Chapter 101

Lily walked out of the gala hall. She didn't look back once. Outside the main doors, the cool night air hit them. Lily breathed in deeply, her chest rising and falling, though her face still carried that same serene mask. Only her trembling fingers betrayed her, curling into her palm until her nails dug into her skin. Jacob glanced sideways at Lily. "You handled that like a queen," he said, his tone half teasing, half admiring. Lily's lips curved faintly, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I wasn't playing a role, Mr. Grey. I just gave back what was his." "You call that just giving back?" Jacob chuckled softly. "That was a declaration of war. You do realize half the media out there already think you're the mysterious wife, don't you? And tonight…" He shook his head, amused. "You gave them enough fire to burn the city." Lily stopped for a moment at the edge of the steps, her gaze turning upward toward the night sky. The stars were hidden behind clouds, but the air felt strangely freeing.