chapter one hundred and thirty-seven

POV Lily:

My heart pounded, and my mind spun as I tried to assimilate Tyler's revelation. He stood there, staring at me with eyes full of indignation, and I knew the words that would come out of his mouth could destroy what remained of us.

"Tyler, please let me explain," I pleaded, tears already staining my face.

He didn't wait. "You accepted a million dollars to marry me? My own mother offered that money, and you accepted?"

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Tyler's words. "Tyler, this is not what you're thinking. I didn't accept it for the money."

He glared at me, furious. "Then why, Lily? Why did you accept this deal?"

"I... I accepted because... because you're amazing, Tyler. You helped me when I needed it the most. I wasn't in a good financial situation, and your proposal seemed like a solution to my problems. But I didn't do it for the money, I swear," I explained, desperate for him to believe me.

"You're lying!" he shouted, looking devastated. "I thought you were different