Becoming strangers again (Lily and Ryan)

Chapter 90

REAN

“It’s clem that you’ve lost your damn mind, exclaimed, my fredation boiling ever as I surveyed the room, dismayed by the silent agreement of the other ocupants “Have you completely lost touch with reality? My gaze here into Stephanie’s, saching for any trace of reason amidst the madness.

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She shrugged stifferently, her demeanos seitlingly calm. “Who would want in marry a woman with diminished chances of bearing children?” she retouted colilly.

The callousness of her statement struck a nerve, and I felt a mirge of anger the within me. Some men wouldn’t care about vw by things I Lily had been in Stephanie’s position, I would lune loved her unconditionally, regardless of her inability to

Tim genuinely sorry that this has happencil to you, Stephanie, lidmitted, my voice tinged with empathy. “But attempting to mansalate me into marriage through hlas kinail will only lead to a lifetime of mise for you. I cannot and will not love you, Mier the circumstances

“Let that be my concern, Stephanie replied stoically, her resolve unyielding. You have from today until I’m discharged to consider me proposal. If I don’t hear from you by then, I’ll proceed with legal action against her”

Her ultimatum felt like a slap in the face, and I struggled to contain my anger. “You’re resorting to blackmail? 1 retorted increstulously, my tone laced with contempt. “You’re hoping to provoke a response from me, aren’t you?” With a humorless chuckle, I shook my head in disbelief. “Well,

congratulations, you’ll get one.” With that, I turned on my heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind me.

Angelo offers to take the wheel, knowing that driving in such state of agitation wasn’t advisable. I tossed him the key and settled into the passenger seal

“Where to?” Angelo inquired as he started the engine, his eyes focused on the road ahead.

“Home,” I murmured, uny mind swirling with conflicting thoughts and emotions. Angelo wordlessly obeyed, navigating the car out of the parking space and onto the familiar route home.

Silence enveloped us during the journey, allowing me to sink deeper into contemplation. I had made a promise to Lily, vowed to protect her from the repercussions of Stephanie’s accinations. But the ultimatum Stephanie had just thrown at me threatened to ruin everything.

As the car came to a stop in my driveway, I reached for the door handle, ready to call it a day. However, Angelo’s words halted me in my tracks, “I think it’s safe to say you’re in a dilemma,” he remarked solemmply, his gaze meeting mine. “And the only person who can help you out of this is your father”

Angelo’s suggestion caught me off guard, my incredulity evident in my response. “Have you lost your mind?” I snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface. Why should I have to rely on my father to solve my problems? “Don’t even think about breathing a word of this to him, or you’ll regret it.”

He responded with a theatrical gesture of zipping his lips shut, signaling his understanding. “So what’s the plan?” he inquired, his gaze steady as he awaited my response.

I couldn’t help but scoff at his sudden willingness to engage in conversation. “I thought you weren’t talking?” I quipped, raising an eyebrow in mock amusement.

Angelo shook his head, his expression serious. “That was my way of letting you know I won’t say anything to your father, unless you want me to,” he clarified. “So, what’s the plan?” he pressed once more, his tone earnest.

Sighing heavily, I leaned back in my seat, my mind still grappling with the weight of the situation. I don’t have one yet,” 1 admitted, frustration creeping into my voice. “But hopefully, I’ll conse up with something after a good night’s sleep.” As I reached for the door handle, Angelo stopped me once again, his expression serious.

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“I think you should talk to your father, Ryan,” Angelo persisted, indeterred by my earlier dismissal of the idea. Sensing my growing frustration, he raised his hands in a placating gesture. Don’t kill me yet,” he joked, attempting to lighten the mood. “Just hear me out first.”

With a deep breath, I reluctantly acquiesced, allowing him to make his case.

“Your mother was present in that room.” Angelo pointed out, his voice solemn. “And I have every reason to believe that she’s taking their side. She’s likely going to discuss this with your father, and I honestly think you should beat her to it

His words gave me pause, and I considered his argument carefully. While my father wasn’t one to blindly follow my mother’s directives, her influence was undeniable. If she presented her version of events before I had a chance to speak with him, it could sway his opinion.

However, I remained skeptical. “My father isn’t the type to make decisions just because my mother told him to, I countered, shaking my head. “If he’s not in support of it, it doesn’t matter who brings it up to him. He’ll make his own decision.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Without untering a word in response to Angelo, I pushed open the door and made my way to my bedroom, my steps heavy with exhaustion. Collapsing onto the bed, I sank into the soft mattress and quickly succumbed to sleep.

The shrill ringing of my phone shattered the silence of the room, jolting me awake. Blinking blearily, I reached for my phone and answered the call, placing it on speaker.

When were you intending on calling me?” my father’s voice boomed through the room, his tone laced with anger and frustration.

It took a moment for his words to register, and I glanced down at my phone screen to confirm the caller’s identity. “Call you over what?” I replied groggily, still half–asleep. “Last 1 checked, you’re fine.”

“Don’t you dare try to play smart with me,” he shot back, his voice steely with resolve. “How many times have I told you to reach out to me anytime you’re faced with such serious and confusing situations, especially ones that directly or indirectly affect the company?”

I inwardly cursed my mother for likely informing my father about the situation. “Are you going to tell me exactly why you woke me up from sleep, or I’m disconnecting this call, I retorted, my irritation obvious.

“Stephanie’s ultimatum,” my father replied, his tone grave. What are you planning on doing about that?”

With a tired sigh, I pushed myself off the bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling over me. Should that be your problem?” I asked flatly, already weary of the conversation

“It’s going to affect your future, which is essentially the future of the company too, so yes, it is my business, he reasoned, his

voice firm.

I clenched my jaw, struggling to contain my frustration. “For once, I think your mother is on the right boat,” he added, his tone taking on a contemplative note.

His words caught me off guard, and I frowned at my phone screen, perplexed by his cryptic remark. “What is that supposed to mean?” I demanded, seeking clarification

“Someone has to take responsibility for what happened to Stephanie and her child, and the right person to take that responsibility should be Lily, my father asserted, his voice unwavering. “But since you insist on protecting a woman you shouldn’t even be protecting, you might as well take responsibility and marrying Stephanie seems like the right thing to do.” Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I felt a surge of disbelief and anger rising within me. Tve never been as disappointed in you as I am in this moment, I shot back, struggling to keep my voice steady. “How could you even consider