Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 20 Steph hitwith unexpected news. "I don't want to continue with the test my eyes In response, I dropped my tablet onto the dining table and directed my gaze at her. "What on earth did you just say?" | demanded. narrowing in frustration. Dealing with this at such an early hour was not on my agenda. "Stephanie, answer me. What's going on!" Undeterred, she reiterated. "I don't want to continue with the fertility test with Dr. Sarah. And, I've made up my mind-1 don't want to remain in Canada any longer." Annoyance surged within me, promptingto tilt my head and blink at her. "Really Is it because Lily happens to own the hospital?" My attempt to make sense of her decision her words lingered between us. She averted her gaze, her eyes reflecting her discomfort as she candidly expressed, "I am not comfortable in that hospital, and the thought of allowing someone I'm not at ease around to probe my uterus is just unsettling In an attempt to grapple with the unexpected twist in our plans, I dropped any pretense of composure, taking a menacing step closer to her, my frustration evident in every stride. "Do I need to remind you," I questioned with an undertone of exasperation. "that you were the one who essentially draggeddown here?" the ro As she blinked rapidly, her nervous energy intensified, and she resorted to licking her lips, a subconscious manifestation of the tension in "I had no idea that she works here she muttered, finally unveiling the core reason for her desire to depart. "If she had disclosed her current occupation as a doctor the last tI ran into her, I would have diligently checked out the hospital before persuading you to accompany me. room. A deep, angry frown etched itself across my face as I processed what she just said. "Wind up a bit, I muttered, my voice laden with frustration. The confusion compelledto seek clarification, "You've met Lily before that day at the hospital!" Her response was marked by an eye roll, a defiant jutting of hips, and a readiness for the inevitable argument that loomed due to the apparent lack of coherence in her words. I ran into her in New York, she stated, her tone carrying a touch of disbelief. Scoffing, she glanced past me, recollecting the encounter. I initially thought she didn't take a cab because she was broke, but I guess she was just taking a stroll" Closing the physical distance between us, I seized her shoulder, squeezing tightly as a gesture of both frustration and insistence. "You ran into Lily back in New York, and you didn't think to tellabout it?" Her eyes bulged, the disbelief in her expression surpassing mere shock. "Are you for real, Ryan? Why do I have to tell you that I ran into her?" Rather than attempting to free herself from my grip, she boldly shaved her face into mine, a confrontational act that seemed intent on emphasizing her perspective. "Do I need to spell out your harsh reality to your face! You left her for me, Ryan. She is now your ex-wife, which unequivocally means you have no business with her anymore. Her candid words, an unfiltered reflection of the truth, intensified the anger welling up within me. Reacting impulsively, I forcefully pushed her away, the physical separation mirroring the emotional chasm that had seemingly widened between us. "We are going to take whatever treatment we have to take here, Lasserted with a stern determination, "I do not have to remind you just how paramount and crucial having that baby is to me." Rubbing the spot where my grip had left its mark, she shota defiant glare. "Well, if having the baby is so important to you, you'll listen toand getout of here!" she yelled, her feral eyes darting around in protest. "I do not want to be here!" she yelled with intensity. "You either fulfill my request or you have no baby." I met her fervent gaze with a momentary silence before a smirk crept across my face. "Were you originally this stupid, or is your ability to comprehend situations dwindling just because you're upset?" Her jaw clenched as she demanded, "What do you mean by that?" her words gritted out with frustration "What I mean is that the board demanded a baby, no one insisted that the baby must cfrom you, I clarified, each word punctuating the undeniable truth. The more I highlighted the stark reality, the more she turned red with anger. "It's either you givean heir, or I'll find someone who will "You bastard!" she spat, her words laced with both anger and hurt. "Is this what I get for sticking with you up in her eyes, a realization hit- perhaps I had indeed crossed a line. you all these years?" The moment tears welled Exhaling heavily, I attempted to bridge the emotional gap by taking a step towards her. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say the things I said. Your words caughtoff guard, and I reacted impulsively As I approached, she instinctively stepped back, creating a physical distance mirroring the emotional one between us. "I can't believe you said all those words to me," she expressed, wiping away tears with a hint of roughness. "Will you blme for behaving this way? This is the first tyou're seeing her after the divorce, and you're already behaving like this, leavingall alone in the hospital just to be with her? As I opened my mouth, poised to utter the right words to appease her, she lifted her palm, a preemptive g duat there is nothing going on between you two, because it will only makeuneasy. gesture to halt my spouse. "Don't tell1133 AM Chapter 20 "What?" I blurted out, a mix of surprise and confusion coloring my response. "What else do you wantto say to you then!" Allowing the tears to fall freely without interference, she smiled sadly, a melancholy expression that struck a chord within me. "Do I have to remind you that that was the sthing you said to her, and then we ended up as a couple." Her words sank in, intensifying the headache that had been creeping in from the ongoing argument. Massaging my temple, I asserted, "I'm not doing this with you this morning, Stephanie. I took a month away from my responsibilities at the office just to make this work. I can't have you ruin things forjust because of your insecurities." Done with this silly conversation, if one could even classify it as a conversation, I snatched my tablet and attempted to walk past her. However, she intercepted my path, grabbing my forearm with a desperate plea. "Swear toon your mother's life that nothing will go on between you and Lily?" I pulled my hand forcefully from her grip, bewildered by the sudden involvement of my mother in this situation. "Why are you getting my mother involved in this?" The vulnerability in her eyes transformed into anger as she stood taller, lips thinning in frustration. "Why aren't you swearing?" she scoffed, accusation laced in her words. "You want to go after her, right? That's the reason why you aren't agreeing to this!" What the hell? Shaking my head at the absurdity of the situation, I stomped upstairs, grabbed my car keys, and walked away from her and her early morning craziness, leaving the chaotic conversation hanging. Leaving the house with the intention of grabbing a coffee and taking a leisurely drive to allow Stephanie stto cool off, I inexplicably found myself parked outside the hospital. This spontaneous action beca self-realization, acknowledging that Stephanie's morning anger might indeed have a valid foundation. Chuckling at my unpredictable behavior, I reached forward to start up my car and leave when a familiar face entered the premises, carrying two cups of coffee. The recognition hitinstantly, and I didn't need to strain my memory to recall where I had encountered the guy. Involuntarily, his face hauntedevery tI closed my eyes, especially in those quiet moments before sleep, where the image of his hands circled on her waist played like an unwelcreel in my mind. Is thar the reason I suddenly want her back? Because another man has staked a claim on her! I am a man who does not like to share, and I definitely do not condone cheating. To be honest, I'd rather walk away from a relationship than cheat, the major reason I walked away from my marriage with Lily is because I'd rather leave than cheat with Stephanie. Do I regret that decision? Hell yes! I had always thought of my relationship with Lily as a rebound, maybe that was why I failed to see my love for her back then. In regards to my policy, before making Lily fall foragain, I have to make them break up. I will not have her cheat on her relationship. Getting off the car, I walked towards the young man.

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