Becoming strangers again (Lily and Ryan)

Chapter 92

RYAN

Lily’s stisdain for the idea of ine getting married to Steph mirror my own sentiments I had no desire to marry anyone other than Lily, but it seemed I was paying the price for letting er slip away in the first place.

As Angelo guided the car into the hospital parking lot, he stole a glance at me through the rear–view mirror. “I never imagined Tid witness you inoping like this over the prospect of marriage, he remarked with a frown on his face.

Chuckling at his observation and expression, I shook my head amusement. “You’d think it was you facing the possibility of being shackled to a woman who drives you up the wall,” I joke, though the reality of the situation made me very upset.

Turning to face me with a solemn expression, Angelo chewed on his lower lip, his gaze distant as if lost in contemplation. When you married Lily, as I stood at the doorway of the cluire watching her glide toward you in white, the first thought that crossed my mind was, lucky bastard,” he confessed quietly, told myself you were more than fortunate to have her

“Twas, I acknowledged with a nod, a pang of gratitude swelling within me. “And I still consider myself that lucky bastard because I had the privilege of sharing a life with her, no matter how brief.”

Gazing out of the window at the hospital building, I sighed. “Whatever shain is about to happen between me and Stephanie.” 1 declared firmly, “ut will never last long. That much, I can assure you.”

I reached for the door handle, pushing it open and striding purposefully into the hospital building,

As I entered the room, 1 found Stephanie engrossed in a movie on her tablet. She appeared noticeably improved from the last time I had seen her, looking healthier and more composed

Approaching her bedside, Stephanie set the tablet down with deliberate care as I drew nearer. “If you’ve come to plead on her behalf and make a mockery of me,” she began with a venomous edge to her tone, “I suggest you leave. I’m in a good mood, and I’d rather not have it ruined”

Brushing off her barbed comment, I took a seat on the vacant sofa nearby. “Let’s get married,” I stated plainly. Stephanie froze, her eyes widening in surprise. Despite her apparent shock her expression only served to irritate me further. “Why are you pretending to be surprise, Steph? Isn’t that what you requested?”

Her lips parted, and she licked them nervously, her eyes blinking rapidly in surprise. “I know I asked for it, but I never expected you to actually agree, she confessed, her voice trembling slightly with disbelief. With a sudden burst of emotion, she rushed towards me, clearly intending to envelop me in a hug.

However, I instinctively shot out an arm, creating a barrier between us. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I hissed, my tone sharp with rebuke.

Caught off guard by my reaction, Stephanie froze in her tracks, puzzled frown creasing her brow. “I was just trying to embrace my fiancé in celebration of such good news, she explained softly, a tentative smile flickering across her features. “Gelling married to you means everything to me, Ryan. You have no idea how much I’ve longed for this.”

“However, I interjected, my voice devoid of emotion, our impending marriage also serves as a constant reminder of my love for another woman” I deadpanned, holding her gaze steadily, “It

symbolizes my willingness to sacrifice my own happiness for the sake of the woman I truly love. That’s the harsh reality you’ll have to face every morning for the duration of our marriage:

“You don’t have to be so cruel, Stephanie snapped back, her tone tinged with resentment. “I understand that you love that woman more than you love me, but there’s no need to rub it in my face

Ignoring her protest, I pressed on. “This marriage will exist only on paper,” I reiterated, dismissing her earlier remark. That

means there will be rules that cannot be broken, and lines that will never be crossed”

A sinister glint entered Stephanie’s eyes as she retaliated, her voice dripping with menace. “You do realize I could use that video to manipulate you into submission, right?” she threatened

With a steely gare, I stood up from the sofa, facing her head–on And you should know that I’ve been contemplating murder since last night,” I shot back, my voice cold. I’ve entertained countless scenarios in my mind, all leading to your disappearance from this world. Because only then will my life be free of this torment.”

Her confidence fahering, Stephanie scoffed dismissively. “You arn’t capable of murdering someone,” she scoffed, her wor breathing in an element of doubt.

“Don’t be so sure, I cautioned her, my tone laced with a chilling edge. “I don’t think anyone has pushed me to the brink quite like you have. Adjusting my suit with precision, 1 leveled her with a steely glare. “Don’t expect a lavish ceremony, because that’s not happening.”

Stephanie’s lip curled in disdain. “You want to marry me in secre?” she spat out contemptuously.

“If it were up to me, I’d keep you as my dirty little secret, I retorted bluntly. Turning on my heel, I strode purposefully towards the door.

Pausing at the threshold, I glanced back at her over my shoulder If you want me to grace your wedding with my presence send me a copy of that video via WhatsApp, I demanded coldly. With that, I swung the door open and exited slamming it shut behind me with a resounding thud.

the room,

As I settled into the car, Angelo wasted no time in pulling out of the parking lot, his eyes darting to the rear–view mirror at intervals, silently observing my demeanor.

“You have something you want to say?” I snapped at him, irritated by his constant gaze. “Keeping your focus on the road wi contribute in making sure we don’t make it to our destination in a body bag.”

He chuckled. “I am sorry, but I can’t help but wonder how it went in there.”

Is that the reason he wants to send me to the afterlife? “How do you think it went?” Pinching my brows, I tried to get rid of the creeping headache. “of course she is glad that we might be getting married.” Just the thought of my conversation with her is getting me pissed off. “Let’s not talk about this please.”

“Yes sir.” He returned his attention to the road and drove me home..

Later that evening, as I prepared to meet with some old clients after work to keep them satisfied, my phone rang, and I saw i was my father calling. Pausing by the wine bar in the living room, I poured myself a drink before answering his call.

“Congratulations, son, my father’s voice came through, filled with satisfaction. His happiness only served to irritate me further. “I knew you’d make the right decision.

“Congratulations, Ryan!” my mother chimed in from the background. “You should call your sister and let her know about the wedding”

Downing my drink in one gulp. I slammed the glass on the table in frustration.

“Have you picked a date yet?” my mother continued, her voice still audible in the background. “I think a spring wedding would be perfect

Let them handle the details, any father interjected, sounding slightly annoyed. “I just called to let you know that I am-

Ending the call with a decisive tap, I slipped my phone into my pocket and strode out of the building, Sliding into the waiting car with Angelo behind the wheel, his expression unreadable.

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Without a word, Angelo pulled out of the compound and merge into traffic. As the city lights blurred past, I formulated a plan in my mind.

“I want you to dig into ‘Mr. Waper’s law firm, I instructed Angelo tersely. “Find any dirt you can on them, something substantial.” It was the only way I could see out of this unwanted marriage and also protect Lily. “They’ll bury it deep, but I need you to keep searching, even if it takes time.”

“Understood, sir,” Angelo replied crisply, his eyes focused on the road ahead.

I knew I’d need to assign someone else to assist in the investigation. I was determined to expose the flaws of the Waper family, to drag their name through the mud and ensure they paid for thinking they could blackmail me. It was the only way to regain control of my life and protect the ones I cared about.

Stephanie’s persistent presence in my life has become an unwelcome burden, a constant reminder of the chaos she brings with her. Despite my efforts to keep her at arm’s length, she always finds a way back into my world, leaving destruction in

her wake.

But this time, I refuse to play by her rules. If she wants to engage in this twisted dance, then I’ll be more than willing to step onto the dance floor.