Page 40 of A Convenient Secret (Merged #3)

Lily

“ L ily, Auntie!” Zoya runs to us. “I have to go backstage now. Whewe is Daddy?”

I squat to kiss her cheek, and she wraps her little arms around my neck. It’s an automatic gesture, but in my current state it brings tears to my eyes.

“He’s on his way. You go to your group and focus on the performance. I can’t wait to see you on that stage.”

She gives me a wet kiss. “I have a feeling it’s going to blow evewybody’s mind.” She winks at me and hops away.

I chuckle. That girl won’t get lost in this world. With her confidence and her loving family, she will slay.

Saar looks from the hopping Zoya to me. “I’m pretty sure we’ll be sisters-in-law.”

I sigh.

She pokes me, smirking. “What? That girl adores you. And you’re sleeping with her father,” she whispers. “I see a happily-ever-after.”

“Saar.” We both turn. “Lily.” Declan’s mom smiles at us, Zach walking behind her, frowning.

“Dorothy, were you spending a day with this young gentleman?” Saar hugs her mother-in-law.

“And what a delight it was, wasn’t it, Zach?”

He bows his head briefly, the same way his father does. “We went for high tea and an art auction.”

I blink. “Wow. Did you have a good time?”

“Some pieces there…” He sighs. “I don’t think something that looks like someone spilled ketchup on it should cost a million dollars.” He shrugs, putting one hand in the pocket of his pants. “And now I have to finish the day here.”

“Zachary,” Dorothy warns.

“You don’t want to see your sister’s recital?” Saar asks.

“I’m not inclined to support her after that disastrous day at the dog run.”

I bite my lip so as not to laugh. “Zach, she’s your sister, and you might have different interests, but as a gentleman and as a good brother…” I squat down in fr ont of him. “I know Zoya would appreciate your support.”

“Please take your seats. We’re about to start,” someone announces.

“Go get us seats; I’ll wait for Declan.” I send the group ahead.

I won’t have time to tell him everything now, but I want to see him at least. It’s like seeing him, even with all the secrets hovering above us, would make everything instantly better.

And it does.

He rushes inside the hall, and it’s like lightning strikes me. My body is buzzing immediately, but it’s my heart that swells. The lump that lodged in my throat when I saw the article loosens just slightly.

Dressed to the nines as always, he looks like a movie star in his gray pin-striped suit. Even hurrying, he immediately commands the room.

The lines on his forehead smooth when he sees me.

“I’m sorry I’m late.” He extends his hand, but stops himself like he just remembered he’s greeting his nanny.

“You’re right on time. Saar, Zach, and your mom are inside already.”

“Thank you for waiting for me.”

We stand there and grin at each other like idiots. Everything will be okay. With his adoring gaze on me, we will face everything.

And perhaps everything is not as bad as I inflated it in my head. People leave their past behind them all the time.

I sneak out to an alcove just off the atrium where all the parents and kids celebrate the recital.

Leaning against the cold, white wall, I let the sun bathe my face through the arched window. Just a short breather to organize my thoughts.

The presumed benefit of running away and assuming a new identity was that I’d never have to think about a scenario when my new life would collide with my past one.

I knew that I would either start anew, or be forced to return to the old. With Declan and the kids in the picture, I need to find a combination.

But how? Declan puts his kids first. As he should. He loves his perfectly organized, planned life.

“Penny for your thoughts.” His voice washes over me, soothing my aching soul.

“How did you find me?” I smile.

He steps closer, the alcove hiding us. “I’m drawn to you like a moth to a flame.” He lowers his lips to my temple. “But we should go back, before I pin you against this window and make sure that you walk around with my cum all over your thighs.”

My knees buckle. How does he do it? “I need to talk to you,” I utter, before I lose the nerves.

“I know we need to talk. I’m sorry I pushed last night. Of course we can do things on your timeline. I’ll wait if you’re not ready.” He strokes my cheek.

Oh fuck, if that was the only cloud above our heads. “Declan, there was an article—”

He puts a finger on my lips. “Don’t worry about that. My lawyer served them a cease-and-desist order already. It will be down by the end of the day.”

