Chapter Four:
The doorknob slowly turned.
Lily's breath stopped.
Her fingers instinctively grabbed Ethan's arm.
"It's locked…" she whispered.
Ethan didn't move.
His eyes stayed on the door as
The handle stopped moving.
And there was silence.
Then there was a knock at the door.
Three slow, deliberate taps.
Lily's heart pounded so loudly she was sure whoever stood outside could hear it.
"Don't say anything," Ethan murmured.
And there came another knock.
It was louder this time.
"Miss Carter," a male voice called.
Lily froze.
He knew her name.
Ethan's expression hardened.
"Who is it?" Ethan asked calmly.
Silence followed.
Then the man spoke again.
"Delivery."
Lily shook her head quickly and said.
"I didn't order anything."
Ethan stepped closer to the door and asked.
"Which company is the order coming from?"but there was no answer.
Instead…
The handle twisted harder again.
Lily backed away.
"Ethan…"
He held up a hand, signaling her to stay quiet.
Then footsteps moved outside slowly measured.the shadow beneath the door shifted,Then… it disappeared.
They waited from one to three minutes and there was no sound or footsteps again.
Ethan slowly moved to the peephole.
He looked through,his eyes narrowed ,and he said"He's gone."
Lily released a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Then lily asked Ethan "Who was that?" and he said that he don't know."
He unlocked the door carefully and opened it just slightly.
The hallway was empty.
But something sat on the floor.
A black envelope.
Ethan picked it up.
Lily's stomach twisted.
"What is it?"
He opened it.
Inside… was a photograph.
He turned it toward her.
Her blood ran cold.
It was her mother,whom was taken to the hospital earlier that day,leaving the hospital.
Lily covered her mouth.
"No…"
Another paper slipped out.
Ethan read it silently.
Then his jaw tightened.
"What does it say?" she whispered.
He hesitated for a while.
Then handed it to her.
Her hands shook as she read:
You were warned. Stay away from him… or she pays the price.
Tears filled her eyes instantly.
"They're threatening my mom…"lily said in tears
Ethan's voice turned dangerously calm.
Lily said that this just became serious."She looked at him, terrified.
"I don't want my mum to be dragged into this."
"They already dragged her."
Her breathing quickened.
"I can't do this. I can't risk her."
Ethan stepped closer to her and told her that he won't let anything happen to her mother."
"You can't promise that!" lily said
"This is your world, Ethan. Powerful people. Dangerous games. I'm not built for this."
But Ethan told her that she don't have to face it alone."
But lily said that she didn't choose this!"
He nodded slowly and said that he knows
She wiped her tears and told Ethan that is better that they stop seeing each other."even though it won't be easy for both of them to take such decision that will hurt them.
He didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he studied her face.
"You don't want that."
"No… but I need it."she said
Ethan asked her if it was for her safety." and she said no but for her mother's safety."
Silence stretched.
Then he nodded once.
"If that's what you want… I'll respect it."
Her heart shattered hearing that.
He placed the envelope on the table and said that he will still find out who's behind this." but lily hesitated and said.
"You don't have to."
But Ethan insisted "I want to."
He moved toward the door.
Every step felt heavy for Lily as she watched him leave.Her chest tightened.He paused at the doorway.
Without turning back, he said softly—
"This isn't over."
Then he walked out and slammed the door,And suddenly the apartment felt empty.too empty for Lily cope with,She sank onto the couch.
Tears slid down quietly from her eyes.
She told herself this was the right decision.
Safer,Smarter and Necessary.
But it hurt more than she expected.
Across the city, Ethan entered his penthouse.
His assistant Daniel stood waiting
"You look like hell," Daniel said.
"Ethan told him that someone threatened Lily."
Daniel straightened.
"What?"
Ethan handed him the photo.
Daniel's expression changed.
"This is professional."
"I know."
"Not paparazzi?"
"No."
Daniel lowered his voice.
"You think it's your family?"
Ethan shook his head.
"My mother manipulates… she doesn't threaten."
"Then who could that be?"
Ethan's eyes darkened.
"I'm going to find out."
Daniel nodded.
"I'll start digging."
Ethan walked to the window.
Below, New York lights stretched endlessly.
But his mind stayed on Lily.
And the fear in her eyes.
Back in her apartment, Lily finally stood up.
She walked to the kitchen for water.
Her hands still shaking.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown number again.
Her heart pounded.
She opened the message and the message says.
Good choice. Stay away from him.
Another message came and it says.
We're watching.
Her chest tightened.
She walked to the window cautiously.
The same black car was still parked across the street.
Her stomach dropped.
They hadn't left.
Suddenly…
Her phone rang again.
But this time… it was the hospital.
Her heart stopped.
She answered immediately.
"Hello?"
"Is this Lily Carter?"
"Yes!"
"This is St. Mary's Hospital. Your mother…"
Lily's knees weakened.
"What about my mom?"
Then the nurse said something that made her world collapse—
"She was just taken by someone claiming to be family."
Lily's voice shook.
"What do you mean taken?!"
"They signed discharge papers and left with her."
Her breathing stopped. And she said that she didn't approve that!"
The nurse's tone grew worried.
And she asked lily if she was the one that sent them."
Lily's hand trembled,and she said that she" didn't!"and she was blaming them for being careless ,she asked them why the hospital didn't call her on phone before releasing her mother to someone that they don't no,the nurse was so cold and weak, she explained to her how everything happened,and how they took her and left ten minutes ago."
The phone nearly slipped from her hand.
Her mother was gone and taken by strangers.
And then…
Another message appeared on her phone.
Unknown sender.
She opened it slowly.
A photo loaded. It was her mother.
Inside a car looking confused.
Text below:
You should have stayed away sooner.