Becoming strangers again (Lily and Ryan)



RYAN

I was stuck, paralyzed by indecision regarding Maya, so I decided to confide in Lily about what was happening. Turning my seat to face her portrait on the wall, I stared at it as I listened to the phone ring in my ear.

I waited patiently for her to answer, but she didn't; the call went straight to voicemail. I kept trying to reach her, dialing her number repeatedly, until I eventually gave up, resigning myself to the notion that she might be caught up with work or dealing with some kind of emergency that required her immediate attention.

Turning my seat back towards the desk, I dropped my phone down beside me and reached for my laptop, mentally preparing myself to dive back into the overwhelming pile of work that awaited me. Just as I was about to get back to it, my phone began ringing.

Glancing at the screen, I saw Lily's name flash before me, and an instant smile broke across my face, instantly lifting my spirits. The work on my laptop quickly became an afterthought, replaced by the anticipation of hearing her voice.

"Hey," I breathed out, answering the call as I leaned back into the soft embrace of my chair and casually crossed my feet. "Hope I didn't disrupt your work?" I would hate to be the reason she lost focus.

"No," she assured me, her voice warm and soft. "You didn't."

I was about to ask her how her day had been, eager to engage in lighthearted conversation, when I suddenly heard it-an unmistakable male voice in the background. At first, it didn't bother me too much. "Who is that?" I asked. Someone else being in her office with her is an indication that I am really interrupting with her work and she only said what she said to make me feel better. "I thought you said I wasn't interrupting your work?"

"That was Amell," she clarified, "and no, you didn't interrupt my work."

I frowned. Why is this Amell always around my wife? I trusted her completely and knew she would never cheat on me, but that didn't ease the discomfort I felt about this man being in her space so frequently, especially when I wasn't there to protect my interests. Feelings can grow when people spend time together.

"Ryan?" Lily called out softly, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. "Are you still there?”

I cleared my throat, attempting to compose myself. "Yes, I am," I replied, my jaw clenching as I struggled to breathe through the anger that was rising within me. "If he isn't there for work, then why is he in your office?"

She remained silent for a moment before letting out a sigh. "He has some personal issues about his sister that he wants my input on."

I couldn't help but think there were countless other women he could have turned to for support. "So you intentionally ignored my calls because you were discussing his sister with him?" I asked, my tone sharper than I intended.

"My phone was on my desk; I didn't hear it ring," she explained.

Her explanation did little to quell the jealousy brewing inside me. "You didn't hear your phone ring?" I drawled out skeptically. "You're a doctor, Lily. Your phone is never on silent or vibrate, so how is it possible you didn't hear it ring?"

Once again, she remained silent, the only sound from her was the soft, rhythmic sound of her breathing. Her silence indicated just one thing I had clearly upset her. I was about to offer an apology when she suddenly spoke up.

"I never said my phone was on silent," she stated. "I just didn't hear it, and I'm truly sorry for that. But what I want to know is if you're accusing me of something."

I winced at her question, realizing how far I had overstepped with my probing inquiries. "I'm sorry if my questions made you feel as if I'm accusing you of anything," I replied, trying to sound sincere.

Although I was still angry and jealous, I recognized that it wasn't directed at her. She was clearly upset with me, and continuing this conversation would likely lead to further misunderstandings. “I'm really sorry for what I said earlier, and I'll call you back later,” I said, hoping to diffuse the situation. She didn't respond right away. For a moment, I thought she had ended the call, but then she spoke again. “Ryan?” she called out, and I grunted in response, too ashamed to utter another word after my outburst. "Always remember that I love you," she added, her voice softening.

"I love you too, and I'm sorry for letting my jealousy cloud my judgment."

"It's fine. We'll talk later." With that, the call disconnected, leaving me to grapple with my decision alone.

Rubbing my hands down my face in frustration, I exhaled deeply, dropping my phone with a loud thud on the desk before I returned my attention to my work. Or at least, that was the plan.

After a long and taxing day at work, I made the decision to drop by the villa since Angelo hadn't been forthcoming with the information I needed. Pulling into the driveway, I parked the car and got out.

As I approached, Maya, who must have seen me drive in, darted out through the front door, her eyes wide with worry and disbelief. "What are you doing here?" she whispered, her voice a frantic whisper, glancing nervously over her shoulder as if fearing someone might see us.

"Don't you think it's a silly question, asking what I'm doing on my father's property? hissed, glaring at her. She glaneed back again. "What?" taunted, a dark smile creeping onto my face. "You don't want mummy dearest to know I'm here?"

Licking her lips nervously, she reached forward to grab my hand, but I stepped away from her, my glare hardening. "Don't even think about touching me again," I warned, my voice low and menacing.

"What are you doing here?" she gritted out, her tone sharp and defensive. "I should be getting a memo from the estate lawyer saying you're no longer selling the property, not having to deal with your face here."

Who cared what she thought? "I'm here to see my father's mistress," I spat back, my words filled with bitterness. "I deserve to see the woman who warmed my father's bed while my mother was absent."

Maya folded her arms, scoffing at my declaration. "Don't act as if you're any different from your father," she retorted sharply, her eyes flashing. "You also had an affair with your ex, didn't you?"

"Stop talking nonsense," I snapped. "I didn't have anything to do with Steph until after my divorce. I didn't even kiss her." Why was I justifying myself to this woman? "Go get your moth—"

My words trailed off as an older woman walked out of the same door Maya had just dashed through.

My nanny? "You've got to be kidding me," I grumbled under my breath, disbelief washing over me.

"Maya, dear?" the woman called out, her voice sweet but cautious, and Maya stiffened at the sound. "Who do you have there with you?"

How could she not see me or recognize me after all this time?

"She can't see from that distance," Maya explained hastily. "She's not wearing her glasses."

I still couldn't believe my father had an affair with my nanny. "I need you to leave," Maya demanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Like hell would I comply. Burying my hands deep into my pockets, I glared at the woman standing before me. "How close do I have to get for her to recognize me?" I challenged.

"Ryan..." Maya groaned, frustration evident in her voice.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

"It's Williams to you," I bellowed back, my anger flaring. "We're not close, so do not address me as such."

My voice seemed to grab Salome's attention. “Is that Ryan?” she whispered, her eyes widening in recognition. “How did you find us?"

"You're staying in my father's property," I stated pointedly, my tone cold and matter-of-fact. "Of course, I would eventually show up here."

"No one was supposed to know about this property except him," she insisted, her voice shaking slightly.

"And his lawyer," I retorted. "And it's

et

rather surprising to discover the secrets hidden within these walls." My phone vibrated in my pocket, jolting me out of my growing rage. Clenching my teeth together, pulled it out, and when I saw the detective's number flashing on the screen, I knew I couldn't ignore it any longer.

"Hello?" I answered, trying to keep my voice steady despite the chaos around me.

"We're starting the investigation tomorrow," he informed me. "Beginning with your father's secretary."