Chapter 3

Lilith's POV

My heart was pounding in my chest, was it due to the amount of alcohol I had consumed?.

Not really,

it was the fact that I had woken up in a very strange environment.

I immediately looked down, my clothes were intact, underwear, purse, I didn't feel assaulted. Where was I?

The handle of the door turned and I was about to fling my purse at whatever or whoever was behind the door, but when I saw two familiar faces, I paused.

Cassian, and Nolan.

"H-how...."

I hadn't seen them in forever, I hadn't even known that they were in town. Cassian's jawline was as sharp as ever with his dark hair and green eyes, while Nolan's platinum blonde hair and blue eyes constantly reminded me of a sea's warmth.

"Lilith....."

Nolan called, waving at me, ensuring it was okay for him to come closer. While Cassian moved toward me in quick strides, his hands moved to grab my shoulder, encasing me in a hug.

"You were reckless Lilith. You aren't a child anymore, you shouldn't be drinking that quantity of alcohol alone, in one day."

"Yeah, I just had a lot on my mi—"

"Still, Lilith. Those bastards were touching you. If not that we happened to be passing by that bar then...."

"Yeah," Nolan inputted, coming closer, his finger grazing my cheek as he held my gaze. "I hate to think of what could've possibly happened."

Cassian sighed, pulling back. “You didn’t even tell us you were in town. Do you know how pissed your brother would be if he knew what happened last night?”

I looked away, hugging my arms tightly. “I didn’t want to bother anyone.”

Nolan gave a short laugh. “You think getting almost assaulted in a bar isn’t a bother?”

“I wasn’t—” I paused, chewing the inside of my cheek. “I don’t even remember enough. My memory is all foggy."

Cassian exchanged a glance with Nolan but said nothing more about it. Instead, he moved to the wardrobe and pulled out a neatly folded shirt.

“My shirt. Wear it,” he said firmly, tossing it on the bed. “And Nolan’s trousers too. We weren’t sure what size you'd need.”

"Thank you."

“You can shower. Then come down for breakfast. We didn’t touch your stuff. Everything is in your pause and you’re safe.”

I nodded slowly, still clutching the sheets. I reeked like fish and mud anyways, I guess it was time to shower.

_____

The hot water had helped a little. Cassian’s shirt hung low on me, the sleeves rolled, and Nolan’s sweatpants fit loosely around my waist. I didn’t bother with makeup. What was the point?

I padded downstairs quietly, the aroma of eggs, toast, and brewed coffee guiding me to the kitchen. They were both seated at the island, big mugs in their hands. Cassian was scrolling through his phone. Nolan was reading something in a folded newspaper. But once I stepped in, both sets of eyes lifted, like they had been waiting for me.

“Sit,” Cassian said, gesturing to the seat across from them.

I obeyed, taking the seat cautiously. Nolan pushed a plate toward me, eggs, toast, and avocado. “Eat first.”

I picked up the fork,

“We’re not letting this slide, Lilith,” Cassian began after a long silence. “Start from the beginning.”

I dropped the fork, sighing. My eyes trailed between the two men. I had known them since I was a teenager. They were my brother’s best friends. Protective to a fault.

“I married Theo,” I said softly.

Cassian’s brows shot up. “Sure, we know you did.”

I nodded. “It happened fast. Three months ago. Everything felt....right, back then.”

Nolan folded his arms. “And now?”

“He left,” I explained everything to them. “After I sprained my ankle, he just walked out on me.

“I know how it sounds. I know I should’ve been more careful with who I trusted but—”

“Lilith,” Nolan cut in gently, “you don’t have to explain your pain to us.”

I blinked quickly. “I just....I didn’t know who to call. So I went to a bar.”

“And thank God we were there,” Cassian muttered, jaw clenched. “Your brother would’ve killed us if something had happened to you.”

I lowered my gaze. “Please don’t tell him yet. I need time.”

“I really need time,” I repeated, my fingers trembling around the fork.

Cassian’s eyes narrowed. Nolan leaned in.

“You’ve got it,” Nolan said softly. “We won’t say a word to your brother.”

I nodded in gratitude.

“But,” Cassian added, setting his mug down, “we want you to come stay with us. Just until things settle.”

My head shot up. “What?”

“You’re not going back to that house alone,” Nolan said. “You’re not okay, Lilith.”

“I’m fine. I just—”

“You were drunk, alone. In a bar. That’s not fine,” Cassian cut in.

“I can handle myself.”

“You didn’t last night.”

I flinched.

Cassian sighed. “Look.....we’re not judging you. We just want to help. Let us.”

“I appreciate this, really. Both of you. You’re good friends, to my brother and to me. But I’m not moving in.”

“Lilith—”

“No,” I said firmly. “I’m going back to talk to Theo.”

They exchanged a glance.

“Talk to him?” Nolan echoed. “He walked out on you. Didn’t even look back.”

“I know,” I whispered. “But I have to try. I can’t just let it end like that. I owe it to myself.”

Cassian rubbed his temples. “You owe yourself peace and not pain.”

“I married him. That means something to me.”

“Even if it means nothing to him?” Nolan asked quietly.

I swallowed. “I won’t know that unless I try.”

Cassian stood, pacing slightly. “And what if he doesn’t listen? What if he shuts you out again and waltz's with his new toy?”

“Then at least I’ll know I tried.”

Nolan exhaled deeply. “Lilith....we’re here. Always. But don’t let him treat you like this.”

“I won’t,” I said, voice steady. “And thank you. Both of you for everything.”

Cassian stopped pacing. “You’re really going back?”

I nodded. “Yeah. I want to stay and fight for my marriage.”

They were silent for a moment, then Cassian asked the final question.

“Is it really worth fighting for?”