Chapter 35

Lily stood in front of the mirror in her apartment, adjusting her blouse, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. Today, she would resign from her job, a decision fraught with the weight of past pain and the chaos surrounding Ethan and Lewis.

Mia entered the room, noticing the tension in Lily’s expression. “Are you sure about this? If you leave this job, it will be hard to find another one,” she said, concern evident in her voice.

“I need to do this,” Lily replied, her voice steady but laced with anxiety. “I can’t keep living in this cycle of hurt. I need peace and a fresh start.”

Mia hesitated, searching Lily’s eyes for any sign of doubt. “Just promise me you’ll have a plan before jumping into the unknown.”

“I will,” Lily assured her, though fear still gnawed at her. “I deserve to find a place where I can heal.”

With a deep breath, she grabbed her resignation letter from the table, her hands trembling as she folded it. Steeling herself, she took one last look around her apartment, a space filled with memories both good and bad.

“Okay, I’m ready,” she said, determination replacing her fear.

As she opened the door to leave, her heart dropped. Standing there were Ethan's parents, Robert and Margaret, their expressions a mix of concern and guilt.

“Lily,” Margaret said softly, her voice trembling. “We were worried about you.”

Lily felt a rush of emotions—shock, sadness, and a deep ache for the love they had once shared. They had raised her after her parents’ death, loving and caring for her like their own daughter. But now, their presence reminded her of the void left by Ethan’s abandonment.

Robert stepped forward, his eyes filled with regret. “We should have been there for you, and we’re so sorry. We didn’t know how to help.”

Lily stood silent, her heart heavy. She felt the tears welling up in her eyes but held them back, not wanting to blame them for Ethan’s choices. Instead, she simply looked at them, taking in their familiar faces that had once brought her so much comfort.

Margaret reached out, her hand trembling as she touched Lily’s arm. “You mean so much to us. We love you, and we’ve missed you. Please let us be here for you now.”

Lily nodded slightly, feeling the warmth of their concern wash over her. She didn’t have the words to express the tumult of emotions inside her—hurt, confusion, and a flicker of hope—but she didn’t need to. Their presence spoke volumes.

“Please, come in,” Lily said, stepping aside to let them enter. The three of them settled into the living room, an awkward silence hanging in the air.

Finally, Robert broke the silence. “We never knew Ethan would do that to you. We thought you both were perfect together. I’m so sorry.”

Lily met his gaze, her heart aching for the pain they felt. “Dad, it’s not your fault. You did what you thought was best for me, and I really appreciate that.”

Relief washed over Robert and Margaret as they exchanged glances, their worry easing slightly.

Margaret, sensing the heaviness in the room, tried to lighten the mood. “Actually, we came here for a reason. It’s our wedding anniversary, and we would love for you to join us in celebrating.”

Lily hesitated, shaking her head. “Oh, I am so sorry; I totally forgot about that. Sorry, Dad, sorry, Mom. But I don’t think I can. It feels... complicated.”

Robert leaned forward, his expression earnest. “Lily, you’re still part of our family. You may not be our daughter-in-law anymore, but you will always be our daughter. You have every right to be there.”

Mia, who had been quietly observing, chimed in. “Lily, you should go.”

Lily looked between them, her heart swelling with conflicting emotions. She had always cherished the bond she shared with Robert and Margaret, and the thought of being part of their celebration filled her with warmth.

Taking a deep breath, she finally nodded. “Okay, I’ll. I’d like to be there.”

A smile broke across Margaret’s face, and Robert’s eyes lit up with gratitude. “Thank you, Lily. It means so much to us.”

****

Lily walked into the office building, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor as she made her way to CEO Lewis Evans' cabin. The atmosphere was charged with tension, and her heart raced with a mix of determination and apprehension.

She reached the door and knocked lightly, taking a moment to compose herself. “Come in,” Lewis called from inside, his voice carrying a hint of distraction.

Pushing the door open, she stepped inside, her expression cold and calm.

Lewis sat behind his massive desk, focused on a stack of papers, his brow furrowed in concentration.

As she approached, the air felt thick with unspoken words. She walked deliberately, her heart pounding in her chest, and placed the envelope on his desk.

Lewis looked up, confusion etched on his face. “What is it?” he asked, glancing between her and the envelope.

Lily took a deep breath, her voice steady. “Resignation letter,” she stated firmly, locking eyes with him.

Lewis stood when he heard her voice, confusion written across his face. “Why?” he asked, searching her eyes for answers.

Lily took a deep breath, her resolve firm. “I need a new start. I can’t move forward until I leave my past behind, and you are part of that painful past.”

She continued, “If I stay, you and Ethan will just fight again and again. I can’t be in the middle of that.”

“Lily, you don’t have to do that,” Lewis said, his voice laced with concern.

“My decision is final, please,” she replied firmly, her gaze unwavering.

He reached out to touch her hand, but she stepped back, warning him with a sharp look. “Don’t,” she said, her voice steady.

Lewis’s hand hovered in the air for a moment before he withdrew it, frustration flickering across his face. “Lily, we can work this out. I can help you through this.”

She shook her head, her heart heavy but resolute. “You don’t understand. I can’t heal while being reminded of the pain. I need to leave it all behind.”

“Running away won’t solve anything,” he countered, his voice rising slightly. “You’ll just end up facing the same issues elsewhere.”

“I’m not running away,” she shot back, her eyes narrowing. “I’m leaving behind a toxic environment. You and Ethan will just keep fighting, and I refuse to be stuck in the middle of your drama.”

Lewis’s expression shifted, but she didn’t care. “You’re making a mistake,” he said, frustration evident in his voice.

“No, you’re the mistake,” she replied coldly. “I need to prioritize my own well-being. I can’t stay here and deal with the chaos you create.”

Silence filled the room, thick with tension. Finally, Lewis sighed, clearly at a loss. “If this is truly what you want, I can’t stop you.”

“Good,” she said, her tone sharp. “Because I’m done with this place and everything it represents.”

With that, she turned on her heel and walked out of the office, leaving behind the weight of her past and stepping into a future that felt like liberation.