Lily awoke the next morning with Maxwell's words echoing in her mind: They'll do everything they can to keep us apart. The weight of what he had revealed left her restless. Maxwell's family wasn't just wealthy—they were powerful, ruthless, and willing to destroy anyone who posed a threat to their empire.
She glanced at her phone and saw a text from him.
Maxwell:
I'm sending a car for you. We need to talk.
Her pulse quickened. Maxwell was typically calm and collected, but his tone in the text was different—urgent, almost desperate. She hurried to get ready, her nerves building with each passing minute.
When she stepped outside, a sleek black car awaited her. The driver offered her a polite nod before opening the door. She slid in and was immediately enveloped by the scent of leather and faint traces of Maxwell's cologne.
---
Maxwell was waiting for her in his penthouse, pacing the floor with an intensity she had never seen before. The moment she walked in, he strode over, taking her hands in his.
"We don't have much time," he said, his voice low.
"Maxwell, what's going on?" she asked, concern lacing her tone.
"They know about us," he said grimly. "My father's people. They've been watching me, and now they've started digging into your life."
Lily's stomach dropped. "What does that mean? Are they going to hurt me?"
"No," he said quickly, pulling her into his arms. "Not physically. But they'll do everything they can to intimidate you, manipulate you, make you doubt me."
She leaned into him, her mind racing. "What do we do?"
"We fight," he said firmly. "But it won't be easy. My father... he doesn't back down."
Lily pulled back to look at him. "Why is he so invested in your love life? You're a grown man."
Maxwell sighed, running a hand through his hair. "To him, I'm not just his son. I'm an extension of the family legacy. Everything I do reflects on him, on us. And being with you... it doesn't fit into his plan."
"Because I'm not one of them," she said quietly.
He nodded, his expression pained. "But I don't care about his plan. I care about you."
---
Later that day, Lily returned to her apartment, determined not to let fear control her. But as she walked into her living room, she froze. There, on her coffee table, was a thick envelope. She hadn't left it there.
Her hands trembled as she opened it. Inside were photos of her and Maxwell—at the restaurant, outside her apartment, even in her office. Along with the photos was a note:
Leave him. Or we'll make you regret it.
Her blood ran cold. The threat was clear, and whoever had sent it had gone to great lengths to invade her privacy. She called Maxwell immediately, her voice shaking as she told him what had happened.
"I'm coming over," he said, his tone sharp.
---
When Maxwell arrived, his fury was palpable. He scanned the photos and note, his jaw tightening with each passing second.
"This is my father's handiwork," he said finally, tossing the note onto the table.
"What do we do?" Lily asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"We don't let them win," he said, pulling her into a fierce embrace. "They're trying to scare you, to break us apart. But I won't let that happen."
Lily nodded, her resolve strengthening. "Neither will I."
---
The days that followed were a whirlwind of chaos. Maxwell's father, Richard Donovan, escalated his efforts, using his vast network of influence to pressure Lily from every angle. Her boss called her into his office, subtly suggesting she might want to reconsider her relationship with Maxwell. Anonymous emails flooded her inbox, warning her to stay away.
But through it all, Maxwell stood by her, his unwavering support giving her strength. They began devising a plan—a way to confront Richard and end his interference once and for all.
"You need to meet him," Maxwell said one evening as they sat together on his couch.
Lily's eyes widened. "What?"
"My father," he clarified. "You need to face him. Show him that you're not afraid."
The idea terrified her, but she knew Maxwell was right. Richard Donovan thrived on intimidation, and the only way to stop him was to stand her ground.
---
The meeting was set for the following evening at the Donovan estate—a sprawling mansion that exuded wealth and power. As Lily stepped out of the car and into the grand foyer, she felt a wave of unease. Everything about the place was designed to intimidate, from the towering marble columns to the cold, calculating stares of the staff.
Richard Donovan was waiting for them in his study, a large room filled with leather-bound books and the scent of cigar smoke. He rose as they entered, his piercing gaze fixed on Lily.
"So," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "This is the woman my son has risked everything for."
Lily straightened her spine, refusing to be cowed. "And you must be the man who thinks he can control him."
Richard's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "Feisty. I see what he likes about you."
"Enough," Maxwell said, stepping forward. "We're here to make one thing clear. Lily is a part of my life, and nothing you do will change that."
Richard's expression hardened. "You're a fool, Maxwell. This woman doesn't understand our world, our responsibilities. She'll drag you down."
"No," Lily said, her voice steady. "What I understand is love. And it's stronger than your power, your money, or your threats."
Richard studied her for a long moment before letting out a dry laugh. "You've got guts. I'll give you that."
But Lily wasn't done. "And if you think you can scare me off, you're wrong. I'm not going anywhere."
---
As they left the estate, Maxwell couldn't hide his admiration. "You were incredible," he said, taking her hand in his.
She smiled, though her heart still raced from the encounter. "I just told him the truth."
Maxwell pulled her close, his lips brushing against her ear. "The truth is, I've never been more proud of you."
Their kiss that night was different—fierce, passionate, and full of promise. They had faced a powerful enemy and come out stronger. But as they held each other, Lily couldn't shake the feeling that the battle was far from over...