Chapter 2: The Cold in His Eyes
**— PART 2 —**
Lily reached Ethan.
She pulled him against her chest with shaking arms, curling her body around his like a shield.
He was still breathing.
Barely.
"You have thirty seconds," Serena said, smoothing her dress like nothing had happened.
"Put him down.
Walk out the door.
And never come back."
Lily pressed her lips to the top of Ethan's head.
"I'm not leaving him."
Serena's expression didn't change.
That was the most terrifying part.
"Then I'll have you removed." She pulled out her phone.
"One call.
That's all it takes."
But before her finger touched the screen —
The front door opened.
The air in the room shifted.
Lily felt it before she heard it.
A stillness that didn't belong to Serena.
A weight that came from somewhere else entirely.
Slow footsteps crossed the marble.
And then Victor Blackwood stepped into the foyer.
He didn't speak.
He looked at Ethan's arm.
At Lily on the floor.
At Serena standing over them both.
Three seconds of silence.
Then his eyes moved to Serena — and something in them went very, very cold.
"Victor—" Serena started.
"Don't."
One word.
May you like
Quiet as a closed door.
Serena's phone slipped from her fingers.
