Lila spent the next few days preparing for the meeting with Charles Blackwell. She avoided Damon and Aiden, focusing instead on clearing her mind and organizing her thoughts. The weight of her decision was heavy, pressing on her shoulders like a lead blanket.
The meeting was set for late afternoon at a discreet, upscale hotel in the heart of New York City. Lila stood in front of the hotel entrance, staring up at the modern glass façade. Inside, the marble floors and sleek décor made her feel out of place, but she pushed forward, her resolve unshakable.
Charles Blackwell was waiting for her in a private lounge, a glass of whiskey in hand. He looked older than she remembered from the picture Vivian had shown her—more tired, more vulnerable.
"Lila," he said softly, rising to his feet as she entered. "Thank you for coming."
She nodded, taking a seat across from him. "What do you want from me, Charles?" she asked, her voice cold.
He sat back, regarding her with a mixture of sadness and regret. "I want you to understand, Lila. To understand why I made the choices I did and why I'm giving you this opportunity."
Lila's eyes were hard. "You want me to inherit your empire because you think it'll make up for abandoning me?"
Charles's expression tightened. "No, that's not it at all. I'm not trying to make amends for the past, Lila. I'm offering you this because I believe you're capable of continuing my legacy because you're strong and you're smart. And because, in a way, I need you to finish what I started."
She shook her head, her voice bitter. "That's not fair, Charles. You can't just drop all this on me and expect me to accept it without question."
"I know it's not fair," he admitted, his voice breaking. "But this is all I have to offer. And maybe it's not enough, but it's all I can give."
Lila looked away, her heart aching. "I don't know if I can do this. I don't even know if I want to."
Charles reached across the table, taking her hand. "All I ask is that you think about it. You don't have to decide now. But know that the offer will be on the table for as long as you need."
Outside the hotel, Lila found herself overwhelmed with emotion. Aiden was waiting for her, his car parked at the curb. He got out, his expression tense.
"Well?" he asked, his voice filled with urgency.
Lila shrugged. "It's… complicated."
"Did he pressure you?" Aiden demanded, his face darkening.
She shook her head. "No. He didn't say much, really. Just… offered me a choice. New York or nothing."
Aiden ran a hand through his hair. "And what are you going to do?"
"I don't know," Lila admitted, her voice breaking. "I don't even know who I am anymore, Aiden. This isn't the life I wanted."
Aiden stepped closer, his eyes pleading. "But it could be. It could be whatever you want it to be, Lila. Don't let fear hold you back."
She looked at him, her heart aching. "I'm so scared, Aiden. What if I'm not enough?"
"Then we'll be enough together," he said, his voice steady. "You're not alone in this, Lila. No matter what you choose, I'm here."