The Billionaire's Drunken Bride

Her Past

Chapter 7

The following couple of days had been a whirlwind for Lily as she juggled her father's fitness crisis and the developing media frenzy surrounding her surprising marriage to James Watson.

After the dramatic showdown within the court docket, Lily had again to the clinic with a renewed experience of desire, buoyed by using James' swift movement in bringing within the renowned Dr. Callahan to take over her father's care. Michael Walker's condition had stabilized, and the outstanding cardiac physician had assured the own family that he turned into carefully constructive approximately Michael's possibilities for recuperation.

But Lily's respite from the chaos was quick-lived. As soon as information of the Watson marriage and Ryan's downfall hit the headlines, the vultures descended in full pressure. Paparazzi camped out relentlessly on the hospital, snapping photographs and shouting invasive questions any time Lily stepped outside. The tabloid headlines had been a never-ending barrage of sensationalism, speculating wildly approximately her motives and the "sordid" occasions of her drunken wedding ceremony.

Through it all, James had remained a steadfast, calming presence through her side. He had his driving force ferry Lily from side to side from the medical institution, ensuring she ought to cognizance completely on assisting her father. And on every occasion the prying journalists got to be too much, James might usher her speedy interior, defensive her from their onslaught.

Yet as thankful as Lily become for James' unwavering safety, she could not assist however experience beaten through the sheer scale of the media storm swirling round them. She had by no means craved this form of interest, this degree of public scrutiny. It changed into a miles cry from her easy, quiet lifestyles earlier than.

One afternoon, as Lily sat at her father's bedside, clutching his frail hand, she become startled by means of the unexpected appearance of Chloe Adams. The blonde socialite breezed into the ICCU suite, her clothier gown and impeccable hairstyle at odds with the sterile, somber ecosystem.

"Well, properly, if it is not the infamous Mrs. Watson," Chloe purred, her saccharine smile not accomplishing her icy eyes. "Looks like you have managed to grasp to your unwell-gotten function in the end."

Lily bristled, feeling her hackles upward push at the alternative woman's condescending tone. "What do you want, Chloe?" she asked wearily, not within the temper for the other lady's games.

Chloe let out an exaggerated sigh, dramatically draping herself in the chair beside Lily. "Oh, I'm truly right here to offer my _sincere_ condolences about your father's situation." Her gaze flicked over to the subconscious Michael, a glint of vindictiveness flickering in her expression. "It need to be _so_ hard, watching him waste away like this."

Lily's grip on her father's hand tightened protectively. "Save it, Chloe. We each recognise you're not here out of any real issue." She leveled the alternative female with a withering stare. "What do you really want?"

Chloe tsked, clicking her tongue in mock sympathy. "My, my, a person's a touch on facet. But however, I assume I can not blame you. This entire state of affairs have to be honestly _exhausting_." Her lips curled right into a cruel smile. "Especially with the added stress of maintaining your sordid past hidden from the arena."

Lily felt her blood run bloodless, her heart pounding in her ears. "I-I don't know what you are speaking approximately," she stammered, hating the way her voice wavered.

Chloe leaned in nearer, her eyes glinting with malicious triumph. "Oh, I suppose you do, _Lily_." She nearly purred the call, savoring it. "You see, I've executed a bit digging, and I've exposed some rather..._interesting_ information about your past. Skeletons in the closet, if you may."

Lily's mind raced, desperately seeking to parent out what Chloe ought to likely recognise. She had labored so hard to leave that a part of her life behind, to start fresh. The concept of it all being dragged into the light terrified her.

"W-what do you want, Chloe?" she requested, hating the tremor in her voice.

Chloe leaned back, examining her flawlessly manicured nails with feigned disinterest. "Oh, nothing too _extravagant_," she purred. "Just a bit..._insurance_, shall we embrace. A guarantee that you'll be playing by _my_ rules to any extent further."

Lily's heart sank because the implication sank in. Chloe changed into basically blackmailing her, threatening to show some thing dark secrets and techniques Lily had been hiding. And with the media already circling like vultures, the fallout will be devastating.

"You cannot do that," Lily whispered, hating the manner her voice shook.

Chloe's smile widened. "Oh, however I can, my dear. And I will, except you cooperate." She leaned in, her breath tickling Lily's ear. "After all, a lady's gotta do what a woman's gotta do to shield her own family's legacy, hmm?"

Before Lily may want to respond, the door burst open, and James strode in, his expression thunderous.

"Chloe, what the hell are you doing here?" he demanded, his deep voice slicing through the traumatic ecosystem.

Chloe straightened, smoothing a give up her perfectly coiffed hair. "Why, James, darling, I became sincerely presenting my condolences to terrible Lily," she said sweetly, her tone belying the venom in her eyes.

James' gaze narrowed as he appeared between the 2 girls. "Somehow, I doubt that's all you're doing," he growled. He turned to Lily, his expression softening. "Darling, are you all right?"

Lily opened her mouth to reply, but the words stuck in her throat. She could not carry herself to expose Chloe's twisted scheme, not together with her father's life putting inside the balance.

Chloe seized the possibility, flashing James a coy smile. "Oh, don't worry, James. Lily and I had been just having a _delightful_ little chat." She stood, smoothing a hand over her dress. "But I ought to be going. Toodle-oo, _Mrs. Watson_."

With that, she swept out of the room, leaving a traumatic silence in her wake.

James turned to Lily, his brow furrowed with situation. "Lily, what was that all about?" he asked lightly, setting a hand on her shoulder.

Lily hesitated, her gaze flickering to her father's still form. "It's...It's nothing," she murmured, hating the manner the lie tasted on her tongue.

James studied her for an extended second, his hazel eyes looking her face. Lily should see the fear and frustration brewing in the back of his calm facade, and he or she felt a pang of guilt for retaining him inside the darkish.

"Lily, you may trust me, right?" he said softly, his grip on her shoulder tightening ever so slightly. "Whatever it's miles, you don't need to face it alone."

Lily felt her solve crumbling below the burden of his sincerity. She opened her mouth, equipped to spill the whole lot, when a unexpected commotion inside the hallway drew their interest.

A nurse burst into the room, her face flushed with urgency. "Mr. Watson, it's your grandmother. She's collapsed and been rushed to the emergency room."

Lily watched as James' expression shifted, a mask of stoic problem falling over his features. He turned to her, his gaze packed with a silent apology.

"I should move," he said, his voice tight with barely contained emotion. "Will you be all right here?"

Lily nodded, her coronary heart clenching at the notion of him leaving. "Yes, of route. Go, your grandmother needs you."

James hesitated for a second, then reached out and gently squeezed her hand. "I'll be back as soon as I can," he promised, before sweeping out of the room, the nurse hurrying to maintain up together with his long strides.

Lily watched him pass, feeling an overwhelming sense of helplessness. Her father's fragile situation, Chloe's twisted scheme, and now James' grandmother's health crisis – it changed into all threatening to overwhelm her.

But as she turned lower back to her father, Lily felt a renewed feel of willpower. She could not allow this family be torn apart, not if she ought to help it. Whatever Chloe changed into planning, Lily might find a way to outmaneuver her, to protect the humans she cherished.

With a deep breath, Lily squared her shoulders and settled in for

the lengthy haul, geared up to stand anything demanding situations lay ahead.