CHAPTER 1 — THE FOOTSTEPS BEHIND HER
CHAPTER 1 — THE FOOTSTEPS BEHIND HER
Lily crawled.
One inch.
Then another.
Her fingers slipped against the cold marble, leaving faint streaks where tears and sweat had mixed on her skin.
She didn't feel the pain in her knees anymore.
She didn't feel the burning in her stomach where Serena's heel had struck her.
She didn't even feel the sharp sting in her palms.
All she could see was Ethan.
Her Ethan.
The fourteen-month-old boy who had once wrapped his tiny fingers around hers on the first day she came to the Blackwood mansion.
The baby who smiled whenever she sang to him.
The baby who refused to sleep unless she was the one who tucked the blanket beneath his chin.
Now he was lying on the floor, trembling.
His injured arm rested at an unnatural angle against his tiny body.
"Ethan..."
Lily reached for him.
The baby's lips moved.
A broken sound escaped his throat.
"Li..."
Her heart shattered.
"I'm here."
She dragged herself closer.
"I'm here, sweetheart."
Serena stepped between them.
Lily froze.
Serena's designer heels clicked against the marble.
Slow.
Elegant.
Unhurried.
As if the crying child at her feet wasn't dying of pain.
As if Lily wasn't bleeding.
As if nothing terrible had happened.
"You really don't know when to stop, do you?"
Lily looked up.
Serena Montigue stood beneath the enormous crystal chandelier.
Her blonde hair was still perfectly arranged.
Her silk dress wasn't wrinkled.
Her makeup hadn't moved.
She looked exactly like the woman who appeared on the society pages beside Victor Blackwood.
Elegant.
Sophisticated.
Untouchable.
Nobody looking at her would ever believe what she had just done.
Lily tried to stand.
Her stomach screamed in protest.
She fell back onto one knee.
"Please."
Serena tilted her head.
"Please what?"
"Let me take him to the hospital."
Serena laughed softly.
"You are being dramatic."
"His arm is broken."
"You don't know that."
"Look at him!"
Lily pointed toward Ethan.
"He can't breathe properly."
Serena glanced at the baby.
For a fraction of a second, something cold appeared in her eyes.
Then it disappeared.
"He'll be fine."
"No, he won't."
Lily's voice cracked.
"You hurt him."
Serena's expression changed.
"Careful."
Lily swallowed.
"You grabbed his arm."
"I was disciplining him."
"He's fourteen months old!"
"And?"
Lily stared at her in disbelief.
Serena walked closer.
"Do you know what your problem is?"
Lily said nothing.
"You've become too attached."
Serena crouched.
Her face was inches from Lily's.
"You've forgotten your place."
Lily's hands trembled.
"My place is taking care of Ethan."
"No."
Serena smiled.
"Your place is doing what you're told."
She stood again.
"And soon, you won't even have to do that."
Lily's eyes narrowed.
"What does that mean?"
Serena looked toward the staircase.
"When I marry Victor, things are going to change."
Lily felt a chill.
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that this mansion will belong to me."
Serena looked down at Ethan.
"And so will he."
Lily's blood ran cold.
"You won't hurt him again."
Serena's eyes hardened.
"You don't get to decide that."
Lily forced herself to stand.
This time she succeeded.
She took one shaky step toward Ethan.
Serena grabbed her wrist.
"Don't."
"Let go of me."
"You should learn when to stay quiet."
Lily tried to pull away.
Serena tightened her grip.
"I said let go."
"You think Victor will believe you?"
Lily stopped.
Serena smiled.
"There it is."
She leaned closer.
"That little bit of fear."
Lily's breathing became shallow.
"You know what Victor sees when he looks at you?"
Lily didn't answer.
"A nanny."
Serena released her wrist.
"An employee."
She smiled.
"Nobody important."
Lily looked at Ethan.
Her eyes filled with tears.
Serena continued.
"You could scream until your throat bleeds."
She walked toward the grand staircase.
"You could tell Victor everything."
She stopped.
"And I could tell him you attacked me."
Lily stared at her.
"He won't believe you."
