Possessive CEO's Wife

Lily paced the luxurious guest house like a caged animal, her mind racing. Every exit was subtly but effectively blocked - if not by actual locks, then by the watchful eyes of Chris's security. She let out a frustrated growl, cursing Chris in every language she knew - which, admittedly, was mainly just English plus some choice Spanish swear words.

"Damn you, Chris Eaton," she muttered, eyeing the man who stood casually by the main door, his suit jacket not quite concealing the gun holster. She'd seen Chris handle weapons like toys - there was no way she could force her way out.

The veranda caught her eye. A possible escape route? When she eased open the glass door, the cold arctic wind from the North Pole nearly knocked her back. 

"Holy sh*t!" she gasped, hugging herself. "What is this, the North Pole icebergs itself?!"

Gritting her teeth, Lily grabbed a thermal jacket and cap from the closet - at least Chris had thought to provide weather-appropriate clothing. 

The emergency escape zigzagged down the building's side, each metal step sending shivers through her boots.

Finally, on the street, Lily was struck by the contrast - despite the bone-chilling cold, the sidewalks bustled with laughing people, many in light jackets or even t-shirts. "Guess when you've zero struggles in life, you evolve past feeling cold," she muttered.

Now what? No money, no phone. She'd left it behind to avoid tracking... but wait. These people knew she was an heiress to their precious gold mine, right? Surely they'd help her?!

A sleek vehicle approached, and Lily stuck out her hand. The car glided to a stop, revealing a driver who looked like he'd stepped out of a Norse god casting call - all golden hair and chiseled features. He was just angelically handsome. 

"Airport, please?" Lily tried to sound confident.

The man's smile was impossibly perfect. "Of course! I'm Henrik. Hop in!"

During the ride, Henrik chatted easily about his property empire, his fleet of luxury vehicles, and how driving was "just a passion project." Lily smiled and nodded, thinking how sheltered these Nyrorians were. 

If they saw the real world beyond their golden bubble… or got into the hustle culture of the world. 

"Must be nice," she said diplomatically, relief flooding through her as the airport came into view. Maybe, just maybe, she could get back to her normal, non-fairytale life.

But as Henrik pulled up to the terminal, Lily couldn't shake the feeling that escaping Nyrosia - and Chris Eaton - wouldn't be quite so simple.

Lily stood in the gleaming airport terminal, her stomach doing somersaults. Getting out of the guest house had been one thing - getting on a plane without ID? That was next-level escape artistry.

Taking a deep breath, she approached the counter where a woman with moonlight-pale hair smiled pleasantly. "How may I help you?"

"I... I need a ticket to New York," Lily managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course, may I see your ID?"

Lily's heart thundered. This was it - her make-or-break moment. Leaning closer, she whispered, "I'm Lilliana Smith."

The change was instantaneous. The woman's eyes widened, and her smile grew even brighter. "Oh! Ms. Smith! Anything for you, ma'am. Would you prefer our special VIP private plane? Just name your destination."

A hysterical laugh bubbled in Lily's throat. Of course - she was practically royalty here. The irony wasn't lost on her - finally embracing her heritage, but only to escape it.

Two beautiful air hostesses materialized, all bright smiles and graceful movements. They guided her to a plane that looked more like a flying luxury hotel than an aircraft. As Lily sank into a butter-soft leather seat, her mind raced. At least she escaped him - and Chris probably had no idea. 

To hell with his contract.. and him…

"We'll be taking off shortly, Ms. Smith," one hostess said, setting down a crystal glass of something that sparkled like liquid gold. "Is there anything else you need?"

Lily shook her head, forcing a smile as platters of gourmet food appeared before her. The service was impeccable, and the luxury was overwhelming. Yet all she could think about was Chris. Would he come after her? What if he did?!

As the plane began to take off, Lily closed her eyes. She was leaving behind a gold mine, literally and figuratively. But she was also leaving behind lies, manipulations, and a man who had played her heart like a finely tuned instrument.

"Goodbye, Nyrosia," she whispered. "Goodbye, Chris."

But even as the plane lifted into the air, a nagging voice in her head whispered that this goodbye might be more of a 'see you later.' 

After all, you can't run from who you are - even if who you are turns out to be the heiress of a secret golden kingdom.

…

As the plane cruised through the night sky, Lily finally let her guard down. The plush seat cradled her like a cloud, and the gentle hum of engines lulled her into a dreamy haze. Her thoughts drifted lazily - from the glittering streets of Nyrosia to Chris's ocean-blue eyes, from her parents' deception to her own naivety.

She was just beginning to smile at her clever escape when a voice shattered her peace.

"What else can I get for you, ma'am?" A lady's voice asked. 

Lily's blood turned to ice in her veins. She didn't need to open her eyes to know who it was - she'd recognize that venomous, condescending tone anywhere. It was the voice that had taunted her at galas, whispered cutting remarks at charity events, bullied her at her own birthday party, and made a video of it and now... now it was here, 30,000 feet in the air.

Avery Sterling. The other heiress to the golden kingdom.

Lily's eyes flew open, meeting Avery's shark-like smile. At that moment, Chris's words came rushing back, mocking her: 'You and Avery are the only existing heirs of the main gold mine here.'

"Oh, Lily," Avery purred, lowering herself into the seat opposite. "Did you really think escaping would be that easy? That's adorable."

Lily's fingers gripped the armrests, her knuckles turning white. She'd been so proud of her little prison break, feeling like a regular action movie heroine. But now she realized - she hadn't escaped at all. She'd just traded one cage for another, and this one came with a smirking, perfectly manicured jailer.

As Avery's smile grew wider, more predatory, Lily felt the last vestiges of her triumph crumble. 

God, she'd been such a fool. In her panic to escape Chris, she'd run straight into the arms of an even more dangerous predator. Chris might be a lion - all power and ruthless strength - but Avery? Avery was a wolf in designer clothing, all cunning and calculated cruelty.

She had escaped the lion, only to find herself trapped in the wolf's den.

"You can keep it," Lily said, breathing heavily, glaring at her icy blue eyes. "You take over as their heiress. I won't stand in your way."

"Oh Lily…" Avery clicked her tongue. "I know you are a f**king coward… You were never bold enough to stand up to me and fight… I know you will give up - but still, I'll have to kill you, dear. Because I don't want my competition to stay alive."