Becoming strangers again (Lily and Ryan)

Chapter 105

LILY

As I sat there, the weight of guilt pressed heavily on my shoulders. I couldn’t help but blame myself for what had happened. Ryan had been cautious, trying to maintain a distance, but I had been insistent, clinging to him like a lifeline. I vividly remembered that morning when he had urged me not to accompany him to the airport, but my desperation to see him off had overridden his caution.

Even as we stood beside the car, I had reached out to hold his hand, unwilling to let go. In hindsight, I realized that I had been the architect of my own downfall, the instigator of this mess. No one else was to blame for my suspension but myself.

Sighing heavily, I stared into my glass, the amber liquid swirling within. I couldn’t bear to face my children with the anger that burned within me, so I had made a detour to the bar, seeking to unburden some of that anger in the numbing embrace of alcohol. I paid little attention to the young man nearby, aware of the fact that he was surreptitiously filming me. He was likely just another paparazzo, masquerading as an ordinary bystander.

The sound of Jake’s voice sliced through the air, jolting me out of my thoughts. I braced myself as he slid into the seat next to me, his presence unwelcome. “You should have listened to me and stayed away from him,” he admonished, his tone dripping with disdain. “That man has been nothing but trouble to you.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at his words. “As opposed to you being what?” I retorted sarcastically. “A blessing?” Raising my hand, I glanced at my watch, the seconds ticking by ominously. “You have just a minute to get out of this place, or I’m calling the cops.” It seemed he had conveniently forgotten about the restraining order that had been filed against him.

He scoffed dismissively, his arrogance grating on my nerves. “I came in here before you did, Lily,” he argued defensively. “I literally watched you walk in here, so why should I be the one to leave?”

I clenched my jaw, struggling to maintain my composure in the face of his provocation. This was the last thing I needed right now–an encounter with Jake, a constant reminder of past mistakes and heartache.

Frustration and anger boiled within me as I found myself trapped in another confrontation with Jake. What was I even doing here? With a heavy sigh, I reached

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impulse to retaliate? The image of smashing that bottle over his head bro fleeting sense of satisfaction, but it was too late now.

How much longer would I have to feign ignorance with him? Ryan had al uncovered Jake’s alliance, so why continue this charade of pretending not what he had done?

Starting the engine, I pulled out of the parking lot, my mind consumed by thoughts of confronting Jake’s betrayal head–on. Finding a safe spot to pu retrieved my phone and dialed Ryan’s number,

relief flooding through m he answered almost immediately.

“Hey,” He breathed out.

A chuckle escaped me. “Were you waiting for my call?” I teased, the tensic earlier encounter slowly disappearing at the sound of his voice.

He exhaled roughly. “I didn’t think you would take my call.” He confessed, was contemplating calling and was more than excited when I saw your nar my screen.”

Despite the situation at hand, Lsmiled. “We already established the fact th working with Waper,” I pointed out, going straight to the point.

“Yes, and?”

“I was wondering why I have to keep pretending around Jake that he is not a liar and a con artist?”

“Because I have to find out what Waper has to gain in all of these.” Ryan re: “The moment I get that, I will be helping you kick Jake to jail, and I will ha WAper and his associates, assuming he has one.”

He fell silent for a while. “Did you run into Jake?” he asked abruptly and Ib lips knowing he figured it all out already.

“At the bar, just now.”

Ryan cusses under his breath. “I am going to ignore the fact that you went t bar under this circumstance.” He breathed out. “Did he approach you?”

“Yes, he did,” I responded, the truth rolling out of my mouth.

“And what did you do when he approached you?” he asked again, “did you c

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I shook my head as if he was present here with me. “No, I didn’t, I walked away.”

Ryan fell silent again and I knew he was trying to keep his anger in check. He is just as frustrated by the situation as I am. “Jake was the one who released those articles to the press,” I revealed, knowing this would only make him more angry, but then he needs to know.

“He did what?” Ryan spat out angrily. “And how did you know this?” he queried, “I know for a fact that he didn’t walk up to you to tell you this to your face.

“He kept emphasizing the fact that he created no scandal for me while we were dating.” I mused, “The fact that he kept wanting me to believe that you came with excessive baggage gave him away?”

Ryan smacked his lips together, the sound very audible through the phone. “don’t worry, I will handle him myself.”

“And what do you intend to do?” I asked genuinely curious to know what was going on in his head. “You can’t get him arrested, that will be a blind case because you do not have any evidence that he

did it.”

“Everything shouldn’t be left for the law to handle,” Ryan informed me with a clipped tone. “Sometimes, we should learn to do things our way and not always depend on the cops.”

I don’t like how he is sounding. “You are scaring me, Ryan.” Placing my head on the wheel, I signed. “don’t do anything that will make you end up behind bars.”

He chuckled. “I am not getting him killed.” He assured me. “murder is the only thing that can get me behind those bars.”

“Then what do you intend to do with him?”

“Have some men teach him why he shouldn’t have messed with you.”