10-03-2020

First off, holy smokes over 1100 reviews. You guys are the bomb dot com, quite literally.

Second, I'm so glad you all liked the last chapter. Big hugs. It was hard to write but it was so necessary for CG to do something meaningful for Ana. She needed more than just spoken words. She needed action.

Now let's see what happened on the Carrick and Lillian & co. front while Ana was in the Maldives. This chapter spans from the evening Lillian got her ass handed to her till the next Saturday.

Proceed with caution and keep those eyes open!

oh, judas

As the driver exits the garage of Christian's apartment building, Carrick takes out his phone in blind anger to call James Atterton.

The call connects and before James can say hello, Carrick unleashes on him.

"Your whore of a daughter just fucked me over in front of my son." Carrick was fuming and almost frothing at the mouth.

"What the fuck are you talking about? She's pregnant with his child."

"He had a vasectomy done two years ago just after they started dating. She's been fucking someone else and is now pregnant that fuckers child."

"Impossible. Lillian would never do something like that."

"I don't give two shits anymore. Now listen to me James, Airbus will stay signed on with GWD. If you ever threaten me again, I will leak the CCTV footage of Lillian's little show and tell you about her pregnancy and Christian tearing her down. It will lead to the suspension of her license and your termination at Airbus not to mention how your family will never be able to show their face in public again."

Carrick was bluffing of course but also knew that if push came to shove, Christian wouldn't think twice to leak this himself. He had enough influence to sway the media his way and the Atterton's could fight it.

"You son of a bitch." He growled.

"It appears now the tables have turned. I've always had your back James, since college. I took her under my wing and treated her like my own, teaching her everything I know. I really thought she would be good for Christian but I should've known, after all she is your daughter. Even now, you can't keep it in your pants so why would she keep her legs closed?"

He hung up and threw his phone across the seat and rubbed his forehead because leaning against the coolness of the window to look out at the darkening sky.

He royally fucked up. He was trying to look out for the family. Grace was going to kill him.

"Cary, what's wrong? Bad day at work?" Grace asked. She noticed that Carrick had been distracted and barely speaking ever since he got him.

"I made a mistake, Gracie." He mumbled.

"Is this about this past weekend?" Grace was silently hoping her talk with him had finally resonated and changed his mind.

"Partially." He swallowed and reached to grab his glass of wine and took a sip. "Lillian came to my office and told me she was pregnant—"

"Pregnant?" She gasped. "Does Christian know? This will complicate ever—"

"It's not Christian's." He cut her off and reluctantly told her what happened earlier this afternoon followed by the showdown in the evening.

Grace's elbows rested on the table and she buried her face in her hands. She secretly wanted to murder her husband. Even more than after what happened this weekend.

She roughly got up which made her plates clank against the cutlery and picked up her dishes to take it to the kitchen and threw them in the sink, breaking them. She was mad as hell.

"Gracie, I'm sorry." Carrick called out behind her.

"Carrick." She barely called him that unless she was introducing him to someone or when she was really pissed which was rare. "After everything Christian has been through, after we FAILED HIM... the least you could have done was be on his side." She screamed. "We owe it to him."

"I know."

"What was it? Why couldn't you just support him?"

"I thought he was making a mistake, I thought—"

"What? You thought Anastasia was out to get him? Do you actually believe that? You saw her and their little girl. Did you really think they were a threat?"

"It was James. He was threatening to take Airbus from GWD and—" He ran his hand through his hair. "There was just such a difference between Lillian and Anastasia. I didn't think she was right for him."

"Greed! Greed is what motivated you. Admit it." She angrily spit out the words. "And look how Lillian turned out to be in the end. Have you once seen Christian laugh with her or hold her hand or kiss her voluntarily the way he did with Ana? Didn't you see how much he smiled when Ana and Belle were over? He laughed and actually joked around but you're so fucking blind." Grace shouted.

"I didn't want what happened with Elena to happen to him again." It was a weak defense. Even he knew it. For all the street cred of being one of the best lawyers on the east coast, in front of his wife, he was tongue tied and stumbling.

