"You can't burn what's already been scorched."

***************

Lilly's POV

"How long do you plan on staying here?" Christian's question broke through my thoughts, drawing my attention away from the cup of coffee he had cradled between his fingers.

Meeting his gaze, I blinked. I felt my fingers tremble with anxiety, curling tighter around my cup, "Just a couple more days, it's been almost a month with me here," I murmured, "I should head back home soon."

He nodded in understanding, his eyes drifting down to trace the rim of his cup as he seemed lost in his thoughts. Lines creased his forehead, indicating a deeper contemplation, "It doesn't get better, does it?" he mumbled, his voice low as his eyes met mine again.

I shook my head, feeling a pang in my chest as I grasped the weight of his question. Losing Noah, losing a friend—it doesn't get better. No, at least, not for me. If anything, it keeps getting worse. I can't sleep. I can't eat. I can't think of anything else...

Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I asked, "How is Nathan?"

My question was enough to alter his whole body language, it felt like a tremor surged through his being and knocked down his façade. Christian backed into his seat, picked up his cup, and took another sip. He licked his lips, his gaze lost somewhere far away and unknown. I traced every movement he made, every twitch in his expression, and my trepidation doubled.

He shook his head, "Not good," He answered, a tinge of worry in his tone, a bit vague for me to understand. A loud sigh parted his lips and he read my questioning look, "It's a long story," he added with a small shake of his head, unwilling to dive into details.

I nodded, feigning being concerned and I leaned forward, "I caught a glimpse of him at the funeral but we didn't get the chance to talk," I started to say, testing the waters, checking if he knew that I had stabbed him that day. If not, I will be able to lay my bait and get what I want out of this.

Christian nodded his head, apparently clueless about that part still, I figured Nikolas wouldn't let anyone learn about what I had done.

"He really feels bad about what happened to Noah, Lilly," And here he goes defending him, "I know you may not get it now and I can't exactly blame you, it's just way too complicated. Nathan...he is an enigma himself but he isn't exactly the monster you see him as, it's just..." He sighed, a weight too heavy settling over his shoulders, "It's just a bit more complicated than what meets the eye."

How in god's name did he switch sides too fast? Didn't Nathan kidnap and threaten him less than a month ago? What could've happened since then?

I hid my confusion and shook my head, "I don't blame him, Christian. Actually, I don't blame anyone for what happened," I said, apparently lying, "To be honest, I no longer care about Nathan or all that he had done, from what I understood, he is no longer a threat and that's all I care about," I added, my weak energyless tone way too convincing, "I just want to leave it all behind me before I go back home, you know."

Christian nodded, a sense of understatement flashed in his eyes as he reached forward, gently covering my hand with his own on the table. My body tensed but I covered it up right away. His reassuring squeeze was welcomed by my side, and I hoped it would lure him further into my ploy.

"Which is why I passed by here, to be honest, I wanted to see you, to rip out that page of our lives, to wipe out everything bad that happened, to move on, from what you inflicted on me and what I've done to you as well," I added and each word was taking me a step closer toward my aim, "I wanted to tell you that I forgive you, for everything, and I hope you forgive me too."

"Lilly-"

"I am serious, Christian," I added, "Holding a grudge is not going to help anyone," I shook my head, "Life is so finite, I am beginning to understand that, you can say that just now I am seeing the big picture," A low breath pushed out of my lips, "I just want to start anew, you know, a clear white page."

A part of me wanted that for real. To go back and start from the beginning. To wipe out everything that happened after I left home and came to this cursed country...if only it were that easy.

He nodded, giving my hand another squeeze, "I get that, and I am glad you're doing this," He said, "That you're moving on, you should, I saw how it was slowly eating you up on the inside, and I just want you to be okay, Lilly."

I nodded, "Yeah, it became too exhausting, all the blame and hate and vengeance," I said, it is exhausting indeed, "But what happened had happened, it's in the past now, and we can no longer change it," I added, "You know, I was hoping to see Nathan too, to clear out that page as well," I mumbled, letting my gaze fall down, "I need to move on from that part too."

A low sigh pushed out of my lungs and I shook my head, "I wanted to call him, but I am not sure..." I lifted my gaze up, meeting his worried expression. My eyebrows pulled closer, ever so helplessly, pulling on the best role I've mastered over the past, the perfect damsel in distress, the part of me that I loathed, "What do you think I should do? Maybe it would be good if he and I talked face to face and cleared it out, maybe I'd really let go of the grudge I held against him all this time?"

He seemed to be thinking it through and I could see how I was so close to breaking through, my helpless, troubled self pulled at his weak strings, eluded his logic and he nodded his head, "I guess you are right," He said, a low breath pushing past his lips, "Maybe he too needs this," He added and I knew that I had won.

"If you want..." Christian started, a bit hesitant but my feeble expression won over and he added, "If you want, I can take you to him," He added.

A stuttered breath pushed past my lips, "You think it's a good idea, right?" I said, giving him the illusion that he was the one suggesting this. God, when did I become this good at manipulating people? Guess I took a page or two from his book.

"I mean I haven't come face to face with him since he was threatening to kill me," I added with a low sound that resembled a somber chuckle, addressing the absurdity of this situation.

Christian shook his head, "He won't hurt you in any way, Lilly, I am sure," He said, "You will get it when you see him," He added, "If I wasn't sure of this, I wouldn't even suggest it."

Where is all this trust coming from?

What do Nikolas and Christian see in him that we all don't? I don't get it.

I nodded my head, "You're right, I guess," I mumbled with a tinge of uncertainty.

"If you have time, I can take you now," He suggested as he glanced at his watch and I took a second or two, pretending to be thinking it through, "Uh- yeah, yeah, okay, why not," I added, "Let's finish our coffees first," I said with a very faint smile, raising my cup and clicked it with his.

A small smile curved his lips before he took another sip and my smile wavered. I felt so wrong, so evil, for being this manipulative person, for using him in this way. I tried to defend myself by thinking of all the times he had used me for his benefit but it didn't make me feel any better.

I pushed aside the negative thoughts clouding my mind and turned my gaze to the bustling activity outside the coffee shop. My goal here was one and only, to find Nathan and capture him. I knew Christian must've kept in touch with him. I also know that Nikolas has temporarily gone back home, so he won't be here to stop Emma's and my plans. This was my only chance.

After finishing our coffees, we got up and headed for Christian's car. I kept my senses on high alert, watching him up close, checking if the drug had taken its effect yet or not. I wanted to suggest driving there myself but it would come out suspicious so I allowed him to take the lead.

As we settled into our seats, I discreetly pulled out my phone, quickly typed a message, and sent it before tucking it back into my coat pocket, wary of being caught red-handed.

Christian navigated the cloudy streets of Cambridge, steering us toward an unfamiliar destination. I resisted the urge to ask where we were exactly heading to, reluctant to raise any suspicions. I silently watched the world outside, reminiscing old days, back when this town was more like a home to me.

I couldn't help but recall Dad's concern and anxiousness when I first told him about my desire to come and study here. God, all of his worries were in the right place. Parents just sense these kinds of things, don't they?

"So, I am going to be the one to address the elephant in the room," Christian started, grabbing my gaze at him. His eyes briefly met mine and he asked, "You and Chase...it's still going on?"

