Chapter 21

Lewis stepped back slightly, his expression shifting as he spoke. “I’m not surprised if you didn’t recognize me, Lily, because I think you never paid attention to me.” His voice was slow and laced with disappointment, and for a moment, the weight of his words hung heavily in the air.

Lily felt a pang of regret at his tone, but before she could respond, his demeanor changed abruptly. “Reports on my desk on time,” he commanded, his voice firm and authoritative once more. With that, he turned away from her, leaving her standing there, breathless and stunned.

As he walked back to his seat, Lily felt an overwhelming rush of emotions. The moment had shifted from intimate to professional in an instant, leaving her feeling unsettled. She stood frozen for a heartbeat before finally gathering her composure and leaving the cabin without a word.

As Lily stepped back into her office, her mind was still reeling from her encounter with Lewis. The way he had looked at her, the disappointment in his voice—it lingered like a haunting melody. She shook her head, trying to dispel the confusion swirling in her thoughts.

Mia was already seated at her desk, her bright smile cutting through the haze of Lily’s thoughts. “Hey, Lily! What did Mr. Evans want?” she asked, her excitement palpable.

Lily rolled her eyes, attempting to mask her own turmoil. “Just work stuff, Mia. Nothing else,” she replied, her tone more curt than intended.

Mia leaned forward, her expression playful. “Come on! You can’t just leave me hanging like that. You’re telling me he didn’t say anything interesting?”

Lily sighed, feeling the pressure of the reports piling up in her mind. “Really, it was just about the deadlines. I have a lot to do, so can we skip the chit-chat today?” She tried to sound firm, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her with a small smile.

Mia pouted, crossing her arms dramatically. “You’re no fun! But I get it. You’ve got to focus.” She paused, her teasing eyes narrowing. “But don’t think I won’t find out what’s really going on between you two!”

Lily chuckled softly, shaking her head. “There’s nothing going on, I promise. Just work.”

Mia raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Sure, sure. Just remember, I’m here for the juicy details when you’re ready to spill,” she said, winking before returning to her own tasks.

As Mia turned back to her work, Lily felt a mix of relief and frustration. She sank into her chair, trying to concentrate on the reports before her. Yet, her thoughts kept drifting back to Lewis—the way he had stood so close, the disappointment in his voice, and the nagging question in her mind: where had she seen him before?

With a deep breath, she pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the tasks at hand, but the sense of familiarity lingered, refusing to let go.

****

Mia arrived home first, the upbeat music pulsing through her earbuds as she danced around the living room, lost in her own world. The moment was interrupted by a sharp ring of the doorbell. She pulled out her earbuds, a smile on her face, but it faded instantly when she saw Ethan standing at the door.

“What do you want?” she asked firmly, her voice cold as ice.

Ethan shifted uncomfortably, glancing past her into the apartment. “Is Lily here? I need to talk to her.”

Mia crossed her arms, her expression hardening. “What is your problem, Ethan? When she was married to you, you never spent a minute with her. Now, when she’s trying to move on after everything you did, you come here to give her more pain.”

Ethan fell silent for a moment, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Finally, he replied, “I need to talk to her now.”

“Why?” Mia shot back, her frustration bubbling over.

“Please, just call her,” he pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice.

Mia shook her head, ready to close the door. “She’s not here,” she said, but Ethan was quick, pushing the door open and stepping inside.

“Lily!” he called out, but there was no reply.

Mia’s anger flared. “She’s not here! She’s working in the office!”

Ethan’s face paled at the realization that Lily was still at work. “You came here, leaving her alone?” he asked, disbelief etched across his features.

Mia’s voice rose in anger. “Why do you even care? What have you done for her? You just give her pain all the time, and now you act like you care. Go care for your first love! Leave my best friend alone!”

Ethan took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. “It’s important, please,” he said slowly, his eyes pleading.

Mia narrowed her gaze, unwilling to soften. “Tell me what you want to say. I’ll tell her later.”

He hesitated, the gravity of his next words weighing heavily on him. “Was that child mine?”