Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 97 RYAN I had been a week since I entered into that sham of a marriage with Stephanie, and not once had I stepped foot in the n house I acquired Instead, I found myself spending every night at the manor that I once shared with Lily during our marriage.

Tapping away on my phone's screen, I dialed Lily's number. After a few rings, she picked up, her voice sounding tired an wom. "Hey," she greeted softly, her appearance reflecting the fatigue evident in her voice. "I was just trying to fix sso for Noah." Concern creased my brow as I noticed the dark circles under her eyes. "Is everything okay?" I inquired, my worry for her growing with each passing moment.

Lily sighed wearily. "Noah has been running a fever all night, and I've been trying to calm it down," she explained, her vo tinged with exhaustion.

My heart sank at the news. "Noah is sick? Why didn't you tellI asked, regretting not being there for my son during h tof need.

She offereda small smile as she attempted to fix her disheveled hair. "You already have enough on your plate," she murmured softly. "And I didn't want to bother you with this. Besides, he's all better now." "I want to be there," I whispered, feeling a pang of guilt for not being able to provide the support my son needed. The wei of my responsibilities at the office seemed unbearable in that moment, and I longed to be by Noah's side.

Lily paused, her expression turning somber as she sighed and let her shoulders droop. Tm really sorry about everything." she apologized, her voice heavy with regret. "How is Stephanie? The mention of Stephanie's nbrought a surge of resentment. "I don't know. I haven't seen her in a week, I admitted, r tone tinged with indifference. The truth was, I had little interest in her well-being Lily blinked slowly, her gaze thoughtful. "Even though I hate to say this, Ryan, but that woman needs you or someone she trusts by her side," she said gently. "She literally lost her baby and needs someone by her side." "That baby was mine too, Lily, and I'm equally hurt that I didn't get to meet it," I replied, my voice tinged with bitterness. "But when I say that woman has moved on from her loss, she has moved on. It leaveswondering sometimes if she reall cared for the baby or was just pretending to care." Lily's expression softened, her plea heartfelt. "You should still check up on her, Ryan," she pleaded earnestly. "Please, if not for your sake or hers, then for the sake of my sanity. If that worn were to harm herself in the future, I would feel guilty fo the rest of my life."" With a frustrated sigh, I relented. "Fine, I conceded. Til drop by in the evening Before I could dwell further on the matter, there was a knock on my door, followed by Angelo's entrance. "I just received a call from your father," he informed me, his tone serious. "And he's livid that you aren't taking his calls." I couldn't help but feel annoyed at my father's interference. If he wanted to discuss business matters, he could find his way to my office. But if this was about Stephanie and our living arrangement, he'd better stay off my back. "Do you want to say hello to Lily?" I deflected, choosing to ignore his earlier statement.

Angelo's face relaxed, a smile creeping onto his lips. He waved as soon as I turned the screen to him. "Hello, Lily, he greeted warmly. "How have you been?" Lily returned the smile. Tve been doing fine, Angelo," she replied "And how have you been?" 13 + Chapin 197 "Tying to stops father and son from killing each other, he quipped, eliciting a chuckle from Lily I felt a surge of gratitude Towarchs him for lightening the mood. How are the Imps?" he asked wistfully. Tve missed them dearly? 1 doubt they remember his name, but it's best not to burst his bible "They miss yon Stephanie chimed in, her voice laced with insigerity. Her eyes hetrayed her lie, twitching ever so slightly.

"My vegards to them, Angels responded politely before shifting his gaze back to me. "Give your father a call, sir. You know. how much that man scareswhen he's upset, especially towards you" "Then stop taking his calls, I deadpanned, growing tired of Angelo's fear of my father. "It's not like he can fire you or anything. You don't work for him Angelo scoffed and excused himself, muttering about finding something to eat in the kitchen before leaving the room.

After speaking with Lily and the boys, I decided to stop by the new house and check on Stephanie. As I pulled into the driveway, I noticed her car parked next to the other black SUV.

Stepping into the living room, I found Stephanie seated with a bowl of ice cream. She paused, spoon hovering near her mouth, as she caught sight ofwalking in "Where the heck have you been?" she snapped, her tone sharp with frustration.

1 hesitated near the door, considering whether to turn around and leave now that I had confirmed she was still alive. You haven't been hin one week, Ryan, One whole damn week, she continued, her voice tinged with accusation. "I have been home," I replied flatly, unmoved by her outburst and unapologetic of the thoughts going through my head. Stephanie gestured wildly with her hands. "What do you mean you've been home? Are you trying to tellyou've been in this house for a week, and I haven't noticed you?" she questioned incredulous.

Opting for a drink to soothe my nerves, I walked further into the house. "I said I've been home, Stephanie. But hisn't with you, and most definitely isn't this house," I clarified.

Her eyes widened with a mixture of disbelief and hurt, the redness betraying her unspoken emotions. "Have you been with Lily?" she questioned, her voice barely above a whisper.

I'm glad you realize that Lily and the kids are who I consider home," I replied calmly, refusing to engage in her attempt to provoke me. Moving into the kitchen, I grabbed a bottle of water before returning to face her. "Lily is in Canada, and I've been swamped with work to travel Her 0000

darted around suspiciously. "So you've been at the old villa?" shem pressed her tone accusatory. "Doing what exactly! Masturbating to the thought of her?" she spat out bitterly. I couldn't help but smile at her attempt to rileup. "How did you guess that correctly?" I replied sarcastically, refusing to let her get under my skin.

After a moment of silence, she shook her head and returned to her ice cream. "So why are you here? Change of clothes?"

If she was observant, she would have noticed that none of my clothes are here. The truth was, I only slept here for one night before the wedding because the villa felt saturated with Lily's presence, and getting married to Stephanie felt like a betrayal to her memory. So, I had grabbed a change. of clothes and toiletries and headed down here to spend the night,

Tin here because Lily was worried about you," I replied, emphasizing that my presence wasn't motivated by any sentiment towards Stephanie. "She wantedto make sure you're okay for her peace of mind. Angered to her limit, Stephanie jumped to her feet and flung the ice cream bowl in my direction. It stopped midway, but sof its contents splattered onto the tip of iny shoe. "Are you saying I should be grateful to her for sending my husband home?" she retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm and bitterness. 23 14:57 Wed, Jul 24 Chapter 97 "It would be refreshing if you were sensible enough to do that," Her fury only seemed to escalate as she yelled, "I forbid you from Shaking my head with a chuckle, I made my way to the front do dryly as I grabbed the door handle. "I see that you're fine and aliv and closed it firmly behind me.

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