Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 94

RYAN

After a long day at the office, I finally made it home, only to be interrupted by the doorbell ringing. Trusting my staff to handle it, I headed upstairs to unwind.

Despite the possibility of a visitor waiting downstairs, I indulged in a leisurely shower, taking my time to relax. Once refreshed and changed into something more comfortable, I descended the stairs to investigate the earlier disturbance.

Upon entering the living room, I was inet with a surprising siglu an array of suitcases scattered about. There was no need to inquire about their owner, as the familiar voices of Stephanie and my mother drifted from the kitchen.

As if coordinated, they emerged from the kitchen, each carrying a bottle of water. Stephanie's face lit up with a wide smile upon seeing me. "Hello, husband," she greeted warmly.

Hearing Stephanie refer to me as "husband" made me inwardly cringe. "What are both of you doing here?" I questioned, disreganding her greeting and gesturing to the scattered boxes around. "and what's with the ridiculous boxes everywhere?"

Tm moving in soon," Stephanie declared, her tone matter-of-fact.

Turning my gaze from her to my mother, I sought an explanation. "Stephanie's a fashion icon, which means she has a lot of belongings. It's best for her to start moving her things in gradually to avoid any hassle after the wedding," my mother offered in justification.

Frustration bubbling within tne, I directed my ire at my mother haven't addressed you yet," I snapped, feeling my patience wearing thin. Fixing my gaze back on Stephanie, I repeated my question with more force. "What is all of this?"

Rolling her eyes, Stephanie brushed past me. Your mother already explained," she retorted, making her way to the sofa and taking a seat. Since you don't want a big wedding. I suggest we get married by next weekend."

"Wait!" My mother's voice cut through the tension as she hurried over to where Stephanie was seated. "What do you mean by you aren't having a big wedding?" Stephanie shrugged casually. It's your son's decision, not mine, he replied nonchalantly.

My mother turned her gaze towards me, likely intending to repeat her question which she just directed to Stephanie, but a sharp glare from me silenced her. "I will have my lawyer draw up a prenuptial agreement, I declared firmly

Stephanie raised an eyebrow in response. "We're signing that?" she questioned incredulously. When I didn't immediately respond, she scoffed. "Do you honestly believe that I'm after your money?" "I wouldn't put it past you," I retorted tersely.

My mother, sensing the tension, finally voiced her concerns. "Why are you only having a legal wedding, Ryan?"

I met Stephanie's gaze. "Do you want to pretend that you don't know I don't want to make her my wife?" I replied coldly, then turned away, heading towards the bar. "On your way out, take all these boxes with you, I added, dismissing them both with a wave of my hand.

you referring to me

you, I replied thatly, my frustration

bringing some of my belongings to my future husband's house? Her accusatory gaze bore into me. "Unless you're hiding something." Her eyes darted

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Chapter 14

to Lily, I stated firmly, trying

she jutted out her chin. "You know

bottle on the counter

But before could reach her, my mother intervened,

is wrong with you. Ryan't she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief and disappointment.

surge of frustration, I clenched my fists, wanting to slap some sense into Stephanie. I turned to my mother, locking eyes with her. "You did not raise me," I stated fly, my tone

is that?" she inquired, her voice filled

that," I replied bluntly, my patience wearing thin. Fed up with the conversation. I grabbed the bottle and made my way up the

The next morning, to my relief, neither

faltered as he caught sight of

I deadpanned, shooting Angelo a pointed look. "We will discuss what you just said after he leaves." Redirecting my attention to the detective, I urged him

Angelo skeptically, but I reassured him. "It's fine. You can say whatever you want

find out that Sophia's parents contacted ber and informed her that you were on your way to find her

evident as I pressed for more information. "And? That can't be all

to her and for her to have

for any lead that could bring me closer to finding who murdered

the detective informed me, observing my frustration evident in the furrowing

murderer.

out of that place, he continued, offering some insight. "And the signal from the line she used to contact her parents was active twenty-four hours after her death,

you do, do not hesitate to inform

he assured me with an