Chapter 8 Chapter Eight

• Lilith’s Pov
• I didn’t even know when I hugged Nolan like that. It just happened.
• My emotions had taken over. One second, I was drowning in my own tears, and the next, I was wrapped around him like a lost child finally being seen.
• And then I heard a voice. Cold and sharp.
• “What the hell are you doing with my fiancé?”
• I jumped back like I had touched fire.
• My arms dropped to my sides. My heart slammed in my chest. I turned to the voice.
• She was beautiful. Dressed to perfection. Nails sharp enough to cut glass.
• I stammered. “Um... I didn’t mean to. I’m so sorry.”
• She walked closer, eyes moving from me to Nolan like she was calculating something dangerous.
• “What is happening here?” she asked, her voice tight.
• Then she turned to Nolan.
• “Nolan, why was she hugging you like that?”
• Nolan opened his mouth, probably to explain, but I panicked.
• “No! Don’t blame him,” I said quickly. “He didn’t do anything wrong. I was just... overwhelmed. He did something kind for me, and I—I just reacted.”
• I swallowed hard.
• “I’m sorry. I just ran to him and hugged him. I didn’t even think. This is not what it looks like. I swear it’s not.”
• Her arms were crossed over her chest. She didn’t look convinced.
• “So what did he do that made you cling to my fiancé like that?”
• Her tone cut deeper than her words.
• I blinked fast. “You’re getting it wrong. I didn’t mean to. You don’t understand what I—”
• “Zoey. That’s enough.”
• Her name was Zoey.
• He took her wrist.
• "Let's go," Nolan said.
• Zoey frowned but followed.
• "You still have to tell me what you did for her," she said as they walked.
• Nolan didn’t look back. "It’s not necessary."
• And just like that, they disappeared inside.
• My heart wouldn’t stop racing.
• What the hell just happened?
• I hadn’t even been here a month. And already, it was drama after drama.
• Now I had a woman accusing me of stealing her fiancé.
• And honestly? It was my fault.
• I shouldn't have hugged him like that. I let my emotions get the best of me. I knew better.
• I shook my head, still smiling at how ridiculous the moment had been.
• Then I picked up my phone.
• I placed an order to have my stuff brought over.
• I also ordered some new art materials: canvases, brushes, and colors. Everything I’d need.
• I needed something that felt like me. Something to calm my soul.
• After that, I went inside.
• I didn’t feel like walking around anymore.
• So I curled up on the bed, watched a few reels, then opened one of my novels.
• My body felt tired. My chest still bubbled with leftover stress.
• I’d walk around tomorrow. Maybe.
• Then, suddenly, I heard a soft knock, and the door opened.
• It was Rose and some other man I didn’t recognize.
• "Excuse me, there’s a package for you. Where should we bring it?"
• I sat up. "It’s already here?"
• I smiled. "Please bring it all into this room."
• They did. Carefully.
• My instruments, boxes, and painting tools were laid down in neat stacks.
• "Thank you," I said, and paid them for their help.
• Then I turned to Rose.
• "Could you help me take some of this to the garden? I want to paint out there."
• She smiled. "Of course. That would be nice."
• Together, we carried everything out.
• She even brought me a small stool to sit on.
• "Oh my God, thank you so much. That was so thoughtful of you."
• She just smiled and nodded.
• Once everything was set, I sat down.
• Took a deep breath.
• And I started painting.
• My mind cleared with every stroke.
• I forgot the tension. Forget the embarrassment.
• I was finally in my own world.
• Then I heard a voice.
• "Hey, are you painting?"
• I turned.
• It was Zoey.
• She looked a little unsure.
• I nodded. "Yeah, I am."
• The silence between us stretched.
• It was awkward after everything that happened earlier.
• Then she asked, "Can I sit with you?"
• I paused for a second.
• "Yes. You can sit by the swing."
• "Okay," she said softly and walked over.
• *****
• It was awkward at first.
• We both stayed quiet.
• The silence made it hard for me to focus.
• My brush didn’t feel right in my hand. I kept messing up simple strokes.
• Then she spoke.
• "I hope I’m not disturbing you."
• I looked up. "No, you’re not disturbing."
• She smiled a little. "I was just bored inside and decided to come out."
• I chuckled. "How can you be bored when your fiancé is with you?"
• She sighed. "The fiancé that looks like I’m forcing myself on him?"
• She laughed a little at her own words.
• I didn’t know whether to laugh or just stay quiet.
• She caught my hesitation. "It’s okay, you can laugh. Everybody knows I’m trying to force myself on Nolan."
• I smiled politely.
• In my head, I was thinking, why does everyone keep telling me things I didn’t ask?
• I didn’t even know what to say next.
• Still, I tried. "I’m sure he’ll come back very soon. You’re a beautiful woman. I doubt he’ll resist you for long."
• She looked at me, hopeful. "I hope so too."
• Then she asked, "Can I ask you something?"
• I nodded. "Yeah. You can."
• "How’s your marriage with Killian?" she asked.
• "He’s always been the mysterious one among the brothers. Nolan is wise and cold, but not as cold as Killian."
• "I’m not sure I want to talk about that," I said softly.
• She leaned back on the swing.
• "You can talk about anything with me. I come here and stay lonely most of the time."
• "We can be friends."
• I raised a brow. "Are you sure you want to be friends with me after what happened?"
• She gave a soft smile. "I misunderstood you. And I’m sorry. Let’s just be friends."
• I nodded. "Okay. Friends."
• "You can come talk to me anytime, okay?" she said.
• "Yeah. And you can talk to me too."
• Just as we were starting to relax, someone’s voice tore through the air.
• "Who asked you to paint here?"
• I jumped up.
• Killian.
• "Why the hell did you bring paint into my house?"
• I stood, startled. "I’m so sorry. It was your brother that told me to—"
• "My brother tell you to paint? And you painted after I told you not to paint?"
• I tried to explain. My words stumbled out.
• Then, Nolan stepped in.
• "Killian, I was the one who asked her to paint."