Chris's hand cupped her cheek, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. "You look impressed, my dear wife," he murmured, a hint of satisfaction in his tone. "Can I get a kiss from you?"
He leaned in, his face mere inches from hers. Lily could feel the warmth of his breath, and see the flecks of darker blue in his eyes. For a moment, she felt herself being drawn in, her body betraying her with its response to his proximity.
But then, like a bucket of cold water, reality crashed over her. Lily placed her hands on Chris's chest and gently pushed him away.
"Just because you gifted me flashy diamonds doesn't mean I'm going to kiss you," she said, her voice firm despite the slight tremor in her hands. "And nor am I going to wear these diamonds that you gifted me."
For a brief moment, there was a flicker of hurt in Chris's eyes—but then his expression smoothed over, replaced by his usual cool demeanor.
"I see," he said, his tone clipped. "Well, Mrs. Eaton, you should know that it's an Eaton family rule for the women to always wear diamonds. As my wife, you're obliged to follow this tradition."
Lily bristled at his words. "Obliged? I'm not some puppet you can dress up and control, Chris."
Chris's jaw tightened, a muscle ticking in his cheek. "You agreed to be my wife, Lily. That comes with certain... expectations."
They stood there, locked in a silent battle of wills. Finally, Chris turned towards the door. "Enjoy your new room," he said over his shoulder, his voice cold. "Dinner is at seven. Don't be late."
With that, he strode out, leaving Lily alone in her gilded cage. She looked down at the ring on her finger, its beauty now tarnished by the weight of obligation it represented. This was just the beginning, she realized. Her battle with Chris Eaton had not even started yet.
…
After Chris's departure, Lily collapsed onto the enormous four-poster bed, pulling the silky blanket over herself like a shield. With trembling fingers, she grabbed her phone and texted her lawyer, Michael Thornton.
"I'm at Eaton's mansion now," she typed. "Chris showered me with gifts - designer clothes, shoes, jewelry. He even gave me a Blue Moon diamond ring." Lily glanced at her finger, a shiver running through her.
Michael's reply came swiftly: "He's flexing his wealth, trying to impress you. Clearly, he's interested in getting physical. Use this to your advantage - get close, find something we can use."
Lily's response was immediate: "No way. I'm not dipping my toes in that water without knowing the depth."
Gods! Lily had never been physical with any man before, nor did she like the idea of getting intimate with Chris Eaton just to extract some information. Her vision of romance was real and fairytale-like, which made her doubt that Chris was capable of such genuine feelings.
Perhaps she must always keep her body and heart guarded, finding a different way to accomplish her mission rather than following her lawyer's suggestion.
Exhausted from the day's events, Lily drifted off to sleep, her mind a whirl of conflicting emotions. For the first time in ages, she slept deeply, uninterrupted by the usual worries that plagued her nights.
In the afternoon, two maids quietly entered, leaving a tray of food by her bedside. Lily barely stirred, managing only a few bites before succumbing once more to slumber's embrace.
Her dreams were a stark contrast to reality. In them, she was free, laughing and playing on her family's private island with her friend Jude. The sun warmed her skin, the ocean breeze tousled her hair, and for those fleeting moments, all was right in her world.
But reality intruded at 5 PM when the maids returned, their voices gentle but insistent. "Please wake up, Mrs. Eaton. The family dinner is at 7, and you need to get ready now."
Lily's eyes fluttered open, the dream of freedom fading as quickly as morning mist. She sat up, disoriented, the unfamiliar opulence of her surroundings a stark reminder of her new life.
"Family dinner?" she echoed, her voice thick with sleep.
One of the maids nodded, already moving to the closet. "Yes, ma'am. Mr. Eaton insists on punctuality. Shall we help you choose an outfit?"
As the maids bustled around her, selecting a dress and jewelry, Lily felt a knot forming in her stomach. This wasn't just dinner - it was her first official appearance as Mrs. Eaton. Whatever game Chris was playing, whatever his true motives were, Lily knew she had to be prepared.
With a deep breath, she steeled herself. "Alright," she said, more to herself than the maids. "Let's get ready."
…
Lily stepped out of a quick shower, her skin still flushed from the warm water. The maids had already laid out a stunning Valentino dress - a soft pink creation adorned with delicate floral embroidery that seemed to bloom across the fabric. As they helped her into it, Lily couldn't help but admire how the dress hugged her curves before flowing gracefully to the floor.
She opted for minimal makeup, allowing just a swipe of nude pink lipstick on her filler-enhanced plump lips. The maids then made her wear a set of pink diamond jewelry - teardrop earrings and a matching pendant, their facets catching the light and casting tiny rainbows around the room. The pink diamonds perfectly complemented the dress, creating a cohesive and ethereal look.
"Mr. Eaton selected these specially for you," one maid mentioned as she fastened the necklace.
Lily's heart skipped a beat. Of course, he was making sure that Lily wore the diamond—just like he had promised. And for what—it was dinner. Back in her home, Lily just wore pajamas to eat with her parents.
Here, they were grooming her like she was going to attend the Met Gala.
"Who else will be at dinner?" Lily asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Mr. Chris Eaton and his parents, ma'am," the maid replied.
Nodding, Lily turned to the vanity mirror for a final check. As she gazed at her reflection, a sudden realization hit her like a bolt of lightning.
Liam Eaton would be there too.
Liam Eaton - the man whose name was whispered in fear throughout New York City, the alleged drug lord of the most dangerous mafia family - the man who had probably killed thousands from all over the world and got out of it without any disturbance from law and order.
Her hands began to tremble, and she gripped the edge of the vanity to steady herself. The beautiful pink dress now felt like armor, the diamonds a weight around her neck. The room, with all its luxury, seemed to close in around her.
Perhaps Lily had fooled herself before that she was mentally prepared for this mission, but it seemed she wasn't after all.
Whatever it was too late now; there was no turning back.