Serena smiled.
"Exactly."
Then—
A sound echoed through the mansion.
Footsteps.
Lily's heart stopped.
Serena froze.
One foot remained on the first step.
The sound came again.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
Slow.
Heavy.
Measured.
Someone was walking through the entrance hall.
Lily turned.
Serena's face went pale.
The front doors had opened.
A tall man stepped through them.
Black coat.
Black shirt.
Rainwater glistening across his shoulders.
His dark hair was slightly damp.
His expression was unreadable.
Victor Blackwood.
Lily stopped breathing.
He wasn't supposed to be home.
He had told everyone he would be away until tomorrow morning.
But there he was.
The most feared man in Chicago.
The man whose name made businessmen lower their voices and criminals disappear.
The man Serena was supposed to marry.
Victor looked around the foyer.
His eyes passed over the chandelier.
The staircase.
The shattered vase on the floor.
Then—
He heard Ethan.
The baby's weak cry broke through the silence.
Victor's head turned.
His eyes landed on his son.
Something changed.
Not in his face.
Not obviously.
But Lily saw it.
A flash of fear.
Then rage.
Pure, controlled rage.
Victor walked forward.
"Why is my son on the floor?"
Nobody answered.
Serena recovered first.
"Victor."
She hurried down the stairs.
"You came home early."
He didn't look at her.
His eyes remained on Ethan.
"Why is he crying?"
Serena reached for his arm.
"There was an accident."
Victor finally looked at her.
"What accident?"
"Ethan fell."
"From where?"
"The stairs."
Victor glanced toward the staircase.
Then back at his son.
The distance between Ethan and the bottom step was obvious.
Too far.
His eyes narrowed.
"How did he fall?"
Serena hesitated.
"He was playing."
"Where was Lily?"
Serena looked toward Lily.
"She was supposed to be watching him."
Lily's mouth fell open.
"That's not true."
Serena turned sharply.
"Lily—"
"I was with him."
Victor looked at Lily.
For the first time, their eyes met directly.
Lily's heart pounded.
His eyes were colder than she expected.
But there was something else there.
Attention.
He was studying her.
Her torn uniform.
Her scraped knees.
The hand pressed against her stomach.
Then he looked at Serena.
"Why is Lily injured?"
Serena answered immediately.
"She fell."
Victor's eyes dropped to Lily's knees.
Then to the floor.
Then to Serena's shoes.
He said nothing.
He walked past Serena.
Straight toward Ethan.
The baby whimpered when Victor knelt.
"Hey."
His voice changed.
It became softer.
"Hey, buddy."
Victor carefully slid his hand beneath Ethan's head.
Ethan's eyes opened.
For one second, the baby stared at his father.
Then he began crying again.
Victor's jaw clenched.
"It's okay."
He lifted Ethan carefully.
The baby immediately curled against his chest.
Victor froze when he saw the injured arm.
His expression became terrifyingly still.
"What happened to his arm?"
Serena stepped closer.
"I told you."
Victor looked at her.
"I asked what happened to his arm."
"He fell."
Victor stared at her.
"No."
Serena blinked.
"No?"
"You said he fell down the stairs."
"Yes."
Victor looked at Ethan.
"Then why isn't his head injured?"
Serena's lips parted.
Victor continued.
"Why is there a bruise around his wrist?"
Silence.
Lily's heart hammered.
Victor looked at her.
"Who did this?"
Lily couldn't speak.
Serena stepped forward.
"Victor, you're upset. We should get Ethan to a doctor first."
Victor's eyes moved to her.
"I know."
He turned toward one of his guards.
"Call the medical team."
"Yes, sir."
"And an ambulance."
"Right away."
Serena grabbed his arm.
"Victor, please."
He slowly looked at her hand.
Then at her face.
She released him.
The security team moved through the foyer.
One guard ran upstairs.
Another called the private doctor.
Victor remained beside Ethan.
His son was still crying.
His tiny fingers clung weakly to Victor's shirt.
Victor lowered his head.
"I'm here."
His voice was barely audible.
"Daddy's here."
Lily watched.
