Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 88

RYAN

After managing to calm Lily downs, I couldn't shake the feeling that the seas more concerned about Stephanie than the jeopardy het career faced Given Stephanie's tenacity, I knew she wouldn't let this matter rest easily.

Sliding into my car, I dialed Angelo's mumber, and he answered promptly. "There's been an incident between Lily and Stephanie at the central mall parking lot. I need you to obtain the CCTV footage for the entire day, no matter the cost Secure a copy for me and ensure the original is deleted, I instructed briskly.

"Is everything alright?" Angelo inquired, histone laced with concern as he attempted to grasp the gravity of the situation.

"Just follow my instructions, Angelo," I replicil terely before ending the call

My plan at the moment is to make my way to the hospital, hopeful that conversation with Stephanie would help resolve the escalating conflict before it spiraled out of control.

AcFreached to start the car, a gentle tap on the window startled me. Turning, I saw Becky standing there, her expression serious. Opening the door, I stepped out, concern etched on my face. "Is everything alright?" I asked. Lily already fell adeep before I left, so everything should be fine with her.

Becky met my gaze with intensity. "How serious is the trouble she's in?" she asked bluntly, her tone brooking no evasion "And do you have what it takes to resolve it? Before I could respond, she raised a hand, silencing me with a firm gesture. "Give it to me straight, Ryan. I'm not Lily, and I'm not fragile. Don't sugarcoat the truth for my sake

"We will know how deep of a trouble she is in when I see the footage from the parking lot" I replied, "but even if she is in trouble, I am not letting Lily go to jail. I have been in jail, and I know how fucked up it is in there and I am not letting my woman to go through that shit

"And her license?" she asked, still not convinced that I will be able to get Lily out of this unscathed. "You are dealing with family of lawyers that clearly hates Lily. They will do everything to see her go through pain Will you be able to save her license?"

"I swear it, nothing is going to happen to Lily and her career."

She exhaled with relief. "I am sorry to say this Ryan, but this is all your fault. If you had really stayed away from Lily, she won't have Stephanie trying to confront her at any point and she wouldn't be in this mess."

As Becky's words sank in, I couldn't help but acknowledge the truth in her assessment. "I shouldn't have divorced her, I muttered ruefully, the weight of regret heavy in my chest.

Becky's nod of agreement only served to amplify my remorse. "Yes, you shouldn't have," she affirmed softly, her forced smile belying the gravity of the situation. "Tll trust you one more time, Ryan. Let's hope you don't let me down again." With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving me to grapple with my own thoughts.

her vanish into the elevator, I lingered for

shop, selecting a delicate bloom for Stephanie as a token of goodwill With the flower

to ask for my name because they already know who I am

III

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Chapter 88

into the elevator, I punched the button for Stephanie's ward. As the elevator ascended, I couldn't help but notice my father's secmity detail stationed in the hallway, their resperifal

prestike.

in the quiet corridor. Pausing at the door, I rapped twice before entering, finding Stephanie

a tentative smile, unsure of how to approach a woman who had just suffered such a profound loss Extending the bouquet of flowers towards her,

unreadable. I never imagined it would take me ending up in the hospital for you to bring me flowers,"

a seat beside her on the bed, my concern evident in the furrow of my brow "How are you feeling? I inquired gently, hoping to offer some semblance of comfort. "I feel like I need a hug," she murmured, her voice choked with emotion. "It feels so surreal that

in me anymore.

her, offering what little solace I could in the face of her profound loss. "Im sorry, Steph," I whispered, my heart aching for her. "If I could,

you

allowing her to release her grief in the safety of my embrace. I

I ruined your shirt," she

to sue her, Ryan," she declared, her gaze fixed on her angers as she spoke. "She's going to face legal consequences

What really happened?" I

she awaited my response. "Did you come

aware of the delicate nature of our conversation. "Steph, I'm not here to make excuses for

Ryan?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with incredulity. "I've just lost our baby, and that's all you have to say? Brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, she continued, her tone laced with

deeply she regrets what happened" Stephanie's expression darkened as she

tension. "You both could sit down and

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