Chapter 13
Lilian pressed on, seemingly oblivious to his reaction. “To my surprise, facing him again rekindled old feelings. I realized that I had been immature in handling certain aspects of our marriage, and I deeply regret some of my actions, including the allegations of violence.”
Gale‘ s jaw clenched, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but Lilian was not finished.
“I came to see that the love between Brian and me had never truly disappeared. We’ve resolved our misunderstandings,
and I’m happy to share that we are reconciling. Brian is here today to explain further.”
Before Gale could fully process what was happening, Brian Watson strode onto the stage, his presence commanding the attention of every camera in the room.
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He stepped up to the microphone, his tone composed but firm.
“I’m Brian Watson, Lilian‘ s husband,” he began, his words measured. “I want to make it clear that all speculation regarding Lilian and me should end now. We‘ ve reconciled and have decided to give our marriage another chance.
“We will be returning to Paris soon to continue our life together. I’d like to thank Gale Douglas for looking after wife during her time in Providence.”
my
To the shock of everyone in the room, including Gale, Brian turned to Lilian, and the two shared a kiss, sealing their reconciliation in front of the flashing
cameras.
The room erupted into a frenzy as reporters clamored for more details, their cameras clicking furiously to capture the moment.
Gale sat frozen, his mind reeling. His
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carefully crafted narrative had just been shattered in mere minutes.
As Lilian and Brian basked in the spotlight, Gale could only stare, his shock and disbelief evident despite his best efforts to
hide it.
After the press conference, the media buzzed with updates on Lilian and Brian’s dramatic reconciliation.
Brian’s declaration of love and Lilian‘ s public apology overshadowed any lingering questions about Gale and me.
Behind the scenes, Brian worked methodically to suppress any news that mentioned my name, redirecting the public’s focus toward his pursuit of Lilian.
Every headline speculating about my whereabouts was drowned out by articles about Brian’s romantic gestures, Lilian‘ s boutique openings, and their rekindled love story.
However, when articles attacked Gale,
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accusing him of being entangled in another man’s marriage, Brian allowed them to gain traction.
He relished the irony of Gale being cast in a negative light, especially after Gale had so confidently asserted that Brian could not reach Lilian.
Brian was more resourceful than Gale had anticipated. Despite the tightened security around Lilian‘ s penthouse, Brian found a way to meet her.
One day, while Lilian was shopping for groceries, Brian posed as a taxi driver. She only realized who he was once she was inside the car.
“Brian?” Lilian gasped, panic flashing across her face. “Let me out right now!”
“Not until we talk,” Brian replied firmly, locking the doors.
Lilian tried the handle, but it would not budge. “This is kidnapping!” she exclaimed.
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Brian’s voice softened, his eyes glancing at her through the rearview mirror.
“Lilian, please. Just give me a chance to explain. But we won’t talk here.”
When they arrived at the hotel where Brian was staying, he escorted her to his suite, locking the door behind them.
Lilian crossed her arms, glaring at him.
“You can’t force me to stay here, Brian. What do you want from me?”
Brian sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I want you back, Lilian. I know I hurt you, but I’ve realized how much I still love you. Please, give me another chance.”
1
She shook her head, her voice breaking.
“Brian, we can‘ t. You were cruel to me after my miscarriage. You made me feel worthless.
“Every time you reminded me I couldn‘ t have children, it was like you were punishing me for something I couldn’t
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control.”
Brian dropped to his knees in front of her, his voice filled with regret. “I know I was wrong. I let my frustration get the better of me, and I hurt you in ways I never should have.
“But I don’t care about having an heir anymore. I just want you, Lilian. We can adopt, try IVF, or even just live our lives without children. None of that matters as long as you‘ re with me.”
Lilian’s resolve wavered. Despite everything, she had loved Brian deeply.
Unlike Gale, who had tried to control her every move during their relationship, Brian had given her a sense of freedom, at least in the beginning.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she
whispered, “Brian, you were the only man who made me feel truly loved. But then you destroyed that love with your anger.”
Brian reached for her hands, his voice
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desperate. “And I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Please, Lilian. Let me prove it to you.”
After a moment of hesitation, Lilian nodded. “Fine. But only on one condition. We sign a prenuptial agreement. If you ever lay a hand on me again or treat me with disrespect, I’ll leave you for good.”
Brian agreed without hesitation, taking her hands in his. “Anything you want, Lilian. I promise I’ll do better.”
Moved by his sincerity, Lilian allowed herself to lean into his touch. “I love you, Brian,” she whispered.
“I love you too,” he replied, cupping her face and kissing her tenderly.
When Gale later proposed the press conference, Lilian saw it as an opportunity to formally end the lingering questions about her relationship with Gale and to solidify her reunion with Brian in the public eye.
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However, her decision of course made Gale‘ s mind churned with questions. So, after the press conference, Gale confronted Lilian, his frustration boiling over.
“What does all this mean, Lilian?” he demanded.
Before she could answer, Brian stepped forward, shielding her. “I should be asking you that. What do you mean by pursuing my wife?”
“Is that what she told you?” Gale retorted angrily, his voice rising.
“Stop it, both of you!” Lilian interjected, stepping between them. “Gale, I truly
appreciate all you‘ ve done for me since I returned to Providence. But this is where it
ends. My heart belongs to Brian, and I’ve realized that it always has.”
Gale‘ s face twisted in pain as he stared at her. “Lily, I’ve done everything for you. When you came back, I didn’t know what
to do.
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“I even started to think about keeping you and Rachel at the same time. But now you‘ re telling me there’s no chance?”
Lilian shook her head gently, her voice steady. “No, Gale. There isn’t. I’ve moved on. And you should too. I owe
Rachel an apology for everything I’ve caused between the two of you. But this is Over.”
ani
for
Briss
nas
rythi
Gale’s shoulders slumped as the weight of her words hit him. The woman he had
hased for so long, the one who had always luded him, was finally out of reach.
Brian placed a hand on Lilian’s shoulder,
ulling her close. “Be grateful for what ou have, Gale. And stop chasing what loesn’t belong to you.”
With those final words, Brian and Lilian valked away together, leaving Gale.
tanding alone.
dn for the first time, he realized that
verything he had clung to had slipped
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through his fingers. And that time, there was no one to blame but himself.
As Brian and Lilian walked away, their words hung in the air like a bitter echo.
“Bes
grateful for what you have.”
The phrase struck Gale like a dagger, leaving him standing alone there.
Watching the press conference from her room, Gritte was stunned by the turn of
events.
She had always believed Lilian would eventually become her sister–in–law, especially after Gale‘ s clear devotion to
her.
She had even secretly rooted for Lilian, assuming Rachel was just a passing phase
in Gale’s life.
“This is unbelievable,” she muttered, her hands gripping the edge of the sofa as she stared at the screen.