Chapter 135: Back To Work

Three hours later, the quiet halls of St. Claire Mansion slowly came back to life.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee drifted from the dining room.

Someone was humming in the kitchen.

Emily.

Chris and Liliana finally stepped out of their bedroom together.

Chris instinctively reached for Liliana’s hand as they walked downstairs. It was such a simple gesture. Yet it didn’t go unnoticed.

Emily looked up from the breakfast table.

Her eyes immediately sparkled.

"Oh!"

She pointed dramatically at Liliana.

"You’re glowing."

Liliana blinked.

"What?"

Emily grinned mischievously.

"You’re glowing."

Liliana looked confused until she noticed everyone smiling. Then realization struck. Her cheeks instantly turned crimson.

"E-Emily..."

Emily laughed.

"I was worried sick about you."

"But seeing you blush again?"

She placed a hand over her heart.

"That’s a very good sign."

Liliana couldn’t help smiling.

"I’m... feeling better."

"Not completely."

"But better."

Emily immediately hugged her.

"We’ll take ’better.’"

Mary smiled warmly from across the table.

"We’re all just happy to see you smiling again."

Robin dramatically wiped an imaginary tear.

"Our little family is finally complete again."

Leo rolled his eyes.

"You’ve become emotional."

"I’ve always been emotional."

"You’ve just never noticed."

The room filled with gentle laughter.

At last, the atmosphere felt almost normal again.

After breakfast, Mary carried several thick folders into the living room.

She hesitated before placing them on the coffee table.

"Lily..."

Liliana looked at the stack.

"...That’s a lot."

Mary gave an awkward smile.

"I actually left another stack in my office."

Emily’s eyes widened.

"There’s more?"

Mary nodded.

"A lot more."

Robin sighed dramatically.

"You disappeared for less than two weeks."

"And somehow became the most sought-after model in the luxury industry."

Liliana looked genuinely surprised.

"I did?"

Mary handed her the summary report.

"After everything that happened, the public’s respect for you grew even stronger."

She began reading the list.

"Luxury fashion houses."

"Jewelry brands."

"Perfume campaigns."

"International magazines."

"Television interviews."

"Charity organizations."

"They all want to work with you."

Liliana quietly flipped through the pages.

Every few pages, another internationally recognized company appeared.

Her eyes widened.

"Are these... all for me?"

Mary nodded.

"Every single one."

Emily laughed.

"I told you. You’re officially everyone’s favorite."

Liliana slowly looked toward Chris. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to.

He understood the question in her eyes immediately. He smiled gently.

"If accepting these opportunities would make you happy, then I’m happy too."

Liliana smiled.

"But."

Emily laughed.

"There’s always a ’but.’"

Chris nodded.

"There is."

He reached for one of the folders.

"We review every contract carefully."

Matthew entered the room just in time to hear the conversation.

"I agree."

He took a seat beside Amanda.

"From now on, we’re choosing quality over quantity."

Amanda nodded.

"No more exhausting schedules. We won’t accept projects simply because they’re prestigious. Liliana’s health comes first."

Chris immediately agreed.

"So does her peace of mind."

Liliana looked around at everyone.

"...Thank you."

Robin opened another folder.

"Actually, I think we’ve already found the first one."

Everyone looked toward him.

"It’s an interview."

Emily raised an eyebrow.

"Only one?"

Robin nodded.

"The biggest television network in the country. They’ve been waiting patiently. They specifically requested both Chris and Liliana."

Chris thought for a moment.

"I’m willing."

Liliana looked at him.

"So am I."

Robin smiled.

"They’ll be relieved."

Chris raised one finger.

"I have one condition."

Robin sighed.

"Of course you do."

"No studio."

Everyone blinked.

"We’ll do it here."

He looked around the mansion.

"At home."

"Lily has spent enough time surrounded by cameras in unfamiliar places. I want her somewhere where she feels safe."

Matthew smiled approvingly.

"I’ll arrange it."

Robin immediately called the network.

To everyone’s surprise, they accepted without hesitation.

The following afternoon, the interview equipment was carefully set up inside the mansion’s sunroom.

The atmosphere was quiet and respectful. There were no flashing crowds and no shouting reporters. Just one experienced interviewer, two cameras and the couple seated together.

Before filming began, Emily adjusted Liliana’s hair one last time. She stepped back and smiled proudly.

Liliana wore a simple cream-colored dress with soft pearl earrings. Very little makeup. Her wedding ring remained the only accessory she insisted on wearing.

"You look beautiful," Emily whispered.

Liliana smiled. "Thank you."

Emily gently squeezed her hand. "You don’t have to answer anything you’re uncomfortable with."

"I know."

"And..."

Emily’s eyes softened.

"We’re all right outside."

Liliana nodded.

"I know that too."

The interview began.

The questions started with their careers. Their European tour.

Then the interviewer carefully approached a more difficult topic.

"Miss Sterling..."

"You’ve been through something incredibly difficult."

"You don’t have to answer if you’d rather not."

Liliana glanced briefly at Chris. He gave a reassuring nod.

She looked back at the interviewer.

"I’d like to answer."

The room became quiet.

She took a slow breath.

"What happened to me..."

"...changed my life."

She paused.

"But it didn’t take away who I am."

She glanced at Chris again.

"There were days when I was afraid. There were moments when I wondered if I would ever see my family again."

Her voice remained calm.

"I was fortunate. I came home."

She lowered her eyes briefly.

"But many people don’t receive that same chance."

The interviewer listened silently.

Liliana continued. "I’ve realized something during my recovery. Healing isn’t something anyone should face alone. So..."

She smiled gently.

"I’ve decided that once I’m fully recovered. I want to dedicate part of my time and resources to supporting people affected by kidnapping, violence, and other traumatic experiences."

Chris looked at her with quiet admiration.

"They deserve safety."

"They deserve to be heard."

"And above all..."

"They deserve hope."

The interviewer smiled warmly.

"That’s a wonderful goal."

Liliana nodded.

"I can’t change what happened to me."

"But perhaps, I can help someone else believe that recovery is possible."

When the cameras stopped rolling, the entire room remained silent for several seconds.

Then Emily quietly wiped away tears. Mary smiled proudly.

Matthew looked at Amanda. "Edward and Vanessa would be proud of her."

Amanda nodded. "So very proud."

Chris wanted to reach for Liliana’s hand but he couldn’t in front of other people.

He just smiled at her. He didn’t need to say anything. The warmth of his smile said everything.

She wasn’t simply returning to work. She was beginning a new Chapter of her life—one defined not by what had been taken from her, but by the strength she had found to help others.