Chapter 2
Lily's POV
Gravity pulled me down, cold wind howling past my ears. Two seconds later, I crashed hard into the trash cans, then rolled onto the ground.
The cardboard boxes cushioned some impact, but my back hurt like hell. A few ribs might be bruised - breathing was difficult.
"Fuck!" I grimaced and scrambled up, my whole body shaking.
Ignoring the pain, I started running. The alley was dark, only distant streetlights casting weak beams. My bare feet hit the cold asphalt, every step shooting pain through me, but I didn't dare stop.
Bursting from the alley, I melted into the Broadway crowd. Neon lights flashed, car horns blared - New York's night was alive as ever.
Passersby stared at me strangely - a crazy woman in a torn evening gown, hair like a bird's nest. Some pulled out phones to take pictures, others whispered.
But I didn't care. Let them stare, let them gossip. I had nothing left to lose.
I ran desperately, both terrified and exhilarated. Terrified of Philip's revenge, exhilarated that I was finally free. Ten years of chains, ten years of pretending - all shattered with that one slap.
Now I was free to do what I really wanted. And what I wanted most was to find the person I'd owed for ten years.
Marcus... I had to find Marcus.
Ten years - where was he? Still waiting for me?
I successfully escaped the guards, wandering New York streets for two hours. Wearing a stolen work jacket, feet in found sneakers, I moved through the late-night city like a homeless person.
Damn, where could I go now? No money, no friends, not even a place to crash. Every relationship Isabella had built using my body over ten years was fake, superficial.
Walking aimlessly, I stopped before a bar with flashing neon. "Blue Night."
That name... why so familiar?
Suddenly, Isabella's memory fragments flooded my mind. Ten years ago, in this very bar, she'd used my body to brutally hurt Marcus, telling him we were over.
I remembered Marcus's desperate eyes. "Why, Lils? I thought... I thought we..."
"Don't call me Lils! We're impossible. You're just some poor boy, and I want a real life." Isabella had used my mouth to speak those cruel words.
Marcus's face went ashen, and he left the bar. That was the last time I saw him.
I took a deep breath and pushed open the door.
Inside was smoky, whiskey and cigarette smell hitting my nostrils. I sat at the bar, suddenly hearing a familiar voice from the corner.
"...he comes here every night, for ten years now. Gets drunk and calls out that woman's name like some fool."
I turned to see Jack - our childhood friend who'd grown up with all three of us. He looked much more haggard than ten years ago, his face written with anger.
"That Lily Brooks is such a bitch. Marcus nearly killed himself over her, and she ran off with that rich bastard for money..."
"Jack?" I called his name, trembling.
Jack turned, and when he saw me, his glass crashed onto the bar, whiskey spilling everywhere. His eyes instantly turned ice-cold.
"Well, I'll be damned... Lily Brooks. World-famous violinist, Philip Brooks's fiancée. What're you doing in a place like this? Showing off your success?"
My heart pounded violently, palms starting to sweat. "Jack, I..."
"SHUT UP!" Jack shot up, pointing at my nose. "You know how Marcus has spent these ten years?"
No... don't tell me... I prayed desperately in my mind.
"He comes here to get wasted every night! Ten years! A whole DECADE! All because of your 'we're impossible'!" Jack's voice grew louder. "He built a business empire, went from nothing to real estate mogul - you know why he pushed himself so hard?"
My legs went weak, chest feeling like someone had punched it. "Why..."
"Because he wanted to prove he was worthy of you, you bitch! He thought if he got rich, got status, maybe you'd come back! But you? You were enjoying the high life in that rich man's bed!"
Every word stabbed like a knife into my heart. Marcus... my Marcus... he'd endured so much pain for me...
"I get that you're a gold-digging whore! I get that you dumped someone who truly loved you for money!" Jack continued raging.
I completely broke down, covering my face and sobbing. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I know I have no right... I'll leave right now..."
I turned to flee, but a warm, trembling hand suddenly grabbed my wrist, gripping so tight as if afraid I'd disappear.
I looked back and saw that face I'd longed for these ten years.
Marcus.
He wore an expensive dark suit, but his eyes were full of shock and disbelief. Ten years had made him more mature and handsome, but also more weathered. His hand trembled, gripping my wrist tightly.
"Lily?" His voice shook. "Is it really you?"
"Marcus!" Jack stood excitedly. "Perfect timing! Look who's back!"
"Jack, shut up." Marcus's voice was calm, but his grip tightened, his other hand reaching to steady my shoulder, as if afraid I'd run.
"Why should I shut up? This woman hurt you for ten years!" Jack protested.
"I SAID SHUT UP! GET OUT! NOW!" Marcus finally exploded, but his hands never released me.
Jack stared at Marcus in shock, finally shaking his head and leaving. He threatened on his way out: "If you hurt him again, I'll kill you."
The bar was left with just Marcus and me. His hands still gripped me tightly, his gaze so intense it seemed to see through my soul.
"Marcus, I should go. Jack's right..." I couldn't meet his eyes.
"Look at me." His other hand gently touched my cheek, forcing me to lift my head.
When I met those deep blue eyes, I saw shock, pain, and a kind of hope.
"Are you really Lily?" he asked carefully, thumb stroking my cheek.
I could feel the warmth of his fingers, that familiar heat making it hard to breathe. "I'm Lily Carter. That poor mountain girl. I'm your Lils."
Marcus's eyes flashed with excitement, but quickly turned cautious. "If you're really my Lils..."
He took a deep breath, cupping my face with both hands. "Our sixteenth birthday - what did we put in the time capsule buried under the old oak?"
My heartbeat skipped. "The wooden violin model you carved by hand, our photo under the oak tree, and letters we wrote to our future selves."
Marcus's face went pale, his body starting to shake. "In the letter... what did I write?"
"You wrote 'Lils, no matter what happens, I'll love you forever. I'll be your knight for life.'"
Marcus suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace, his body trembling violently, breath rapid against my ear.
"Lils... my Lils..." he whispered in my ear, voice carrying incredulous joy. "You really came back..."
I cried in his arms, feeling the warmth and strength of his embrace. "I'm sorry... sorry I made you wait so long..."
"No, don't apologize." He held me tighter, hands constantly stroking my hair. "This isn't your fault. I knew that wasn't you."
"How did you know?" I pushed back to look at him, confused.
"Because I know you. The real you would never say those things." His hands reluctantly stayed on me, gently stroking my arms. "Your soul is pure, beautiful."
He took my hand, fingers intertwining. "Come home with me. Real home."