Chapter 27

After a while, Lewis walked toward Lily’s cabin, his heart heavy with concern. He found her standing near the window, her gaze lost in the world outside. The dim light of the office illuminated her figure, casting a soft glow around her.

“It’s late, and it looks like it’s about to rain. Let me drop you home,” he said gently, trying to break the silence that hung between them. Without waiting for a response, he turned to grab his coat, hoping to give her a moment to gather herself.

As he left the room, Lily quickly wiped her tears away, her heart racing. She grabbed her handbag, feeling the weight of the confrontation with Ethan still pressing down on her. She didn’t want to talk about it, didn’t want to relive the pain, but she also felt the need to explain herself.

They met in the elevator, and the air was thick with unspoken words. Lily stared at the floor, avoiding Lewis’s gaze, while he watched her, concern etched on his face. The silence felt heavy, punctuated only by the soft hum of the elevator as it descended.

When they reached the ground floor, they stepped out into the cool evening air. Slowly, they made their way toward Lewis’s car. He opened the door for her, and she offered a small, grateful smile as she slid into the passenger seat.

“Thank you,” she murmured, trying to shake off the remnants of the earlier confrontation. Lewis nodded, his expression neutral as he started the car and pulled away from the curb, heading toward her apartment.

The drive was quiet, the only sound the rhythmic patter of rain against the windshield. Lily felt lost in her thoughts, replaying the events of the evening in her mind. She cleared her throat, breaking the silence. “I’m sorry you had to see that,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Ethan is just… stressed, maybe.”

She tried to cover up the situation, hoping to downplay the chaos that had erupted earlier. Even after their heated exchange, she felt the need to justify Ethan’s behavior, worried about what Lewis might think of her. Little did she know, Lewis was not just her boss; he was her secret admirer from college, someone who had watched her from afar, admiring her strength and resilience.

Lewis’s heart ached as he listened to her attempt to rationalize Ethan’s actions. He was hurt to see that, even after everything, she still tried to defend him. What she didn’t realize was that her words only deepened the concern he felt for her. He wanted to reach out, to tell her that she deserved better, but he held back, unsure of how to express his feelings without crossing boundaries.

As they drove through the rain-soaked streets, Lily’s thoughts drifted back to the moments she had shared with Ethan—the love and the eventual heartbreak. She felt a pang of regret mixed with anger, knowing that she had given so much of herself to someone who had taken it all for granted.

Lewis glanced at her, noticing the flicker of pain in her eyes, and wished he could take her hand and reassure her that she wasn’t alone.

Breaking the silence, Lewis finally spoke, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. “I told you he doesn’t deserve you.”

Lily turned to him, taken aback by his words. She searched his eyes, trying to understand the depth of his feelings. After a moment of hesitation, Lewis continued, “I agree we weren’t good friends, but it's awful to see that I was nothing in your life. You didn’t even recognize me, Lily. I am Lewis Evans, the same boy who used to find excuses just to talk to you.”

His confession hung in the air, and she felt a mix of surprise and confusion. “The time has changed, and so have the people,” he added, his tone tinged with regret. “I didn’t expect you to remain the same as you were, but despite everything, you’re still supporting Ethan. It hurts to see this.he doesn’t deserve you.”

Finally, recognition dawned on Lily’s face. “Lewis? You?” She was shocked, her eyes widening as memories flooded back. The boy who had always been there, in the background, the one who had stood up for her during those difficult times in college.

“Yes,” he replied, his voice softer now. “I’m the same Lewis who beat up Ethan and got expelled from college because he came from a poor family—the one you never even paid attention to.”

“You come back to see my devastated life so that you can laugh at me? You’re so happy now that Ethan and I are separated, aren’t you? Did you see your chance to gloat?”

Her words struck him like a punch, and he felt a surge of frustration. “That’s not what this is about, Lily!” he shot back, his voice rising. “I’m trying to help you!”

“Help me?” she scoffed, her eyes narrowing. “By reminding me of my mistakes?"

Lewis clenched his jaw, unable to bear her misunderstanding. “You don’t get it! I’ve always cared about you, even when you didn’t notice me. I’m not here to gloat; I’m here because I want you to see how much better you deserve!”

She shook her head, disbelief etched on her features. “Better? Better than what? You think you can just waltz back into my life and tell me what I deserve? You have no idea what I’ve been through!”

In a moment of anger, he slammed on the brakes, pulling the car to a stop. “Get out,” he said firmly, his voice low but intense. “If you think I’m here to mock you, then maybe you don’t need me at all.”

Lily stared at him, her heart racing. “Fine! I will get out!” she snapped, her frustration boiling over. She opened the door, stepping out into the rain without a second thought.

“Lily!” he called after her, but she didn’t look back.

As she walked away, Lewis felt a mix of anger and hurt. He watched her for a moment, then turned the car around, driving away, the rain blurring the road ahead.

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