Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 18 RYAN I went back to the penthouse I rented with so much anger, why I am angry, I do not know. I mean what she said was actually the truth. Even thou I do not want to admit it, I failed to fulfill the vows I made at the altar. Lily was a lovely girl, don't get me wrong, but when I got married to her, I didn't because I loved her, rather I did because I wanted to prove to Stephenie that I had gotten over her and that I could live life to the fullest without her. In the first year of marriage with Lily. I always kept my eyes on my phone, waiting for a text from Steplenie telling me that she was wrong for having left me, but it never happened. I kept my eyes on my social media, posting Lily and buying her things just to get Stephinie's attention but that didn't happen. I remember thinking to myself, maybe I wasn't doing enough, maybe I wasn't showing Lily off enough, which was why I doubled the gifts and attention I gave to her, it made Lily fall deeper and also convinced herself of the illusion that I loved her deeply. When all of my efforts to gain Stephanie's attention turned futile, my feelings slowly grew into frustration. I was frustrated at myself and everything, but I tried not to let it affect Lily. I thought of another way to grab Stephnie's attention and that was whe 1 thought about having babies with Lily, I was convinced that having babies would definitely grab her attention, besides, I too loved children. Lily failed to give me a child, I willingly visited many clinics with her but to no avail, and when the baby wasn't forthcoming, I became even more frustrated. I was so convinced that this was the only thing that would make Stephenie feel bad and apologize. Two years after we started wanting for a baby, nothing happened. I even had to tell Lily to quit her job as a medical doctor, and that I will take care of her and all her needs because I felt the stress that comes from her line of profession was also part of the reason she isn't able to conceive yet. Even after she quit her job, nothing happened, and I felt both angry and frustrated towards her. I spent more time on my work than the time I spent with Lily, allowing my parents to keep her company, but I guess they aren't the best when it comes to keeping her company. Slowly, it became a pattern, only coming home to have with her and having her attend events with me. I began to feel empty, and I was still in the process of feeling guilty that I found out that the law firm handling my company hired someone else, and that person had been put in charge of any legal matters concerning my company. Curious to meet this person, and also out of curiosity, I set up a meeting, only to find out that it was Stephanie. At first, I rejected her working for me, but when she came to my office and told me that her parents forced her into getting married to an old man or using their power as one of the biggest law firms to file legal cases against my company. She told me she chose to marry the old man and decided to keep it on the low and avoid me because she couldn't look me in the eyes, which was why she broke up with me over the phone. She told me she was subjected to domestic violence by the man's children, and the old man just allowed his sons to treat her anyway they wanted She claimed that she was only back in the country because the old man had died and his sons kicked her out, and this law firm is her way of getting back on her feet because her parents refused to let her back into the form. I took pity on her and let her in, allowing her to work as my company's legal team. While we worked together, I noticed the attraction, but I wasn't one to cheat, which was why I started demanding a divorce from Lily. Stephenie knew I wanted her, but I told her that I wouldn't have anything to do with her until I had legally divorced my wife and she was cool with it. I gave Lily all the wealth I gave her during the divorce settlement because I guess she deserved it for having endured the treatment from me and my parents. I gave to her as a form of appreciation for being there for me when Stephenie wasn't. She was a rebound that I never loved or so I thought. The day 1 divorced Lily and Stephanie stood on her tiptoes and me, I knew something was wrong. I found myself, comparing her to Lily. however, I chose to live in denial for six years until I ran into Lily again, until I saw her eyes desperately wanting me to stay away from her, until I saw her wrapped in another man's arms. So here I am, wanting her again, wanting her as badly as I wanted Stepghinle back then, if not more. Walking into the penthouse, I was greeted with the sight of Stephenie, dressed in a tiny strap nightdress, and the robe flowing down to her body. "Where are you coming from?" she snapped. "You left me all alone in that hospital to take a phone call and you never returned, only to have your security take me home!" Walking straight to the kitchen, I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. "Didn't you missed the sarcasm, something Lily would have caught on get home safely?" I asked sarcastically and of course, she st nine in the night!" That's beside the

point Ryan" she yelled, "Where the heck have you been? It is already past "Keep yelling and you will not see me for the rest of the night, 1 warned, walking out of the kitchen with the bottle in my my gup. "I had a bad day Ad closed by Gla 11:33 AM Chapter 18 Stephenie, please do not add to it" "You went to see her right?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. I halted abruptly, turned around, and glared at her. "Is that an accusation I hear!" she grumbled incoherent words. "Yes, I went to see her so thank her for helping is see Dr. Sarah Her lips tightened. "that wasn't necessary." "And who are you to decide that? I asked her with an arched brow. "You of all people know how much I dislike owing people a favor." Wrapping her robe tighter around her body, she glared at me. "what did you offer her?" "I told her to make a request," I replied. Stephanie scoffed. "I bet my ass she wanted you to kick me out out of you your life." That would have been a simpler request. "she wanted me not to show up around her or her house." I spat. "Happy?" just the thought of it is messing up my mood the more. "Are you happy now!!" "Yes, but you don't," she deadpanned, "that's by the way. I ordered dinner and I have been waiting for you to get back so we can so we can eat together." Turning. I returned walking up the stairs. "I am not hungry." Walking into our bedroom, 1 banged the door loudly, anger coursing through my veins. How dare she tell me to stay away from her? She is going to be seeing me more often now more than ever. I