrace

Lilian walked back to the room feeling restless, as tears rolled down her cheek she tried to compose herself, but Mrs. Rojas's harsh words echoed in her mind like a relentless drumbeat. She felt like a pawn in a game she didn't understand, used to secure business interests at the expense of her sister's memory. Lilian's heart ached with a mixture of anger, sadness, and confusion.

Lost in her thoughts, Lilian didn't notice when Sebastian entered the room until he spoke, his voice laced with concern. "Lilian, are you crying?" he asked softly, his gaze searching her face.

Startled, Lilian quickly wiped her tears away and forced a small smile. "No, I'm fine," she replied, her voice unsteady.

Sebastian's brows furrowed in disbelief. "Lilian, I can see you're upset. Please tell me what's wrong," he urged gently, taking a step closer.

Lilian hesitated, unsure if she could confide in Sebastian. But the weight of her emotions was too heavy to bear alone. She took a deep breath, her voice tremb