Marcus's POV
I saw fear in her eyes, the glimmer of terror reflecting at me.Tears cascaded down her face, each droplet a testament to her anguish.She stood frozen in place, lost and disoriented amidst the chaos.As I approached her, her eyes remained fixated on mine, searching for answers or perhaps seeking solace.Kneeling on one knee, I gently held her chin, studying her face intently, trying to decipher the turmoil within."Why are you crying?" I asked, a hint of amusement dancing in my eyes as if I found her distress somewhat entertaining.Lillian swallowed hard, her gaze never wavering from my face."Are you going to tell Dad?" she asked, her voice filled with fear as if her entire fate depended on my response.A chuckle escaped my lips, amused by the desperation in her voice.Lillian hung onto my every word, as if it were a lifeline, desperately hoping I would spare her from her father's wrath.Using my thumb, I brushed away the tears that had fallen onto her cheeks, momentarily soothing her anguish.Studying her face once more, I leaned in closer, my voice low and measured."I'll think about it, Lillian," I said, maintaining my gaze upon her, prolonging her torment.Fear etched itself deeper into her expression, her voice barely a whisper."No... please," she begged, her eyes pleading with me, but I only smiled and stood up.I was about to turn away when she knelt on the ground, disregarding the discomfort of grass and stones against her knees.I furrowed my brow, taken aback by the sight of the mighty Lillian Hawthorne humbling herself before me.I had never expected her to sink so low, to plead in such a manner."Don't tell Dad, please," she pleaded, fresh tears streaming down her face."I'll do anything you want, just don't tell Dad," she continued, rubbing her palms together anxiously.She appeared completely different from the Lillian I once knew, no longer the perfect president's daughter.Exhaling deeply, I reached out and gently took her elbow, helping her stand.Bending down, I wiped away the dust and dirt from her knees, guilt tugging at me as I saw the redness caused by her kneeling.Straightening up, I faced her, a weighty silence settling between us."You'll do anything?" I asked, my eyes locked with hers.Lillian nodded without hesitation, her determination clear."What are you doing here, Lillian?"Lillian flinched at the sound of her father's voice, and when I turned, I saw Gabriel and my mother standing there."What are you two doing here?" my mother inquired, her gaze shifting between me and Lillian."I just wanted to get some fresh air, Mom," I replied, maintaining my focus on Lillian."But I happened to see something interesting in your pool, Dad," I said, holding Lillian's gaze.Her eyes widened, silently begging me to stop, but I merely smiled and turned to Gabriel, who wore a puzzled expression."You have a majestic view of the moon from the pool area," I blurted out, causing Gabriel to burst into laughter, taken aback by my unexpected comment.Gabriel turned his gaze toward the moon and nodded in agreement."Yeah, I agree, son," he said, his laughter subsiding."Let's go inside," he suggested his attention now on Lillian."Lillian, we need to talk," he added, his tone tinged with tension and anger.Lillian swallowed hard, nodding in response."Yes, Dad," she replied nervously.As we made our way into the house, an air of unease enveloped us.Once in the living room, we settled on the couch, with my mother and Gabriel seated together while Lillian and I sat across from them, keeping a distance."Why didn't you join us for dinner?" Gabriel inquired, his gaze fixed on Lillian, his effort to suppress his anger palpable.My mother gently held his hand, attempting to calm him down."I'm sorry, Dad," Lillian replied, her head bowed in submission.My eyes remained fixed on her, aware of the fear emanating from her every pore."What is happening to you, Lillian?" Gabriel pressed, his frustration evident.Lillian shook her head, keeping her gaze lowered, avoiding her father's eyes."Look at me when I'm talking to you!" Gabriel demanded, his voice reverberating through the room, causing Lillian to flinch."Gabriel," my mother interjected, trying to soothe his anger, but he was too furious to be soothed.Lillian looked up at her father, tears streaming down her face, struggling to find her voice."I'm sorry, Dad," she managed to say, her words laden with a mix of guilt and desperation.Gabriel sighed deeply, his gaze locked onto his daughter's face."I don't want this to happen again, do you understand me, Lillian?" he asked sternly.Lillian obediently nodded, her fear still evident in her tone."Yes, Dad," she replied politely, her voice tinged with fear."Go to your room," Gabriel commanded, his anger simmering.Lillian nodded without a word, no questions asked, and made her way to her room.Once she was gone, Gabriel turned to me, his expression apologetic."I'm sorry you had to witness that. Lillian isn't always like this. Perhaps she's having a difficult time accepting the way things have turned out, but I'll talk to her," he said, his eyes still