As night settled over Florence, the city's shimmering lights captivated Lyla Greene from the car window. She eagerly rolled it down, relishing the fresh air after feeling trapped in Cameron Carlson's mansion for far too long.
Cameron drove in silence, occasionally glancing at Lyla through the rearview mirror. She seemed lost in a perfect daydream, free from burdens, worries, or animosity. Her eyes held a longing for the outside world, a side of her that Cameron found spellbinding.
"Why are you staring at me?" Lyla suddenly asked, sensing the intensity of his gaze. Her cheeks warmed as she turned to meet his fiery eyes.
Thrown off by her question, Cameron felt a twinge of guilt at being caught. He awkwardly looked away, clearing his throat to hide his embarrassment.
"When we get to your family's home, follow my lead. If you get too emotional and cause a scene, you're on your own—don't say I didn't warn you," Cameron said, his voice returning to its usual aloofness.
Lyla simply shrugged, turning back to the window. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," she muttered under her breath, clenching her fists and closing her eyes, trying to shut out the world outside.
Despite Cameron's swift driving, they arrived at the Greene family's residence to find the driveway crowded with luxury cars. They waited a couple of minutes for a parking spot. Unfazed by the valet's lack of recognition, Cameron courteously opened Lyla's door, inviting her out of the car with a rare tenderness that made her wary. Hesitantly, she placed her hand in his.
As she was drawn into Cameron's familiar embrace, his scent disoriented her, and her breath caught.
"Mrs. Carlson, keep it together—this isn't our bedroom," Cameron teased, nibbling playfully at her ear. He delighted in provoking Lyla, enjoying the unease it caused her.
"Let go of me!" Lyla demanded as the crowd around them began to grow. Not wanting to draw attention, she tried to pull away and head toward the house.
"Mrs. Carlson, wait—you forgot something," Cameron said, pulling her back and wrapping an arm around her waist with a mischievous grin.
"Cameron, what are you doing? We’re in front of everyone!" Lyla protested. But before she could finish, Cameron kissed her. She was taken aback; he was kissing her in front of everyone.
"Because I want everyone to know you're my Lyla," Cameron murmured, brushing her nose playfully. "You've been away from home since marrying me, and now you're back without even wearing your wedding ring. Your father would be disappointed if he saw."
From his pocket, Cameron produced a small, ornate box. He opened it to reveal a dazzling diamond ring, slipping it onto her finger amidst the crowd's gasps.
"Cameron, what is this?" Lyla's eyes widened, bewildered by the sudden attention. This was the first time he had given her a ring, let alone one so extravagant.
Facing his determined gaze, Lyla realized he had planned this from the start. She knew better than to question him further; he might do something even bolder. Silently, she dropped the subject, allowing Cameron to lead her by the hand into the house.
Cameron's presence created a stir at the Greene family gathering. The guests were awestruck, eagerly approaching him. As the head of Pure Wing, the famous jewelry empire, Cameron Carlson was renowned for his sharp business skills and striking good looks, making him the most sought-after bachelor. His arrival had single-handedly elevated the event to its peak.
Thanks to Cameron, Lyla also found herself in the spotlight.
"Jude! If you want to leave, go, but I won't," Lyla declared, ignoring Jude Holmes' pleas. She hurried to Emerie Adams, drawn by the strong scent of blood. Kneeling beside the woman, she gently lifted her, horrified at the blood-soaked face. "Emerie, wake up! It's Lyla. You hate me, don't you? Here I am. Get up and yell at me!"
Lyla didn't care about past wrongs; she just wanted Emerie to wake up. As cruel as Emerie had been, Lyla couldn’t bring herself to harbor resentment.
"Lyla..." Emerie groaned in agony, Lyla's voice piercing through her haze.
"Yes, it's me! Don't move, just talk to me. The ambulance is on its way," Lyla cried with relief at the response. Her mind was singularly focused on saving Emerie.
