THE FIRST WARNING
1414 Words
Lily woke up the next morning. Tho she was relieved, it still felt strange being here—away from her parent's home and the life she had known before now.
She was now married to a man she barely knew, and in a house that didn’t feel like home.
Suddenly she heard a knock on the door.
“Ma’am,” a maid said from outside. “You have a visitor.”
Lily immediately sat up. “Who?”
The door then swung open and Clara walked in.
“Oh my God,” Lily joyfully jumped out of the bed. She ran and hugged Clara tightly. “I'm so happy you're here.”
Clara pulled back and studied Lily's face carefully. “You don't look like you've been kidn*pped. Are you being held here against your will? Blink twice if you need help.”
Lily laughed despite everything. “I'm not being held hostage Clara, don't be silly,” she said in a playful tone.
“Well you look vibrant so that's a good sign.”
Clara replied. “But seriously, are you doing okay?”
Lily hesitated. “I don’t really know.”
Clara sighed and went to sit on the couch, then gestured for Lily to join her. “Who is this Martin guy? And why did you marry him? And please don't say ‘it's complicated’ again.”
Lily exhaled. “He offered me an escape and I was desperate.”
“Lily,” Clara said, “men don’t just offer solutions like this for free. What does he get out of it?”
“I don’t know,” Lily admitted. “He said it would benefit us both, but he hasn’t told me anything else.”
Clara frowned. “And you’re okay with that?”
“No,” Lily murmured. “But he’s treated me well so far. And honestly? Anything is better than going back to my parents.”
Clara didn't look convinced, but before she could say anything else, she heard a loud noice from downstairs.
“What was that? Clara asked, alarmed.
Lily looked worried. “I don't know, but it doesn't sound good.”
Lily then rushed to the balcony and looked down. And her heart dropped.
Mike, her parents and Naomi were all standing in the living room, arguing with Martin.
“Where is she?!” Benjamin’s yelled. “I demand to see my daughter.”
Martin still remained calm. “You don’t demand anything in my house.”
“You bastard,” Mike spat. “What kind of maniac kidnaps a woman right from her wedding?”
“She wasn't kidnapped.” Martin responded. “She left on her own free will.”
Sarah gasped, “Lily is clearly confused! She's being manipulated!” She turned towards the stairs. “Lily, honey, come down here!”
“Listen up,” Lily's father groaned. “Whatever game you're playing with my daughter ends now.”
“Game?” Martin had a little smirk. "I assure you, our marriage is legally binding and consensual."
Lily watched the whole scene in discomfort.
“You can stay here if you're not ready to face them,” Clara muttered. “You don't have to go down”
“No, I have to” Lily replied, finally summoning up some courage. “I can't keep hiding from them forever”
She walked down to the living room and everyone turned to look at her.
Mike's face turned red. “Lily, what the hell were you thinking?”
Sarah rushed towards her and grabbed her arms. “Sweetheart, it's not too late to come back home.”
Lily pulled her hands away. “I am home.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Benjamin yelled in disbelief.
Naomi, who had been watching everything silently, finally spoke. “So you really did it, huh?” She laughed. “Ran off with some stranger?”
Lily ignored her and focused on her parents. “I made my choice.”
Mike stepped closer. “No, you made a mistake. And you’re coming back with us. Right now.”
Sarah Adams stepped forward with a fake smile on her face. “Martin, surely we can talk about this like adults. The Adams and Anderson families have a long-standing arrangement—”
"Which no longer concerns my wife," Martin cut in.
Mike turned to him “What did you do to make her come with you, you bastard!” He then turned to Lily, “Is this man threatening you?”
“I will not tolerate that kind of language from you, especially in my home” Martin said, warning him.
“No, he didn't threaten me,” Lily responded. “Its quite the contrary, he's the only one who actually cared about my wellbeing and unlike you guys, he didn't force me into doing anything.”
“That’s a lie,” Naomi muttered.
Lily gave her a look. “You have something to say, Naomi?”
Naomi just smiled but didn't say anything.
“You need to leave,” Lily then said firmly. “All of you.”
“Not without you,” Benjamin said, stepping closer. “This isn't you, Lily. This impulsive, reckless behavior.”
Martin sighed, “You’ve all wasted enough of my time. My wife has made her decision.”
“She’s not your wife,” Mike snapped.
“Legally, she is.” Martin said coldly. “And if any of you ever show up here uninvited again, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
“Lily," her father tried one last time. “Think about what you're doing.”
Lily looked at her family—her controlling parents, her crazy half-sister, and the man they tried to force her to marry. Then she looked at Martin, the stranger who was standing up for her now.
"I've made my choice," she said firmly. "Please respect it."
Benjamin got very upset. But before he could do anything, Martin's security showed up.
Sarah looked at Lily one last time in disappointment. “You'll regret this.”
Lily didn't respond. Just then, the security escorted Mike and her parents out.
But Naomi looked back at Lily, “You'll hear from me later, there's something you should know,” she whispered before walking away.
After they left, Martin turned to Clara.“You should go too,” he said, his tone was polite but firm.
Clara frowned. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
Lily stepped in. “Wait—”
Martin looked at her. “I told you before. I don’t like scandals. That was unacceptable.”
“You can’t just ban people from seeing me,” Lily yelled.
“This isn’t a debate,” Martin responded. “From now on, you're not allowed to have any contact with your family without my permission.”
Clara gasped, “Unbelievable.”
She turned to Lily. “Think about what I said. And if you need me, I’ll find a way okay.”
And with that, she walked out.
Lily stood there, feeling trapped in her new life.
Martin then placed his hands on her shoulders gently. “You need to rest.”
She pushed his hands away, and walked out.
Later that night, Lily sat on her bed, staring at her phone. She wasn't supposed to contact anyone but she dialed Naomi anyway.
In a few seconds Naomi picked up.
“Well, well,” Naomi said playfully. “Breaking the new husband's rules already?”
Lily ignored the jab. “What did you mean by what you said earlier?”
Naomi was quiet for a moment. Then she whispered, “There’s something you don’t know about our family. Something quite big. If you wanna hear it then you have to meet me tomorrow.”
Lily sighed.
“And come alone okay, No security. No Martin, just you” Naomi added. “Also, be careful, sis. Remember, you barely even know this man you just married.”
The call ended.
Lily felt both confused and suspicious. Naomi had never been on her side before, why start now?
---
The next evening, Lily sneaked out of her room and was heading towards the entrance door.
“Going somewhere.” She heard a voice from behind.
She turned around slowly to see Martin standing there with a sour expression on his face.
“Tell me Lily,” he said. “Where exactly were you planning to go?”
- Writer