filled with remorse.I simply nodded, accepting his apology."It's fine," I responded, signalling an end to the conversation."I have to go," I added, preparing to leave, but my mother spoke up."It's already late. You should spend the night here, Marcus," she suggested, her eyes filled with hope.I glanced at her, realizing she held onto the idea that we could be one happy family. Yet, I couldn't accept the thought of calling that corrupt official my family.Gabriel chimed in, urging me to stay."Your mom is right. It's too dangerous to drive at this hour. You should sleep here," he insisted, leaving me no choice but to agree."Okay," I said, and upon hearing my agreement, a smile graced my mother's lips."Martha," Gabriel called, and a woman appeared after a moment."Yes, sir?" she politely inquired."Prepare Marcus' room," he instructed, and Martha nodded."Good night, then," I bid them farewell, standing up."Good night, son," Gabriel replied, and my mother approached, kissing me on the cheek."Good night, Marcus," she said, her smile unwavering.I simply nodded and followed Martha as she led the way.After a few minutes of walking, we reached a door at the end of the right-wing. Martha stopped and turned to me, her face filled with politeness."This will be your room, sir," she said, opening the grand white door.Stepping inside, I scanned the room, taking in its cleanliness and simplicity."It looks clean. I'm fine with it," I stated, content with the arrangement."Are you sure, sir?" Martha asked, seeking confirmation."Just call me if you need anything," she offered."Just call me Marcus," I corrected her, desiring a more familiar address.Martha smiled, nodding in understanding, and was about to leave when a lingering question escaped from my lips."Alexander Montgomery," I uttered, perplexing Martha."How long has he known Lillian?" I asked, seeking clarity.Martha appeared confused by the question."He has known Lillian since the day she was born. Alexander is like a second father to her," she revealed."Is that all?" I probed, unsatisfied with her answer."Lillian isn't perfect, despite what they claim. She makes mistakes and poor decisions at times. She's only human, after all. We all have our skeletons in the closet, don't we?" Martha mused, her gaze fixed on me.So, she knew?Lillian's POVI sat alone in my room, staring at the blank canvas before me. Tears streamed down my face, not out of sadness, but from a deep sense of frustration. I felt a rage building inside me, unable to voice my thoughts because I grew up that way.Dad forced me to be like that. To please people and simply agree to everything they have to say because that is the only way for them to like me...to love me.Ever since I was a child I was silenced keeping my opinion to myself.I always have this urge to speak up but fear always consumed me. I am afraid that if I revealed the real me they won't like me, especially my father.I want him to see me as a perfect daughter because he loves me that way. He will only love me if I am a perfect daughter.While drunk in self-pity, my phone lit up, and upon checking I saw a message from Alexander.From: AlexanderI'm sorry about what happened, Lillian. I hope it won't change anything between us.I stared at the message, unsure of how to respond.
Marcus's POVThe entire table fell silent, anticipation filling the air as everyone awaited Lillian's response. I noticed Lillian purposely avoiding my gaze, her eyes fixed on her plate. "What do you mean by that, Marcus?" Gabriel asked, breaking the silence.I glanced at Gabriel, offering him a smile. "Nothing, Dad. I just never expected Vice President Montgomery to be so closely connected to your family," I replied, trying to downplay the situation."Our family, Marcus," he corrected me, and I simply nodded my head in agreement.We continued eating breakfast, and once I finished, I decided it was time to leave. "Marcus, I need you to review the profiles of the qualified candidates for judicial nomination," Gabriel uttered just as I was about to exit."Sure, just send me the file," I responded."I have to go," Gabriel acknowledged with a nod, while Mom smiled at me. Lillian didn't even bother to acknowledge my presence.I left the White House and made my way to my car. Driving t
Lillian's POVMarcus trailed behind me as I entered Luis Vuitton.He settled on a couch while I headed to the counter, searching for jewellery when a wristwatch caught my eye.Nicole, my shopper, immediately approached me with a smile. "Hi Lillian, looking for something?" she asked."Can I take a look at this watch?" I pointed to a black and gold wristwatch.Nicole retrieved it from the glass case and handed it to me. "A gift?" she inquired."Yeah," I responded, then glanced at Marcus, who was engrossed in conversation with a store staff offering him a drink.Returning my attention to the watch, I heard Nicole ask, "Is he your boyfriend?"I shook my head. "He's my brother," I replied, causing her eyes to widen."Atty. Marcus Sullivan?" she asked, and I nodded."He looks even more handsome in person. I saw him on the news and thought he was a celebrity," Nicole said, her gaze fixed on Marcus."Is he single, Lillian?" Nicole asked, turning her attention back to me, awaiting my respon