The lump in my throat grew and grew till it pressed over my lungs and constricted my airways; that's what the mere mention of him does to me. It weakens me. Scratches at the shattered walls of my heart and feeds salt to my inner scars.

Chase...he calls me, almost every day, almost like we didn't agree to keep our distance, almost like we are incapable of letting go.

"Not that it's any of your business," I said, raising an eyebrow at his audacity, "But we are taking a break, kinda."

"Oh," Christian said, and I couldn't decipher his expression, "I am sorry to hear that," He added and I don't know why but his sorrow felt genuine.

My eyes narrowed at him, "Don't start cooking up things in your mind," I grumbled, warning him to stick to his limits.

He flashed me the most innocent look ever, "Wha...what, I didn't say a damn thing!" He shot out, defending himself. Then, he returned his gaze to the road ahead and his lips twitched slightly. My glare hardened, he caught it, only adding amusement to his expression.

I huffed out in annoyance and turned my head to the window. On instinct, my hand went to my hair, my fingers delicately tracing the soft silky material of the ribbon, my heart all types of messy and a low sigh pushed out of my lips. I miss him like crazy already.

Christian steered the car onto another street, then turned right onto a road leading to a house I'd never been in before. I kept my curiosity tucked under wraps, unwilling to question anything yet.

As Christian parked the car, I finally sensed the shift in his demeanor. The way he ran a hand over his face, rubbed his eyes, fighting the drug's effect before he ran his fingers through his hair. Sucking into a deep breath, he announced, "We're here," before stepping out.

I went down and followed him to the porch, where he paused by the front door. Instead of ringing the bell, he retrieved keys from his pocket. "You have keys to his place," I couldn't help but comment.

Christian nodded, "Yeah, I've been dropping by a lot lately," he explained, the reasons still too vague for me to comprehend.

He unlocked the door and gestured for me to enter, following closely behind. I glanced around the silent house before my attention returned to Christian, noting the heavy shift in his demeanor. His eyelids drooped, and he rubbed his fingers over his temples, teetering on the edge of exhaustion.

I knew I had to intervene.

I gulped down, "You don't look so good," I mumbled, my fingers twitching on the side, not used to all of this.

He tried to fight through it, a harsh breath pushed off his lungs, "I am just feeling a bit dizzy," He mumbled, his tone dropping down, heavy with fatigue. He tried to move forward, but each step seemed to further weigh him down. He paused and his palm fell into the wall beside him, attempting to balance himself.

My eyes widened and my hand shot to his arm, curling around it, "Christian," I mumbled, helping as I carefully led him to the nearby couch, "Come, sit here."

He dropped on the couch and rushed a hand over his face, trying to comprehend the sudden decline in his state. His eyes opened, meeting mine as I mumbled, "I am so sorry," I whispered, guiltily.

Sensing that something was out of the ordinary, his expression twisted, "What did you do, Lilly?" He said, coming to terms with my actions, attempting to get up but he was so out of it now, he could no longer fight through it.

Shaking my head, I gently urged him back onto the couch, "It's... it's okay. It's nothing harmful. It will just temporarily knock you down, that's all," I explained, easing his head onto the pillow. "I knew you wouldn't accept this and you'd fight me on it. They... they would hurt you if you fought back, so...so this is better, okay?"

He struggled to move, to keep his eyes open, but the sedative's effects were too prominent now. "Lilly," he whispered lowly, a tinge of anger and disappointment in his wavering voice before the drug pulled him deep into unconsciousness.

I made sure he was okay and settled right on the couch before I got up to my feet and straightened myself, my gaze flickering around, and searching for my main target.

I left Christian behind in the living room and headed up the stairs, my eyes cautiously drifting right and left. My senses stayed on high alert as I paved my way around the house. My hand reached for the gun in my bag, pulling out and securing it between my fingers, ready to defend myself. When it comes to Nathan, I've learned to expect the unexpected.

But something felt out of the ordinary; the house was eerily silent.

It made me question if I was even in the right place.

Approaching the room at the end of the hallway, its door slightly ajar, I proceeded with cautious steps. My heart retched higher as I pressed my palm over the wooden surface and carefully pushed the door further, gaining a view of what lay inside.

I felt my body tense a bit, my fingers tightening over the gun in my hand and my eyebrows pulled closer in utter confusion. On the bed, he was lying, fast asleep, unaware of the danger brewing too close to him.

My gaze took a quick glance around the room, taking notice of the IV bag hanging in the corner, to the many medicine bottles scattered over the nightstand, next to them laid a couple of napkins; the red blood painting their material was too prominent for me to not notice.

My fingers shook slightly over the cold weapon in my grip and I felt out of place, unable to understand a thing.

Was it my presence, or maybe the loud beating of my heart, or my confusion that tumbled out in waves, I didn't know what it was but it had Nathan slowly arise from his slumber. I watched as he tiredly blinked his eyes open, gaining consciousness before his eyes moved around and found me at the entrance.

He didn't look shocked, not in the slightest.

Instead, he pressed his palms over the mattress, pulling his body up, internally wincing at the very simple act. He ran a trembling hand over his face, blinking his eyes open before they met mine, "Lilly," He mumbled, the tone of his voice so different, weaker. His eyebrow raised, "To what I owe this pleasure," he added ever so sarcastically.

My eyes swept all over his face, trying to discern the truth of what was happening over here. His face was so pale, a sick type of pale. He appeared thinner, as if his strength had been sapped by some unseen force. His eyes were hazy and exhausted, almost like he hadn't slept for days. His hair has gotten longer, a generous mess on the top of his head.

He didn't look like himself.

"You look..." I started to say, scrunching my eyebrows as I attempted to search for the right adjective.

His lips lifted in a faint weak smile, "Dashing?" He completed the sentence on my behalf before he dangled his legs off the bed, his palms pressing tight, pain twisting his expression as he attempted to get up, balancing his weakened body on two feet, "Handsome?" He added, "Ravishing?" He gave me a wink, "Which one is it, take your pick."

When he got up to his feet and walked a couple of steps away from his bed and toward me, only then did he notice the gun in my hand, pointed at the floor which caused him to pause in his tracks. His eyes flickered up and met mine, his eyebrows raising, "The stab didn't satisfy you, I see," He commented, ever so casually.

"Let me guess, you somehow convinced Christian to bring you here?" He asked, figuring out my plan without me uttering a single word, "And let me guess again, Emma's loyal soldiers are on their way here to get me, aren't they?"

My breathing quickened and when he took another weakened step forward, I involuntarily took one backward. He paused and raised his hands in surrender, "No need to be scared, little one," he said, nodding ahead at my gun, "You are the one with the weapon, not me."

"What's wrong?" I asked, pointing ahead at the IV bag and the medicines.

He followed my gaze and shrugged, "You know, the usual," He said, sighing lowly, "The whole me dying and all, no biggie."

My eyebrows pulled closer, what? Dying?

I was so lost in my thoughts, trying to gather clues from here and there, trying to solve this riddle that I didn't notice how he got close, so close, pausing only when he was a foot or two away from me.

