Chapter 54

Lily walked out of the office, her stride long and purposeful. Mia called out after her, "Lily! Lily, wait!"

Lily stopped in her tracks, turning to face Mia. "What is it?" she asked, her voice calm but distant.

Mia's eyes narrowed. "What's wrong? You just walked out like that without saying a word."

Lily's expression was guarded. "I need some alone time, Mia. That's all."

Mia's face twisted in frustration. "Lily Everhart!" she shouted, her voice echoing down the hallway. "Stop right there!"

Lily's eyes flashed with annoyance, but she didn't move.

Mia's voice was fierce. "Stop running from your emotions, Lily. Tell me what happened. I need to know everything. Everything means everything."

Lily's gaze locked onto Mia's, a mix of emotions swirling in her eyes. For a moment, it seemed like she might open up, but then her mask slipped back into place. "Just give me some space, Mia," she said, her voice firm but barely above a whisper.

Mia's face fell, but she didn't back down. "No, Lily. I'm not going to let you shut me out this time. You're going to tell me what's going on, and you're going to tell me now."

Lily's eyes dropped, and she took a deep breath before beginning to speak. "Mia, We were all in school and college together—Ethan, Lewis, and I. I was always drawn to Ethan and Lewis... Lewis would try to talk to me and spend time with me. He had feelings for me, Mia. But Ethan and Lewis were enemies back then, and I didn't want to upset Ethan, so I would distance myself from Lewis every time he tried to come close."

Mia's eyes widened in understanding. "Oh, Lily."

Lily's voice cracked. "And now... look at where I am. I loved Ethan with all my heart since childhood, and what did he give me? Heartbreak, cheating, pain... He killed our child and left me. And Lewis... Lewis is still in the same place, with the same feelings for me. I don't know how to process this, Mia. I feel guilty. I don't deserve Lewis's respect."

Mia's face filled with compassion, and she opened her arms. "Lily, come here."

Lily hesitated for a moment before stepping into Mia's hug. Mia wrapped her arms tightly around Lily, holding her close as she began to sob.

"It's not your fault, Lily," Mia whispered, her voice full of empathy. "You didn't know what would happen with Ethan. And Lewis... Lewis's feelings for you are not something you can control. You deserve respect, Lily, no matter what."

Lily's body shook with her tears, and Mia held her close, letting her cry it out. As they stood there, Mia's hug was the only thing holding Lily together, a reminder that she wasn't alone in her pain.

Mia patted Lily's back, her touch gentle but firm. "You are a strong woman, Lily," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "Did you forget how you faced Ethan and showed Sarah her place? You're a queen, Lily. A bad bitch."

Lily's sobs slowly subsided, and she pulled back, her eyes red-rimmed but determined. Mia's words had struck a chord within her.

Mia's expression was fierce. "You have to be strong, Lily. You have to be strong until Ethan pays for what he did to you. Okay?"

Lily nodded, a spark of defiance igniting in her eyes. She took a deep breath, her shoulders squaring. "You're right, Mia. I won't let him break me. I'll make him pay."

Mia smiled, a fierce glint in her eye. "That's my girl."

Lily wiped her tears away, a small smile playing on her lips. "Now wipe your shitty tears, Lily," Mia said, her voice dry but affectionate. "I hate this salty water."

Lily chuckled, the sound a welcome relief after her tears. "You're ridiculous, Mia," she said, shaking her head.

"Let's go home," Mia said, her expression softening.

Lily nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Yeah, let's go."

****

Lewis sat alone at the table, his eyes fixed on the empty chair across from him where Lily had once sat. He felt a mix of guilt and anger swirling inside him. Once again, she had left without any explanation, without caring about his feelings.

He stood up, his movements abrupt, and walked out of the restaurant. The cool air hit him as he stepped outside, but it did little to calm the turmoil brewing within him. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was always left waiting, always left wondering what he had done wrong.

"When will you understand my feeling, Lily, when?" Lewis whispered to himself, his voice laced with frustration and desperation. He walked towards his car, his long strides eating up the distance.

As he got into the car, he started the engine and put the pedal to the metal, feeling the rush of adrenaline as the car surged forward. He drove at full speed, the world around him a blur. He didn't care about anything and didn't care about the consequences. All he wanted was to leave the world behind, to escape the pain and frustration that had been building up inside him.

The speedometer needle climbed higher and higher, the engine roaring as Lewis pushed the car to its limits. He felt a sense of freedom, of release, as the world whizzed by in a blur. But deep down, he knew it was just a temporary escape, that the pain and frustration would still be there when he finally came to a stop.

The edge of the cliff loomed before him, the wind whipping his hair into a frenzy as he gazed out at the breathtaking view. This was his sanctuary, the place where he often came to find peace and solace. The vast expanse of the landscape stretched out before him, seemingly endless and untouched.

Lewis stood there, the wind buffeting him, but he didn't feel it. He was lost in his thoughts, his mind consumed by the turmoil that had been brewing inside him. He breathed in deeply, the fresh air filling his lungs, and closed his eyes, letting the silence wash over him.

For a moment, he felt a sense of calm, a sense of peace that he rarely found elsewhere. But it was short-lived, as the memories of Lily and his unrequited love came flooding back, and the pain and frustration returned, gnawing at his heart.

****