"I'm against this," Artan says.
I'm torn. Split right down the middle.
This alliance is everything I've worked for. Recognition. Legitimacy. Power. A seat at the table with men who matter.
But Lily.
Dragging her deeper into this world feels wrong. Feels like watching something clean get covered in mud.
"We should explain it to her," I say finally. "Let her choose."
Luan nods. "Agreed. And we make sure she's protected. No matter what."
"You better make sure," Artan says. The words come out like a threat. Like a promise of violence if anything goes wrong.
I move to the door. Open it. Call out, "Lily? Can you come here?"
She appears in the doorway. Cautious. Her eyes move between the three of us, reading the tension in the room.
I gesture to the chair where I was sitting. "Sit."
She does. Her hands fold in her lap immediately. Nervous. Waiting.
"We have a proposition," Luan says.
She waits silently.
"My father recently died," Luan says. "Suddenly."
"I'm so sorry," Lily says immediately. Her voice soft with sympathy.
Luan continues. "My family is very powerful. They have conditions for me to inherit what's rightfully mine. I need to be married. Start a family."
Lily's expression shifts to confusion. "I don't understand."
"I need my family's support to keep the business I run with Artan."
I clear my throat. Pointed. Deliberate.
Luan glances in my direction. "And now Erion."
"Okay..." Lily says slowly. Still not understanding where this is going.
"My family doesn't know about my condition," Luan says. "I'd like to keep it that way for the next few weeks while I recover. I need someone to pretend to be my fiancée. Just for appearances. Probably just a video call with my uncle. I need you to tell them we're engaged. That we're together. Nothing more complicated than that."
She's quiet. Processing. I can see her mind working, turning over the request, examining it from every angle.
"I don't want to lie," she says finally.
"It's not really lying," Luan says. His voice is persuasive. "It's old-fashioned family requirements. You'd be helping me keep what's rightfully mine. And it would probably be better if you moved in. Just for appearances. Since you're here most of the time anyway, that won't be a problem. And you're looking for a place to live. This solves that. One less thing for you to worry about."
She hesitates. I can see the war happening behind her eyes. The desire to help fighting against her instinct that something about this is wrong.
"It's your choice," Artan says. Firm and protective. "You'll still have your job regardless of what you decide. No pressure. No consequences either way."
Lily considers. Her hands twist in her lap, fingers tangling together.
"If you think I can help," she says slowly, carefully, "and I'm not harming anyone... I agree. I'll do it."