My jaw tightened and I kept my unwavering gaze focused on his own, unwilling to give up to him despite all. My fingers tightened over the gun and Nathan noticed my hostile reaction. He only smiled in return, his smiles were always too innocent, seemed too pure, that you'd never be able to associate him with the psychopath who wanted to rein hell on my family.

Standing up close, I couldn't help but scrutinize every minute detail of his face. The faint redness that rimmed the area below his eyes. The beads of sweat glistened on his temples, betraying the fever coursing through his veins. The faint scar etched at the side of his eyebrow.

And his eyes, the hues of green and gold, now appeared dulled, dimmed down by some type of sickness and suffering. The hazel depths mirrored the turmoil within him. They held a haunting emptiness.

But I also glimpsed in them a silent plea, a yearning for something unknown.

I didn't know what I was feeling anymore, or why I was feeling like this. Maybe it was empathy? But why would I feel bad for someone like him? He didn't feel bad when he stabbed my brother, nor when he pushed little Nathan off the cliff. He didn't feel bad when he threatened Noah and led him to his death...So neither should I.

"So, Lilly," he spoke, his eyes searching my face as well, trying to capture something too, "Tell me, are you heartless enough to kill a dying man?" He added, his eyebrow arching a bit, almost like he was challenging me, willing me to actually do it.

Even in this state, he won't give up, won't stop with his fucked-up games.

"You were heartless enough to break apart your family," he commented, aiming for my very weak spots. He took another step closer, urging me to take one back, "You were heartless enough to step over my friend's heart," He added, another step forward pushed me backward.

My back collided with the wall but Nathan didn't stop. He moved his arm and his palm pressed right by my face, trapping me within him and the wall, rendering me defenseless with his fucked-up words, "You were heartless enough to flip your brother's life upside down."

Tears glistened in my eyes when he added, "You were heartless enough to put Noah's life in danger."

"Stop," I whispered, my heart quivering with a type of guilt I would have to carry till my last breath.

"Noah is dead because of you, not me, you know that, right?" He added, playing games, a game I am so weak at, one I lose every time I dare to tread through it.

One tear pushed past the barrier and fell down, weakly trickling down my cheek because I believed in those words. Nathan's gaze followed the path it strode. He ever so gently brought his hand to my face, his thumb slowly brushed it off, and his eyebrows pulled closer as he eyed his thumb, almost like he was trying to decipher something as well.

"We are very bad people, aren't we," He added over a low whisper, speaking to this gaping ache in my foundation.

His eyes flickered back to my own, "I mean I do own it after all; all the bad and the darkness. I don't pretend to be anything otherwise," He said, his gaze flickering to the gun tightly held in my grip, "And I see you are finally owning it, too."

"Gotta admit, I am impressed," He added, amusement dancing in the dying hues of his hazel eyes.

My jaw ticked and I finally gathered enough strength, pulling my hand up and harshly pressing the barrel against his chest, right up against his beating heart, "Don't think I won't pull the trigger," I grated out.

His gaze fell down to the gun, and he smiled, lifting his head and looking at me, not even attempting to fight back nor stop or push me away, "See, ever so heartless," He commented and I allowed him to feed into my own self-loathing.

I nodded, "Looks like I am," I said, biting the inside of my cheek to keep myself intact and not shatter at the seams.

"Do it, really, pull the trigger, Lilly, you'd be doing me a favor actually," He said, and he looked like he meant it, almost like he had surrendered to his fate.

Just then, I heard the shuffling noises coming from downstairs, the door slamming open, and the hurried footsteps as they tried to reach for us, for him, "They're here," I whispered.

Nathan's eyes stayed focused on mine, none of this caused a single twitch in his expression, none of this affected him the slightest and his neutral reaction drove me beyond insanity.

I pulled my gun-wielding hand away, frustrated, "Why aren't you doing anything?" I shot out.

He shrugged, "Do what?" He said, "Lilly, do I look like someone who can easily get scared," He pointed out, edging his head backward just enough for me to breathe again, "When you've been through what I've lived, you kind of lose the sense of what fear actually feels like."

"You can't burn what's already been scorched." He added.

My eyebrows pulled closer, trying to discern the depth behind his words but it was late because they were here. A couple of them marched into the room, hands curling over his arm and pulling him away from me. His eyes were still on mine, and he smiled, and winked, "See you on the other side, little one," He said before they dragged him away.

I stayed frozen in my spot, trying to make sense of the tumbling feelings raging war in my chest. I sucked in a deep breath before I pushed the gun back into my bag. I pulled my phone and dialed Emma, pressing the phone to my ear as I waited for her to pick up.

When she answered, I informed her without introduction, "They got him."

There was a short pause on her side before she said, "Okay, good."

"You're coming back now?" She asked, a tinge of worry in her voice.

"I will just stay here for a bit, I will come back later at night if it's okay," I said, needing a few hours alone before I'd have to go and face Uncle Roman, who would tell Dad about this and then, I will have to face dad himself. Yeah, I am not ready at all.

"Okay," Emma said, "Just be careful," Her voice softened a bit, "And call me if you need anything."

"I will, thank you," I mumbled before I bid her goodbye and hung up.

I rushed a hand over my face, gathering myself together before I stepped out. I went down the stairs, heading to where I left Christian, checking on him one last time before I'd leave. He was still passed out on the couch, unaware of what just transpired in here.

I crouched by his side and gazed at him guiltily, "You gonna be angry, I know, but you need to understand my position in all of this," I mumbled, the lump in my throat growing with every passing second. I shook my head, refusing to fall into that dark pit and I straightened myself, turned around, and left.

*****************

I stared at the bottom of my empty glass, I ran my fingertip over the rim of the glass, trying to think but my mind felt all jumbled up. How many of these had I already had?

The bartender, Jacob, approached, his eyes flicking to my glass and then to my face, "Do you want me to call you a cab?" he asked, his eyebrow raised in concern.

I managed a smile and slid the glass toward him. "Another one," I requested, ever so sweetly.

"You've had enough, I guess," he replied.

I pouted and shook my head, "Who made you the fun police, Jacob? Just get me another one," I insisted. He sighed, reluctantly refilling my glass before disappearing again.

I took a big gulp, the alcohol burning down my throat and I lifted my gaze, allowing it to wander all over the place, recalling back old days. This is where I first met Christian. This is where the gang hung out most of the time; Christian, Nathan, and me.

With a scoff at the bitter memories, I downed the last of my drink, finishing it already.

I scanned the bar for Jacob to refill my glass, but he was nowhere to be seen. Frustrated, I reached into my purse and pulled out my phone. The screen was blurry, making it hard to navigate. Finally finding Chase's number, I dialed and pressed the phone to my ear, desperate to hear his voice.

Much to my luck, his phone was turned off and I got directed to voicemail.

Sighing loudly, I found myself talking and leaving a message, "Hey, Chasey," I mumbled lowly, "Are you flying now," I pressed my cheek over my arm, feeling the whole room and the world around me spin out of control, "I miss you so much, I wish you were here," I whispered, gazing at a distance, at nothing in specific, "I did a bad thing, I guess," I mumbled, unaware of what I was speaking, my brain getting way too intoxicated by the amount of alcohol I've consumed, "I keep pretending that I can do it on my own, but I can't, I need you, more than I should."

