Chapter 25

Lily's heart raced as she looked up to see Lewis standing in her doorway. His presence was commanding, and the moment felt charged, thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. The air crackled between them, a palpable tension that made her pulse quicken.

As their eyes met, Lily felt a wave of familiarity wash over her, but she couldn’t place it. Lewis had changed so much; he was almost unrecognizable. The boy she once knew had transformed into a man of authority, exuding confidence and power. Yet, there was something in his gaze that stirred a distant memory, a flicker of warmth that tugged at her heart, though she couldn't quite grasp why.

Lewis stood there for a moment, his expression a mix of determination and uncertainty. He didn’t want to remind her of their history; he wanted her to recognize him on her own terms. With a purposeful step, he entered her cubicle, the door clicking softly behind him.

“Why are you still here?” he asked, his voice firm and devoid of emotion, hidden behind the mask of a cold, strict CEO.

Lily stood up, her resolve hardening in the face of his authoritative tone. “I’m still working on the report, sir,” she replied, trying to keep her voice steady, despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach.

For a fleeting moment, she caught a glimpse of softness in his eyes, a reminder of something she couldn’t quite identify. But just as quickly, that warmth vanished, replaced by the cool professionalism he wore like armor. “It’s okay, Ms. Everhart. You can submit that tomorrow. It’s late; you should go home,” he said, turning to leave.

But Lily wasn’t ready to let him walk away. She felt a surge of determination rise within her. “No, sir,” she said firmly, her voice cutting through the tension in the room. “It’s my duty. I was irresponsible for not delegating my responsibilities while I was on sudden leave, so I have to finish this.”

Lewis stopped in his tracks, shock and surprise etched on his face. He turned back to her, his expression shifting as he processed her words. “You’re serious about this?” he asked, his tone softening, almost incredulous.

“Yes,” Lily replied, her determination shining through. “I understand the importance of meeting deadlines, especially with everything going on. I can’t let my absence affect the team.”

He studied her for a moment, the tension between them palpable. There was something about her unwavering commitment that struck a chord within him, yet he could see she didn’t recognize him. It reminded him of the Lily he had always admired—the one who never backed down from a challenge and fought for what she believed in.

“Very well,” he said, his voice steady but tinged with a newfound respect. “If you feel that strongly about it, I won’t stop you. But I do expect you to take care of yourself too. Don’t burn yourself out.”

Lily felt a warmth spread through her at his unexpected concern, but she quickly masked it with professionalism. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.”

As Lewis turned to leave again, a thought crossed his mind. “And Lily,” he said, pausing at the door, “if you ever need help or support, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m here to ensure our team succeeds.”

With that, he stepped out of her cubicle, leaving Lily standing there, heart racing. She watched him go, feeling a mix of emotions swirling within her. The encounter had been brief, yet it had ignited something inside her—a spark of hope and possibility. She returned to her work, her mind still lingering on the enigmatic man who had unexpectedly walked back into her life, determined to prove herself worthy of the challenges ahead.

Ethan parked his car in the dimly lit lot, his mind racing as he made his way to the entrance of the building. The weight of his thoughts pressed heavily on him; he couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed to apologize to Lily. He approached the security desk, where a guard looked up from his computer.

“Excuse me, could you tell me which floor Lily Everhart is on?” Ethan asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

“Sure, she’s on the 12th floor,” the guard replied, pointing towards the elevators.

“Thanks,” Ethan nodded, feeling a mix of nervousness and determination as he walked to the elevator. He pressed the button for the 12th floor, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn’t fully understand why he felt such an urgency to apologize to Lily. He could have waited until morning, but the thought of her alone in the office, possibly upset, gnawed at him.

As the elevator doors slid shut, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw Sarah’s name flash on the screen. He hesitated for a moment before answering. “Hey, Sarah, is everything okay?” he asked, concern lacing his voice.

“Is everything okay?” Sarah’s voice was sharp, filled with fury. “No, it’s not! How could it be? My fiancé is out of the house in the middle of the night! How am I supposed to feel?”

Ethan felt a wave of frustration wash over him. “What happened?” he asked, trying to keep his voice calm despite the rising tension.

“Ethan! You should be here with me, not off gallivanting around! Where are you?” she demanded, her anger palpable through the phone.

“I’m busy, Sarah,” he replied, striving for a measured tone. “I’m trying to sort things out.”

“Busy? Busy following your ex-wife?” She spat, her voice dripping with disdain. “What did that bitch spill on you, Ethan? You’re letting her take over your life again!”

Ethan clenched his jaw, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks. “This isn’t about her, Sarah. I’m trying to do the right thing here,” he said, his patience wearing thin.

“Right thing? You think that’s the right thing? You need to choose, Ethan! Either you’re with me, or you’re with her!” Sarah’s voice trembled with rage and hurt.

As the elevator dinged and the doors opened, Ethan stepped out, his mind racing. He could hear Sarah’s voice still echoing in his ears, but he knew he had to focus. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He couldn’t let Sarah’s anger derail him from what he needed to do. He had to talk to Lily.

Ethan took a deep breath and said, “I’ll be home soon. Just sleep,” before hanging up the phone. On the other end, Sarah seethed with anger, her frustration boiling over as the call disconnected.