Cross Memorial Hospital - Lily's Room - 5:00 PM
Jacob arrived to find Lily sitting up in bed, looking stronger than she had any right to after being shot less than twenty-four hours ago. Her color was better, her eyes clearer, though pain still flickered across her face when she moved.
"You watched," he said, not a question.
"Emma showed me." Lily reached for his hand as he sat beside her bed. "You didn't have to do that. Publicly denounce your father, risk the company's reputation—"
"Yes, I did." His grip was firm, grounding. "The world needed to know the truth. And I needed them to know that I choose you. Always."
"Your stock dropped eight percent."
"It'll recover."
"Your board is panicking."
"They'll adjust."
"Jacob—"
"Lily." He leaned forward, bringing her hand to his lips. "I would burn Cross Group to the ground before I let anyone hurt you again. The stock price is nothing. The board's comfort is nothing. You are everything."