I felt the tears glistening in my eyes, blurring my eyesight even more. I sniffled, "I am sorry, I don't know what I am saying," I mumbled feebly, "I just wanna go home."

I wiped at my cheeks with my sleeves, "Call me when you get this, okay, please, I want to hear your voice."

Locking my phone, I pushed it into my purse and pressed my forehead over my arms, closing my eyes and trying to get a grip on the dizziness threatening to knock me unconscious.

I thought only a minute or two passed but maybe it was more. I wasn't sure. I heard footsteps nearing me and then felt a looming tall presence next to me, urging me to pull my head and look up, my hazy gaze falling on a very very angry Christian.

His palm landed on the marble countertop ahead of me, right next to my drink, "What the hell did you do, Lilly?" he grated out, frustration seeping within his words and darkening the shade of his eyes.

I blinked, trying to adjust my eyesight, "Oh wow, I am seeing two of you, right now," I mumbled before I rubbed at my eyes, attempting to clear my vision.

Christian's hand curled over my arm, a bit too harsh as he attempted to pull me off the stool, "Come with me," He shot out, angrily.

I pulled my arm back, "Don't touch me," I grumbled, glaring up at him, "How did you know I was here?"

"Jacob called me," He said and I gasped, turning around to glare at Jacob, who came and picked up my empty glass, "Traitor!" I pointed an accusing finger at him.

He shrugged, raising his hands in defense before he backed away. I kept glaring at him, "No tip for you this time," I grumbled out before I felt the whole world spin and twirl. It took me a second to comprehend how Christian grabbed my arm and pulled me off the stool, "Jacob, add this to my tab," he said, before he grabbed my bag and coat, dragging me along.

I tried to fight but my drunk brain wasn't issuing the right orders to my body, "Leave me, leave me," I whined, fake crying as I tried to pull away but Christian didn't relent, insistive as he pulled me out of the bar.

The blast of cold air hit me as we stepped outside, and I shivered, feeling the cold mix with the warmth of alcohol, threatening to make me sick. I felt like I might throw up.

My steps faltered, or perhaps Christian stopped dragging me, "Lilly," he said, his voice a bit calmer now, a bit softer too. I blinked the blurriness away and lifted my head to him, "Huh?"

His eyebrows pulled closer, his worried gaze caressing my face, "Are you feeling okay?" He asked, likely picking up on the inner turmoil evident in my expression and my pallid complexion.

I shook my head, "No," I mumbled.

His grip on my arm became gentler as he led me to his car, opening the passenger seat and urging me to sit down. He reached for something, and I felt a cool sensation against my lips. "It's water, just drink it. You'll feel better," he murmured, and I took a few sips, welcoming the refreshing relief against my burning insides.

Christian set the bottle aside, his eyes lingering on my face. He lifted his hand and brushed my hair away from my eyes, tucking it behind my ears. "Do you feel better?" he inquired, and I nodded, the urge to vomit subsiding.

"Okay, sit well," He urged, guiding me back before he leaned, hovering over me as he pulled my seatbelt and tucked it in place.

I looked at him, my eyebrows pulling closer as I weakly mumbled, "Are you kidnapping me?"

His lips twitched slightly and he shook his head, "No," His expression shifted back to serious and then he asked, "Where is Nathan, Lilly?"

I shook my head cluelessly, "They took him, I don't know to where, I didn't ask," I mumbled, honestly.

His jaw tightened and he shook his head in utter bewilderment, "I can't believe you, Lilly," He grated out, his anger rushing back before he straightened himself, huffing out in frustration as he clicked my door shut.

A second or two later, he climbed into the driver's seat, roaring the engine to life and driving off. I glanced around, then back at him, my eyes widening slightly, "You're kidnapping me?"

He turned his head around and looked at me, "No, Lilly, I am not," He said, trying to reassure me.

I sighed in relief and rested the back of my head against the seat, sinking into it.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"To my place," He said, "To help you sober up."

"Uh-huh," I mumbled.

"What did you think you were going to do?" He asked in disappointment, scolding me, "Get yourself drunk, and then what?"

I shrugged, "I don't know, I didn't think that far," I mumbled. Then, I chuckled lowly at the thought, "I do that a lot, don't I?" I mumbled, mocking myself, "Doing things without thinking, huh?"

He glanced at me and nodded, "Yeah, you tend to do that a lot," He rushed a hand over his face, and frustration seeped out, tangling with his next words, "Nathan is sick, Lilly, he needs to be looked after, not kidnapped and god knows what else you all are planning to do to him."

"He looks sick," I mumbled.

"It's because he is," He said, the worry from before consuming his features.

"You care about him still," I pointed out.

"Of course, I do," He said, his fingers tightening over the steering wheel, "Despite everything, he was all I had," He shook his head, his voice dropping lower, "I don't expect you to understand that."

"I understand," I mumbled.

Christian turned to me, his gaze flickered all over my face and body, "Do you feel cold?" He checked, his hand reaching out for mine, squeezing it gently, and checking my temperature.

I shook my head, "No."

He turned his attention back to the road and I found myself saying, "I am sorry," I mumbled, "For drugging you."

The muscles of his jaw worked, "I still can't believe you did that, you tricked me."

"You would've stopped me."

"Of course, I would've!"

I nodded, "And they would've hurt you, they are not exactly nice people," I mumbled, my voice dropping lower.

I felt my energy getting depleted as time passed, so, I allowed my eyelids to glide down for a second or two before I pried them open again. I turned my head, looking at Christian, "Are you kidnapping me again?"

His lips twitched, smiling before he glanced at me, "No, Lilly, I promise I am not kidnapping you."

"Okay, cool," I mumbled.

I turned my body around, pressed my cheek against the seat, and closed my eyes, "Can I sleep, just a little bit?"

"Yeah, sure," he mumbled softly, and I felt his fingers gently brush my hair away before I sank further down, losing myself to the darkness and the haunting nightmares etched into my unconsciousness.

***************

Chase's POV

It's been three weeks.

Three long weeks since I last saw her, and I can't deny how fucking hard it has been.

I've gotten so used to seeing her on a daily basis, to have her be just next door, to have her in my bed, between my arms almost every night.

Every moment without her became a torment, a relentless ache that clawed at my soul. I've grown so accustomed to her warmth, to the way her laughter filled the hallowed rooms of my house, and how her touch ignited my senses and heart in ways no one else can.

She asked for distance, and I partially gave it to her. But, I can't anymore. I am incapable of granting her that wish. Which is why I switched flights and took the one to London today. Giving her space years ago only led to losing her, and I refuse to make the same mistake again. Also, for the past few days, I've been having this gnawing nagging feeling in my chest, almost like I could sense something not quite alright with her.

So, when I landed, turned my phone on, and listened to her voicemail, my trepidation doubled, the worry consuming me entirely.

Once I was out of the airport and inside the car I'd rented, I immediately dialed her. Unfortunately, she didn't pick up. I called her another time, then again, insistent but no answer came.

I briefly checked with her Uncle Roman and he informed me that she wasn't with them but rather in Cambridge. So, it was logical for me to lose all of my fucking nerves.

I set my path in that direction and started driving, I connected the phone to the car's Bluetooth and dialed her yet again, not willing to give up till she picks up. This time, the call was answered, but it wasn't her voice that echoed in the car.

