CHAPTER 354: CHAPTER 352 LET ME GO BACK [2ND UPDATE]

"Maya, you’re simply incomprehensible. You’ve already left, why think so much? That man made you accompany guests, how can you not leave? Aren’t you afraid he’ll torture you to death?" Ella was almost furious with Maya.

She just wanted Maya to leave quickly, to escape her suffering, and to start a new life with Lillian.

"The person in the hotel was Liam, it was always him, no one else." Bringing up the hotel incident, Maya hurriedly explained to Ella.

"Huh?" Ella was stunned. The truth came too swiftly, leaving her momentarily overwhelmed.

After a moment of confusion, she awkwardly said, "Even if it was him in the hotel, it doesn’t change the fact that he bullied you. Besides, don’t you like President Morris? You should be with the person you like."

Maya had never openly admitted her feelings for Lillian to her, and now Ella was exposing her in front of Lillian. She couldn’t even look at Lillian directly; she felt so embarrassed.

Although she usually had a thick skin and acted shamelessly with Liam, in front of Lillian, she always maintained a good image.

Lillian stood by Maya’s side, his eyes filled with expectation, hoping she’d stop hesitating, stop worrying about Liam.

As Maya caught a glimpse of Lillian out of the corner of her eye, she pulled her right hand down forcefully, breaking free from Lillian’s grip on her wrist.

Then, she raised her right hand, running her fingers through her hair and said dismissively, "I didn’t bring my passport, nor my ID. I can’t go. I’m heading back."

"Maya, you don’t need to worry about that. President Morris has already arranged everything. You just need to be there." Ella quickly spread her arms to block Maya’s way as she was about to leave again.

Seeing Ella, Maya was on the verge of tears.

She knew that Ella cared about her, had her best interests at heart, was afraid Liam would bully her again, afraid she’d suffer more grievances.

But the life Ella wanted for her was not the life she wanted. The problems she worried about were ones Ella would never understand.

She admitted, she did like Lillian; he had once given her a sense of security.

But she never thought of being with him. What did she, in her ruined state, have to match Lillian with? Even if Lillian pitied her and was willing to take her in, she didn’t want his sympathy. Instead of living in inferiority by his side, it was better to stay boldly beside Liam. At least this way, it would be beneficial for everyone.

Furthermore, ever since Liam found out about her crush on Lillian, Lillian could no longer give her a sense of security. Each time she saw him, she was on edge, wary and afraid that someone might get angry. Only by staying with Liam, as long as he wasn’t upset, could she feel safe.

She didn’t want to leave with Lillian, didn’t want to live in constant fear for a lifetime, nor did she want Lillian to be like her.

So she pushed Ella away, saying, "Stop it, let me go back."

Behind Maya, Lillian listened to her helpless tone and increasingly didn’t want Maya to return to Liam’s side. He didn’t want her living like a puppet, didn’t want her to continue sacrificing for him. Her deep emotions—how could he possibly repay them?

So, without Maya’s consent, he took her hand and walked toward the boarding gate, without offering her any explanation, simply holding her hand tightly, not giving her any chance to break free.

Maya followed behind Lillian, dumbfounded. She was swayed by his resolute decision, unknowingly following him, going through ticket checks and boarding the plane.

Looking at Lillian’s broad back, her heart raced uncontrollably, unable to refuse his dominance.

Ella watched their backs, wiping away tears, waving her little hand at Maya, repeating, "Maya, once you’re settled, I’ll come see you."

Turning back to see Ella’s tearful face, Maya felt a mix of emotions, knowing well that this was a wrong choice, yet unable to refuse Lillian’s determination, she just went along with him onto the plane.

In the first-class cabin, Maya sat by the window, not looking at Lillian who was beside her, nor staring straight ahead, but gazed at the ground and other planes outside.

The sudden occurrence of today’s events left Maya unprepared, feeling like a dream.

Eloping with Lillian, it should be a beautiful dream, yet it felt like a nightmare, inexplicable fear, unexplainable panic, her rapidly beating heart wouldn’t calm down.

Lillian, seeing Maya’s furrowed brow, gently held her small hand to comfort her, reassuring her not to be afraid, that he would give her a new life, make her happy.

Maya felt Lillian’s gentle care, turned and forced a smile at him, her heartthrob was by her side, yet she couldn’t find joy.

"Maya, everything will be fine. From now on, I’ll always be here." Lillian didn’t make any grand promises, nor sweet-talked her, but gave her his lifetime commitment.

Hearing Lillian’s words, "I’ll always be here," Maya’s feelings were indescribable. She couldn’t deny she was moved, but behind that feeling were other emotions that she couldn’t articulate, emotions that were hard to define.

She took a deep breath, looking directly into Lillian’s eyes awkwardly, she said, "Brother Morris, you really don’t have to do this. You’re making me feel like a burden."

For Maya, she couldn’t accept the fact of eloping with Lillian; her mind was blank, only knowing she was taken away.

Lillian saw Maya’s guilt, helplessly smiling, raising his right hand to support her head, gently pulling her into his embrace, planting a kiss on her forehead, consoling, "You’re never a burden. You are a new beginning."

For both Liam and Lillian, confessing feelings was never their strong suit. They lived too outstanding a life, never experiencing confessing to anyone before, so saying "I like you" was as daunting as climbing a mountain—they just couldn’t do it.

Even though Lillian had been married once, he still couldn’t make such an honest confession.

Maya always urged him to start a new life, but for him, Maya was his new life.

He believed, what he said, she would understand.

Lillian lived a particularly rational life, able to control his emotions well and avoid making mistakes.

But this time, he couldn’t fathom his heart, didn’t know what he was thinking. He only knew he didn’t want Maya to suffer anymore, he wanted to take her away, let her stay by his side, and give her the utmost happiness.

Perhaps this was love, a love he had never experienced before.

He still remembered Maya once saying she didn’t like Liam, so she wouldn’t be with him. At the time, he thought she was childish and laughable.

Yet three years later, he divorced because of those laughable sentiments.

Then he understood, it wasn’t about being rational; he had just never met someone who made him feel.