CHAPTER 96: THE MEMORIES OF THE MANSION
LILY’S POV:
“I’m so sorry papa, it’s all my fault”.
Tears filled my eyes as I held his fragile hand, feeling the sadness of seeing my hero weakened.
I squeezed his almost cold hand as I placed my head on his bed. I stayed that way, murmuring ‘sorry’ and crying my eyes out.
I couldn’t imagine what would have happened if Roman actually killed him and I would get to see his corpse. I wouldn’t have been able to apologize and tell him how much I loved him.
I hate Roman and I hate myself too for not trying harder to see my dad.
It was all a lie when I said I blamed Nikolai, I blamed myself and was only looking for who to pin it on.
I felt his hand move and I immediately raised my head.
“P-Papa?”, I called out to him. I’m aware he was out of his coma and was only sleeping, but I still am anxious.
He moved his head a bit and groaned in pain, his eyes slowly opened and tried to adjust to the light. The look on his face was so heartbreaking as he tried to recognize who I was.
“Li… Lily?”, He called out, uncertain. I nodded vigorously as I chuckled.
He tried to sit up and touch me with his other hand.
“Careful Pa!”, I uttered, helping him adjust.
“Is it re-really you or… or did I die and go to heaven?”, He asked with raspy voice.
“No Papa, it’s me Lily… I’m right here”, I got closer to him so he could take a good look.
He gasped and held me tightly, struggling to bring me to a hug even though he was weak and ill.
“Oh Lily, oh my baby”, He beamed, hugging me tight.
“It’s me Papa… I’m so sorry, I’m sorry”.
“Hush, you’re here now, you are here”, He added, patting my back.
***
We both have settled and I wasn’t crying anymore. I sat by his bed side and his eyes didn’t leave my face.
“What happened?”, He asked after few seconds of silence.
“I’m fine now Papa”, I replied, avoiding his gaze.
“I can see that… I’m asking what happened to you? Why couldn’t I reach you, what happened that day you went missing, why you didn’t come back home. I called your number but it wouldn’t connect”, He asked.
“I…”, I opened my mouth but I couldn’t find my words.
“I was really worried my darling, I thought something horrible had happened to y-you”, He flattered.
His words brought back painful memories of our time apart and I fought to hold back tears.
I remembered the countless nights I spent wondering if he was okay, if he was thinking of me too. The struggles I faced alone and the fear that I might never see him again came rushing back. But seeing the sadness and desperation in his eyes, I knew I had to be strong, for both of us.
“I’m sorry Papa… I was lost. I didn’t know how to find my way back”, I whispered, my voice trembling. Tears streamed down my face as I spoke and his expression softened.
I went on to tell him about what happened the day I went missing, how I was adducted and auctioned in a sex trafficking house.
I watched my dad’s boil with anger, blaming himself for not being there for me.
I narrated what I went through, how I tried to escape several times but ended up back in the hands of my captor. I contemplated if I should tell him the person behind my kidnap is Olivia and who bought me was Nikolai Vladimir and how we are now together but that would be a lot for him to handle.
My dad squeezed my hand gently.
“I’m sorry too, Lily. Sorry I wasn’t there to protect you. Sorry I didn’t find you sooner”, His voice cracked and I saw tears well up in his eyes.
“I missed you Papa, so so much”, I sobbed, hugging him tight.
“I missed you too”, He replied.
***
I stayed in his room, catching up with him about lost times. He told me stories about a lot of things, how he caught the notorious serial killer last two months.
“He might be the one behind my shooting”, He guessed.
“I don’t think so papa”, I responded, knowing fully well who the culprit is.
He looks at me uncertain with a furrowed brow.
“And how sure are you he isn’t?”.
“W-well, for s-starters you said the serial killer is serving his jail term now right?…”, I asked and he nodded, “He couldn’t possibly be the one to shoot you since he’s in jail”.
“True”, He nodded.
“And even though he broke out of jail, the prison would have alerted you, right?”.
