As Julian and Alexandra were lost in their passionate moment, the tension between them was palpable. Julian's hands wandered, and Alexandra's lips parted, inviting him in. The air was charged with desire, and their lips met in a fiery kiss.
Meanwhile, Lily was oblivious to the intimate scene unfolding in the study. She was still fuming in her room, trying to process her emotions.
Lily felt trapped in the marriage contract, bound by obligations and expectations. She couldn't shake off the feeling that Julian's actions were a betrayal, but she had to play by the rules.
As she lay in bed, her mind racing with thoughts of Julian and Alexandra, she heard a knock on the door. It was Julian, his expression calm and collected.
"Is everything okay?" Lily asked, her voice neutral.
"Everything's fine," Julian replied, his eyes gleaming in the dim light. "We need to talk about the contract and our arrangement."
Lily's heart sank. What did he want from her now?
Lily's expression remained neutral, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of pain. She nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I understand. The contract does say that you have the freedom to...pursue your interests."
Julian's gaze lingered on her, but Lily refused to meet his eyes. Instead, she focused on the contract, her mind racing with thoughts of her own desires and the sacrifices she'd have to make.
"I'll make sure to remember my role in this arrangement," Lily said finally, her voice steady.
Julian nodded, his expression unreadable. "Good. I think we've discussed enough for tonight."
As he turned to leave, Lily felt a pang of uncertainty. What did the future hold for her in this marriage?
Lily's tears fell silently onto her pillow as she lay in bed, her body shaking with sobs. She felt trapped and helpless, bound by a contract that gave her no rights. The darkness outside seemed to mirror her emotional state.
The CEO, Julian, was oblivious to Lily's distress, locked away in his study with Alexandra, his mistress. The sound of their laughter and whispers only added to Lily's pain.
As the night wore on, Lily's tears eventually subsided, replaced by a numbness that felt like a protective shield. She knew she had to find a way to navigate this arrangement, but for now, she just lay there, lost in her thoughts.
******
Lily remained in her room, avoiding the inevitable encounter with Julian. She knew he'd expect her to play the role of the dutiful wife, but she couldn't bring herself to face him yet.
As she heard the sound of Alexandra's car driving away, Lily felt a mix of emotions. Relief washed over her, followed by a pang of sadness. She knew she had to come to terms with her situation.
After a while, Lily mustered the courage to venture out of her room. She made her way to the kitchen, hoping to find some solace in a quiet breakfast.
But as she entered the kitchen, she was met with Julian's calm demeanor, sipping coffee and reading the news on his phone. The atmosphere was tense, and Lily's heart skipped a beat.
"Good morning," Julian said, his voice neutral.
Lily's response was hesitant. "Good morning."
Lily excused herself and made her way to the rooftop, seeking a moment of solitude. The fresh air and breathtaking view of the city skyline were a welcome respite from the tension downstairs.
As she stood at the edge of the rooftop, the wind whipping her hair into a frenzy, Lily felt a sense of freedom she hadn't experienced in a long time. She closed her eyes, letting the wind wash over her, and let out a deep breath.
But her peace was short-lived. She heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Julian approaching her. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes seemed to hold a hint of curiosity.
"What are you doing up here?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.
Lily's response was hesitant. "Just getting some air."
Lily lay down on the mat, gazing up at the sky. The blue expanse above her seemed endless, a stark contrast to the confined feelings she'd been experiencing lately. She felt small yet connected to something vast and uncontrollable.
As she stared at the clouds drifting lazily by, Lily's thoughts began to wander. She thought about her dreams, her aspirations, and the life she'd envisioned for herself. The sound of Julian's approach faded into the background as she lost herself in her own world.
The warmth of the sun on her skin was comforting, and for a moment, Lily felt a sense of peace. But it was short-lived, as Julian's shadow fell across her face.
"Lily?" Julian's voice was soft, a departure from his usual commanding tone.
Lily's response was a slow blink, her gaze drifting to Julian's face. "Yes?" she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Julian lay down beside Lily, his eyes also fixed on the sky. The silence between them was comfortable, a rare moment of stillness in their complicated world.
For a while, they simply lay there, the only sound the distant hum of the city. Lily felt a sense of calm wash over her, despite the tension that usually surrounded Julian.
"You seem different when you're like this," Lily said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Julian turned his head, his gaze meeting hers. "Different?" he repeated.
Lily nodded. "Yes, more... human."
Julian's expression softened, and for a moment, Lily glimpsed something in his eyes that looked almost like vulnerability.
Lily asked Julian when he would be less busy, her eyes searching for a glimmer of hope that they'd have some quality time together.
Julian's expression turned calculating as he considered his schedule. "I'm usually less busy on Sundays," he replied. "Why do you ask?"
Lily's face lit up with a mix of curiosity and longing. "I just wanted to know when we could... spend some time together," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Julian's gaze lingered on hers, his eyes seeming to probe her intentions. "I'll make sure to keep Sunday free," he said finally, his tone neutral.
Lily's heart skipped a beat at the prospect of having some time with Julian, even if it was just one day a week.