19: Guilty Shadows

In the dimly lit Rolls Royce moving away from the private hospital, Lily sat lost in her tumultuous thoughts, a tangible distance separating her from Michael. The silence was heavy, filled with unspoken words and suppressed emotions. Lily's gaze was fixed on the passing city lights, but her mind was far away, wrestling with her own secrets and the complexities of her current life. Michael broke the silence, his voice laced with a biting edge. "You believe you're clever, don't you, Lily? Using a child as leverage won’t work with me. Many have tried using this tactic long before you and I met, and they all failed woefully." Lily turned, her eyes reflecting a mixture of defiance and resignation. "The thought never crossed my mind, Michael. I have no intention of involving a child in our... situation." Micheal's expression soured. "Just remember, if you ever dare to use such tactics, the consequences will be dire. I can ensure a very bleak end for both you and the child," he threa