The Twisted Obsession-Chapter 285: Bad news

Lily and Cage strolled through the park, the afternoon sun casting a golden glow over the vibrant greenery. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the sound of birds singing created a perfect backdrop for their day together. Lily’s laughter was infectious, and Cage found himself smiling more than he had in weeks. They had decided to take a break from the chaos that surrounded their lives, and today was all about them.

They settled on a picnic blanket under a large oak tree, spreading out a delicious array of foods they had prepared together. Cage watched as Lily took a bite of a strawberry, her eyes lighting up with joy. He loved seeing her like this, carefree and happy, a stark contrast to the worry that had clouded her face in recent weeks.

"Cage, you have to try this," Lily said, holding out a piece of cheese. He leaned in, taking a bite, and their eyes met, a spark passing between them.

"It’s perfect," he said, not just referring to the cheese. Everything about this moment felt perfect.

They spent hours talking and laughing, sharing stories and dreams. Lily rested her head on Cage’s shoulder, her fingers intertwined with his. For a brief moment, the world outside ceased to exist, and it was just the two of them.

Cage’s phone buzzed, breaking the serene silence. He frowned, not wanting to be disturbed. He pulled it out, seeing Fredrick’s name flash on the screen. His heart sank. He hadn’t heard from Fredrick since the fallout with Abby, and he knew this couldn’t be good news.

"Lily, I need to take this," he said softly, gently detaching himself from her embrace.

She nodded, her eyes filled with understanding, but also a hint of worry. "Okay."

Cage stood up and walked a few steps away, answering the call. "Fredrick, what’s going on?"

"Cage," Fredrick’s voice was tense, almost frantic. "There’s been an incident at the mental facility where Margaret was being held. It caught fire early this morning."

Cage’s heart stopped. "What? Is she...?"

"We don’t know," Fredrick interrupted. "They haven’t found her body. We need you to inform Lily and have her tell us if Margaret reaches out."

Guilt washed over Cage. He had been avoiding the topic of Margaret with Lily, brushing off her concerns about her mother. Now, it was all crashing down on him. "Okay, I’ll tell her."

He ended the call and turned back to Lily, who was watching him with a concerned expression. His face had paled, and he felt a heaviness settle in his chest.

"Lily," he began, his voice trembling slightly. "We need to talk."

She sat up, her eyes wide with worry. "What is it, Cage? What’s wrong?"

He took a deep breath, sitting down beside her and taking her hands in his. "There was a fire at the mental facility where your mom was being held. They haven’t found her."

Lily’s face went through a myriad of emotions—shock, disbelief, and finally, a deep, heartbreaking sadness. "What do you mean they haven’t found her? Is she...?"

"They don’t know," Cage said softly. "Fredrick called to tell me. They want you to let them know if she reaches out to you."

Lily’s eyes filled with tears, and she shook her head. "My mom... she did some terrible things, but she’s still my mom. I can’t believe this is happening."

Cage wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "I’m so sorry, Lily. I should have been more supportive. I should have listened to you."

She broke down, sobbing into his chest. The strength she had shown earlier in the day seemed to vanish, replaced by a raw vulnerability. "I was so worried about her, Cage. And you always avoided the topic. I don’t know what to do."

He stroked her hair, feeling a profound sense of guilt. "We’ll figure it out together. I promise, we’ll get through this."

Lily pulled back slightly, her eyes red and puffy. "Do you think she’s alive?" ƒree𝑤ebnσvel-com

"I don’t know," Cage admitted. "But we have to hope for the best. And if she reaches out, we’ll be here for her."

She nodded, wiping her tears away. "I know she did awful things, but she’s still my mom. I can’t just forget about her."

Cage held her face in his hands, looking deeply into her eyes. "And we won’t. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together."

Lily managed a small, sad smile. "Thank you, Cage. I don’t know what I’d do without you."

He kissed her forehead, feeling the weight of their situation pressing down on him. "You don’t have to worry about that. I’m here, always."

They sat there in silence for a while, the sun beginning to set, casting long shadows across the park. The idyllic day they had shared felt like a distant memory now, replaced by the harsh reality of their lives.

As they packed up their picnic and walked back to the car, hand in hand, Cage’s mind raced with possibilities and plans. He knew that Abby and Remo would be relentless in their pursuit of Margaret, and that he and Lily were now caught in the middle of a dangerous game. But for now, all that mattered was being there for Lily, helping her navigate the uncertainty and pain.

In the days that followed, Cage and Lily faced an emotional rollercoaster. Lily checked her phone constantly, hoping for any sign of her mother. Cage reached out to contacts, trying to gather information discreetly, all while keeping Lily’s spirits up. Their relationship grew stronger through the shared adversity, but the shadow of uncertainty loomed large.

One evening, as they sat together in their living room, Lily’s phone buzzed with a message. Her hands trembled as she picked it up, hoping against hope. But it was just another well-meaning friend asking if she was okay. She sighed, her shoulders slumping.

Cage pulled her into his arms. "We’ll find out what happened, Lily. No matter what it takes."

She nodded against his chest, drawing strength from his words. "I just want to know she’s okay. Even after everything, I need to know."

"We will," he promised, holding her tightly. "We will."

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