Chapter 109 - Betrayal

"I want to forgive you, my dear. You were always like a daughter to me. The child I could never have. You know I love you." He whispered, like a pious man. " I'm giving you one last chance, Lillian. In exchange, you must annul your marriage with that man. Pascal assured me he'll take you back as his wife. Even though you betrayed him so shamefully. He still loves you and wants to forgive you."

She thought her heart was well secured behind a high stone wall. Yet her uncle found cracks in it. With every word he said, he stabbed it and cut into her heart. It hurt.

But she was determined not to show it to him and rose up. "Uncle, I can't do that! Pascal hurt me, and I won't forgive him!" She inhaled hissingly. Closed her eyes for a moment as painful images flooded across her mind. She banished it, once again, into the dark. "I will not let anyone call me a liar, Uncle. Not by Pascal, nor by you." She struggled desperately for breath, tensing her shoulders. She wouldn't back down. "You're asking me to do something I can never do. I'm Alexandre's wife. You've always been an important part of my life, but if you won't accept my decision. So be it!" The words came out sharper than intended. She was not finished...

But suddenly her uncle stood up in front of her. Dark shadows flitted across his face. She trembled at this sight, every cell in her body trembled at the threatening presence of her uncle.

On her uncle's neck, a vein came out.

In panic, she stumbled a step back. But before she could protect herself, her uncle pulled out and slapped her face with full force. A loud blast echoed in the room. So hard that she stumbled and cried out in pain. Lily could not manage to stand on her feet and fell back into the armchair. Dazed by the pain, she clung to the cushion. It was the first time her uncle had raised his hand against her. Shocked, she stared at him. She was now aware that an abyss had opened up between them that would never close completely.

"Don't you dare speak to me like that ever again!" He screamed. She'd never seen him that angry. This close to not being able to contain his dark rage. A muscle twitched in his face and his lower jaw was so tense that only a growl escaped from clenched teeth. "I warned you! But you are too stupid to hear my warning. Do you even know what you have done with your behavior! What you did to me with it! I will not forget this betrayal!"

Lily held her burning cheek, felt the aftershock of the blow and looked at the man in shock. In her ears there was a rushing sound. She was trembling all over. " You will pay the price for your disobedience. Get out! Get out of here! I don't want to see you anymore." He screamed and pierced her with his gaze. Pure contempt and disgust lay in it. Her heart was nothing but a painful lump. She felt like the ground had been ripped underneath her feet.

Lily's blood froze in her veins. She felt a fear like she had never known before.

With trembling legs and her last strength she rose as gracefully as she could. Lily lifted her chin stubbornly. "Goodbye, Uncle." With a last glance at her uncle, she turned on her heel, forcing her legs to carry her out of the room. She had the feeling those legs would give way under her at any moment. Her footsteps became faster, more hasty. She strutted to the door, grabbed the handle. Her hand trembled as she clasped the handle. Without looking back one last time, she opened the door and left him behind her.

She refused to shed a single tear. Two years ago she had already decided to bear the consequences of her drastic actions alone. No matter what. She would survive it. With her head held high. She would not look back. She would be okay.