Chapter 6
The east wing sitting room was a stark contrast to the sprawling grandeur of the dining hall. It was a cozy, intimate sanctuary lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and heavy velvet drapes. A large fire crackled happily in the massive stone hearth, casting a soothing, golden light over the leather furniture. The cinematic, airy lighting of the mansion made the room feel incredibly safe.
Lily sat on the edge of a deep armchair, her pristine white apron stark against the dark leather. She had pulled a thick, soft cashmere blanket over the little girl, who was currently curled up on the sofa, staring blankly into the dancing flames.
The heavy oak door clicked open softly.
Lily immediately stood up, smoothing the front of her black dress, her heart giving a nervous flutter.
Nathaniel stepped into the room. He had discarded his suit jacket, leaving him in his tailored vest and crisp white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to the forearms, exposing more of the refined artistic tattoos that marked his skin. Without the jacket, the sheer width of his powerful shoulders was even more imposing. He looked dangerously handsome, the cinematic light catching the high bridge of his nose and his extremely short stubble.
"Sit down, Lily," Nathaniel murmured, his deep voice filling the quiet room.
Lily hesitated, then slowly lowered herself back onto the edge of the armchair. She kept her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
Nathaniel walked over to the sofa and knelt gracefully on the plush rug beside his daughter. He gently brushed a loose curl from her forehead, his cold eyes completely melting into warm pools of paternal devotion.
"Are you okay, little bird?" Nathaniel asked softly.
Sophie nodded slowly, pulling the cashmere blanket tighter around her small shoulders. "Is she gone forever?"
"Yes," Nathaniel promised, his voice carrying the weight of absolute certainty. "She is gone forever. Nobody is ever going to make you erase yourself again."
He leaned in and kissed her forehead, lingering for a moment to ensure she felt safe. "It's been a very long day. I want you to close your eyes and get some sleep. I'll be right here."
Sophie didn't need to be told twice. The adrenaline had completely worn off, leaving her utterly exhausted. She closed her eyes, and within minutes, her breathing deepened into a steady, peaceful rhythm.
Nathaniel remained kneeling on the floor for a long time, watching her sleep. The silence in the room was heavy but comfortable. Finally, he stood up, his large frame casting a shadow over the rug, and turned his attention to the maid sitting across from him.
"I owe you a profound debt, Lily," Nathaniel said quietly, walking over to a small crystal decanter on a side table. He poured two fingers of amber liquid into a glass. "If you hadn't spoken up tonight, my daughter would have continued to suffer in silence."
"I couldn't let her do that, Mr. Cross," Lily replied softly, her fair, rosy cheeks flushing slightly under his intense gaze. "She is a sweet girl. She didn't deserve that."
"No, she didn't," Nathaniel agreed. He took a slow sip of his drink, his penetrating eyes locking onto her delicate, oval face. "You showed incredible courage tonight. Standing up to my fiancée in front of fifty made men is not something a housemaid typically does. You knew the risk."
"I knew she would try to fire me," Lily admitted, her expressive brows drawing together. "I just... I couldn't walk away."
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"You aren't just a housemaid, are you, Lily?" Nathaniel asked smoothly. The question wasn't an accusation; it was an observation born of his lethal perceptive nature. "Women who clean floors don't typically look a Mafia boss in the eye and hold their ground. Who are you running from?"
Lily’s breath hitched. The safe sanctuary had just transformed into an interrogation room, and the man standing before her never accepted a lie.
