Becoming strangers again (Lily and Ryan)

Chapter 102

RYAN

"It doesn't make any sense," I muttered, frustration evident in my voice. Why would Waper be working with Jake? I've racked my brain trying to come up with a plausible explanation, but nothing seems to add up. Waper and Jake working together just doesn't make any sense, period.

"Do you want me to find out?" Lily's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present moment.

Shifting my gaze from the flower vase I had been staring at blankly, I blinked in surprise at her suggestion. "And how do you intend to do that?" I asked cautiously, hoping that her plan wasn't as concerning as I feared it might be.

"I can reconnect with Jake and gather all the information you need," she explained calmly. "The bastard will probably be willing to take me back."

My lips tightened as I struggled to contain the sudden surge of anger that welled up within me. "Let me get this straight," I said tersely, my tone laced with disbelief. "You want to go back to dating a man you just filed a restraining order against?"

She bit her lip, realizing the absurdity of her suggestion. "I won't entertain such thoughts again, Lily," I warned firmly, hoping to convey the seriousness of the matter. She nodded in response, but I wasn't entirely convinced of her sincerity. I couldn't trust her to abandon her plans in my absence. "Promise me you won't go back to that bastard for any reason."

Smiling softly, she approached me and settled onto my thighs. "I promise." Her eyes danced round my face. "I want to kiss you right now, but I know I shouldn't," she murmured.

To hell with Stephanie. Ignoring any lingering doubts, I leaned forward and pressed my lips against hers, kissing her slowly and tenderly. Her hand found its way to the back of my neck, and a soft moan escaped her lips. We continued the kiss, gentle and unhurried, until she finally pulled away and rested her forehead against mine.

I breathed in the comforting scent of Lily, finding love in her presence. In that moment, all I felt was peace and calm. "There isn't anything you shouldn't do, Lily,"

I whispered softly, my voice filled with tenderness. "I'm the only one with restrictions." Because I'm the only one paying for my sins.

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Chapter 100

My phone vibrated on the sofa beside us, and I glanced at the screen to see Stephanie's name. Quickly, I turned the phone over, avoiding the call.

"Go on, pick it up" Lily advised, her voice gentle as she reached for my hair, fingers running through it. "Ryan," she whispered, concern evident in her eyes, "you don't know why she's calling. "It's never anything important when it comes to Stephanie." I replied dismissively, my hand finding it's way to her hair too and lingering in there. "I'm going back tomorrow, and I'm sure whatever she has to say can wait until then."

Biting her lip, Lily nodded in understanding. "And I guess you won't be spending the night here," she added quietly.

"I will," I promised softly, longing to hold her close and cherish this moment of peace until I had to leave tomorrow. "I just want to hold you," I whispered, my heart heavy with the knowledge that soon we would be separated by distance once again.

Sensing my need for closeness, she gently shifted off my thigh and reached out her hand to me. "Come on, let's go to bed," she suggested, her voice filled with warmth and understanding.

Chuckling softly, I left my phone on the sofa, intentionally ignoring any calls or distractions. Taking hold of Lily's hand, I allowed her to lead me up the stairs to her bedroom, grateful for the opportunity to share this quiet moment together.

The next day arrived all too soon, and I had to leave early to attend an early morning meeting. Lily saw me off at the airport, and as expected, the paparazzi failed to respect our privacy, snapping pictures of us as we said our goodbyes.

Arriving back in New York, I wasted no time heading straight to my office, diving headfirst into a flurry of meetings that seemed never-ending. Even after the last meeting concluded, there was barely a moment's respite before it was time for the

next one.

The only reprieve I had was during lunchtime. As soon as I entered my office and closed the door behind me, I shrugged out of my jacket, rolled up my sleeves, and loosened my tie, relishing the opportunity to take a deep breath and decompress. It was a small but well-deserved moment of relaxation in the midst of a hectic day.

Just as I settled down to eat, my secretary buzzed through the intercom, informing

me that Stephanie was here to see me. Initially, I was tempted to ignore her

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er a moment of deliberation, I instructed my secretary to allow her

pretend that no one was waiting for me.

The door opened, and Stephanie walked in, appearing remarkably calm compar to her usual demeanor. I knew, however, that it was only a facade, and it wouldn't be long before tensions escalated. There was no way we could interact without some form of conflict arising.

"Where were you during the weekend?" she questioned, getting straight to the point.

Stephanie's question hung in the air, her tone laced with accusation. She didn't need me to confirm where I had spent the weekend; the paparazzi had made sure to plaster images of Lily and me all over social media.

Sighing heavily, I rubbed my temple, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling in. "Please, Stephanie, I've had a long day, and I just want to catch a break during lunch before diving back into my busy schedule. Don't ruin that for me, I pleaded hoping to diffuse the tension brewing in the room.

Her grip tightened on the strap of her purse, frustration evident in her expression "You were with her when I called you last night, weren't you?" she pressed, her voice tinged with hurt. "Yes, I confirmed flatly, my own emotions overriding any concern for hers. "I was with her when you called."

Attempting to conceal her pain, Stephanie licked her lips, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "You do realize that you're clearly going against what the contract states," she pointed out, her voice wavering slightly.

Arrogantly arching a brow, I met her gaze head-on. "And what does the contract say?" I challenged, ready to defend my actions, regardless of the consequences.

"I take half of your property when you cheat," Stephanie reminded me, her tone firm.

"But I didn't cheat, I retorted matter-of-factly. "To the court and everyone else out there, all I did was be a good father to my children by paying them a visit and spending some time with them."

As her frustration heightened, Stephanie gritted her teeth. "Do you want to swear that you didn't spend the night with her?" she demanded, her voice filled with

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disbelief.

"I spent the night with the kids," I countered with a taunting smirk, relishing in her visible anger.

With a sad smile, she shook her head. "What will it take for you to choose me first? she pleaded, her voice cracking with emotion.

"That's never going to happen," I responded bluntly, refusing to entertain the idea. "With or without Lily, Samantha, it's never going to happen."

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she quickly wiped them away. "Will you ever be happy with me? Can you ever find peace with the thought of me?" she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I will only find peace when you disappear from my life," I confessed honestly, my words cutting through deep and painful as it was intentioned to be. "I'll only have peace in your absence."

She chuckled bitterly. "Of course, it's always about Lily," she spat, her resentment evident. "She'll always be your light and happiness. She'll always come first, and I'll always be second to everyone.". "I can't speak for everyone," I interjected, refusing to let her misconceptions stand unchallenged. "But I can speak for myself. You're not even my second choice, Stephanie."

Her eyes narrowed with anger. "You're going to regret saying that," she warned through clenched teeth.

I shrugged indifferently. "What greater regret could there be than knowing you and marrying you?" I retorted, unmoved by her threat.

In response, she flashed me her middle finger. "Fuck you! I blame myself for caring about your feelings for a moment," she snarled, her voice dripping with venom. "This was a big mistake."

With that final declaration, she turned on her heel and stormed out of my office, slamming the door behind her. Exhaling heavily, I leaned back in my chair, closed my eyes, and allowed myself to relax, even if it's only for a moment.