Page 28 of Dark Consequences

“Lily?”

“It hurts,” she cries. “Please, stop. I can’t—please. I can’t take it anymore.”

Okay, that’s enough of this. I reach over and firmly shake her shoulder. “Lily, wake up. You’re dreaming. It’s not real.”

“Raphael…”

“Yes, I’m right here.”

“Please…help me.”

This time, I reach farther down and carefully pull her slumbering body onto my lap. At least here, cradled in my arms, she can’t move around too much, which will force her to stay still and break free of her nightmare.

“Lily, I’m here,” I murmur into the crown of her head. “Wake up.”

All at once, her movements cease. A moment later, her breathing shifts, and I know she’s awake. “Raphael?”

“It’s me.”

I wait for her to freak out. Wait for her to fight against being in my arms, fight against resting on my lap, cradled like a baby against my chest. But she doesn’t. Maybe she feels what I do. That this is natural somehow, that my arms, my touch will never harm her.

“What happened?”

“You were having a nightmare.” I don’t push for more detail, though I hope she offers them up on her own. She can only keep quiet for so long.

“It was Xiao,” she says after a long pause, her voice laced with a weariness, like she’s finally releasing a heavy burden. “He was hurting me in front of Mei. He’s never done that before. He saves his abuse for when Mei is not around, so he can portray the image of being a loving father and a good man. I’ve tried so hard to hide it from her, but I think she knows. To some degree, at least. What kind of mother does that make me? She’s so young. She doesn’t deserve any of this.”

“It’s a blessing that she’s so young. She may remember now, but she won’t forever. The good memories you create from here on will eventually replace the bad until only the good remains.”

“What about my memories? No amount of good can ever erase them.”

“In time, they’ll fade into the background of your mind. The good will outweigh the bad. It just takes time.”

“I hope so,” she whispers so softly that her words almost escape me, if she wasn’t so close already.

Hearing her talk about her concerns and worries reminds me of my father’s suggestion.

“I’ve been thinking,” I say, and Lily immediately sits up, bracing herself with one hand against my chest. When she notices, she shifts off my lap, much to my disappointment, and settles on the cushion next to me. Her gaze is filled with curiosity and hesitance as she looks at me. “About taking you and Mei to my family’s estate.”

“What? Why?”

“It’s safer for you both there.”

She frowns. “I thought your penthouse was safe? Isn’t that what you said?”

“I did, and I meant it, but my family home is a fortress on an island. No one gets on or off it without approval.”

“Sounds more like a prison,” she mutters under her breath before realizing I can hear her. Flushing, she adds, “Sorry. I didn’t mean that.”

“Yes, you did.” I laugh, and she peers up at me through her lashes. “It’s okay. You’re right. It pretty much is, but you’re not a prisoner there, Lily. I promise.”

Lily chews on the side of her bottom lip, and I fight back the urge to tug it free. As much as I want this to be her choice, it also isn’t. Eventually, I’ll need to take her to the estate, but I’d much rather her be happy about it than feel forced.

“Okay, we’ll go, but on one condition.”

I smirk, finding it adorable that she’s making a demand. “Which is what?”

“That you come with us.”

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