Chapter 94

It was just a fight, but Lily's whole body ached. Clearly, she hadn't been training enough. Since leaving the Lodges, she'd been living a life of comfortable ease.

Leaving had allowed Lily to pursue her passions. However, seeing Justin served as a wake-up call, reminding her that no matter where she ran, she would always be a Lodge. While bathing, she noticed a bruise on her arm, likely from the fight with Justin. She made a mental note to treat it later.

Reflecting on her encounter with Nathaniel and Melanie, she realized how dull and uneventful the day had been. She'd expected anger or resentment, but instead felt only sadness for her former self—for the Lily who had treated them with sincerity and unconditional love, who had believed Nathaniel was "the one" and Melanie her best friend. How foolish she'd been not to see through their charade!

Those two! Lily laughed ironically, shaking her head at her own stupidity. The warm bath water soothed her as she leaned back, closed her eyes, and drifted off to sleep.

Alexander heard sounds from the bathroom upon returning home. Yelling out to her and receiving no response, he entered. He found her lying in the bathtub, her body slowly sliding underwater. The water had reached her neck, almost her chin, yet she showed no sign of waking.

"Lily!" He rushed over, lifting her from under her arms, just in time to rouse her and prevent her from submerging further.

When she opened her eyes, it took a moment to register what had happened. Seeing his face, she was startled. "Alexander, why are you…"

Before she could finish, the situation registered, and she instinctively covered her chest with her arms.

"You shouldn't stay in the bath any longer," he said sternly, lifting her from the tub and carrying her out of the bathroom.

Though Alexander wasn't looking at her, Lily felt self-conscious and shy in her nakedness. Reaching the clothing rack, he grabbed a bath towel, threw it on the bed, and placed her on top. "I…" Lily tried to get up, but Alexander was quicker.

He pressed her against the bed. Significantly larger than Lily, his weight forced her backward, and she instinctively grabbed him for support. Lily's mind was blank; still foggy from her deep sleep. Given the circumstances, she preferred to remain hazy.

Lily's eyes widened as she gazed at Alexander's face. Even from this close proximity, he was flawless, seemingly a perfect creation. She had seen him only once or twice from a distance—an unreachable figure, the subject of rumors. Now, they were so close she could almost hear his heartbeat.