LOGINLily wrapped both her hands around the warm cup of coffee, staring at the surface like it might give her an answer.
“I really don’t understand him,” she said, her voice tight with frustration.“He’s so unpredictable. One moment he’s there, the next he’s gone. He doesn’t explain anything.”Noah was sitting across from her in her office, leaning back slightly in her chair. She took a slow sip of her coffee and watched Lily carefully. Since she arrived, all she had talked about was David. Every complaint, every sigh, every confused thought somehow circled back to him.“Then try to understand him,” Noah said calmly.Lily looked up at her, annoyed. “How? He doesn’t say anything. Not a word. What am I supposed to understand from silence?”Noah sighed. She set her cup down and leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.“Have you looked at yourself lately?&rdquoHis tears. His guilt. His words about waiting. His sadness. His fear of losing her again.Was it all an act?The anger rushed through her veins like fire.Her blood boiled.“So this is it,” she muttered bitterly. “This is your truth.”Her hand tightened around the phone.Without giving herself time to hesitate, Lily went to his contact and blocked his number.One press. Final.“If you think you can play with me,” she whispered, her voice shaking with fury, “you’re wrong.”She wasn’t that woman anymore.She wasn’t the Lily Collins who waited patiently while being hurt for other women. She wasn’t the one who crawled back no matter how much pain he caused.If David thought he could walk in and out of her life, pulling her close one moment and pushing her away the next, he was mistaken.Very mistaken.Lily placed the phone face down on the table and lay back on the bed, staring into the darkness.Her heart hurt.But her resolve was firm.This time, she wouldn’t break.The next morning, Li
“Are you not coming?”Lily had already stepped out of the car with Danish when she noticed David was still sitting behind the wheel. The engine was running, his hands resting on the steering wheel, but he hadn’t moved to get out. Something about it felt wrong.She turned back and looked at him.David hesitated. For a brief second, it looked like he wanted to say something else. His lips parted, then pressed together again. He avoided her eyes.“I’m sorry,” he finally said. “I have a meeting. I can’t come tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow.”Lily felt the words hit her chest harder than she expected.She let out a slow breath, biting down on her lower lip, forcing herself to stay quiet. She didn’t trust her mouth right now. If she spoke, she was sure something sharp and regretful would come out.So this was it.He was avoiding her.The thought made her chest tighten with frustration. All day he had been distant. Silent. Cold in that calm way that hurt more than anger ever could.Without me
Jabco didn’t speak. For the first time that night, he seemed genuinely caught off guard. His jaw tightened, and he glanced at Riyana without meaning to. Riyana immediately lowered her head again, her fingers curling into the fabric of her dress.“Miss Collins…” Riyana said carefully, trying to ease the tension.Lily turned to her at once. “Miss Rivan,” she said firmly, “you don’t need to be scared of him. He can’t shut me up.”Then she turned back to Jabco.His lips pressed into a thin line. He was annoyed now, but he was holding it in.“Lily,” he said, voice low, “what are you actually trying to say? I invited you for dinner, not an argument.”Lily leaned back more comfortably, crossing her arms.“I’m not trying to start anything,” she said. “I just want you to give her tomorrow off.”Jabco blinked. “Tomorrow off?” He
Jabco straightened up and looked at Lily. “How are you feeling now?” His voice was calmer, more careful.“I’m fine,” Lily replied. “Really.”Her eyes shifted slightly, and only then did she notice Riyana standing a little behind Jabco. Riyana’s posture was straight, professional, her hands clasped in front of her like always.“Oh,” Lily said, realizing. “Hi.”She lifted her hand in a small wave.Riyana smiled politely and bowed her head slightly. “Good evening, Miss. Collins.”They walked into the restaurant together. The place was quiet and elegant, soft music playing in the background. A waiter approached them and asked about their reservation.Jabco gave his name, and the waiter led them to a reserved table near the window.As they sat down, Lily glanced at Riyana again. She was still standing beside Jabco, not taking a seat.Lily frowned.“I
Lily wrapped both her hands around the warm cup of coffee, staring at the surface like it might give her an answer.“I really don’t understand him,” she said, her voice tight with frustration.“He’s so unpredictable. One moment he’s there, the next he’s gone. He doesn’t explain anything.”Noah was sitting across from her in her office, leaning back slightly in her chair. She took a slow sip of her coffee and watched Lily carefully. Since she arrived, all she had talked about was David. Every complaint, every sigh, every confused thought somehow circled back to him.“Then try to understand him,” Noah said calmly.Lily looked up at her, annoyed. “How? He doesn’t say anything. Not a word. What am I supposed to understand from silence?”Noah sighed. She set her cup down and leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.“Have you looked at yourself lately?&rdquo
When she finished, she stepped back, her hands lingering in the air before dropping to her sides.“All done,” she said softly.David didn’t move right away.“You look tired,” Lily said, finally lifting her eyes to him. “You should rest.”He gave a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I will later.”She hesitated, then asked, “Will you come back early?”“Yes,” he answered without pause. “I won’t be long.”That answer eased something in her chest, even though she didn’t fully understand why.As he reached for the door, Lily spoke again.“David.”He stopped and turned back.“Thank you,” she said. Her voice was low, but steady. “For staying. For everything.”He looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable.“You don’t need to thank me,” he said







