Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 103

LILY

I was engrossed in my work at the office when my phone suddenly rang, interrupting my concentration. Frowning at the unfamiliar number displayed on the screen, I hesitated for a moment before deciding to answer it. As a doctor, I knew that it could potentially be an emergency, so I couldn't afford to ignore it.

Swiping the answer button, I brought the phone to my ear. "Dr. Urch," I greeted professionally.

To my dismay, a familiar voice scoffed on the other end, instantly souring my mood. "I thought by now, you would have gone back to answering a Williams," he sneered bitterly.

Rolling my eyes at his bitterness, I put the call on speakerphone so I could multitask while dealing with whatever nonsense he was about to throw at me. "What do you want, Jake? I'm very busy at the moment," I responded, trying to keep my annoyance in check.

There was a brief silence on the other end, and for a moment, I thought he had hung up. But then his voice came through abruptly. "I think something is wrong with me, doctor," he admitted.

My finger hesitated over the laptop keys as I processed Jake's words. "What is wrong with you, Jake?" I asked, my concern mingling with skepticism. Could he truly be serious? Was something genuinely wrong with him? Despite our adversarial relationship, I was bound by my oath as a doctor to provide assistance when needed.

"Can

you explain your symptoms?" I pressed, hoping for a clearer understanding of his condition.

"My heart," he whispered hoarsely, his voice filled with pain. "It hurts so hard, and it's filled with anger and resentment."

typing, unable to fully engage with Jake's plight. "I don't have time for your games, Jake. And please, stop calling me from different numbers. I blocked your old number

filed

1/3

III

0

Chapter 10a

pitying my eardrums. "Of all men to leave me

you for..." I paused, my mind racing with the truth I wanted to express but I kept them to myself. "For such psychopathic behavior," I finally asserted. "When you behave like this, Jake, I can't help but feel afraid and wonder how

didn't miss it," he spat back bitterly. "I just didn't show it." His admission sent a chill down my spine, and I couldn't help but question why I had ever been with someone

out this side of me every damn time," he continued,

should thank him," I muttered under my breath. "I should thank him for finally seeing through the facade and recognizing the

of the line, and I wondered if he was crying, but I dared not ask. "Don't call me again, Jake," I

his

in my mind, sending a shiver down my

calling once more. However, I was surprised to see Becky's number on the caller ID. Putting aside my work, I answered the call and settled back in my

greeted enthusiastically. "How

right now," Becky responded

my face faded, replaced by concern. "Is everything okay? Is

about me," she blurted out. "It's about you,