Chapter 154: All She Wants Is Lily

Chapter 154: Chapter 154: All She Wants Is Lily

~Third- POV~

Hand in hand, they left the dressing room, crossed the master bedroom, and went out through the double doors. They descended the grand staircase together and headed to the dining room for breakfast.

The housemaids bowed, pulled out their chairs, and served a lavish spread of fresh pastries, freshly squeezed juices, and hot dishes. Neither of them had much of an appetite. Reynold picked at his plate, eating far less than usual, his thoughts still on Frederick’s upcoming visit to Eva. Frederick ate sparingly too, his gaze occasionally returning to his fiancé with quiet affection.

After breakfast, Frederick wiped his hands with a napkin and stood. He walked around the long mahogany table to Reynold’s side and rested a hand on his shoulder.

"I’m leaving, sweetheart," he murmured. "Is there anything you want me to bring back for you?"

Reynold looked up and shook his head. "No. I just want you to come back early."

"I will, baby. I promise."

He leaned down and kissed the top of Reynold’s head before trailing kisses along his temple, neck, jawline, and cheek. Nearby, two young housemaids lowered their heads, blushing as they looked away. Frederick paid them no mind. He continued until he saw a soft, genuine smile spread across Reynold’s face.

Satisfied, he captured Reynold’s lips in a deep, lingering kiss. When he pulled back, he cupped his fiancé’s cheek, his eyes filled with reassurance.

"You don’t have to worry. I’ll be back before you know it."

Reynold nodded, his smile lingering. "Okay, Daddy."

Frederick turned toward the main entrance, but after taking a few steps, he heard footsteps behind him. He paused and glanced back, finding Reynold following close behind.

A fond smile touched Frederick’s lips. "What is it?"

Reynold grinned softly. "I want to walk you outside."

"Okay, sweetheart," Frederick chuckled, extending his hand toward him.

Reynold took it with a smile. Frederick raised Reynold’s hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. Reynold’s smile widened, and together they turned toward the door.

They walked hand in hand through the grand foyer and out onto the broad front porch. The cool morning air greeted them as they approached the sleek black car waiting in the driveway. Seeing them, the driver stepped forward and opened the rear door.

Frederick stopped beside the car and turned to face Reynold. He leaned down and pressed a warm kiss to his forehead.

"Go back inside, baby. I’ll be back soon."

"Okay," Reynold replied, but made no move to leave. "I’ll wait right here until your car leaves."

"No, sweetheart," Frederick insisted gently, a hint of playful authority in his voice. "Let me see you walk back inside that house with my own eyes first."

Reynold let out a small laugh. "Alright."

He turned and walked back toward the entrance, glancing over his shoulder at Frederick before stepping inside. The heavy double doors closed behind him.

However, instead of heading upstairs, Reynold hurried to the tall arched window beside the entrance and peered outside through the white curtain.

Outside, Frederick settled into the back seat. The driver shut the door and hurried around to his own side. As the engine hummed to life, Frederick glanced toward the foyer window and caught the outline of Reynold peeking out at him.

A low chuckle escaped him, and he shook his head fondly as he pulled out his phone. Worrying for nothing. Still, the sight of his possessive fiancé warmed him.

The car pulled out of the courtyard, glided past the fountain, and disappeared down the tree-lined driveway.

Once it was out of sight, Reynold finally pulled back from the curtain. He let out a long breath, turned, and climbed the grand staircase to the master suite to wait.

Meanwhile, the sleek executive car moved through the morning traffic. Sitting in the back, Frederick spent the journey handling back-to-back phone calls, attending to corporate matters and legal updates. By the time his driver turned onto the private avenue leading to Eva’s estate, he had finished most of his calls.

A few moments later, the car approached the security gates. The guards recognized Frederick’s driver and immediately opened the gates. He drove into the courtyard and stopped in front of the main entrance before stepping out to open the rear door.

Frederick stepped out, straightened his suit jacket, and walked up the stone steps. He pressed the doorbell, and a minute later, a housemaid opened the door and bowed respectfully.

"Good morning, Mr. Corvin."

"Morning," Frederick replied, his tone professional. "Is Eva around?"

"Yes, sir. She’s in the living room."

"Thank you."

Frederick stepped inside and walked down the wide marble hallway. In the living room, he found Eva sitting on the plush sofa. The television was on, but she wasn’t watching it. Her gaze stayed fixed on the screen, her mind clearly elsewhere.

Frederick stopped a few feet away and watched her in silence. He didn’t say a word until the housemaid came up behind him.

"Ma’am, Mr. Corvin is here," she announced softly.

The words pulled Eva out of her thoughts. The maid bowed and slipped out, leaving them alone. Eva sat up straight and looked toward the doorway, disbelief crossing her face when she saw him standing there.

"Frederick..." she breathed, smoothing down her clothes.

Without waiting for an invitation, Frederick crossed the room and sat in the armchair across from her, his posture upright, his expression distant.

Eva cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. "Good morning. I... I didn’t expect you to come. It’s still very early."

"Good morning, Eva," Frederick said. "I came here to talk to you."

"Alright," she murmured, turning to face him.

Before they could begin, the housemaid returned with a tray containing a glass of water and a cup of black coffee for Frederick. She placed it on the table and quietly left.

Once they were alone again, Frederick leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees as his eyes settled on Eva.

"Why did you return those documents, Eva? The properties, the stocks, the black card... I gave them to you. I never asked for any of it back. So why did you send them to my house?"

Eva didn’t flare up or display any trace of her usual sharp pride. She looked exhausted, stripped of the confidence she had carried for years. Lowering her gaze to her lap, she clasped her hands together, her fingers trembling slightly.

"I returned everything because... because all I want now is to meet my daughter," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t want your money or your assets anymore, Frederick."

Frederick’s jaw tightened. His expression hardened as he stared at her.

"Do you honestly think returning a stack of papers and a credit card is enough to make up for seventeen years of absence? You never cared about her all those years. You chose your runway over a five-month-old infant! So why now, Eva?"

"I’m sorry!" Eva cried, a tear slipping down her cheek as she looked up at him. "I was wrong! I was selfish and young and blind, and I regret every single second of it! I’m sorry I realized it too late... Please, Frederick. Please forgive me and let me meet her."

"You don’t deserve to meet her," Frederick snapped, his voice rising with anger. "You abandoned her without a second thought. Do you think a public interview and the return of some properties can wipe the slate clean? I raised that child while you were busy building a career! What makes you think someone like you could ever be a good mother to Lily now?"

Eva didn’t raise her voice or try to argue. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she listened, accepting his harsh words without attempting to defend herself.

"I know I don’t deserve it..." she sobbed, reaching for a tissue to wipe her face. "I know I failed her. But I will learn, Frederick. I will learn to be a good mother. She is my daughter. I would never, ever hurt her. I only want the chance to love her and take care of her. Please... tell me what I need to do. What do I have to do for you to let me see her?"

Frederick’s expression hardened. "There’s nothing you can do to earn the right to meet her. So just forget about it, Eva, the same way you forgot about her seventeen years ago!"

"Please," Eva said, her voice breaking. "Please consider giving me a chance. I know I don’t deserve it, but please."