Chapter 688

Jareth slumped into the living room, his mood a heavy thundercloud. Lily had just coaxed Marilla to sleep and was descending the staircase.

His gaze lifted wearily, clashing inadvertently with hers, startling her so much that she quickly lowered her head.

“Don’t hang your head so low. Burying it in the ground, what, you’re an ostrich?” He said with a hint of irritation knitting his brows.

Jareth settled onto the couch, pulling a cigarette from its pack and placing it between his lips, but he hesitated to light it, remembering Marilla hated the smell of smoke.

Lily dared not lift her gaze. Usually so aloof and proud in front of others, she now stood there, meek and guilt–ridden, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the floor.

“Come here.”

The few steps to Jareth felt like an eternity for Lily.

“Is Marilla asleep?” His voice was a deep rumble.

“Yes.” Lily’s voice trembled, her eyes downcast, “I’ll pack my things and leave right away. I won’t trouble you any further.”

“Stay,” Jareth commanded coldly, yet his words were a reprieve to Lily.

“You and Marilla are like sisters. I know she can’t even eat without you.”

Jareth plucked the cigarette from his mouth and snapped it in his hand, his heart not quite hard enough to dismiss this woman who had been so loyal to him, “Stay and take care of Marilla. Even though you’ve ruined a couple of her dresses with your clumsy laundry skills and your cooking is mediocre at best. I trust no one else with her. Just don’t let there be a second time, or I won’t fire you; I’ll chop you.”

in jest, yet Lily still felt the

sorry, I won’t let it

into the

floor lamp. He wasn’t possessed by the workaholic spirit of a Thaddeus; he was simply restless and unable

don’t hit me!

cries muffled with panic, “Don’t hit me, don’t hit me! I’m a retard, I’m an idiot!

“Marilla!”

and holding this girl trapped in a nightmare into his arms, “It’s okay, it’s okay. Your husband’s

me,

hand patting her damp back, “Who’s

panting heavily, a

been bullying you? Tell me,

tone insistent and fierce, “If

dreams. If something hadn’t happened, why would Marilla suffer such

his wife well protected. Lily was almost always by her side at school.

‘No, nobody”

him, shaking her head, “It must have been the scare earlier. Just a nightmare. Nobody

bullied me.*

than her nightmares, as if they never happened, especially since the one who had hurt

didn’t want to make her loved one choose sides.

it was just a nightmare?” Jareth kissed her forehead, his

102

10:32

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