Lillian's POVI feel hollow, forcing a smile in front of the camera as my father speaks. I want to cry and scream for him to stop, but I'm paralyzed, unable to move."Are you okay?" Lucas asks.I nod, turning my head back to face the front."The beach photo was completely edited. My team is tracking down the person who uploaded it and I will make sure they will be punished for tarnishing my daughter's and stepson's reputation," my father says.I listen to his speech, knowing he's a skilled liar."Mr President, what do you say about the rumour that your daughter's engagement to the heir of Bennett Corporation is to cover up her sinful romance with her step-brother?" a reporter asks.My dad looks at me, then at Lucas, before returning his gaze to the camera. "Lillian and Lucas have been engaged for a while now, but we kept it private to give them space and protect them from pressure. We're only going public now to clear my daughter's name."Tears appear in my father's eyes, and I can't

Lillian's POVI stared at the letter intently and caressed the words written on the paper.Tears fell from my eyes as I read the word over and over again.My hand reached for my tummy, and a smile graced my lips as I felt my child."Should we go to Daddy, little bean?" I softly caressed my tummy.I felt scared of defying Dad again. I had no idea if we could really run away from him, but the thought of living like a puppet again scared me, not for myself, but for my child. Do I want my child to live in this kind of environment?Do I want him/her to experience the life I am currently enduring?Living in the White House suffocates me. I am constantly watched, and I don't want my child to have that life. I don't want him/her to be dictated on what to do.I want my child to have freedom. To lead his/her own life, something my father deprived me of.I stared at the words written on the letter once again."Should we run away, Marcus?"I knew that choosing to run away would mean giving up ma

Lillian's POV"L-Let's go back," I pleaded, but Marcus ignored me and continued driving.I gripped his arm tightly. "Please, Marcus, I want to see Martha."I felt hysterical, shaking his arm to stop him from driving."Love, please stop," he said calmly, but I remained deaf to his words.All I want is to save Martha, to see if she's still alive."We can still save her. Let's take her to the hospital," I begged, holding Marcus' arm tightly.The car started swerving because of my actions.Marcus looked at me angrily. "Lillian, stop!" he snapped, making me flinch.My grip on his arm loosened, and I leaned back in my seat, crying. Marcus pulled over.He held my chin, making me look at him."We can't go back now. Your Dad will kill us if we do, can't you see that?" He brushed away my tears with his thumb and looked at me with worry in his eyes before pulling me into a tight hug.I held the hem of his shirt as I cried on his shoulder."M-Martha," I said between sobs.Marcus did his best to c

Lillian's POVPregnancy isn't easy. Now I fully understand its weight.Starting my day by throwing up is tiring and makes me weak, but I have to endure."Shit!" I cursed as I held the bowl tightly.I felt Marcus' hand caressing my back, and when I turned my head to him, I saw his eyes filled with worry. "I'm sorry, Love."He looked at me apologetically, so I smiled at him and shook my head. "Why are you saying sorry?"Marcus reached for a tissue and wiped the side of my lips. "I feel bad seeing you go through this, but I can't do anything."I couldn't help but laugh seeing how cute he is. He looks guilty.I cupped his face and looked directly into his eyes. "Just stay by my side, that's more than enough, okay?"Marcus stared intently at my face, and then he nodded his head and smiled at me. "I won't leave you, I promise."I smiled upon hearing that, but I don't know what was wrong with me, I feel like I am about to cry again.Worry crossed his eyes again when tears fell from my eyes.

Marcus's POVThe news ended, and Gabriel's face vanished from the screen, but his words lingered.After a while, Amanda stepped inside the living room, looking at us with her face filled with confusion."What's happening here?" she asked, shifting her gaze to her husband and then to us.Before they could say anything, I stood up and gently pulled Lillian out of the couch.When I turned my head to Lillian, her face was pale, and she froze in place. "Love, let's go," I said, pulling her back to reality.She nodded her head and let me lead her out of the house, but before we could leave, Nicholas spoke."The news... is it true?" he asked, anticipation filling his eyes.I fell silent and hid Lillian behind my back, protecting her in case they would think of forcefully taking her from me.Nicholas didn't break off the gaze. "You killed someone?"I fell silent when I heard his question. I was torn if I should tell him everything or we should just run away again and find another place to hid