Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 81

LILY

ryse

When days passed without any news of Ryan's release, I knew I had to visit him. With the weekend offering a more convenient time, I decided to take their child along, despite having to sacrifice their extracurricular activities for the trip. Booking a night flight, we embarked on the journey.

Upon arrival, we spent the night at Becky's place, and the following morning, I headed to the detention center to see Ryan. After receiving a visitor pass, I was directed to the visitation room and settled in to wait for him.

After a few minutes, the door swung open, and Ryan entered. He stopped short, his expression clouding with surprise and confusion. "What are you doing here, Lily?" he questioned, his frown deepening. Rising from my seat, I closed the distance between us and enveloped him in a hug. Despite his reluctance to admit it, I knew he needed the comfort of a hug. His hands hung limply at his sides as I held him close. Gradually, he reciprocated, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his head against my neck.

We stood in silence for a moment before I gently pulled away from the embrace. "What's going on, Ryan? You assured me you were on the brink of resolving everything, yet here you are, behind bars." Ryan chuckled wryly as he walked over to the solitary seat. I followed suit, taking a seat opposite him. "It's nice to see you find humor in this situation," I remarked dryly. "But seriously, Ryan, what's really going on?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Someone was murdered, and someone has to be held accountable."

My confusion only deepened. "And why does that someone have to be you?" I pressed, unable to comprehend the situation fully.

"I'll just be here for a while," Ryan assured me, his tone calm. "I believe by now, the forensic results have been released, confirming the time of her death. All that needs to be done is to find CCTV footage or evidence proving my associates arrived after she was already deceased."

"And you believe they'll find it?" I asked skeptically, my doubts lingering. It wasn't uncommon for CCTV cameras in certain areas to malfunction, and the fact that they were taking so long to find evidence suggested that the camera near the victim's residence might indeed be out of order.

"Even if they don't, my father will," Ryan asserted confidently, his assurance causing a slight wave of relief to wash over me. Perhaps they did have the situation under control after all. "You look beautiful, by the way."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his attempt to lighten the mood. "This isn't the time for compliments, Ryan," I retorted, though his words did manage to bring a small smile to my lips.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Even if I were facing my last moments, Lily, I would still find a way to compliment you" Letting out a sigh, he leaned back, crossed his arms, and fixed his gaze on me. "Promise me something, though. If I end up spending

more time in here, don't come back."

request. "What

detention uniform," he explained with a rasp in his voice. "So, don't come back here. When I'm released, I want you to wait for me

at his unconventional request. "I thought chicken was supposed to be paired

refined for a bottle of beer,

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Jul 23

Chapter 81

intervened. "How are

a recent conversation with Liam. "They all miss

imagine. I promised him I'd attend his

make it up to him," I reassured him. Glancing at my wristwatch, I realized our time was running out. "I guess my visitation time is up." As

softly, stepping into his embrace. I inhaled the lingering scent of his cologne, knowing it would fade in time. "You have to get out of

urge to cry, I pulled back, meeting his gaze. "Don't be so smug, Ryan. It would crush the kids if

searched mine earnestly.

the question, but ultimately, I knew he deserved the truth. "Yes,

get out of here. I can't bear to break your

unexpectedly encountered Sarah and Stephanie. Choosing to ignore their presence, I continued walking towards my destination, but Sarah and

her, regarded, me with

to stay away from my son?" Sarah bellowed with

tone accusatory. "You're neither a

of you can offer him. You should

trying to play smart

but you just have to swallow it," I retorted, fixing them with a steely glare before continuing on my path towards my car. With purposeful strides

"Where are