Twisted Vows

Chapter Three

“Do me a favor and collect everyone's assignment,” Peter said as he got to her seat. Lily stood up quietly, she was numb with shock as she slowly collected each assignment sheet from her classmates. Peter has walked back to the table at the front of the class, his eyes still on Lily as he wondered where he has met her before. She walked up to him after getting all the assignments, dropping them on the table before him. He grabbed her gently in a way none of the students could see.

“What's your name?” He asked her.

“Lily Harper.” She replied fast, her voice low and weak.

“Tell me where I've met you?” He asked with so much curiosity.

“Umm…” Lily stammered. Right now she just wanted the ground to open and swallow her. “No, I've never met you before. I mean I don't know you.” Her reply was sharp as she released her arm from his grip. She walked back immediately to her seat, her face tensed and scared. But Peter could feel she was lying.

---

After class Lily stared at her phone, her thumb hovering over the screen. Her heart pounded as she dialed the familiar number, her chest tightening with each ring. When her mother’s voice, soft and warm as ever, finally answered, relief washed over her like a wave, though her stomach twisted with the weight of her secret.

"Lily, sweetheart," her mother’s voice crackled over the line, "how are you doing? You sound tired. Are you resting enough?"

Lily forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, even though her mother couldn’t see her. "I’m fine, Mom. I’m just... relieved."

"Relieved?" Her mother’s tone brightened. "What do you mean, darling?"

Lily hesitated, her fingers tightening around the phone. She wasn’t ready to explain everything—not now, not with everything so tangled. But her mother deserved to know the one good thing that had come out of this mess.

"The hospital called," Lily began, her voice faltering slightly. "Your bills... They’ve been paid. Completely."

There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end of the line before her mother’s joyful gasp filled the quiet room.

"Oh my God, Lily! Really?" Her voice bubbled with excitement, the weariness of illness momentarily forgotten. "I can’t believe it! Who... Who did this? Was it the Keller family? Oh, they’ve always been so generous, haven’t they? Especially Nicole. Such a sweet girl. You’re so lucky to have them looking out for us."

Lily’s throat tightened, and she swallowed hard, the guilt creeping in like a shadow. She wanted to tell her mother the truth—that Nicole’s kindness was only a mask she wore when it suited her. That the family’s wealth and favors came at a price. But she couldn’t. Not now. Not when her mother was so happy.

"Yeah, they... helped a lot," Lily said softly, her fingers curling around the edge of her notebook as she sat down. She bit her lip, feeling a pang of guilt for the half-truth, but she couldn’t bring herself to shatter her mother’s joy. "I just wanted to let you know everything’s going to be okay. You don’t have to worry anymore."

"Sweetheart, this is wonderful news! I can’t wait to thank them properly. Please, next time you see them, tell Nicole’s mother how grateful I am. She’s been such a blessing." Her mother’s voice brimmed with warmth, but Lily felt her stomach twist. If only her mother knew the truth.

"I will, Mom," Lily murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I will."

They talked for a few more minutes, with her mother excitedly planning how she’d repay the kindness once she was better, her optimism cutting through the heavy fog in Lily’s mind. But the weight of her mother’s trust bore down on her, making it harder to breathe with each passing second. When they finally said their goodbyes, Lily hung up the phone and sat still for a long moment, her mind swirling with thoughts she couldn’t suppress.

Peter.

She couldn’t stop thinking about him, about that night. The way he had looked at her—not with coldness, but with something raw and real. A fleeting softness in his eyes that lingered, even after the night was over. The memory of his touch still sent shivers down her spine, and she hated that it did. She hated that part of her wish she hadn’t left.

What was wrong with her? He didn’t even know it was her. He thought it was Nicole. And still... he wanted her.

Her breath caught in her throat as she recalled the way his hand had brushed hers, the electricity that had sparked between them. She had never felt anything like it. How could she possibly face him now? How could she continue to pretend?

A soft touch on her shoulder startled her from her thoughts. Her heart skipped a beat as Peter’s tall figure filled the doorway. His dark eyes locked onto hers with a mix of curiosity and intensity that made her pulse quicken. He leaned casually against the frame, his gaze never wavering.

"Are you okay?" Peter asked, his deep voice smooth but edged with concern. "You seemed a bit distant earlier."

Lily’s heart thudded in her chest. She avoided his gaze, her eyes fixed on the floor. She couldn’t face him—not like this.

"I’m fine," she muttered, her tone clipped. "Just tired, that’s all."

Peter pushed off the doorframe and took a step closer, the air between them thickening with tension. "I can tell something’s bothering you, Lily. You don’t have to hide it."

She clenched her fists in her lap, struggling to maintain her composure. She couldn’t let him in. She couldn’t let him see how much that night had affected her. He thought she was someone else. He didn’t know it had been her, and he never could.

"I’m not hiding anything," she lied, her voice steady but hollow. She could feel his eyes on her, searching, waiting for her to c***k, but she didn’t. She wouldn’t.

Peter’s jaw tightened, his frustration evident, but he didn’t press her further. Instead, he took another step closer, his presence overwhelming.

"You don’t have to pretend, Lily," he said softly, his voice a whisper now. "Not with me."

Her heart ached at the sincerity in his words, and for a brief moment, she wanted to believe him. But she couldn’t afford to. Not with everything at stake. She stood abruptly, her movements stiff, and turned her back to him.

"I’m fine,” she repeated, her tone firm. "Just leave it alone."

Peter watched her for a long moment, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. Finally, with a resigned sigh, he nodded. "Alright," he said quietly, his voice barely audible.

As he turned to leave, Lily’s chest tightened, the guilt and confusion swirling inside her. She watched him go, her heart torn between wanting to run after him and needing to keep her distance. Once the door clicked shut behind him, she let out a shaky breath, her resolve crumbling.

She couldn’t avoid him forever. And deep down, she knew the truth would come out eventually. But for now, all she could do was keep pretending.