"Hello," His voice had me tense, my grip on the wheel tightened, the anger crawling and blinding me.

"Where is Lilly?" I shot out immediately.

He sighed, "She is here, she is okay, worry not," He mumbled, "Anyway, I don't know where you are but how fast can you get to England?"

My eyebrows pulled closer, "I am already here," I answered.

"Oh," He said, apparently shocked, "Okay good, I will send you a location, get here as fast as you can, I can't handle her on my own," He grumbled and I heard Lilly's voice in the distance.

"What the hell did you do?" I grated out, the rage burning fire in my chest, trying to comprehend why was she with him out of all the places.

"Believe me, I didn't do a thing this time," He said, sighing again, "Lilly, can you stop breaking my stuff?" He said in frustration, his voice growing distanced as he pulled the phone away and tried to stop her from doing something.

"You kidnapped me!" I heard her shout out.

"I didn't kidnap you for god's sake," He shot back in bewilderment.

"Christian, I swear to god-" I started to say through gritted teeth, seething at the mere thought.

"I didn't kidnap her!" He interrupted me, defending himself, "She is drunk and wasted," he huffed out, "God, I forgot how uncontrollable she gets when drunk, just get here as fast as you can, I am so done with this," He grumbled, Lilly pushing all of his nerves and that slightly satisfied me.

"Give the phone to her," I said, not willing to indulge him further in this.

I heard him speak with her but then the sound of something crashing echoed from his side, "Goddammit, Lilly!" He grated out before I heard him say my name, probably convincing her to take the phone.

"Chase," Her panicked voice dissolved into a soft one, filling the car and I breathed in relief.

"Lilly, hey, are you okay?" I checked once again, not fully trusting the guy.

"Uh-huh, yeah, but...but stupid Christian kidnapped me-"

"I didn't!" He shot in the back.

"Come here and take me away, okay?" The slurring of her words reflected that she was indeed drunk.

"I will be there in less than an hour, okay?" I reassured her, "Just stay safe, I will be there before you know it."

"Okay," She mumbled weakly, "I miss you so much," She added ever so sadly, "Don't be angry at me, please."

I shook my head and a sigh pushed off my lungs, "I am not angry at you, Lilly," I said, sensing that something did happen, or she wouldn't be in this state nor would she be in Christian's house of all places, "When I get there, we'll talk all about it, okay?"

"Okay," She whispered lowly.

"Chase," She added again, my name slurring out of her mouth ever so softly.

"Yes, little ribbon," I said and I could sense the shift in her tone, becoming slightly better, almost like she was smiling, "I love it when you call me that," She mumbled, "Also...also get me cake when you come, okay?" She requested, "I want cake." 

I chuckled lowly and nodded, "Yeah, sure, I will get you whatever you want."

"You are the best," She said, then her voice became a bit distant as she said to Christian, "You jackass, close your ears," She told him before pressing the phone back to her ear, "Chasey, I love you, so much," She whispered to me, the yearning in her tone tugged at my heartstring, proving to me that I should've never left her here alone.

"I love you too, Lilly," I said, breathing the words in, my fingers involuntarily tightening over the wheel, feeling all out of sorts, "Now, just wait for me and I'll be there as quickly as I can, okay," I said, "And stop breaking Christian's things," I added, a hint of playfulness in my voice.

Her low chuckle, like music to my ears, filled the silence, easing the tension even for just a moment, "Okay, I won't," she promised.

"But if he comes near me, I will use my gun on him," She added with a threatening tone and I heard him grumble something in the background.

I smiled, "Yeah, that's my girl."

"Yeah, I am," She mumbled, a bit of giddiness surging in her voice, "See you soon, Chasey?"

"See you soon," I said before she bid me goodbye and we hung up.

Picking up my speed, I navigated the car toward the location Christian sent me and drove there as fast as I could.

Less than an hour later, I pulled up to the building complex, my heart pounding with uneasiness. Parking the car, I scanned the area, confirming I was in the right place. With determined steps, I entered the building and made my way to the intended floor, nerves coiling in my stomach as I approached the apartment.

Standing before the door, I didn't hesitate before pressing the bell. The sound of footsteps echoed from within before the door swung open. Christian's eyes met mine, a mixture of relief and apprehension flickering in his gaze as he stepped aside, silently granting me entrance.

The moment I took a step in, and before I could part my lips to speak, my eyes fell on Lilly as she stepped out of one of the rooms, her eyes widening in delight at my sight. She leaped forward and jogged so fast, jumping on me and all I felt was her body crashing into my chest.

My arms wrapped her up, engulfing her little body in mine, my hand cradling the back of her head and she tightened her arms around me. Her presence enveloped me, her warmth seeping into my bones, melting away the tension that had plagued me for weeks. "You're here," she murmured against my chest, her voice laced with relief and happiness.

She edged back a fraction, her hazy gaze met mine, a beautiful lazy smile gracing her lips. I couldn't help but return the smile, the weight of the world lifting off my shoulders in her presence.

Cupping her cheek tenderly, I traced her features, memorizing every curve and line of her face.

"You look so drunk," I remarked softly. She giggled in response, nodding slightly, "I kind of am," she confessed, her words slurring out.

My smile widened a bit as I drank into her beautiful face, my thumb gently brushing her soft cheek, remembering what it was like to have her so close, her familiar scent pushing into my lungs and calming down my erratic heart.

She pushed herself back into my embrace, sinking and savoring this little moment. I engulfed her again, my eyelids dropping down before I pried them open, they flickered up and met Christians's at a close distance across from us.

A tense silence settled between us as our eyes locked. I could see the conflict churning within him, the struggle evident in the way his jaw clenched. He turned his head away, averting his gaze, refusing to watch this any longer, his fingers on the side twitching before he curled them into a fist.

When Lilly pulled back, I looked at her and softly asked, not accusing, just simply seeking understanding, "What happened, Lilly?" I asked, "What did you do?"

Her lips formed a pout as she shifted slightly away from me, but I refused to let her break contact entirely. My grip remained firm around her waist, anchoring her wavering form to me. Her gaze darted briefly to Christian before returning to me, her expression clouded with guilt, "I drugged him," she admitted, her confession only serving to deepen my confusion.

"You did what?"

She nodded, ever so guiltily, gulping anxiously, "Yeah, and I helped Emma capture Nathan," She added, "But...but I don't like it. He looked so sick. I don't like this. I—I don't...I don't know what I should do anymore."

My gaze flickered to Christian, silently seeking confirmation. He nodded solemnly, affirming every word that had passed her lips.

"Is this why you wanted to stay here?" I asked, finally figuring it out, and she nodded her head, "To capture Nathan?"

She nodded her head again, her teeth digging into her lower lip nervously, "Yeah."

A heavy breath pushed off my lungs and I looked around before I turned to Lilly, "Let me get you out of here and we can figure out the rest later," I mumbled. It wasn't exactly the ideal place to be at now—her ex-boyfriend's apartment.

She raised her shoulder in refusal, "No, no, I don't wanna go there now," She mumbled, fear consuming her expression, "I am sure Emma told Dad that she has Nathan now, and he will come here, and he will know what I did, and he will be angry and we will fight," Tears glistened in her eyes, "I don't want us to fight."

