Behind Closed Doors

EPISODE 3

Lily woke up the next morning with a sense of heaviness that settles in her chest like a stone. Last night's confrontation with Evan had left her feeling drained, and the memory of his cold words echoed in her mind.

Feelings have no place in this arrangement. It was as if he had taken everything that made this marriage feel even remotely human and stripped it away, leaving her with nothing but an empty shell.

She sighed, forcing herself to get up. She knew she had a long day ahead, with a few scheduled appointments, including a meeting with her manager about an upcoming project.

She tried to remind herself that her career was still hers, even if her life felt like it had been handed over to Evan.

As she stepped into the kitchen, she was surprised to see a cup of coffee waiting for her at the counter.

She blinked, glancing around. Evan was nowhere to be seen, but Monica, his assistant, was busy organizing files at the dining table.

"Good morning," Monica greeted without looking up.

"Mr. Kingston asked me to prepare coffee for you. He's already left for his morning meetings."

"Thank you," she replied, a bit taken aback. It was a small gesture, but after the cold exchange they'd had, it almost felt like an apology—or at least an acknowledgement of her presence.

She took a sip, savoring the warmth, and allowed herself a small moment of calm before her day began.

As she drank her coffee, she couldn't help but wonder how long she would be able to keep up with this facade. Was she strong enough to live in a loveless marriage with a man who barely acknowledged her existence?

...

Later that morning, Lily sat in her manager Julia's office, struggling to keep her mind focused.

Julia was a straightforward woman in her mid-thirties, with an eye for projects that suited Lily's style and knack for sensing when something was wrong.

"So, Lily," Julia began, scanning over a few documents.

"This new role in Secrets Unveiled is just what we need to give your career a boost. The character is complex, with plenty of emotional depth, and I think audiences will love seeing you in such a powerful role."

Lily nodded, attempting a smile. "That sounds amazing. I could use something with a bit more substance."

Julia paused, eyeing her carefully. "Are you doing okay, Lily? You seem... distracted."

Lily hesitated. She couldn't tell Julia about her personal life—not only was she contractually obligated to stay quiet, but she also didn't want to open Pandora's box of emotions. But as much as she wanted to put up a strong front, she couldn't deny that her new reality was affecting her.

"I'm fine," she said, but her voice sounded flat, even to her own ears.

"Just adjusting, I guess. Life's been... a little different lately."

Julia gave her a sympathetic look.

"That's understandable. You've been working so hard, and you're going through a big change. Just remember, you don't have to push yourself too hard. If you need to take it easy for a while, let me know."

"Thanks, Julia," Lily said, her gratitude is genuine. "I really appreciate it."

She left the office feeling a bit lighter. At least her career still offered a sense of purpose, a place where she could be herself without the constraint of her arrangement with Evan.

...

By the time she returned, the apartment was quiet as usual. Evan wouldn't be home for hours, and Lily found herself grateful for the solitude.

She wandered into her suite and settled down with the script of her new project, hoping to immerse herself in her character and escape her own life for a while.

As she read, she found herself drowned into the character's world, a woman struggling between personal ambition and emotional vulnerability.

The lines felt eerily relatable, and Lily found herself wondering if she could bring her own pain to the role - use it as a way to channel her frustrations with Evan and her life under his roof.

But before she could get too lost in her thoughts, she heard the front door open. She froze, glancing at the clock. It was early for Evan to be home. Her heart quickened as she heard his footsteps approaching. She steeled herself, preparing for another cold interaction.

Evan stepped into her suite without knocking, his face set in his usual mask of indifference. He looked around, taking in the sight of her with her script in hand, and raised an eyebrow.

"Busy with work, I see?"

"Yes," she replied, keeping her tone as neutral as his.

"I have a new project starting soon."

He nodded, his expression unreadable. "I heard from Julia that you'll be working on Secrets Unveiled. I approved the project this morning."

Lily frowned, caught off guard. "You... approved it?"

Evan's gaze met hers, cold but unwavering.

"Yes. As your husband, I'm technically required to oversee any major decisions that could affect our public image."

She bristled at his words, feeling her anger rise.

"My career has nothing to do with our agreement."

"It has everything to do with it," he replied smoothly. "We're a public couple now. Any role you take reflects on both of us, whether you like it or not."

She clenched her fists, fighting to keep her emotion in check.

"I don't need you controlling my life, Evan. I've managed just fine on my own."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm not controlling your life, Lily. I'm simply ensuring that our arrangement remains beneficial for both parties. If that involves making a few decisions on your behalf, then so be it."

Lily's heart pounded with frustration. This was exactly what she had feared—treated as she was merely an extension of Evan's carefully controlled world. She felt her independence slipping through her fingers, and it terrified her.

"Is that all I am to you?" her voice shaking. "A part of your image?"

Evan's expression didn't soften. "That's what you agreed to, isn't it?"

Lily's breath caught. She had agreed to this, yes, but she hadn't fully understood the extent of what she was signing up for. She hadn't realized how deeply Evan's need for control would invade every aspect of her life.

She forced herself to stay calm, her gaze steady as she looked him in the eyes.

"I may have agreed to this, but I'm not going to let you control every part of my life. I'm still my own person, Evan."

For a brief moment, something flickered in his gaze—something she couldn't quite identify. But just as quickly, his mask returned, and he looked at her with the same detached expression.

"Do whatever you need to do, Lily. Just remember your place."

With that, he turned and walked out, leaving her alone once again. The silence that followed was thick, oppressive, as if the walls of the penthouse were closing in on her.

She stared after him, her mind swirling with anger, frustration, and a growing sense of helplessness.

...

That night, Lily couldn't sleep. She lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, her mind replaying their conversation over and over. She was furious at him, at his callous disregard for her autonomy, his refusal to see her as anything more than a piece in his carefully constructed life.

But beneath her anger, there was a sadness she couldn't ignore—a sense of loss for the life she had given up, for the dreams she had once held close to her heart.

In the quiet darkness, she allowed herself to feel the weight of her choices, the sacrifices she had made. She had thought she could handle it, that she could endure two years of this empty arrangement for the sake of her family.

But as the days passed, she was beginning to realize just how much this marriage was taking from her—how much it was eroding her sense of self.

Eventually, she got up and walked over to the window, looking out at the city lights. The view was breathtaking, a glittering sea of lights stretching out into the night.

But even the beauty of the city couldn't soothe the ache in er heart. She was trapped here.

She wrapped her arms around herself, drawing in a shaky breath. She didn't know how long she could keep going like this, feeling more and more like a stranger in her own life.

As she stood there, watching the city below, a sense of quiet determination began to fill her. She would fight to keep her sense of self intact, no matter how cold or distant Evan became. This was her life, too, and she wasn't going to let him control every part of it.

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