Could it be that easy? I may not be discovered after all. That would make things easier, or not. I don’t know anymore. I need to explain the situation to him.

“Don’t worry about it, Seagull.” He kisses my forehead. “Let’s go back and try to get out of here as quickly as possible.”

He leads me back to the atrium, his hand on the small of my back. Until he drops it when we join the mingling crowd. I want him to keep it there. And he made it clear he wants to keep it there, but I stopped him.

I stopped him, because I wasn’t brave enough to tell him my story earlier.

Tonight .

The determination grows strong inside me suddenly. I don’t want to hide anymore.

That thought thrills and scares me, but the courage floods my veins.

Tonight.

I will bury Lily Thorne, or the hidden parts of me.

Tonight.

The atrium hums with polite chatter as parents mingle. I stay close to Declan as we find the twins and Saar.

“Yes, Zoya, you were exceptionally good on that stage.” Despite his words, Zach looks unimpressed.

“Try to kill her with kindness, little dude.” Saar ruffles his hair. “Ah, here you are.” She turns to us.

“Thank you for staying with them,” Declan says, looking equally unimpressed at his son.

Is he kinder to me only? I spent so much time with him alone that I forgot about the aloof, grumpy version of him. It became only one layer of this man for me.

I guess that one is still available to the rest of the world. For some reason, it makes me grin.

“If you don’t mind, I’m going to dash now.” She turns to Zoya. “You stole the show, girl.”

As soon as she leaves, the twins go to get a juice refill. Someone approaches Declan, who steps closer to me while he engages in a polite conversation.

My eyes roam the room, and I feel the weight of judgment. People are staring at me. Or at Declan. Or at us. Do people read the trashy pages?

Declan concludes his conversation and turns to me. “Ready to leave?”

A tall, perfectly put-together woman approaches, blond hair swept into a sleek chignon, a designer clutch tucked beneath one arm.

“Declan.” The voice is smooth, practiced, and edged with just enough artificial sweetness to set my teeth on edge.

She places a manicured hand lightly on Declan’s forearm as if she has every right to touch him.

I don’t like her. Acid coils in my stomach, my gaze glued to those sharp, red nails.

Declan’s jaw tightens almost imperceptibly, his posture stiff but polite. “Margot.”

She smiles or purses her lips; I’m not sure which. She gives me the briefest once-over before she dismisses my existence entirely.

“I was hoping I’d see you here.” She juts her chin forward like she is taking a selfie. “I have a box at the Met tomorrow night. I thought you might enjoy the performance. Just us, of course.”

Declan inhales sharply through his nose. “I’m afraid I have plans.”

She leans closer. “Cancel them,” she purrs.

He doesn’t even blink. “No. ”

I suppress a smirk.

Margot recovers quickly with a faux laugh. “Come on, Declan. The children are old enough to have an evening without you hovering.” Her voice dips, turning honeyed. “And you could use a break. A little fun.”

I’m standing right here, for fuck’s sake. I have no public claim on him, but get a room. Or not. No rooms for her and Declan.

But some decency. Who arranges their dates openly in front of others?

Declan’s shoulders tense, and this time, when he speaks, his voice cools by a few degrees. “I don’t need a break from my children.”

Margot waves a dismissive hand. “Of course not, but I imagine you could use a break from… everything else.” Her gaze flicks to me again—this time lingering just long enough to feel like a deliberate slight.

Declan straightens, his expression carefully neutral. “Margot, this is Lily Thorne.”

Margot offers a tight, insincere smile, but doesn’t extend a hand. “Ah. The nanny.”

I’ve dealt with small-minded people all my life. I open my mouth, but Declan gets there first.

“No,” he says, his voice firm, final. “She’s not the nanny.”

Margot blinks, finally caught off-guard. “Oh?”

Declan puts his hand on the small of my back. “Lily is with me.”

There’s a beat of silence. A charged, palpable pause. Oh shit. I wish I could celebrate this public display of his intentions triumphantly. And a part of me indulges in the feeling. If only things were so easy.

Margot’s lips tighten at the corners, her carefully maintained poise slipping just enough for me to see the irritation flash behind her eyes.