"Bullshit. This was all your pride." She sneered at him. "You know, looking back I'm so glad we didn't have biological children. I see your infertility as a blessing now because if it was your blood running through those darling children, then they'd turn out to be selfish assholes just like you and I'm so glad they are not." Tears fell from Grace's eyes. "You hurt my baby boy. He's finally happy and again you didn't believe in him. Last time I made the mistake of siding with you but this time, I'm choosing Christian and his happiness".

Her words were a punch in the gut to Carrick. She had always been supportive and never held his infertility against him. Even when the shock and pain of not being able to have her own children was so much, she smiled through it and looked forward to adoption. Then when Christian asked for money to start GEH, Carrick flat out refused and Grace was torn between them both. This of course led Christian to getting money from Elena who further sunk her claws into him.

"Gracie, I'm sorry. Give me a chance to make it right." Carrick choked out. He was embarrassed and reeling.

"I don't want to see your face. Sleep in the guest room tonight. I'm moving to the Park Avenue townhouse indefinitely."

She walked out to the kitchen, straight to her room and slammed the door shut.

Saturday

The next morning when Carrick woke up, he realized he had slept in. It was a bad habit. Grace was the early riser in the relationship. He went downstairs and found Gretchen cleaning up the kitchen. She informed him that Grace had left with her bags 30 minutes prior to him coming down. He quietly nodded and asked her to make breakfast.

He ate, got ready and head back down to the city to Lillian's apartment. When he arrived at her front lobby and signed in and was granted access since he was still on the allowed visitors list.

Lillian in contrast was still in bed, staring at the ceiling and cursing the turn her life had taken. There were about 15 missed calls from both of her parents and text messages from friends and the like asking to meet up for drinks. All night she tossed and turned. She couldn't believe who Reynold's boss was. It didn't make sense why he would be after Christian, they had known each other for years… then how?

There had to be more to all this except now she was on the outside looking in. She could try and use the firm's resources to look for a link but it could prove to be dicey now that Carrick was also not on her side. So much for trying to get her name on the wall, still she could probably leverage Airbus again.

She heard the doorbell ring and groaned before getting up. She really had to revisit her allowed visitors list. Maybe it was Reynolds? A part of her missed him but was also equally surprised at his cold demeanor. He had never been like that with her. Fucking Anastasia Steele was the reason why this all was happening.

Lillian looked through the peephole of the door and closed her eyes for a moment. Fucking hell, Carrick had shown up, she groaned. Time to put on the act again and She ran a quick hand through her hair and fixed her robe before opening it.

"Lillian." Carrick said tersely and walked right through without an invitation.

She closed her eyes and quickly swallowed before closing the door and walking behind him.

"I'm sorry Carrick. I was desperate."

He turned around quickly and began to shout. "DESPERATE? IS THAT WHY YOU CHEATED ON MY SON AND FUCKED ANOTHER MAN?"

"No... I never cheated. I just lied. I was desperate to keep him... I—"

Carrick cut her off mid sentence. "Where's the sonogram. Show it to me?"

"I threw it away. It was a fake." She lied.

"I should report you to the bar." He threatened. It was enough to have her disbarred.

"No, please don't. I'll do anything."

"You are going to email all the senior partners including myself and tell them you are quitting That you cannot take on the stress of the breakup. Make some shit up, you're crafty at it anyway and stay away from all of us otherwise, I will leak the CCTV footage of your so called pregnancy news along with Christian ripping you a new one."

"N-no... y-you wouldn't—" her voice trembled. "Carrick please don't do this. I'll do anything."

"You did this to yourself and you took me down with you. I looked out for you Lillian like a daughter. I chose you over my son. You're going to quit and remember you have a non-compete that blocks you out for a year. If I hear that you've tried some shit then I will come after you and rip you all to pieces. "

"Carrick please." She pleads.

"Email the senior partners within the next hour." He barked and walked around her towards the door.

"Carrick, I'm sorry. I really am. I really love Christian but you know him, he's so cold. I was desperate. He just cast me aside like I was nothing." She cried, begging for mercy. "After everything I did and accepted... I never once looked at anyone else. I just wanted us to get married. I love him."

He looked at her with disdain, grinding his teeth. He didn't care anymore. Her pathetic attempt at trying to trap Christian backfired and blew up his life too.

"We are done."

