Becoming strangers again (Lily and Ryan)

Chapter 89

RYAN

Things werd exactly as Tespected them to go well except for the part where she demanded for one of the boys. I can’t blame her for wanting to sur, she is just hurt by the turnout of events and when she is better and calmer, I will talk to her with hopes that the will change her mind.

Palling over on my driveway, I got out of the car and handed the key to one of my securities to park the car properly. I dragged my feet into the house, wondering how today ended up like this.

The day began on a high note, with the comforting aroma of Lily’s presence enveloping me as I woke up, to be greeted by her standing naked in my bedroom. It continued smoothly with quality time spent with the boys. Yet, now I find myself grappling with the urgent task of preventing Lily from facing imprisonment and the revocation of her license.

Upon entering my bedroom, I made a beeline for the bar, seizing a bottle of scotch and drinking its contents straight from

the bottle.

My gaze drifted aimlessly around the vacant living room, my mind consumed by thoughts of how to save Lily from her predicament. If Angelo manages to procure the requested video and ensures the original copy is deleted, there might be a chance to save the situation and rescue Lily

In court, if you do not have a shred of evidence, you do not have a case.

I was about to move my gaze back to the scotch bottle when my eyes caught something on the white sofa.

Getting off my stool, I walked over to the sofa and picked up a silver bracelet that I was certain belonged to Lily because I had seen her wearing it a few times. It might have snapped off her wrist when I carried her to the bedroom.

Picking it up, I pocketed it, just in time for the front door to open. Angelo walked in, looking worried and stressed out as he always looks when things aren’t going our way. “What is going on?” I asked him as I took another awing from my glass returning to the bar.

“The CCTV footage has taken by another individual who then proceeded to pay a significant sum to ensure the original recording was erased, Angelo disclosed, causing me to freeze with the glass hovering near my lips. I was equally taken aback, sir,” he added in a subdued tone.

Setting the glass down slowly, I regarded him with a perplexed expression. “Could you elaborate further?” I prompted.

“Somebody beat us to it, Angelo clarified. “I had a talk with the management, offering a generous payment for the video, only to discover that it had already been deleted. When I inquired about the deletion, they informed me that another party had not only paid for a copy but also requested the deletion of the original footage.”

My mind raced, narrowing down the potential culprits to just two individuals: my father and Stephanie. “Did you manage to obtain a name?” I inquired..

“I did ask, but they refused to tell me anything about it or mention names. Angelo responded, prompting a skeptical arch of my brow.

It’s likely that whoever orchestrated the deletion of the video coerced the management into silence regarding their identity.”

Snatching my phone from the nearby tabletop, I punched in my father’s number, enduring several rings before he finally

Tll only entertain this conversation if you promise to steer clear of this case,” he interjected preemptively.

Brushing aside his familiar refrain, I replied coolly, “That’s not why I’m calling. Did you have a lund in the CCTV footage

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deletion at the ventral mall,

There was a pregnant pause before my father responded, “What are you talking about?”

His denial struck me as genuine; my father was not one to shirk responsibility, especially not with me. Til speak to you Later. I muttered, ending the call

Attempting to reach Stephanie next, I dialed her number, only to be met with silence as she failed to answer.

Kising from my seat, I swiftly snatched my jacket and made a beeline for the door, only to be pursued by Angelo, who dashed after me in a frantic bid to prevent me from leaving him behind.

“Where are you off to?” he exclaimed, sliding into the passenger seat just as I was about to start the car.

“To the hospital.” I replied tersely, my focus squarely on the task at hand as I ignited the engine and pulled out of the driveway.

Wide–eyed. Angelo observed my actions with a mixture of concern and confusion: “You suspect she took it?” he asked, and when I didn’t respond. he interpreted my silence as affirmation.

“Please, sir, enlighten me on the situation so that I can assist you effectively,” he implored.

