FREEDOM WAS THE LIE

CHAPTER 3: THE REVEAL

The room felt heavier suddenly, the silence and cold air. Just then the door opened.

Lilith turned slowly. And everything stopped.

He walked in slowly, calm and controlled, like he had no need to rush. Every step he took made the room feel quieter, like even the air was waiting for him to speak.

And just then—

Lilith's breath was caught by the view in front of her. “ It's him.. it's the same man?”

He walked in like he owned the room—calm, controlled, every step confident. The air shifted instantly.

Lilith just stood there, staring.

For the first time since she started speaking, she had nothing to say.

Completely still, she couldn’t even speak. And as his eyes met hers again she knew—This was the man they were talking about. The room fell completely silent as he stepped in.

The atmosphere became surprisingly cold,as no one uttered any word.

Lilith felt the change, the sudden tensed facial expressions, she was convinced he had a lot of power over everyone.The way everyone straightened slightly, the way their attention turned to him without question.

He didn’t rush. He walked in calmly, his gaze was fixed intently on her.

“Continue,” he said. His voice was low, controlled.

Lilith blinked, trying to gather herself. And for a second, nothing came out, she felt a tightened feeling on her chest.

She swallowed, forcing herself to breathe. “Yes… sir.”

She turned back to the screen, trying to control her thoughts. “ He's the same man!!.”

But her focus wasn’t the same anymore. She could feel his presence behind her. His stare kept making her stutter. Still, she pushed through.

“As I was saying,” she continued, steadier now, “our proposal is designed to ensure long-term efficiency and trust…”

She finished quickly this time, her confidence returning little by little.

When she was done, she turned back to face them.

But her eyes went straight to him.

He was watching her. Not casually. Not politely.

Intently.

A few seconds passed. Lilith saw a slight disapproval from him.

“Everyone else can leave.”

Everyone stood up almost immediately. Chairs moved, they gathered papers and left within moments, the room began to empty.

Lilith gathered her slides and was about to leave_Suddenly, she felt a hand over her face.

“..sir, can I help you?”. Lilith's voice shaking, her chest tightened even more.

Everyone left the room and now it was just the two of them.

Silence filled the room.

Lilith’s heart was beating faster than she wanted to admit.

He stepped closer. Not too close—but close enough. “You handled that well,” he said.

Lilith straightened slightly. “Thank you.”

A pause.

Then—

“What’s your name?”

Lilith was confused and startled by the sudden question.“My name is Lilith.. Lilith Sinclair.”

He let out a slight smile.“I know,” he said calmly.

“I know who you are and everything too about you.. Lilith Sinclair.”

Lilith didn’t know how to respond to that.

Just as Lilith was wrapping her mind around this strange man, he startled her even more.

“You have two brothers, your mother and sister..”Lilith was private,and someone that knew her family made her even more confused.

“Who are you?”..

“ Your biggest night mare”..those words made Lilith anxious, she didn't even know this man. What plan is fate trying to play with her.

She felt like this wasn’t just a business meeting anymore.

Lilith walked back into the office later that day, still feeling like her mind wasn’t fully there.Everything that had happened at the Blackwood company kept replaying in her head. The way he looked at her. The way the room changed when he walked in.

And that voice—calm, controlled, like everyone had to listen.

She sighed softly as she sat down at her desk. A few minutes later, Mrs. Caroline walked in with a small smile on her face.

“Lilith,” she said warmly, “you did really well today.” Lilith looked up, surprised. “Thank you, ma.”

Mrs. Caroline placed a file on her desk. “Actually… management was impressed. Very impressed.” Lilith's face lightened up.. “Really?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “They’ve approved an advance on your salary. Consider it a reward for stepping in at the last minute and handling that meeting so well.”

Lilith was quiet for a second, then gave a small smile. “This wasn't necessary. Thank you.”

Mrs. Caroline smiled. “You earned it. Get some rest—you carried that meeting better than most senior staff would have.”

With that, she left. Lilith leaned back in her chair, staring at the file.

But instead of feeling excited, her mind drifted again. Back to him..That man.

She didn’t know who he was. Everyone in that room reacted to him like he was important—more important than anyone else.

And that bothered her.” I hope I don't have to see him again.”

She relaxed and rested a bit. Then reached for her phone slowly.

After a moment of hesitation, she unlocked it and found her brothers’ contact.

“Maybe they would know something.”

She typed a short message… then suddenly she remembered his words.

“ What does he mean by night mare?” Lilith's mind wasn't at peace. Because deep down, she had a feeling— asking her brothers might not be as simple as it sounded.