Lies and Hope

Lily

"Right on time Miss Grace." Alexander said, his voice ringing clear through the silence.

I didn't speak, didn't respond. My gaze was fixated on him. Daniel Bennett, seated in a chair.

He was far from the man I saw before, or even the celebrity pictures Marina used to show me. His face was swollen, a large purple bruise present. Though his hair was styled and face made up, the bruise remained present. Even then, there lay a smug grin on his face.

Swallowing the knot in my throat, I closed the door behind me and approached the large table, trying to maintain my composure despite the mounting tension in my body.

Nathan nodded at me in acknowledgment as I sat down next to him.

I hoped that his presence would provide some support. To my dismay, his face held no expression, added to the uncertainty of the situation and made me even more unnerved.

His job was also at stake, for defending me.

And the reason for it all was…

I clenched my jaw as I met Daniel's smug, unrepentant smile. I