CHAPTER 430: CHAPTER 430 RISK

Alexander finally looked up. His eyes glassy, but he didn’t blink. He just stared at her, like she was the only light left in a crumbling world.

"I’m not afraid of what the future holds," Lilith continued, turning toward her father. "Even if he forgets me, I’ll remind him. Even if he disappears into himself, I’ll wait. And if he ever falls again... I’ll lift him up, no matter how many times."

Lennox sat back down slowly. His jaw clenched, but his eyes softened. He was a father... watching his daughter make the biggest promise of her life. Not with rings or ceremonies—but with her whole heart.

For a long time, no one said anything. The evening air drifted in through the open window, brushing gently against their skin.

Alexander swallowed hard and finally spoke. His voice was hoarse. Quiet. But full of emotion.

"Thank you..." he said, squeezing Lilith’s hand back. "For choosing me. All of me."

"But Lili..." Alexander’s voice wavered as he looked at her, his brows drawn together with guilt and fear. "Father is right... I should really consider treatment... I don’t want to hurt you someday, even by accident. I should try—at least once—for you..."

His voice cracked at the end, and he looked away, his throat tightening. The idea of forgetting her, of vanishing into that silent darkness without warning, terrified him more than anything else.

Lilith gently cupped his cheek, turning his face back to hers. "You already try every day," she whispered. "You protect me. You love me. You fight through everything—every memory, every crack, every breakdown—just to be with me. That’s more than enough."

****

The soft afternoon light spilled through the tall glass windows of the private hospital, tinting everything with a gentle warmth. Lilith sat in the waiting room, her hands folded tightly on her lap, fingers nervously twisting the edge of her sleeve. Beside her, Gray sat still, looking calm on the surface but she knew better. She could feel the tension radiating off him, hidden behind his quiet composure.

They are about to have a meeting with a world-renowned specialist in dissociative identity disorder. The same man her father had spoken to personally. It had taken weeks to get this appointment and only because of Lennox’s influence did they get in at all.

Lilith turned to Gray, studying his profile. He was beautiful in the soft light—sharp jaw, tired eyes. But there was something distant in the way he stared at the floor.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly.

Gray blinked, like coming out of a trance, and turned to look at her. "I don’t know," he said honestly. "I’ve spent so many years living... separately. Me. Ray. Alexander. We’ve all carved out our own corners in the same mind. And now we’re walking into a room where someone might try to stitch us together." He paused, then added in a quiet voice, "Or make one of us disappear."

Lilith’s heart squeezed.

"That won’t happen," she whispered, reaching for his hand and holding it tightly between hers. "You all chose this together, remember? Ray wants this. Alexander agreed too, because they trust you to take this responsibility. They trust us."

Gray’s lips curved into a soft smile, full of sorrow and gratitude. "They trust you," he corrected. "Because you’re the only one who never tried to change us. You accepted all three of us without fear."

"I didn’t accept you," she whispered, brushing her thumb across the back of his hand. "I fell in love with you."

Gray closed his eyes for a second, breathing in deeply. "Lilith..."

"I’m here," she said, gently cupping his cheek and leaning in. "No matter what changes, I’ll be here."

Before he could respond, the nurse stepped into the room. "Mr. Carter?" she called politely. "Dr. Elric is ready to see you."

Gray looked toward the door, then back at Lilith. There was a pause, a heartbeat where everything seemed to slow down. Then he stood up, helping her to her feet too.

"Whatever happens," he murmured, "I’m glad it’s you beside me."

They walked down the quiet hallway together, her hand in his, like a thread that tethered him to the world. As they entered the softly lit consultation room, Dr. Elric greeted them warmly, offering them a calm and respectful space to speak freely.

"We’ll move slowly," the doctor explained. "We won’t try to force integration. We’ll aim for harmony first. You’re not broken—you’re just divided. And we’ll listen to every part of you before deciding anything."

Lilith could see the relief flicker in Gray’s eyes at those words.

They talked about his past, his blank spots, the inner world. They even touched upon the childhood trauma that first fractured the mind he now shared.

And then, slowly, they spoke about risk.

"There is a chance," Dr. Elric said gently, "that during the process of therapy, memories may shift, rearrange, or in rare cases... be temporarily lost."

Lilith felt Gray’s grip on her hand tighten.

But he didn’t pull away.

"I want to try," Gray said, voice low but firm. "Even if it’s hard. Even if I’m scared. I want to stop being three people watching each other live. I want to remember. I want to be present—for her. For all of us."

Tears blurred Lilith’s vision, and she smiled through them.

"You’re already brave," she said softly, placing his hand over her heart. "But now... you’ll also be free."

The healing wouldn’t be instant. It would take months, maybe years. But the choice had been made.

That night, after Lilith had fallen asleep with her hand still loosely curled on his chest, Gray carefully lifted her fingers and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles. He watched her peaceful face for a moment longer before quietly slipping out of bed.

Gray stepped into the study, the familiar smell of books and sandalwood filling the air. He turned on the desk lamp, then opened the laptop with a low click. The screen lit up his face as he began typing.

Then, slowly, he leaned back in the chair... and Ray took over. He, too, started typing something. Then Alexander took over and he also began typing...