Monday

Lillian spent the remainder of the weekend locked indoors and living on takeout. The TV was on but she wasn't watching. It was white noise.

She was out of options. Reynolds had informed her that a car would be waiting for her first thing on Monday to take her to a clinic to help get rid of her problem. Lillian tried to get him to come over but he denied her again. She was alone now and unable to confide in anyone.

Lillian always had a plan, a fall back, a goal in mind but right now she had nothing. She was turning 32 in a week and her life was in shambles, all around her was just darkness while she flailed around.

Howeverl, a smug smile spread across her lips. Even if Ana were to find out the baby wasn't his, her abuse would still keep her away from Christian. Knowing that he was sadistic piece of shit who liked tying women up and punishing them and fucking them would surely scare the shit out of her.

If Lillian couldn't have him, then no one could have him.

Monday morning rolled around and Lillian dressed down in jeans and hoodie, something she hadn't done since undergrad, looking back it seemed like forever ago. Another life.

She went down her buildings garage and saw a Cadillac with tinted windows waiting for her. The driver got out and opened the back door for her to get in. She gasped at the sight of a woman sitting, waiting for her.

"Good morning, Lillian. Ready for your appointment?"

"Who are you?" she asked, just as the door slammed shut.

"Your babysitter." She cocked her head to the side, laughing. Lillian grimaced at the comment and rolled her eyes. "Oh come on, can't you take a joke?" the woman across from her teased. "I'm just making sure you don't get any bright ideas. You've caused a headache for Master."

"I'm sorry, what the fuck? Who's Master?" Lillian asked, alarmed.

"You met him on Friday."

Lillian's eyes went wide. He was in the lifestyle too? What the fuck? "H-how... I mean..."

"It's always the quiet ones, Lillian." The petite brunette laughed and shrugged, turning her face to look out the window and take a sip for her starbucks iced macchiato.

"How long have you been his submissive?"

"For about a year and a half. It's been the best time of my life." She giggled. "I heard Mr. Grey's given up on the lifestyle— such a shame." She pouted. "I only had one fuck with him but it was unforgettable. I'm sure you would agree. The man knows how to work those hands and dick." She looked back at her assignment for the day. "I heard he still kept it kinky with you, though."

Lillian got annoyed. "You seem to know a little too much about me, the least you could do is give me your name."

"Leila Williams." She raised her eyebrow. "So tell me Lillian, how good was it?"

"I'm not here to get you off, by sharing tales of my ex-fiance's sexual prowess." She snapped back bitterly. She took stock of her situation.

"Ex-fiance is kind of pushing it don't you think? You were just playing a role. We all know how much of a fiance you were." Leila laughed.

"Fuck you."

"No thanks, you're not my type. I prefer my women to be less bitchy." She sassed. "Though, if I were desperate i'd probably make an exception."

Truth is she was a little jealous of Lillian. Had they not had an interruption that fateful afternoon, Leila would still be Christian Grey's sub. She was sure of it. She had a good track record and had never safe worded. 8 years in the game and she was going strong.

She jumped at the chance of becoming Christian Grey's sub. Elena found her during a public scene at Bar Luxe and offered to train her more for a whale of a Dom. Once she met with Christian Grey she was hooked and ready to dive in.

That afternoon, Elena had been running late and she could tell her new Dom was agitated; she made the first move to offer a way to relieve his stress. They had been in his study discussing the contract and the tension was radiating off of him. Given Christian's state of mind and the offer made by the very perceptive sub before him, he had her kneel for a blow job, followed by a rough fuck, then sent her to get ready in the guest room for Elena's arrival for the actual introductory session. He didn't realize it but it was a small rebellion on his part. Engaging with a sub before the actual session. It was the first time it had happened but it had been a day from hell and he needed a release.

At the time he thought she might made a good sub given her perception and willingness to please her Dom.

Later on John Flynn would make him realize that he was in some respects still Elena's sub. She still controlled the sexual narrative of his life and she was meticulous about it. Pushing just enough and pulling back just enough to make sure she was still on his mind, looking for approval. This was something that he refused to realize, not until his entire view on life shifted after the experiencing the safety of intimacy with Ana and the possibility of a different life. But she was gone and he was all alone again.

