Chapter 752 Lily’s Release
Moonlight spilled gently, wrapping the figures of one man and two children in a tender, lingering glow.
In the latter half of the night, Yunice rolled over in her sleep. Her fingertips brushed against something warm, carrying the familiar scent of cedar.
Too drowsy to open her eyes, she only registered that this “pillow” felt nice–though a bit hard, with the faint texture of carpet fibers.
She murmured vaguely, tugging at it out of habit. “Get up here… stop fooling around…”
Wyatt, dozing lightly by the bed, was caught off guard by the sudden pull, nearly toppling over.
He turned in surprise, only to see Yunice’s eyes still closed, her motion clearly unconscious, her fingers stubbornly tugging his sleeve to haul him onto the bed.
His heartbeat stumbled. Holding his breath, he carefully eased himself onto the edge of the mattress, afraid to wake her.
The moment the “pillow” was in place, Yunice nestled against him instinctively. She burrowed into his chest, an arm slipping around his waist, her head finding a comfortable spot in the crook of his shoulder before sinking back into deep sleep.
Wyatt froze completely, not daring to move.
With her soft warmth in his arms, her scent mingling with their daughter’s sweet milky fragrance, the world shrank down to this single, perfect moment.
Her arm’s warmth seeped through his thin shirt, her steady breath brushing his collarbone.
Lowering his gaze, he took in her unguarded face, then looked past her to his daughter’s flushed cheeks on the other side. A sense of wholeness and fulfillment flooded every corner of his being.
Carefully adjusting his position to keep her comfortable, he finally allowed himself to hold her close.
That night, Wyatt even smiled in his dreams.
It seemed his little act of self–sacrifice had worked after all. Of course, the durians had done their part too.
From then on, his months of exile to the guest room ended. He rightfully returned to the master bed.
Most of the time, he was simply a body pillow and living heater for mother and daughter.
And he couldn’t have been happier.
Morning sunlight poured through the dining room windows, gilding the space in warm gold.
Yunice hurried to pack her briefcase, while Mindy sat in her child’s chair, short legs swinging as she sipped from a straw, big eyes following her mother’s every move.
“Mommy, no matter how busy work is, don’t forget to eat! I filled your bag all up!”
Yunice glanced at her handbag. Sure enough, it bulged with animal crackers, cheese sticks, fruit strips, and small cakes.
She laughed. “You raided your own snack stash, didn’t you?”
Mindy pinched her fingers together pitifully. “Daddy only gives me three snacks a day. I saved for so long to stash these rations for you!”
Suppressing her amusement, Yunice kissed her daughter’s chubby cheek. “Thank you, sweetheart.”
Just then, Wyatt came over with a cup of coffee, slipping a thermos into her bag with natural ease. “I made soup. Remember to drink it.”
His fingers brushed her hand lightly, his gaze filled with unshakable concern.
Yunice didn’t reply, only zipped up her bag. Such silent gestures were something she had long grown used to.
But the warmth didn’t last. As soon as she stepped into her hospital office, it shattered.
She had just opened Mindy’s cookies when the door knocked.
Victor walked in, his expression casual, though his hands fidgeted idly over her desk as if stalling.
Yunice immediately knew he had something to say.
“Yunice.” He paused, voice low. “The detention center called Crawford Corp this morning. Lily’s being released today.”
“Crack.” The cookie in her hand snapped in half under unconscious pressure. The office fell silent, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning.
Her gaze lifted slowly, her eyes calm and cold, devoid of any ripple of emotion, as if the news concerned a stranger.
“Oh.” Her reply was clipped. She reached for a tissue, brushing crumbs from her fingers. “She called Mr. Carl?”
A mocking smile curved her lips. “She’s as clueless as ever.”
Victor said, “She knows she can’t move you, and Oscar can’t be reached. She’s probably betting Mr. Carl won’t turn her down, that he’ll send someone to pick her up.”
Five years, and Lily’s pride hadn’t dulled a bit.
Yunice said evenly, “I’ll have someone send her back to the Moores‘ estate. Then I’ll pay one of their people to keep an eye on her. She’s not setting foot in this city again.”
Victor knew exactly what Lily had done, how Yunice had clawed her way out of that shadow. He had no objection–he even thought Yunice was showing restraint.
Outside the prison on the outskirts of town, the gates creaked open.
Lily emerged empty–handed, not even glancing back. The instant she stepped outside, her eyes darted restlessly across the open grounds, searching.