It Should Have Been Like This (The Revised Version)

Chapter 90: One Word

Lavender's POV

I stared at my phone for what felt like the hundredth time, the faint glow of the screen casting shadows across my hands. The message sat there, glaring back at me, its words as sharp as the first time I read them:

Your luck truly is magnificent, dearest Lavender. But how far does that luck extend to those around you?

The number that sent it no longer existed, but the unease it left behind clung to me like cobwebs. For two weeks now, I'd replayed those words in my mind, dissecting every possible meaning. Was it a threat? A warning? A cruel joke?

I rubbed my temple, trying to push away the thoughts that refused to leave me. Who could have sent it? Had I offended someone? My mind churned, dragging up memories from the past. There were people I'd cut out of my life over the years, but those falling-outs were so long ago—ten years, maybe more. And they'd been petty disagreements, nothing that would warrant this kind of cryptic hostility.

Yet, the nagging thought remained: had I made an enemy without realizing it?

The dim lighting of the club flickered across my vision, breaking my train of thought. I was here to unwind, not drown myself in paranoia. Anna was beside me, her presence pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts. The music thumped in the background, bass-heavy and vibrating through the floors. The air smelled of alcohol, sweat, and a faint trace of orange blossoms—Anna's favorite scent, no doubt wafting off her wrist.

We had come to the club for Rylee's sake. Her wedding was fast approaching, hurtling toward us faster than we'd expected. Phineas' mother, Melinda, had practically unfolded an entire wedding blueprint the moment the engagement was announced, as if she'd been holding onto it for years.

It wasn't an exaggeration either. The venue was secured, invitations were designed and delivered, and just this afternoon, Rylee had been swept off to try on wedding dresses. It had been a whirlwind, leaving Rylee dazed and anxious. She had looked stunning in the gown she chose, but the process left her visibly drained.

"Why don't we stretch our legs? Get some air," Anna had suggested earlier, in an attempt to shake Rylee from her spiraling nerves.

Tyra, of course, had brushed off the idea with a dramatic flourish. "Rylee, baby, I love you, but I love your wedding preparations more. If it makes you feel better, Melinda and I will make you the prettiest bride of all time! After me, of course."

The memory made me chuckle. It had been meant to reassure her, but I'd seen the tension in Rylee's shoulders only grow.

Now here we were, trying to help her relax, though I wasn't sure if we were succeeding. Ginger had left town on an urgent work trip, and Tyra had insisted on staying behind to obsess over the wedding with Melinda. That left only Anna and me to manage Rylee's nerves.

"Lavender," Anna's voice cut through my thoughts.

I blinked and turned to her, my focus sharpening. She was leaning back in her chair, her crossed legs clad in sleek, black calf-length boots that gleamed under the flickering lights. Her tight, red leather dress hugged her curves like a second skin, and the sharp red of her lipstick caught the glow of the club, making her smirk all the more striking.

"You've been distracted all night," she said, leaning closer so I could hear her over the music. "What's going on? You've looked anxious for weeks now."

"It's nothing," I lied, sipping the edge of my drink to avoid her gaze.

Anna raised an eyebrow, her expression practically shouting don't lie to me. "Lavender, we both know I'm not buying that. If it's 'nothing,' why are you so tense? Talk to me. Whatever it is, it's obviously eating at you."

I sighed, glancing down at my glass. The amber liquid swirled inside—a mix of bourbon, orange liqueur, and ginger ale. It had looked enticing when I'd ordered it, but I hadn't taken more than a sip. Now it felt like a reflection of my mood: unsettled, untouched.

"I don't know," I began hesitantly, the words thick on my tongue. "I think I might just be paranoid."

Anna leaned forward, resting her elbow on the table. "Then tell me what you're paranoid about, and I'll decide if you're actually losing your mind."

I hesitated, chewing on the inside of my cheek. Could I tell her? The truth was, I didn't believe I was being paranoid. Neither Rominic nor our two genius sons had been able to trace the number that sent the message. If even they couldn't find anything, wasn't that reason enough to worry?

Anna's voice cut through my silence again, her gaze softening. "Lav, you know me. If there's anyone in this world you can talk to without fear of judgment, it's me—or Ferris. You need to get this off your chest before it eats you alive. Sometimes the strangest solutions come from the strangest people, you know?"

Her words felt like a balm, soothing the anxiety swirling in my chest. I managed a small smile and looked down at my drink again, holding it tightly between my hands. The coolness of the glass anchored me as I drew a deep breath.

"I got a text two weeks ago," I finally admitted, my voice low. "It said: 'Your luck truly is magnificent, dearest Lavender. But how far does that luck extend to those around you?'"

I glanced up at Anna, expecting her to look confused or dismissive, but she was listening intently, her sharp features thoughtful.

"I think it's connected to everything that's been happening recently," I continued. "The message came from a number that doesn't exist anymore. And no one—neither Rominic nor the boys—could trace it. That's what scares me."

Anna leaned back in her chair, her painted lips pursed in thought. The club's colorful lights reflected off her hair, adding a surreal glow to her profile. The music around us shifted to a heavier beat, but the noise seemed distant as I waited for her response.

Finally, she spoke, her voice calm but certain. "One word, Lav. Lilith."

My breath caught in my throat. The name hit me like a lightning bolt.

Lilith.

The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. Lilith was a woman I had met years ago through Rominic. But she wasn't just any woman—she was a great friend, and in more than one way. The first and only daughter of a Mafia boss, married to the younger brother of the man who ruled over China and much of Asia.

And Lilith could do what no one else could.

I laughed, a sound bubbling up from deep inside as the tension that had been crushing me finally began to ease. Throwing myself at Anna, I hugged her tightly, the relief washing over me in waves.

"Thank you!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my joy. "Thank you for reminding me we still have one final card to play."

Anna chuckled smugly, patting my back. "You're welcome, darling. I do have a habit of solving impossible problems."

I pulled away, wiping the corners of my eyes. "Don't let it go to your head," I teased.

She smirked, but before she could respond, Rylee returned from the restroom, her expression curious as she caught sight of us laughing. "What's so funny?" she asked, her brow arching.

Anna leaned back, her smirk turning mischievous. "It's a secret."

I finished the rest of my drink in one long gulp, savoring the burn as it slid down my throat, spreading warmth through my chest, chasing away the last remnants of my worry. Then, standing, I reached out and grabbed Rylee's hand, pulling her toward the dance floor. "Come on," I said, my voice light with newfound hope. "Let's dance."

For the first time in weeks, I felt like the weight of the world had lifted from my shoulders. Lilith was the answer. And now, I had a way forward.