Emerie's barely-there consciousness didn't stop her from expressing bitterness, "Lyla, you must be happy now, seeing me like this."
"Emerie, stop it! We don’t have to fight anymore. You're my sister, no matter what. Please, just hold on," Lyla begged, tears flowing freely.
"You're a fool..." Emerie murmured, touched by Lyla's sincerity. As she lay there, she couldn't help but feel the warmth from their shared past—something she hadn’t felt since her parents' tragic accident.
"You don’t hate me? After everything?" Emerie asked, her defenses crumbling.
"I've never hated you. I understand your pain and resentment. Let’s be sisters again, okay?" Lyla pleaded, clutching Emerie tighter as her strength waned.
"I'm sorry for everything. I deserve this," Emerie confessed, her voice fading as she surrendered to her fate.
"I have a son... just six months old. He... he's innocent. Promise me, Lyla, go to the orphanage, look after him. Don't let him know about me," Emerie begged with what little strength she had left.
"I promise, I will," Lyla assured, her heart breaking for the child Emerie would leave behind.
"Thank you... And one last thing... Chaim... it wasn't..." Emerie struggled to speak, desperate to reveal the truth about Chaim Greene’s death. But before she could finish, a violent cough wracked her body, and she passed away in Lyla’s arms, leaving her words unspoken.
"Emerie, no! Wake up!" Lyla screamed, holding the lifeless body. Emerie's death felt like the world collapsing around her.
"She’s gone," Jude observed from a distance, knowing Lyla's compassion would drag her into deep grief.
From afar, Cameron watched Lyla through the car window. This woman, who had been absent from his life for days, was crying. And he was the reason for her pain.
Lyla felt darkness closing in. Cameron knew about Keily, their child, but what would he do?
Sitting by the bed, Lyla watched the sleeping Keily, gently stroking his head. She had protected him with all her heart, understanding all too well the challenges he had faced since birth.
At times, Lyla blamed herself, wishing she had been stronger to reject this fate. But in the quiet moments when Keily whispered "Mommy" in his sleep, her resolve to protect him strengthened.
"Mommy, help... the witch... bad people," Keily murmured, stirring anxiously, causing Lyla to worry about his nightmares.
"Keily, what's wrong?" Lyla whispered, leaning closer to hear him better.
"Lyla, we should leave with Keily now," Jude urged, having heard enough to know the danger Keily faced, especially from Destiny Holmes.
"But where can we go, Jude? He knows Keily is with Skyler. Where else can we hide?" Lyla asked, her voice laced with fear.
"We don't have to stay in Italy. Let’s go back to Florence," Jude suggested after much thought.
Lyla decided not to head to the police station, knowing Cameron wouldn’t stay there overnight. Even if he were in trouble, he’d find a way out.
She arrived at Cameron's villa, the door unlocking automatically as if expecting her. Shaking her head at the elaborate surveillance, she laughed dryly.
"Mrs. Carlson, you're here. The master just returned," Lennox Hill greeted her, relieved by her return. He had been worried since she left abruptly.
Lyla smirked at the thought of Cameron escaping yet another sticky situation. Her initial concern morphed into amusement at how she might tease him about it later.
Lennox led her to Cameron’s study. Knowing Cameron wouldn’t refuse Lyla, Lennox departed without informing him of her arrival.
Upon entering, the sharp smell of smoke hit her, making her cough. Cameron stood silhouetted against the window, lost in thought.
"Surprised to see me back so soon?" Cameron asked, turning toward her after putting out his cigarette.
"Impressed the law can't keep you. Maybe it's time you returned to your own planet," Lyla teased, opening a window to let out the smoke.
The fresh air invigorated Cameron, stirring a fleeting desire to embrace her. But he restrained himself, maintaining the distance between them.
"I'm not going anywhere, because you're here," Cameron said, a rare moment of vulnerability catching them both off guard.
Surprised, Lyla turned to see him, momentarily doubting her ears. Embarrassed, Cameron shifted his attention to his desk, hiding his face from her view.
