8: A House Divided

The next day, the mansion was eerily quiet. Lily's room felt more like a cell, each hour stretching endlessly. She was left alone with her thoughts, each more despairing than the last. As evening approached, the door opened again. This time, it was Amelia Everett, Michael's mother. That woman seemed to have nine lives, for she looked as healthy and fit as a fiddle, despite her health challenges. Amelia's face was etched with concern. "Lily, my dear, what has happened? Why are you locked away like this?" Lily, on the verge of tears, responded, the words rushing out of her lips, "Amelia, I... I accidentally saw something on Michael's computer in his study. He's furious with me. He thinks I was snooping around. But I wasn't. I had work to send to a friend, and my computer crashed...and I needed to get the document across as soon as possible, and..." Amelia's demeanor changed from concern to indignation. "That's no reason to confine you like this. I'll speak to him. This is not how we treat family." Lily felt a mix of relief and fear. Amelia's intervention could either be her salvation or further incense Michael. Either way, it would be a good thing, much better than getting confined in a mansion that now seemed like a prison, despite the lushness of every item in this room. Amelia, sensing Lily's apprehension, reassured her, "Don't worry. I'll handle Michael. No one in this family will be treated like a prisoner. And I hear you're pregnant!" Amelia's face glowed with the news. "Is that true?" Lily nodded silently. "Very well, then. You must start taking good care of yourself, starting with your diet. I'll inform Martha regarding the diet you should be on as an expectant mother in the Everett family. We're known to birth strong and good-looking babies, and I don't want Michael's to be any different!" Amelia's departure left Lily with a glimmer of hope amidst the despair. The confrontation between mother and son promised to be a pivotal moment, one that could either mend the fractures in the family or deepen them. As night fell, Lara lay in her bed, listening to the distant sounds of the mansion, each creak and whisper a reminder of the delicate balance she now found herself in. The walls around her held secrets, and now, so did she.