Casting him a brief glance, I exhaled audibly before relenting. “Lly inadvertently caused Stephanie to fall, resulting in the loss of her unborn child and significant damage to her uterus. Stephanie is now threatening legal action against Lily for aggravated assault, which could jeopardize Lily’s professional license, I explained

Angelo’s whistle cut through as he folded his arms, fixating on the view outside the windshield. This situation is a mess, sir,” he muttered, stating the obvious as if I needed reminding.

“If you don’t have anything constructive to say, it’s best to keep quiet,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin, and to my relief. he complied, opting to maintain silence for the remainder of the journey to the hospital.

As I parked the car and stormed into the elevator. I braced myself for what awaited me on Stephanie’s ward. My father’s security detail made no attempt to stop me, though I hadn’t expected them to.

Upon reaching Stephanie’s room and flinging open the door, I came to a sudden halt as I took in the sight of my mother conversing with Stephanie’s parents.

The irony wasn’t lost on me as I observed my mother’s sudden presence, considering she hadn’t bothered to visit when I was released from jail. Before I could utter a word, her furious stride carried her over to me, and with a resounding slap, she struck my cheek.

My head jerked to the side from the force of the blow, and I felt the heat of anger coursing through me. Slowly, I turned my gaze back towards her, my hand clenching into a fist at my side. If you weren’t my mother, I would have retaliated in kind. 1 warned through gritted teeth as her hand raised for another strike.

Reacting on instinct, I intercepted her hand mid–air, holding it firmly in place. “Don’t degrade yourself by disrespecting me.” I admonished, pushing her hand away with a forceful shove.

“I’m disappointed in you, Ryan,” she spat, her words dripping with disdain

“And you think I’m not disappointed in you as well?” I retorted, my frustration boiling over. She was nothing more than an embodiment of parental failure, and she knew it. A mother who prioritizes wealth and luxury over her own children doesn’t deserve the title of “mother” at all.

“You’re defending the cause of someone else’s suffering?” she spa, advancing towards me with a fiery glare, her fist clenched in anger. “A woman’s future is in ruins, and yet you seek to justify the source of her agony?”

Her words grated on my nerves; this wasn’t about her, and I saw no reason for her presence here. Ignoring her tirade, I

brushed past her directing my attention towands Stephanie. “It was you, wasn’t it?” I demanded, cutting straight to the chase.

Stephanie met my gaze with a steely expression. “Accusing me of what?” she countered, her tone betraying no hint of

“The CCTV footage, 1 pressed, my tone sharp with accusation, you were the one who took it, weren’t you?”

I

With a derisive scoff, Stephanie nodded defiantly. “Yes, I did. And what of it?” she retorted, her demeanor unapologetic and

brazen

Why go to the lengths of having them erase the original if you simply wanted your own?” I shot back, my voice dripping with disdain. “There’s only one explanation: you intend to tamper with that video, don’t you?” I accused, the truth dawning with grum clarity. She sought to erase any incriminating evidence that might implicate her.

Stephanie sat upright, her eyes ablaze with indignation. “Your suspicions hit the mark, she admitted coolly. “I fully intend to manipulate that footage to ensure she pays the price for her actions.

“We will pursue legal action,” Mr. Waper declared firmly, his wife nodding in solemn agreement beside him. “While you may be our esteemed client and this case may have connections to you, Stephanie is our daughter, and she deserves justice.”

Tm in full agreement with them, my mother interjected from behind, her voice carrying a note of conviction. “That monster needs to be behind bars, and then you can bring my grandkids to stay with us.”

Stephanie’s retort was swift. “You do realize her license is on the line here, right?” she challenged, her words laden with implications

Squeezing the bridge of my nose in frustration, I searched desperately for a solution, but my mind came up empty. “What do you want. Stephanie?” I asked, my tone tinged with resignation. At this point, I was willing to entertain any option that would persuade her to drop the case.

Her response was unexpected yet unmistakable. “The only way I’ll consider dropping this,” she declared, a devious smile creeping across her lips, “is if we get married. Her gaze bore into mine with unwavering intensity. “Do the right thing, Ryan Marry me, and that’s the only way Lily will walk away from this unscathed.”

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