Chapter 7 - The Woman Who Wouldn't Be Bought
Adrian offered Lily money.
She refused.
A house.
She refused.
A car.
She refused.
A permanent position.
She refused.
Finally he asked:
“What do you want?”
She looked at him.
“I want you to stop trying to buy your way out of every problem.”
That hurt.
But she was right.
Adrian began changing.
He sold the mansion.
He moved Ellie into a smaller house with a backyard.
Lily moved into the guest cottage temporarily.
Not because Adrian demanded it.
Because she chose it.
They built a routine.
Breakfast together.
School runs.
Doctor appointments.
Evening walks.
Adrian learned how to make pancakes.
Badly.
Ellie called them “construction pancakes.”
One evening, she asked:
“Daddy, do you love Lily?”
Adrian nearly choked.
Lily laughed.
“That's a big question.”
Ellie shrugged.
“I think he does.”
Adrian looked at Lily.
“I do.”
The room became quiet.
Lily's expression softened.
“I know.”
But happiness was interrupted when Vanessa returned.
She claimed she wanted custody of Ellie.
Adrian panicked.
The old fear returned.
But instead of fighting with money, he went to court.
Lily testified.
Ellie spoke with a therapist.
The judge ruled that Ellie would remain with Adrian.
Vanessa cried.
Before leaving, she told Adrian:
“I was wrong.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
She looked at Lily.
“Take care of them.”
May you like
Lily answered:
“I will.”