Marcus's POVI returned to the A&M law firm and found Alice waiting for me in my office, arms crossed and eyebrows raised."Where have you been?" she asked, her tone demanding.I walked towards my desk and sat down, deciding to check my computer for the profiles of the candidates for judicial nomination."Lillian had an accident," I replied, my eyes fixed on the monitor.Alice gasped, and when I glanced at her, her eyes widened in shock."Is she okay?" she asked, worry evident in her voice.I nodded and focused my attention back on the monitor."It was just a minor accident. We had to pay for the damages," I said, scanning through the candidates' profiles."Thank God," Alice said, relief washing over her."The way you ran earlier, I thought someone had died. Your face showed genuine concern, even though you claim to hate Lillian. Your actions contradict your words, Marcus," she teased me once again.I furrowed my brow and scoffed at her comment."Shut up, Alice. Don't you have work to
Lillian's POVcould feel my hands growing cold as Marcus stared at me intently.With each step I took towards him, his gaze remained fixed on me.Leaning against his car, he played with his car keys in his right hand. When I finally stood just a few steps away from him, he stood straight and opened the car door for me."Where's Daddy's driver?" I asked before getting into the car."Busy," he replied curtly, and as I stepped inside, he closed the door and walked around to the other side.Sliding into the driver's seat, he started the engine."So, are you two together now?" he blurted out, causing my forehead to crease."It's none of your business, Marcus," I firmly replied, turning my head to look out the window.We settled into silence, but it was soon broken by the sound of his ringing phone.He answered the call, putting it on loudspeaker since he is driving.I don't want to eavesdrop but I can't help but listen to their conversation.I caught a glimpse of the caller's name, Alice,
Marcus's POVMy heart pounded loudly in my chest as I looked at Lillian.Taking the opportunity, I held her hand and led her out of the crowd, pulling her along with me.Once we were out of the crowd, we walked back to our table, and I guided her to sit on the couch.She appeared extremely intoxicated, and annoyance washed over me as I watched her.She closed her eyes, leaning back against the couch."Drunk?" Dylan asked, looking at Lillian.I nodded and let out a deep breath."Let's do body shots, guys!" Alice suddenly appeared, holding a cocktail as she walked toward our table."Enough, Alice, you're drunk too," I said firmly, but she just smiled at me and approached Lillian.Taking a seat beside Lillian, she started tapping her face."Hey, babe, let's do body shots," Alice said, attempting to wake Lillian.Lillian groaned, then after a while, she opened her eyes and upon seeing Alice, a wide smile spread across her lips."Alice," Lillian called, wrapping her arms around Alice's wai
Lillian's POVHis words echoed in my head like a broken record.I felt insulted.No one had ever turned me down before.It was the first time someone had rejected me.I was used to getting what I wanted, but when Marcus came into the picture, he became a constant reminder that I couldn't have it all.As we arrived at the White House, I stepped out of his car, prepared to walk towards the front door, but he pulled me towards the back of the house."Someone might see you if we use the front door," he said, guiding me towards the backdoor that led to the kitchen.As soon as we stepped inside, Martha appeared, her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at us."Why are you late?" she asked sternly, then turned her gaze to Marcus, who stood behind me."I'm sorry, Martha. A friend invited me to a party, so I decided to bring Lillian," he said, causing my eyebrows to furrow.He was giving a different reason, probably to cover for me, but I wouldn't let him take the blame."No. I insisted on coming w
Marcus's POVA smile tugged at my lips as I watched Lillian walk away, covering her ears like a child. Once she was out of sight, I turned my attention back to my laptop and resumed typing."You seem happy," my mom's voice broke through, and I quickly erased the smile, meeting her gaze with a straight face."Are you talking to Alice?" she inquired, trying to sneak a peek at my laptop, but I promptly closed it."No, Mom," I replied, but she gave me a mischievous look, a teasing smile playing on her lips.She walked over to me and planted a kiss on my cheek. "I have to go. Have you seen Lillian?" she asked."She's already outside," I informed her, and she nodded before walking away.Once Mom was gone, I opened my laptop again and continued my work. An hour later, just as I was about to leave, Alexander appeared."Vice President Montgomery," I greeted him, extending my hand, which he gladly took."You're too formal, Marcus. Just call me Alexander," he said, and I nodded."Alexander, y