Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 90

REAN

"It's clem that you've lost your damn mind, exclaimed, my fredation boiling ever as I surveyed the room, dismayed by the silent agreement of the other ocupants "Have you completely lost touch with reality? My gaze here into Stephanie's, saching for any trace of reason amidst the madness.

un

She shrugged stifferently, her demeanos seitlingly calm. "Who would want in marry a woman with diminished chances of bearing children?" she retouted colilly.

The callousness of her statement struck a nerve, and I felt a mirge of anger the within me. Some men wouldn't care about vw by things I Lily had been in Stephanie's position, I would lune loved her unconditionally, regardless of her inability to

Tim genuinely sorry that this has happencil to you, Stephanie, lidmitted, my voice tinged with empathy. "But attempting to mansalate me into marriage through hlas kinail will only lead to a lifetime of mise for you. I cannot and will not love you, Mier the circumstances

"Let that be my concern, Stephanie replied stoically, her resolve unyielding. You have from today until I'm discharged to consider me proposal. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll proceed with legal action against her"

Her ultimatum felt like a slap in the face, and I struggled to contain my anger. "You're resorting to blackmail? 1 retorted increstulously, my tone laced with contempt. "You're hoping to provoke a response from me, aren't you?" With a humorless chuckle, I shook my head in disbelief. "Well, congratulations, you'll get one." With that, I turned on my heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind me. Angelo offers to take the wheel, knowing that driving in such state of agitation wasn't advisable. I tossed him the key and settled into the passenger seal

"Where to?" Angelo inquired as he started the engine, his eyes focused on the road ahead.

"Home," I murmured, uny mind swirling with conflicting thoughts and emotions. Angelo wordlessly obeyed, navigating the car out of the parking space and onto the familiar route home.

to Lily, vowed to protect her from the repercussions of Stephanie's accinations. But the ultimatum Stephanie had just thrown

stop in my driveway, I reached for the door handle, ready to call it a day. However, Angelo's words halted me in my tracks, "I think it's safe to say you're in a dilemma," he remarked solemmply, his gaze meeting mine. "And the only person who can help you out of

surface. Why should I have to rely on my father to solve my problems?

gesture of zipping his lips shut, signaling his understanding. "So what's the plan?" he inquired, his gaze steady as he

his sudden willingness to engage in conversation. "I thought

"That was my way of letting you know I won't say anything to your

situation. I don't have one yet," 1 admitted, frustration creeping into my voice. "But hopefully, I'll conse up with something after a good night's

Chapter 90

my earlier dismissal of the idea. Sensing my growing frustration, he raised his hands in a placating

acquiesced, allowing him to make

voice solemn. "And I have every reason to believe that she's taking their side. She's likely going to discuss this with

considered his argument carefully. While my father wasn't one to blindly follow my mother's directives, her influence was undeniable.

type to make decisions just because my mother told him to, I countered, shaking my head. "If he's not in support of it, it doesn't

you sure

and made my way to my bedroom, my steps heavy with exhaustion. Collapsing onto the bed,

shrill ringing of my phone shattered the silence of the room, jolting me awake. Blinking blearily, I reached for my phone

voice boomed through the room, his tone laced

confirm the caller's identity. "Call you over what?" I replied groggily, still half-asleep. "Last 1 checked, you're fine." "Don't you dare try to play smart with me," he shot back, his voice steely with resolve. "How many times have I told you to reach out to me anytime you're faced with