Chapter 70

Lily sat on the edge of the bed, her hands curled tightly into fists on her lap. Her whole body felt heavy, as if she were dragging chains she hadn't chosen. She hated this feeling—this power he had over her. And yet, she knew she had no other option right now. David stood a few feet away, watching her carefully, his arms crossed. His face was calm, but his sharp eyes missed nothing. He could read her so easily, like she was an open book, and that made her feel even smaller. She knew him well enough to understand when he was serious, and this time, he wasn't playing games. "Tell me everything," David finally said, his deep voice steady, leaving no room for argument. "Start from the beginning. I want every detail about these designs." Lily took a slow breath and reached for her bag, which sat on the couch near the window. Her legs still felt weak from earlier, so she had to grab the bedframe for support as she stood. She walked slowly, each step dragging, and grabbed the bag, pulling it