She had seen Victor hold Ethan many times.
But never like this.
He looked terrified.
Not like a mafia boss.
Not like the ruthless man whose name appeared in whispered conversations.
Just a father.
A father who had come home too late.
Lily's eyes filled.
Victor looked at her again.
"Tell me what happened."
Serena immediately interrupted.
"Victor—"
"I wasn't talking to you."
The foyer went silent.
Serena's face hardened.
Lily stared at Victor.
Her throat felt dry.
She knew this was her chance.
But fear wrapped around her heart.
Serena's words echoed in her mind.
Nobody will believe some cheap nanny.
Lily looked at Ethan.
His face was pale.
His breathing was shallow.
She closed her eyes.
Then opened them.
"She hurt him."
Victor didn't move.
Serena did.
"What?"
Lily pointed at her.
"She hurt Ethan."
Serena laughed.
"She's lying."
Lily's voice grew stronger.
"I saw her grab his arm."
"Enough!"
Serena snapped.
Lily flinched.
Victor didn't.
Lily forced herself to continue.
"She dragged him across the floor."
Serena's eyes flashed.
"Stop lying!"
"She was angry because he wouldn't stop crying."
"I said stop!"
"She kept pulling him!"
Lily's voice broke.
"I tried to stop her."
Victor's eyes darkened.
"And?"
Lily looked down.
"She kicked me."
Serena's face changed.
Victor slowly turned toward her.
"Did you?"
"I—"
"Did you kick her?"
Serena swallowed.
"She attacked me first."
Victor's expression remained cold.
"That's not what I asked."
Serena stared at him.
"I pushed her."
Lily whispered:
"You kicked me."
Serena snapped.
"You were grabbing me!"
"I was trying to save Ethan!"
"You were interfering!"
The words hung in the air.
Serena realized what she had said.
Victor's face became expressionless.
"You were interfering."
Serena said nothing.
"You were trying to stop her."
Lily nodded.
Victor looked at Serena.
"You kicked her."
Serena's voice became softer.
"Victor..."
"Did you?"
"I was angry."
Victor stared at her.
"At a baby?"
Serena's eyes filled with tears.
"You don't understand."
"No."
Victor's voice dropped.
"I understand perfectly."
The medical team rushed into the foyer.
"Mr. Blackwood."
Victor immediately handed Ethan to the doctor.
"Take him."
The doctor examined the baby's arm.
His expression became serious.
"Possible fracture."
Victor's jaw tightened.
"Do whatever is necessary."
"We need to take him to the hospital."
"Then go."
The doctor nodded.
As they moved Ethan toward the exit, Lily followed.
Victor caught her wrist gently.
She froze.
"You're coming too."
Lily looked at him.
"Me?"
"You've been taking care of him for six months."
His voice softened.
"He'll look for you."
Lily's eyes filled with tears.
She nodded.
Serena stepped forward.
"Victor, you can't seriously believe her."
Victor turned.
His expression was cold.
"Our engagement is over."
Serena stared at him.
"What?"
"You heard me."
"No."
She shook her head.
"You don't mean that."
Victor removed his engagement ring.
The small diamond caught the chandelier light.
He placed it on the marble table.
"I don't marry women who hurt children."
Serena's face turned white.
"You are choosing her?"
Victor looked at Lily.
Then at Ethan.
"No."
He looked back at Serena.
"I'm choosing my son."
Serena's breathing became ragged.
"You'll regret this."
Victor said nothing.
"You'll regret humiliating me."
Still nothing.
Serena's eyes moved toward Lily.
A terrible hatred appeared in them.
"This isn't finished."
Lily felt a chill.
Victor noticed.
He stepped between them.
"Take Serena to the east wing."
Two guards approached.
Serena backed away.
"Victor!"
"Lock the doors."
"You can't lock me up!"
"Watch me."
The guards took her arms.
She fought.
"You'll never get away with this!"
Victor didn't react.
Serena was dragged away.
Her screams echoed through the mansion.
Then the front doors closed.
Silence.
Lily stood alone with Victor.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Victor looked down at her bruised stomach.
