Uncertainty was always a killer…
Lily sat at the edge of her canopy bed, her heart heavy with uncertainty and loneliness. She watched absently as her two maids, Emma and Sophie, dressed up Lily with sparkling diamonds and slipped into designer dresses. She didn't even care to check at her beautiful reflection in the mirror this time.
"How long?" Lily whispered to herself, twisting the blue moon diamond ring between her fingers. "How long until I can expose Chris Eaton? Is it even possible to break free from this contract?"
The questions swirled in her mind, a relentless torment that had become her constant companion—ever since her successful heart transplant surgery. She felt so small, so powerless against the empire Eatons had built around her.
As if on cue, Emma approached with a silver tray. "Your breakfast, Mrs. Eaton," she said softly, placing an elegant plate of eggs Benedict on the ornate dining table.
Lily nodded numbly, moving to sit at the table. She picked up her fork, pushing the food around listlessly. Each bite felt like a struggle, her appetite lost in the sea of her worries. Minutes ticked by, stretching into hours as Lily sat there, chewing the same mouthful of food over and over, lost in her thoughts—for 3 hours straight without finishing her food.
"I should never have gotten plastic surgery," she muttered, her voice barely audible. "Because of that only my heart failed and I got trapped in Chris's vicious contract."
Tears pricked at her eyes, threatening to spill over. If only there was someone she could cry about it and get it all off her chest. If only…
The sudden creak of the door made Lily's head snap up, her heart racing. Was it another maid? Or worse, Chris himself, come to remind her of her place in this golden cage?
But the figure that stepped through the doorway wasn't Chris or a maid. It was a familiar face framed by wild curls, and green eyes sparkling with mischief and concern.
"Jude?" Lily gasped, hardly daring to believe her eyes.
"Surprise, bestie!" Jude grinned, spreading her arms wide.
At that moment, it was as if a dam broke inside Lily. All the fear, loneliness, and uncertainty that had been building up came rushing out. She leaped from her chair, nearly knocking over the forgotten breakfast, and flung herself into Jude's arms.
"Oh my god, Jude!" Lily sobbed, clinging to her friend like a lifeline. "I can't believe you're here!"
Jude hugged her tightly, stroking Lily's hair. "Are you doing okay, Lil?" she asked, concern etched in her voice.
Lily remained silent, her eyes darting nervously to the maids busying themselves nearby. She couldn't risk saying anything that might get back to Chris.
Sensing her friend's discomfort, Jude squeezed her hand. "You know what? We are going shopping. Right now."
Lily's brow furrowed in confusion. "Shopping? But... how? Chris Eaton wouldn't allow me to step out of this room—"
"What kind of monster do you think I am?" Chris's deep voice cut through the room as he appeared in the doorway.
Lily jumped, startled by his sudden presence. Chris's expression was unreadable as he continued, "I'll take you both to the mall myself. Fifth Avenue awaits, ladies."
Lily's mind raced. Was this another of Chris's manipulation tactics? Of course, it was. He was doing anything and everything in his power to torment her.
….
The sleek Rolls-Royce purred to a stop outside Saks Fifth Avenue. Lily stepped out, blinking in the bright sunlight. The iconic storefront loomed before her, a temple of luxury for the ultra-rich people.
Inside the Chanel boutique, Jude's excited squeal echoed off the marble floors. "Oh my god, Lily! Look at all this!"
Lily scanned the room skeptically, taking in the array of handbags, each worth more than regular people's old yearly salary. Chris trailed behind them, two imposing bodyguards beside him.
As Jude flitted from display to display, Lily's mind whirred. This was her chance – a rare moment outside the mansion's walls. She had to find a way to use this opportunity, to somehow outmaneuver Chris.
Her eyes landed on a particularly expensive handbag. A wicked idea began to form. If Chris wanted to play the generous husband, she'd make him regret it. With a sweet smile that didn't reach her eyes, Lily turned to face her captor-husband.
"Jude," she cooed, loud enough for nearby shoppers to hear. "Wouldn't this bag look perfect with my new dress?"
Jude's eyes widened, catching on to Lily's game. "Absolutely! But why stop at one color?"
Lily turned to the personal shopper with a dazzling smile. "You're right. I'd like this in every color you have."
The shopper beamed, quickly bringing out a rainbow of luxurious Hermès Birkin bags. "Excellent choice, madame. These are our most exclusive designs."
Lily's heart raced as she nodded. "I'll take them all." She glanced at Chris, expecting to see irritation or at least hesitation.
Instead, Chris's lips curved into a handsome smirk. "Anything for you, darling. Keep shopping."
The personal shopper tallied up the total. "That will be 30 million dollars, sir."
Jude gasped, but Chris didn't even blink. He simply nodded, handing over his black card.
Lily felt a sudden shift in her perception. A new idea sparked in her mind. She turned to Jude, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"You know what? You keep all these bags, Jude. I've changed my mind. They're my gift to you on behalf of me and my husband."
Lily watched Chris intently, waiting for a flicker of annoyance or hesitation. But his expression remained unchanged, that same handsome smirk playing on his sensual lips as usual.
"Of course," Chris said smoothly. "Jude, please enjoy the bags. Now, Lily darling, what is it you actually want? I'll take you to that section myself."
He looked like the dream of every girl—a devilishly handsome husband who bought and gave everything that a wife asks for.
This was the kind of husband every girl fantasizes about—but was this really Chris's character?! Not at all… Lily will not trust him.
Then Lily stammered, "Clothes, I suppose."
In the clothing section, surrounded by racks of couture which was high-end, custom-made fashion, Lily felt her plan crumbling. Perhaps she was playing a game in which she was bound to fail.
Lily then went to a dressing room, slipping into a breathtaking Valentino gown, its intricate beadwork catching the light.
When she emerged, Chris's eyes widened, a look of genuine admiration crossing his face. "You look stunning," he said softly, his voice low enough for only her to hear.
For a moment, Lily forgot about her schemes, doubts, fear, and uncertainty. The way Chris looked at her sent an unexpected thrill through her body.
"Is this the one you want?" Chris asked, his tone gentle and caring.
Lily nodded, suddenly unable to find her voice. As Chris moved to arrange the purchase, she caught herself watching him, seeing him in a new light. She wished this was the real character of Chris Eaton—