Elena always insisted to be there for the introductory session and Christian being as manipulated as he was never questioned it. She would stay for the inspection and pain threshold check part of the session making sure Christian did indeed accept the sub she would present him.

They were in the middle of the inspection when Grace gasped from behind them. Leila was blindfolded standing in six inch louboutin heels and standing in the middle of the room, while Christian looked her over appreciatively. He was shirtless and in his playroom jeans while Elena stood passively with her arms crossed, admiring her find and her creation. She was clad in her usual all black ensemble and stilettos.

And then just like that, everything ended and she was dismissed.

Tuesday

It'd been a whole 24 hours since Lillian's procedure and Leila was at her apartment, watching over her. The procedure had gone well and she needed to be watched over for the next two days, just in case. Truth is, she would've been fine on her own but Master didn't want her dealing with some residual emotional feelings and doing something stupid. Given her little stunt, he really didn't trust her.

"What does he want with me?" Lillian asked. It was almost 3pm and she had been sleeping all day and night. Leila had ordered them food and they were sitting on her couch eating italian.

She smirked. "You'll get your marching order soon enough."

"I'm not a fucking sub." She snapped back.

"This is all your fault. You went off on your own and now you need to be brought to heel." Leila's voice went dark. Secretly she was enjoying this level of power. "Don't worry, you won't be punished in that way. You don't have it in you." She chuckled.

Lillian wanted to bash her head into the glass top coffee table in front of her but given her condition she'd probably hurt herself more with the exertion.

She ground her teeth and looked away. There was no way she was a sub. She wasn't pathetic like that.

"Thinking you're better than me?" Leila challenged. "I know how women like you think. You come from high society and look down on us, well by the looks of it… you're in the shitter and you will accept whatever my Master tells you to do." She seethed.

Lillian didn't answer but continued to eat. Her curiosity trumped her annoyance and fear.

"Why is he out to destroy him?"

"He took away the woman he loved and hurt his business. He intends to repay the favor." Leila smirked. "You're lucky that Christian Grey doesn't love you or you would've been on the other end of Master's wrath. He's been waiting all this time for the right opportunity and now he's out for blood."

Wednesday

It was a beautiful day to have the top down. After a week of fuckups and unecessary emergencies, he drove up to Westchester to his family home in his Audi R8.

A call came in through the car's infotainment system.

"Reynolds."

"Sir. Lillian is driving up to Boston and i'm following her."

"Good. Keep an eye on her and email me her activity if any from here on out."

30 minutes later he walked through the foyer towards the family room of the house. He first went to the powder room to adjust his contacts that were bothering him.

"How is she?" He asked, announcing himself as he walkee into the kitchen.

"Doing much better, sir. She had a good day, you can find her on the patio. I was making a small snack for her." Elizabeth smiled back.

"Thank you, Elizabeth. I'll take it to her."

He picked up the sandwich and glass lemonade and took it out to the patio where he saw her sitting and looking out into the garden with wonder. Her long brown hair framed her heart shaped face and fell around her shoulder and breasts, she had gained a little weight and was looking well.

"Did you miss me, love?" He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

She looked up with her playful green eyes, she really did look like she was doing better.

"I always miss you." She pouted.

"How's our baby boy doing?" He caressed her belly.

"He's been a bad boy but I told him Daddy wouldn't be happy so he stopped." She giggled. He leaned in again to kiss her lips.

He fed her and they talked for an hour or so. Then he carried her to the their bedroo

where they made love for the remainder of the afternoon till it got dark.

"How long are you here for?" Her face was resting on his chest while he played with her hair.

"Till the end of the weekend, my love." He answered by kissing her forehead. He had missed her so much.

"How long will you be gone for next week?" She pouted.

"Not long." He laughed softly.

"You'll come back to me won't you, Christian?" She looked into his grey eyes.

"Always, Susie. Always." He cupped her face and kissed her deeply.

A/N: I'm not screaming, YOU'RE SCREAMING. You're confused but things will make sense soon.

You get to choose what the next chapter will be! Chapter 29 can be about the Times Gala and the chapters that follow (3-4 i think) will just be about C & A.

OR

You can find out a little more about our villains.

Judas - BANKS