I watched as his lips morphed into a huge smile.
“You are all grown up. Look at you, pinning out the evidence and solving crimes… you are truly my daughter”, He said, with pride written all over his face.
I giggled, relieved that I didn’t blurted out how Roman was behind it. If I had did, he would for sure question me on how I know and I would be forced to tell him about my relationship with Nikolai.
“I need to investigate who shot me or who is behind it”, He declared.
“Come on Pa! You just woke up from coma and still healing! Let Gary and the other cops do the investigation”, I nagged and he laughed out loud.
“Okay okay, I hear you my dear”, He smiled. I went on with cutting the apple for him and thinking about how to tell him about Nikolai. I hate keeping secrets from him but I will tell him when he gets better.
We talked, laughed and reminisced till a nurse came to tell us it was time for him to nap. He whined about how he wasn’t sleepy, how he was better now and ready to be discharged.
I raised the blanket to his chest and smiled at him.
“Will you still be here when I wake up?”, He asked. I’m aware he was only scared of not seeing me when he wakes up.
“Where else do I have to go?”, I responded.
He nodded and closed his eyes and I watched him till he dozed off.
I walked to the door and turned back to take a look at him.
“I’m sorry for lying to you Pa, if I tell you about Roman you will come for him and Nikolai too and I know Nikolai too well, he wouldn’t back down even though you are my father. I wouldn’t survive if anything should happen to any of you”, I muttered to myself before leaving the room and running into Nikolai’s arms.
After telling Nikolai everything with my dad in the car, he gave me the snacks to eat and he drove us back to his mansion. It took a lot of persuasion before I agreed to leave the hospital and go back to the mansion.
I want to be here when my papa wakes up but Nikolai told me I needed a rest.
As we arrived at Nikolai’s mansion, I felt a wave of fear and anxiety. The big, stone house seemed to tower over me, reminding me of the hell I endured there. I remembered being locked up, starved and taunted by Irina. Nikolai’s cruelty had trapped me, crushing my hope. I recalled the darkness, fear, and desperation to escape.
My heart racing, I tried to calm myself as it was different now but now.
Nikolai, the man who once held me captive, is now the love of my life. He helped me heal from the pain and suffering.
I remember when I first started to feel safe with him, when his kindness and love replaced my fear.
“Let’s go?”, I heard Nikolai say, bringing me back from my train of thoughts. His hand was stretched out, waiting for me to take it.
I smiled and took his hand and we walked towards the entrance. I saw two maids and an elderly man waiting at the entrance for us and I furrowed my brows.
‘Isn’t this mansion usually filled with workers and guards?’, I asked myself.
“Welcome sir, welcome ma”, They said in unison.
I greeted back, walking side by side with Nikolai as we walked inside the mansion.
It was exactly as I remembered, very grand yet scary. So Nikolai’s taste.
“Ppeeeeeppppp!!”, I suddenly heard a little child’s voice, Nikolai and I turned to the direction and it was a little girl, playing around like she was driving.
I could see the shock in Nikolai’s face, waiting to scold the workers and even the child.
“AND WHOSE CHILD IS THIS RUNNING AROUND MY MANSION??!!”, Nikolai roared, shaking the foundation of the house and me also.
“Oh my goodness! I apologize Sir!”, One of the maid I saw outside came running to stop the child. She was shaking as she pleaded for mercy.
“You must be so stupid to bring a little child to my house while I was away?!”, He barked, taking slow steps towards the lady.
I could see the fear in the child’s face as she hid behind the woman. I knew I needed to act fast.
“Nikolai, you’re scaring the child. Stop it”, I scolded him and he looked at me, sighing.
I walked to the little girl, squatting to her height and smiling at her. She was obviously still scared because of Nikolai.
“I’m really sorry ma”, The maid apologized again.
“It’s okay… What’s her name?”, I asked.
“Gabby. Her name is Gabrielle”, The maid replied.