Chapter 4

Lillith’s pov

Victoria's voice was soft as she addressed the team, almost flirtatious. "I'm so excited to work with all of you. Please be patient with me while I learn."

People were already whispering, glancing between her and Lucas. With the CEO personally introducing her, his arm linked with hers, everyone would be drawing their own conclusions.

I sat frozen at my desk, watching her smile sweetly at the team. Watching Lucas stand beside her with casual ease.

My hand moved instinctively to my stomach, to the secret I was still carrying alone.

No one at this company knew I was Lucas's wife. I'd always been just the project manager, working in the shadows, keeping everything running while he took the credit.

But Victoria walked in on her first day and stood exactly where I'd never been allowed to stand.

I watched Victoria smile at the team, her voice soft and sweet as she thanked everyone for welcoming her. People were already whispering, glancing between her and Lucas, speculation written all over their faces. The CEO's stepsister. Personally introduced by him. Taking over a major project on her first day.

My own status had always been hidden. No one here knew I was Lucas's wife. I was just the project manager who worked long hours and kept things running smoothly. But Victoria walked in and immediately stood exactly where I'd never been allowed to stand.

The moment Lucas finished his introduction and headed toward his office, I followed. I didn't bother knocking.

He looked up from his desk, unsurprised. "What is it?"

“She just got here and she’s already in the company?” I started, feeling betrayed.

“She’s family, what do you mean?”

“I mean, don’t you think it’s too fast? I knew how long it took before you allowed me to handle projects.”

“She’s my sister and you’re my wife. She’s fresh out of school and she needs something to work on.”

"And you chose to give her my project?" My voice shook. "Just like that?"

He leaned back in his chair. "My mother arranged for Victoria to work here. The project is almost finished. It's good for her to practice with something low-risk."

"Low-risk?" I could barely get the words out. "What do you mean? I worked so hard on this, and she gets the credit without doing anything?"

"You're my family. So is she." His tone was matter-of-fact. "Just help her."

The words hit me like a slap. Family. He put us in the same category, like we were interchangeable.

“Why do you expect me to accept these changes like it’s nothing? Why are you making it seem like I am overreacting?”

“Because you are! Don’t tell me you’re feeling inferior to my sister.”

A frown appeared on my face as I took in his words. “Why on earth would I be? Lucas, can you hear yourself?”

“Come on Lillith, stop making a fuss. This is our company.” He said in a reassuring voice.

"This is your company, not mine," I said bitterly.

“That’s not true. You mean so much more than you think.”

“If I mean so much as you claim, transfer shares to me right now.” I dared.

A look crossed Lucas’s face as he stared at me. “See, I knew it—

“Fine.” He said, cutting me off.

I expected him to brush me off, to tell me I was being unreasonable. Instead, he opened a drawer and pulled out a document. He placed it on the desk in front of me.

I looked down. Stock transfer agreement. My name. The date was two years ago.

The day we got married.

"I planned this from the beginning," he said quietly. "To give you and our future child security."

Our future child. The words made my chest tighten. I stared at the document, at the percentage of shares he'd allocated to me. It was substantial. Real security.

"You did this when we got married?" My voice came out barely above a whisper.

"Yes. You're my wife. This was always meant to be yours."

Something cracked open inside me. Maybe I'd been wrong. Maybe he did care, just in his own quiet way. And he'd mentioned a child. Our future child.

This was it. This was the moment I should tell him.

"Lucas, there's something I need to tell you." I took a breath, my hand moving instinctively to my stomach. "I'm—"

A knock on the door interrupted us. Victoria pushed it open without waiting for permission.

Her eyes darted between us, taking in the scene. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." She looked at me with concern. "Sister-in-law, please don't be mad at my brother because of me. If you really don't want me to, I'll give the project back."

The document was still in my hands, Lucas's words still echoing in my head. I felt steadier than I had all morning.

"It's fine," I said. "You should do the project well."

I walked past her out of the office. I heard her footsteps following me down the hallway.

"Sister-in-law, wait." She caught up to me, her voice loud and apologetic. "I really am sorry about all of this. I didn't mean to cause problems between you and Lucas."

"It’s fine, we are good." I threw her a small smile and kept walking toward the elevator.

She stayed beside me, and as we moved away from other employees, her voice dropped lower. "You know, Lucas has always taken such good care of me. Ever since we were young. I'm really special to him."

“It’s fine.” I returned.

“Thank you so much, sister-in-law. I hope I didn’t cause arguments between you and Marcus?” She inquired.

I jabbed the elevator button. "He gave me shares in the company. Significant shares."

Her smile tightened, just slightly. Something flickered in her eyes.

The elevator doors opened and we both stepped inside.

"You can always come to me if you have questions about the project, or about work.” I offered. With the documents in hand, I knew I already had the upper hand.

Victoria opened her mouth to respond.

A loud bang echoed through the shaft. The lights flickered once, twice, then went completely dark. The floor dropped beneath us.

We both screamed. I reached for the railing but the elevator jerked violently and I fell. My shoulder slammed into the wall. Sharp pain shot through my abdomen.

The elevator stopped with a shudder, suspended in darkness.

"Help!" Victoria's voice was high and panicked. "Someone help us!"

I pressed my hand against my stomach, the pain spreading. Please no. Not the baby.

Time seemed to crawl. I couldn't tell if it was minutes or hours before I heard voices above us, muffled through the metal.

"Victoria?" Lucas's voice was loud, desperate. "Victoria, can you hear me?"

"I'm here!" she cried. "Lucas, please get us out!"

"Hold on. We're getting you out right now."

I tried to speak but my voice came out weak. "Lucas, please."

There was a groaning sound as the doors above were forced open. The elevator shook violently. Light spilled in from above.

"Please help me," I managed, my hand still pressed against my stomach where the pain was getting worse.

Lucas dropped down through the opening. He went straight to Victoria, checking her over with frantic hands.

"Are you hurt? Tell me where it hurts."

"I'm okay," she sobbed. "Just please get me out of here. I can't breathe."

"Lucas," I said his name, louder this time.

He turned, his eyes landing on me as he'd just remembered I was there.

"Hold on," he said. She needs to get out first. Just wait a few more minutes. Someone will get you.

He lifted Victoria toward the opening where hands reached down to pull her out. The elevator groaned and swayed.

"You'll be right behind her," Lucas called back to me as he climbed out after her.

I lay there in the dim light, pain radiating through my body. I could hear voices above, Lucas talking to someone, giving orders.

My vision started to blur at the edges. I looked down at my stomach, at my hand pressed against it.

"My baby," I whispered.

The darkness closed in.