"Can you walk?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
Lily nodded.
Victor studied her face.
"You should have told me."
Lily lowered her eyes.
"I tried."
"What do you mean?"
"I sent you emails."
Victor frowned.
"When?"
"Two weeks ago."
"About Ethan?"
"Yes."
Victor's expression changed.
"How many?"
"Seven."
He stared at her.
"I never received them."
Lily looked confused.
"But I sent them."
Victor pulled out his phone.
He called Daniel.
"Pull every email sent to me from Lily Harper during the last month."
A pause.
"All of them."
Another pause.
"Now."
He ended the call.
Lily stared at him.
"Do you believe me?"
Victor looked directly into her eyes.
"I believe you saw something."
Lily's heart sank.
"That's not the same thing."
"No."
Victor's voice became quieter.
"It isn't."
He looked toward the doors through which Ethan had disappeared.
"But I intend to find out the truth."
Lily nodded.
Victor took one step toward her.
"From this moment on, you don't speak to Serena."
"Okay."
"You don't go anywhere alone."
Lily frowned.
"Why?"
"Because if she's willing to hurt my son, I don't know what else she's capable of."
Lily felt a shiver.
Victor continued.
"And if she has someone helping her..."
He stopped.
Lily looked up.
"Someone inside your organization?"
Victor's eyes sharpened.
"You said she mentioned that?"
Lily nodded.
"She said nobody would believe me."
Victor stared at her.
"She knew you would try to tell me."
"Yes."
"And she knew you were afraid."
Lily nodded.
Victor's phone rang.
Daniel.
Victor answered.
"What did you find?"
Daniel's voice was tense.
"Boss, there is something you need to see."
"What?"
"We found three emails from Lily."
Victor's eyes moved to her.
"Only three?"
"There should be seven."
"Where are the others?"
"We're checking the server."
Victor's expression hardened.
Daniel continued.
"There's something else."
"What?"
"Someone created a forwarding rule on your account."
Victor went still.
"Where were the emails sent?"
A pause.
"An external address."
"Whose?"
"We're tracing it."
Victor's eyes became cold.
"Do it quickly."
He ended the call.
Lily watched him.
"Was I telling the truth?"
Victor looked at her.
"Yes."
A single word.
But it was enough to make Lily's eyes burn.
For six months, she had wondered whether she was imagining things.
For six months, she had watched Ethan suffer while everyone around her pretended not to notice.
Now—
Someone else knew.
Someone powerful.
Someone who could finally expose the truth.
Victor turned toward the hospital doors.
Then stopped.
"Lily."
She looked up.
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
She blinked.
"What?"
He looked at her.
"For protecting my son."
Lily's lips trembled.
"I couldn't let her hurt him."
Victor nodded.
"I know."
He turned away.
Neither of them noticed Serena standing at the end of the upstairs corridor.
Her face was wet with tears.
But she wasn't crying anymore.
She was watching them.
Watching Victor look at Lily.
Watching the way he had protected her.
Watching the trust forming between them.
Serena slowly wiped the tears from her cheeks.
Her expression became cold.
She pulled a phone from beneath her sleeve.
One message appeared on the screen.
DID HE FIND OUT?
Serena typed:
Not everything.
The reply came almost instantly.
Then we still have time.
Serena looked down at Lily.
Then at Victor.
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
She typed one final message.
Get ready.
The nanny knows too much.
Downstairs, Victor was still standing beside the empty doorway.
He had no idea that the woman he had just exposed was only the beginning.
He had no idea that someone had been watching his family for years.
And he certainly had no idea that Lily Harper—
the woman he had always believed was just a nanny—
was connected to a secret buried deep inside the Blackwood family.
A secret his dead father had spent years trying to hide.
A secret that was about to destroy everything Victor thought he knew.
And somewhere in the darkness outside the mansion...
a black car slowly pulled away.
Inside it, a man watched a photograph of Lily.
He smiled.
"She finally found him."
Then he made a phone call.
"Tell Marcus Vale..."
May you like
His eyes remained fixed on the Blackwood mansion.
"...the girl is still alive."
