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."