Before the sun had completely risen, Lily awoke to the gentle brightness of morning peeking through the transparent drapes. Beside her, Ethan’s steady breathing served as a silent reminder that she wasn’t alone for the time being. His arm hung lightly around her waist, his warmth keeping her grounded.
The weight in her chest hadn’t decreased, though, even as she lay there looking up at the ceiling.
She had decided. She had decided to remain.
The worry persisted, though.
Would they be able to pull this off?
Lily moved from under his arm and slipped out of bed, being careful not to disturb him. As she went out onto the balcony, she picked up Ethan’s shirt from the neighboring chair and pulled it over her body. She felt a feeling of clarity when the cool morning air stroked her skin.
She encircled herself with her arms while gazing down at the metropolis.
In such a short period, so much had changed. Finally, Carlisle’s reign of terror was done. However, it was more difficult to repair the harm he had caused.
Ethan, too...
Ethan had grown into something greater than she could have ever imagined.
She had formerly detested him. Feared him. Resented the way he had swept into her life and destroyed everything.
And now?
She wasn’t sure how to live without him anymore.
Before he could say a word, she sensed his presence as the sliding door behind her opened.
"You never show up for me," Ethan said, his voice still heavy with slumber.
Lily didn’t look back. "I needed to breathe."
With his forearms resting on the railing, Ethan moved to stand next to her. He didn’t press her to speak or ask for clarification. He did nothing except wait.
She moaned a bit later. "Are you ever concerned that it might be too late for us?"
Ethan scrunched his brows. "What is it too late for?"
"For this." Between them, she made a move. "For a genuine purpose."
Ethan was silent for a while, staring at the horizon. Then he shook his head and let out a breath. "Lily, I wouldn’t be here if I believed it to be too late."
She took a deep breath. "However, what if love is insufficient?"
With piercing blue eyes, Ethan turned to face her. "Love is insufficient." However, it serves as the basis. We must battle for the rest.
Lily gripped the railing with her fingertips and glanced down. "I’m not sure if I have enough strength."
Ethan’s fingertips brushed hers as he reached for her. "Then allow me to support you with strength."
Her throat constricted. Believing him and having faith that they could pull this off would be so simple. But she had been burnt before, and trust was brittle.
"Carlisle has left," Ethan added. However, that does not imply that the past vanishes in an instant. Lily, we’re both bearing scars. We don’t need to act differently.
The emotion swelling in her chest was blinked back. "I simply don’t want to wake up one day and discover that we were wrong."
Ethan’s mouth clenched. "We wasted time, and that was our only error."
She knew in her heart that he was correct, and his words made her chest ache.
She had resisted him, pushed him away, and defended herself.
He was still here, though.
Still going with her.
Continuing to hold on.
Lily took a shaky breath. "I’m afraid."
Ethan clenched his fingers around hers. "I am, too."
For the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to believe him as she finally turned to face him.
Hold onto the hope that they weren’t irreparably damaged.
Have faith that they still had a shot despite everything.
Reaching up, Ethan touched her face with his thumb. "Lily, stop running."
Her voice was no more than a whisper as she nodded. "Stop running."
Later on in the day
Lily flipped through an ancient book in Ethan’s study, but she didn’t actually read the words. She still felt the weight of the talk from the morning, which made it difficult for her to concentrate.
Ethan said he wouldn’t be long before leaving an hour ago to take care of some business.
She ought to have been relieved.
Rather, she felt vulnerable. At risk.
She was startled by a knock at the door.
She stood, her pulse accelerating as her heart sprang into her throat. She had no expectations.
She moved slowly toward the door and paused just long enough to open it.
She was shocked to see it was Claire.
Lily blinked. "Claire?"
Although she had a wary look on her face, Ethan’s assistant grinned. "I hope I’m not disturbing you."
Lily moved aside to let her enter and shook her head. "Not at all. Is everything in order?
Claire paused. "That depends."
Lily scowled. "On what?"
Claire let out a breath, her face softening. "On whether you’re prepared for the next step."
Lily felt a knot in her gut. "What do you mean?"
Claire folded her hands in her lap and sat down on the couch. "Even though Carlisle is no longer there, the danger still exists."
Lily gasped for air. "What are you saying?"
Claire’s voice was forceful yet calm as she met her eyes. Those that were faithful to him are still in existence. Those who are opposed to this ending.
The breath left Lily’s lungs. She had secretly known that things wouldn’t miraculously go better. But it became genuine when you heard it out loud.
Claire went on. "Ethan is making every effort to keep you safe, but he is unable to shield you from every danger. You must be ready.
Lily’s hands tightened. "I assumed this was the end of it."
Claire looked at her knowingly. "Endings are rarely that straightforward."
Lily’s spine tingled at the words.
Since she was aware that Claire was correct.
This was not the end of it.
Not quite yet.
That evening
With stress emanating from him, Ethan arrived home shortly after nightfall. Lily could see it in his jaw’s stiffness and the way his shoulders were set.
Her pulse thumping, she met him in the living room.
"We must speak," she stated.
With a groan, Ethan combed through his hair. "Yes, we do."
Lily took a gulp. "Claire stopped by."
His gaze grew gloomy. "I understand."
She scowled. "You were aware?"
Ethan rubbed his head and nodded. I didn’t want to cause you any anxiety, Lily. Claire is correct, though. Even though Carlisle is no longer with us, his influence endures.
Lily’s hands shook. "What does that signify for us, then?"
Ethan took a step forward to her and placed his hands on her waist. It implies we remain vigilant. It indicates that I take every precaution to keep you secure.
Lily’s chest constricted as she gazed up at him. "What if that isn’t sufficient?"
Ethan’s hold on her became more firm. "After that, we fight. Together.
She lumped in her throat. "Ethan."
His hand was hard yet delicate as he cradled her face. "Lily, I lost you once. I promise not to lose you again.
Her eyes blazed with tears. "Assure me we’ll be alright."
Ethan pressed his forehead into hers and let out a breath. "I can’t promise the world, Lily. However, I can assure you that I will defend us. Each and every day.
Lily allowed his words to wash over her as she closed her eyes.
Since she was aware of—
This was not the end of it.
She wasn’t scared to fight, though, for the first time.