I shook my head, attempting to reason with her, but drunk Lilly wasn't to be reasoned with, "He won't, you won't fight, we will figure it out, okay, I promise," My hand reached for hers, "For now, let's just go—"

She pulled her hand, shook her head, and moved backward, hiding behind Christian, "I don't wanna go there," She mumbled, like a little kid running away from me.

Christian turned to her and sighed loudly at her contradictive actions, "You are seriously giving me a whiplash."

Her lips formed a pout, her eyes on me still, pleading me to listen.

I roughed a frustrated hand over my face and Christian turned back to me, "You both can stay here till she sobers up," He said, ever so energyless, apparently fed up with all of this, "Reasoning with drunk her ain't gonna get us anywhere."

I hated to admit it, but he was right.

Lilly realized that I wasn't going to fight her further on this and her lips broke into a small accomplished smile, finally stepping away from behind Christian, and pausing ahead of us.

Her hazy eyes flickered between the two of us, then her expression shifted a hundred eighty degrees. A devilish glint in them as they mischievously roamed me from head to toe, then they traveled to Christian beside me, then back to me once more and she smiled, "You know —you two are so handsome, you know that?" She said, giggling lowly as the alcohol eluded her of all her common senses.

Her eyebrow raised, "We should have a threesome."

My eyes widened and I could feel Christian's horrified gaze falling on me. I turned to him and shot out, "Don't even think about it!"

"I wasn't!" He shot back in bewilderment before he pointed at Lilly, "Please control your girl," He grumbled in annoyance, "I called you here for a reason, I've had enough for one day."

Sighing loudly, I shot a glare at her and she hid her face with her hand, attempting to evade our disapproving looks. Peeking at us through the small gap between her fingers, she seemed to sense the tension in the air.

I turned to Christian, my silent question loud for him, and he nodded, pointing ahead, "The guest room is there, take her, make her sleep, please," He grumbled in annoyance. 

I moved forward, my hand curled over Lilly's arm, pulling her along and toward the end of the hallway, counting the minutes for this to be over already.

Lilly said nothing as we entered the room and I clicked the door shut behind us. I took a pause and my gaze fell on her. Guiltily, she peered up at me through her eyelashes, "You're mad at me?" She asked, with such weak innocence that ripped my heart apart.

I nodded my head, "Yes, I am."

She pouted, her eyes instantly getting filled with tears, "Don't be mad, please," She mumbled, sniffling and I threw my head back with a low sigh, looking at the ceiling as I asked for patience and control. God, she is something else entirely, isn't she?

I looked back at her, gathering my control, bringing my hand to her face, brushing the few tears that fell through, "Don't cry," I said, my eyebrow arching.

"Do you forgive me?" She mumbled and I wasn't sure for what she was seeking forgiveness but I nodded my head nevertheless, putting an end to her tears.

She smiled somberly through her tears and pushed herself forward, wrapping her arms again around my waist, "I missed you so much," She mumbled, "Did you come here just to see me?"

"Why else would I be here, Lilly," I answered, hugging her back, my chin pressing over the top of her head.

"I am so sorry I pushed you away," She mumbled sorrowfully, "I just didn't want to be with you and lie to you about this," She edged backward and shook her head, "I don't want to ever lie to you," She added, "Because...because I know how much it hurt when you...lied to me."

Her words had me suck into a deep breath and I shook my head, "I didn't lie to you, Lilly," I tried to explain, "It's just...your father was so worried about you, I was too, and I was just waiting for an excuse to bring you back into my life," I rested my hand below her chin, lifting her head so she'd meet my eyes and read the truth in them, "Everything we lived and went through, every word I said, it was never a lie or an act, you know that," I added.

"You know the power you hold over me, Lilly," I added over a low whisper, my gaze flickering to her hair, to the blue ribbon she had fixed and tied around the soft strands and my lips twitched, the wave of emotions that surged through my heart almost made me lose control again, teetering on the edge of something unknown and so dangerous.

I brought my hand up and fixed the ribbon, "You are my one and only, you know that."

My words erased that fear in her eyes and her lips lifted into a soft smile, gazing at me like I held the secret to fix everything wrong in her life. I caressed her face, "Now, how about you rest and when you wake up, we'll get out of here and deal with all of this together?"

She nodded her head, her body relaxing, "Okay."

I led her to the bed after, urging her to get in and rest. I sat beside her but she tugged at my arm, urging me to lay down beside her as well. I did as she wanted and pulled her closer to me, plastering her body to my own. She kept staring at me with those hazy baby eyes that had witnessed so much, so early, and I wished to erase all the bad and replace it with good only.

She edged closer and pecked my lips, "When I sober up, we'll have make-up sex, right?" She asked, ever so casually, pushing me to smile as I nodded my head, indulging her in all the nonsense.

She smiled back, "Also you will get me a cake?" She asked and I nodded, "I want it to be vanilla flavored with fruits and strawberries," She requested and I nodded, running my hand through her hair, soothing her down so she could relax and fall asleep.

"I will get you all the cake you want," I said and she smiled widely, her eyelids fluttering down in exhaustion, "And all the sex I want?" She checked again with a low whisper and I nodded with a low chuckle, "Yeah, that too."

"Cool," She mumbled in satisfaction, her smile happy as she rested her head against my chest and she slowly drifted back to sleep.

When I made sure she was fully asleep, I carefully backed out of the bed, pulling the blanket and covering her body, tucking it below her neck before I bent down and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

I edged backward and left the room, softly clicking the door behind me, and headed back to the living room where Christian was seated. He had a hot cup of something in his hand, sipping on it as he read through some book.

My footsteps echoed close and he lifted his head, "She fell asleep?" He checked and I nodded.

Exhaustion weighed heavily on my limbs and I dropped on the couch, next to him. He lifted the cup in his hand up, "You want tea?" He asked, "I have a class tomorrow so I can't drink," He added in annoyance, "Even though I desperately need it."

I sighed and nodded, "I can't drink either so tea will do just fine."

Recognition flashed in his eyes, "Oh yeah, pilot, true," He recalled and I nodded.

He discarded the book away and got up, pouring me a cup and placing it ahead of me. He settled back in his place, inched his cup, and clicked it with mine, "Cheers," He mumbled, his voice void of energy.

"By the way, I told Nikolas that they got Nathan," he informed, out of the blue and opening up a conversation, "He knows Lilly is here too, he said he'll come and get her," He added, "For your information."

My lips curled up in annoyance and I sank into the cushion, "I am too exhausted to deal with him right now."

Christian sighed, agreeing with me to some level, "I just want him to find Nathan before they hurt him, that's all I care about now."

I took a sip of the hot liquid and turned to him. He met my gaze and sighed, "Everyone seems to get shocked whenever I mention this," He remarked, addressing my expression.

I nodded, "Last time I checked, you were working against him," I pointed out.

"Well, when you learn that your friend is going to die in a couple of months, your perspective shifts a bit," He added, his jaw tightening at the mere thought and I decided to not question it further.

He eyed me for a long second, "Are you on their side, too?" He asked.

I shook my head, "I am on no one's side," I said, "I could care less about Nathan or whoever," I added, "All I want is for Lilly to be okay and safe, no more, no less." And this, all of this, it's stripping away her strength and happiness, it's slowly eating her up and I don't know what to do anymore.