“Well,” she says, forcing another smile. “That’s… unexpected.”

I arch a brow. “Is it?” I say sweetly.

Declan’s lips twitch, just barely, and I know I’ve won this round.

Margot’s nostrils flare before she turns sharply on her heels and disappears into the sea of parents.

I try not to roll my eyes, feeling the circle of mothers’ eyes on me. When I glance up, I’m met with an amused expression. Declan is watching me, clearly not concerned about the crowds.

His lips twitch. “You’re jealous.”

I scoff. “Am not.”

His expression turns downright pleased. “You didn’t like her touching me.”

“I didn’t like her existing,” I grumble.

Declan chuckles, low and knowing, before leaning in, his breath warm against my ear. “You have nothing to worry about, Seagull.”

A shiver runs down my spine, and I don’t even bother pretending it’s from the air conditioning.

Declan pulls back, his hand on my lower back again as he steers me toward the lemonade station. “Now, let’s find the twins before you start plotting Margot’s disappearance.”

I lift my chin. “You assume I haven’t already.”

He chuckles. “Let’s save the kids from sugar poisoning and get out of here.”

“Has your mom left?”

He groans. “Right, we need to weave through this crowd to find her as well.”

“Daddy,” Zoya calls out, and we both relax, finding her with Zach and Dorothy.

All of us file out of the room, and that sense of belonging that has been growing inside me for weeks now blossoms as I look at our little unit.

A family I never thought I would find.

“Where is your car, Mom?” Declan asks as he opens the doors of his, watching the twins climb in.

“It will be here any moment.” She bends to wave at the kids. “Zoya, you were phenomenal. I can’t wait for our vacation.”

“Bye, Gwanny.” Zoya sends her an air kiss .

“I’m glad you could come.” Declan gives his mother a peck on her cheek.

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

“It was nice to see you, again, Dorothy.” I step toward the open door.

“Actually, Lily, can I have a word?” Dorothy stops me.

Declan frowns. “What’s going on?”

“Just get in and wait a moment. I won’t keep her long.” Dorothy weaves her arm through mine.

Declan hesitates, but after a moment gets into his car.

His mother smiles at me. “We don’t have much time, my dear, but I wanted to ask you for an explanation.”

What’s going on? Can I survive more pressure today? “An explanation?”

“Not to me, but Declan deserves to know.”

She knows? What does she know? It’s a good thing she has her arm through mine, because I might just collapse right here. Think, Lily, think.

“I have a dear friend in London, Lady Beatrice Fitzpatrick…” She pauses, expecting the name to be familiar.

And it is very familiar.

Dorothy knows who I am.

When I remain silent, she continues, “You see, I showed Beatrice pictures from that gala. Those were the newest photos of my boys.”

I let things go too far. But also, we let things go too far. This woman—Declan’s mother, Zoya and Zach’s grandmother—doesn’t know we are married.

Not that after the exposé, and Declan’s not-so-subtle “she’s with me”, Manhattan society won’t assume we’re a couple.

But married? In secret? Behind everyone’s back? As a business transaction?

I left my previous life because I didn’t want to let my father down. And I’m doing just that in this life.

“I will talk to him.” I want to explain myself, and at the same time run away from this conversation.

“Thank you. I don’t know why you’re hiding who you truly are, and it’s none of my business.

But my son and my grandchildren are my business, so please, don’t keep secrets from Declan.

He’s been burned by a woman before, and I see how he looks at you.

He looks at you like you’re his second chance. Are you?”

I swallow again, tears rimming around my eyes. God, I want to be his only chance. He is mine for sure.

“Just tell him who you are, Liliana Spinelli.” She studies me for a moment and then perks up, letting go of the heaviness of the conversation. “Ah, there’s my car.” She kisses both my cheeks like we’re best friends and leaves .

The heaviness of the conversation stays behind. I stare at her disappearing car, mourning the simple life of Lily Thorne. Desperately wishing she wasn’t the heiress who, once discovered, would need to return to her heritage or fight to stay away. Let’s hope Declan is ready to fight along with me.

I felt helpless and out of control for so long. I will never cross that line again.