CHAPTER 116
LILY’S POV
~ “But I do know another way,” Noah said, catching my attention as I quickly lifted my gaze to him. “A way we can use to get rid of him fast and once and for all.”
“Please tell me…” I stuttered in a desperate plea.
“I know a professional assassin who can finish him off once and for all so he won’t get to bother you and your kids ever again. ~
“What…” My mouth dropped open as I stared at him in shock. How in the world can he suggest something like that?
“It was just a suggestion,” he raised his hands innocently in surrender as if he didn’t just say that. “We’ll only carry on with it if you want…”
“Well I don’t want it so we’re not carrying on with it,” I said firmly, couldn’t help scoffing in disbelief.
Turning away from him, I placed my palm against my forehead and breathed out heavily in frustration. I still couldn’t believe he could come up with something like that. I hate Robert. More than anything in this world I do but that doesn’t mean I want him dead. I’m no murderer.
Even though he wanted me dead nine years ago, the last thing I want is to be responsible for his death or anyone else’s. Life is far too precious and sacred to be taken so recklessly. No matter the depth of the hatred or the weight of the betrayal, no one has the right to take another’s life.
“I hate Robert,” I said quietly as if talking to myself. “But that doesn’t mean I want him dead. I’m not a murderer and will never be. I just don’t want him anywhere close to me and my kids. So please don’t suggest something like that again.”
The atmosphere of the room fell silent. Eerily silent for a moment before he sighed, the chair he was sitting on squeaking as he adjusted on it and said. “I’m sorry…” But this time, it felt like it was difficult for him to say it which was unlike him. I couldn’t tell why.
“It’s fine,” I said wryly as I breathed out and turned around to face him. “I won’t deny that I had thought of that too. While I was in prison, sometimes I’d stay up all night thinking of creative ways to kill him when I got out.”
He laughed a little and that made me laugh too. I pulled the seat in front of me and plonked on it.
“I guess nothing can be done,” I shrugged in resignation.
“You can get a restraining order against him,” he suggested cautiously.
I sighed exhaustively. “I don’t want anything that’ll make me go to court for this matter.”
“Why?” His brows furrowed sharply, and his expression became serious. “Don’t get me wrong, but since you don’t want us carrying on with the… assassination, this is the only way to keep him away.”
“Noah you won’t understand…” I tried to say but he snatched the words from me. He rose abruptly from his seat, startling me as it seemed like he was becoming furious.
“Can’t you see Lily? Taking this matter to court is the only way. Not only can you get a restraining order against him, but you also get to have automatic custody of the kids because you’re their mother and your marriage to him was only based on a contract and never real. He never wanted the kids in the first place and has threatened you several times in the past. You can use all that evidence against him. You have to do this Lily. This is the only way…”
He sat back down and stretched his long hand across the table to hold mine. Leaning forward, he pressed my fingers gently and reassured me. “I’m sorry if I scared you there. But this is the chance you have to finally keep Robert away and be with your kids forever. I’ll help you go about it. Please don’t say no to this.”
His gaze on me was intent and pleading almost as if his life depended on me saying yes to this. I managed a weak smile. This was a great idea. I have thought about it several times in the past but couldn’t carry on with it because Robert and his family were just too powerful.
One way or another, they’ll find a way to use their wealth and influence to manipulate the system in their favour. Robert’s mother has always been desperate for grandkids, and even if Scarlett has given them another child by now, she won’t back down easily. She’ll push for Robert to get full custody of my kids. And with my criminal record, they’ll use every chance to turn it against me.
Slowly, I slipped my hand from Noah’s grasp and looked away, my expression sour and filled with unease. “I’m sorry, Noah. But I can’t take this matter to court. There are just too many reasons why I can’t.”
When I glanced back at him, he didn’t say anything. He was just quiet and had that same look on his face when I turned down his marriage proposal. He must think I’m the most stubborn and difficult person on the planet. But I wasn’t. I was only trying to tread carefully and avoid battles I knew I couldn’t win.
“When it comes to legal battles, Robert and his family always have the upper hand. It was a miracle I escaped the death penalty during my trial nine years ago. With a murder charge and a prison record hanging over me, they won’t hesitate to use it against me. No judge would risk granting full custody to a mother accused of killing her husband’s grandfather and spending more than five years behind bars. For the children’s safety, they’ll see me as the unfit parent,” I said, my voice heavy with sadness.
Noah still didn’t say anything. Letting out a sigh, he leaned back against his seat and dug his knuckles into his chin as if deep in thought. I didn’t know what he was trying to come up with. But at this point, I had lost hope. I had no choice but to wait until Robert grew tired of me keeping his kids from him and finally decided to drag me to court. But one thing was certain. I won’t give up that easily. If I don’t come up with something before then, I’ll put up a fight even if it takes my last strength. Robert and his family would see a side of me they never knew existed.
“Thanks for trying and having my best interest at heart,” I said with a faint smile, getting up from my seat. “I appreciate. It means a lot to me. Please don’t beat yourself up. I’ll definitely figure out a way to go about this. I won’t just sit back and watch him take my kids from me without doing anything.”
I turned and started making my way towards the door when he called back my attention.
“Wait, Lily. I know another way.”
I turned to face him, my brows pulling in. What other suggestion did he want to make again?
“Let’s…” he hesitated as though this was hard for him to say. “Let’s move out of the country.”