Christian seemed to absorb every word I spoke and he nodded his head, "You were always too good for her," He said, not very happy with that fact, "I knew it from the very start," he lifted his gaze from his cup and looked at me, smiling, and his eyebrow arched playfully, "Which is why I didn't like you very much."

A low sigh parted his lips and he turned his head away, "You see, there is a big difference between you and me," He added, tracing the rim of his cup, "If she sets the world on fire, you'd put it out and protect her from the flames," His eyebrow raised, "While me, I will be the one handing her the matches."

I nodded, aware of that fact, "Which is why I don't like you very much."

My words made him face me again and he smiled, "You know, in another circumstance, I believe you and I would've made good friends."

I shook my head, "I agree to disagree," I said and he chuckled lowly.

"Let me make one thing clear over here," He said, his tone shifting back to serious, "I am not..." His throat bobbed, "I am not pursuing after her anymore," He shook his head, "It's a losing battle I don't want to partake in anymore."

He placed his cup on the countertop and extended his hand forward, "So, can we put an end to this feud between us?"

My gaze fell onto his extended hand and I placed my hand in his, "There is no feud," I stated, shrugging casually, "I just don't like you, that's all."

His lips twitched, nodding his head and accepting my honesty as we shook hands, declaring peace somehow.

He let out a low sigh and backed away, "She is a wild little thing," His voice dropped lower so did his gaze, "Just...take good care of her."

I could read it all over his face, in his body language; whatever fucked-up feelings he still has for her and none of it settled well with me. My jaw tightened at the mere thought because even if he wasn't willing to act on it, he still harbored feelings for her. It wasn't right. None of this was. She was only mine, mine to love, mine to look after, mine to worry about...no one else's.

My gaze flickered around the house and I couldn't help the anger that seethed in my veins, the resentment for whichever memories they shared within these four walls.

It wasn't supposed to be like this.

None of this was supposed to go south the way it did.

I couldn't control it, the anger, the rage, the fury that took over my insides, scratching at my lungs, pressing tighter over my airways, and strangling me. I placed my cup away and brought my hand to my chest, rubbing at it to blunt the ache.

I scrambled to find a mental refuge, desperate to quell the rising storm within me before it erupted and lashed out. However, my attempts at finding peace were abruptly shattered by the resounding bang on the door, jolting me out.

Christian exchanged a knowing glance with me before rising to his feet. I followed after him. He swung it open, revealing a very angry unsatisfied Nikolas, and I couldn't suppress a sigh.

His lips parted to say something just as his gaze flickered from Christian to me. If possible, his anger multiplied, "Why are you fucking everywhere?" He shot out in bewilderment.

I answered his hostility with a blank look, unwilling to bother myself with him.

His jaw ticked and he pushed himself inside, "Where is she?" He asked, pointing the question at Christian, who said nothing in return.

A frustrated sound made it out of Nikolas's throat and he marched forward, pushing past Christian, his gaze flickering around and searching for her. Heading down the hallway, I followed, especially when he pushed the door open and noticed her passed out on the bed. Wasting no time, he marched forward, leaned down, and scooped her up in his arms. 

"Where do you think you are taking her?" I shot out.

He faced me with palpable harshness, "Look, I am way too furious to deal with you right now, I've had it up till here," Rage darkened his gaze, it etched all across his face, revealing the actual truth behind his reputation, "One more word and I will put a bullet in you, so be careful," he warned, his threat genuine this time around.

With a dismissive gesture, he turned away, cradling Lilly's sleeping form in his arms as he strode forward. Christian's attempts to intervene were met with a cold dismissal, leaving me to pick up Lilly's belongings and follow in their wake, determined to see this through to the end. If he was going to be thick-headed about this, so would I.

With Lilly securely tucked in his embrace, he couldn't reach for the handle and open the door simultaneously.

Annoyed, I shot him a glare and moved forward, opening the backseat to his car. He shot me a dissatisfied look and carefully placed Lilly inside. I waited for him to back away so I could get in but the second he pulled back, his palm harshly pressed over my chest, pushing me backward.

His glare bore into me, "One word comes out of you and I will kill you, get it?"

My jaw worked, refusing to feed into his anger, and focused only on Lilly and how she needed me to be by her side more than anything. He backed away, heading for the driver's seat and I pushed myself inside, cautiously shifting Lilly so that her head rested in my lap.

Nikolas wasted no time and he pulled the car into the dark streets with such force that could've knocked Lilly down if it wasn't for my tight hold over her, "Careful!" I grated out and he met my eyes in the rearview mirror, his enraged gaze warning me not to mess with him.

The sound of a phone ringing grabbed my attention upfront, watching Alex's name flash through the car's screen. Nikolas hit answer and without any introduction, he asked, "You got here?"

"Just got out of the airport, I will be there in less than an hour," Alex's response crackled through the line, it held the same enraged undertone, only proving Lilly's previous trepidation and apprehension right.

"Okay, I'll see you there," Nikolas replied curtly, the hostility between them hanging heavy in the air. It was clear that a storm was brewing closely, and I braced myself and Lilly for the inevitable clash.

With a heavy sigh, I kept her tucked close to me, knowing I picked the right day to come here. I can't imagine her going through this alone. It seems like the situation is about to spiral out of control.

Nikolas remained silent as he accelerated, the car hurtling toward what I could only assume was Emma's place.

****************

When we were so close to our destination, Lilly stirred in my embrace, rising from her slumber. She blinked her eyes open, tiredly pulling her body up as she rubbed her fists against her eyes, "Chase," She mumbled ever so sleepily, blinking through the haze and gaining back her sobriety, "Where are we?"

Her voice took a short pause when she registered her surroundings and her gaze met Nikolas's bewildered eyes in the rearview mirror. She gulped and turned to me, questioning and I shook my head, not sure of what to say.

Just then, Nikolas swerved the car toward the main gate of the mansion. It slid open and he sped inside, halting the car to a sudden stop by the entrance, the force so abrupt it had Lilly clutch into me or she would crash forward. He was being fucking reckless and he knows it.

He went down and opened the backseat door, waiting for her to get down. Hesitantly, she made her way out of the car and I went down as well. She paused to a stop ahead of him, her wary eyes flickering up and meeting his own, she gulped down, "You're angry," She stated, her voice weak in the storm of everything unraveling.

His eyebrow raised, "I am not just angry, Lilly," He grated out with a barely controlled anger, "I am fucking disappointed as well!"

He didn't wait for her to speak, his hand reached for her arm, tightly curling over it as he harshly dragged her forward.

My hand shot out to his, pushing it off her, "You don't get to drag her around like this!" I shot out and his seething gaze fell on me. He pushed past Lilly, his hand curling over the collar of my shirt and pushing me backward, he was beyond thinking logically now, the wires going loose as he pulled his gun and pressed it below my chin, forcing my head back, "I warned you," he grated out, ever so lethally.

My eyebrow raised, "Do it, I dare you," I said back and if possible, the fire in his eyes burned brighter, sinking the whole forest in its raging flames.

Lilly clutched at his arm, trying to pry him away from me, "Leave him, let him go!" She shot in bewilderment, "Nikolas, please," She pleaded and his eyes kept their focus on me, a very distinctive look in them, "Nikolas, let him go, I am begging you-" She said in fear for my life, forcing him to release me and he stepped backward.

He turned around and moved toward the house, sure that we were going to follow without his need to drag us.

He pushed open the door and strode inside, a madman on a mission. His eyes fell on Emma and each step he took forward was of pure ferocity, a threat in his movement which pushed Roman to step in his way, glaring at him, "What do you think you are going to do?" He shot out, in his wife's defense.

Nikolas didn't indulge him in this, he spoke no word. His jaw clenched as he swiftly moved his arm, and delivered a brutal uppercut to Roman's jaw, sending him staggering backward. Lilly's gasp echoed beside me, while Emma's voice rang out in shock, "Nikolas!"

Roman straightened himself as Emma reached his side. He wiped at the corner of his mouth, glaring ahead at Nikolas, "You piece of shit," he grated but Nikolas couldn't care less, he moved forward till he was one inch away from Emma.

"Where is he, Emma?" He asked, "You answer me or I will flip this whole place upside down."

She stared back at him in disbelief, "Look at you," She said, "Look at what you are willing to do for a guy who hurt our family!"

"Wake up, Nikolas," She grated out through clenched teeth, taking a daring step forward and poking his chest, "Wake the fuck up!"

"I asked you a question, Emma," He stubbornly repeated, "Answer it!"

"You don't get to order me around," She replied back.

He shook his head, noticing the few of her men who stepped closer, ready to defend their leader, "And you don't get to exert any type of authority over me," He shot back, "Tell me where he is," He added, his gaze briefly drifted to the three men who were crowding their space, "Or I will start with them."

Her jaw tightened, glaring at him, "All of this for your wife's brother?"

"He is more than that, you know it," Nikolas said.

Emma scoffed, "Oh really," She said, "Who is he? Our long lost sibling?" Her eyebrow raised, "Is that what you see him as, Nikolas?" Her gaze flickered all over him, "Look at you, you are acting like his father."

"You look so much like Isaac right now, it's unsettling," She added, pushing him to the limit.

"You don't understand it, and I don't expect you to, you've hated him since he was a kid, so back off and let me deal with this."

"And if I don't?" She challenged, "Are you really willing to fight and hurt me only for him?"

Nikolas shook his head, "I don't want it to reach there."

"Then, back off, Nikolas," She grated out, "Back the fuck off, or it will reach there!"

"He is already dying, Emma, you need to give him back."

She shook her head, "No, I will just accelerate the process and kill him today before tomorrow."

My gaze left them and flickered to Lilly plastered to my right; fear and terror consumed her eyes as she watched them stand against one another.

Footsteps echoed nearby, grabbing all our attention to the door, watching as Alex arrived and walked inside, his body language speaking no less than theirs did. His gaze first fell on Lilly, the anger in them alone made her cower closer to me, knowing for sure that this wasn't going to end well.

Without a single word, he averted his gaze away, walking past us as he made his way to them, "What the hell did you do, Emma?" He shot out, this time opposing her.

Emma sighed loudly, "Not you too, Alex."

"My daughter is not one of your fucking soldiers for you to include her in this mess," he shot out, enraged, "Keep that in your fucking mind!"

"She is not a kid, Alex," Emma shot back, "If she wants to fight, I will let her," She added, "But all you want is to wrap her in a plastic bag and tuck her away from all of this."

Alex scoffed, his bewildered gaze flickered between Nikolas and her, "What the hell is the matter with you all? Always fucking interfering in my kids' lives," He shot out, "Why does everyone interfere in the way I raise my kids, can I know the fucking reason?"

"I don't go around pushing my nose in Wyatt's life, do I, Emma?" He turned his head to Nikolas, "I don't go after your kids either, do I?" It looked like he had reached his limit of tolerance for their actions, "So both of you just fucking stop interfering and stay away from my kids, because if it wasn't for you two, none of this would've happened to my family in the first place!"

"Dad—" Lilly attempted to speak, to defend Emma's motives but Alex whirled around, stopping her before she could say more, "No, you shut it!" He snapped, glaring at her, "I don't even know what I am going to do with you anymore!"

Lilly's eyes widened, the harshness in his tone like nothing he'd used before, not even on that day she came back.

He edged closer, facing her, "Is this why you stayed here?" He shot out in bewilderment, too much anger for her, a rage so intense that felt misplaced, and for once, I didn't agree with him, "I allowed you only because I thought you needed space and time to grief your friend, not to be part of this bullshit!" He grated out.

She shook her head, "It's not Emma's fault, you can't blame her, I asked for this, I wanted to fight back for once, why is it so hard for you to accept that—"

"Fight back?" He addressed in mockery, "Do you think you are capable of that, Lilly?"

"Alex-" I attempted to speak, to put a pause to this before it reached the point beyond repair but his head shot to me, and he shook it, "Chase, don't interfere," he warned.

"Dad, I get it, you're angry, but—"

"There is no but, Lilly," He kept cutting her off and I was getting angry too. This wasn't all her fault, so why was he acting like it was, "What did you think would happen after? That you'd stay here, becomew one of them? Is this the type of life you want to build for yourself?"

She shook her head, "That's not it, it's...not, but even if it was, don't you think it's my choice to make?"

He shook his head, "No, no," He shot out, "You don't get to come and become part of the world that I fought so fucking hard to get you out of!"

"Alex, it's enough-" Nilolas grated out, coming closer to his side, his hand landing on his arm in an attempt to stop him. 

Alex shrugged his hand off, turning and glaring at him, "Do not interfere," He grated out, stressing on each word, "She is my daughter, not yours, keep that in your fucking mind!"

He turned around, his hand curling tightly over Lilly's arm, pushing her forward, "Come with me—"

"Dad, no, wait, just wait—" She tried to say, freeing herself from his grip.

She heaved out a stuttered breath. Everything happening succeeded in clouding all of their judgment, "What are you gonna do now, lock me in a room forever?"

He nodded, "Seems it's the only option I got left," He grumbled out, his hand reaching for her arm again, attempting to push her forward but Lilly refused still.

"Dad, wait, stop, just wait-"

"Lilly!"

Frustration pushed tears to fall from her eyes, fighting him and pulling back, "Dad, just hold on, please-"

"Lilly, enough!" He snapped. My eyes widened when I saw him raising his hand, maybe he wasn't going to do it, but it felt like he was about to and I operated on instincts, my hand shot forward, reaching for his, curling over it and pushing it back, blocking his attempt to do what he was about to do.

His wide eyes fell on mine and I shook my head, "No," I grated out, my anger hitting the fucking roof, "You don't get to do that," I grated out, pushing his hand backward.

I took Lilly's trembling hand in my own, "Let's go," I said, pulling her with me, and away from this fucking madness.

**********************************

Hey!

Ah, everything is spiraling out of control, I know. But it's all ending soon, so capeesh :)

I am not gonna ask whose team are you on because everyone is wrong in my opinion.

Let's just keep in mind that these people have been through hell a lot lately, and sometimes they get the right to snap...

Anyways, do vote and comment your opinions.
Are you excited for the upcoming end? Any theories? ;)

See ya soon :)