Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 129

RYAN

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Stephanie was laid to rest today and I didn't even bother showing up, not that I didn't want to, or that she didn't deserve my last respect, but because Jake is getting picked up today and I do not want to miss the FaceTime with Lily.

Angelo had to go in place of the family because well...my father blatantly refused to go. He swore that nothing would connect him to that family ever.

My phone vibrated on the table, and the moment I glanced at it and saw an unsaved number I picked it up without even waiting for a signal from detective Balham.

"I'm switching it to FaceTime." Jake informed me before the call switched.

Lily's beautiful face stared back at me. The pain and emptiness in her eyes showed me that she is slowly losing it and that I have to get her out of there quick.

"Lily," I breathed out and the tears which had polled in her eyes rolled down her cheeks. "I'm sorry.” I apologized.

I shouldn't have maintained my stance on her not going, or I should have left with her, then none of this would have been happening. "I miss you, the boys too but we're all strong for you, the same way we want you to be strong for us."

Her opened her mouth and spoke, but I couldn't hear a thing of what she said. That bastard muted her mic.

"I love you Lily," I reminded her, "Give me a nod if you can hear me." She nodded slowly which made me force a smile for her sake. "I'll get you home soon Lily, and I swear on everything I have, I'll but a bad dream which will make you forget all these crazy ordeal, it will be nothing

never will come true."

As she nodded. More tears rolled down her cheeks.

Jake picked the phone up. "Your time is up Ryan, I'm heading out, and like I said earlier, in three days you'll recieve a mail telling you of her location. Lwas certain you'll not fail

me."

Before I could respond, the call disconnected I turned y to detective Balham and his crew. "Were you able to find the location of the call?"

who was working with the machine

1821/

Chapter 129

Aug

I'm In Canada right now, with men out in the streets, looking for anyone that has a resemblance with

it down to the area of Tursujug national park, but no

my shoulder and squeezed. "Do

home soon."

water alone is daunting right

Dad reassured me, "I'm sure she'll

home."

means she's far

too."

to a close. My mind was drifting, thinking about anything but the heavy events of the day, of the fact that Lily was all alone right

and Angelo stepped in. His face was tired, eyes dark with the weight of the day. He didn't say anything at first, just walked over and dropped into the armchair in the

rubbing his hands over his face. "It was going as well as a funeral could, I guess. Everyone

a

expression tense. "Stephanie's mother saw me. She

I frowned. "What happened?"

thinks it's your

leaned back, processing his words. "Why would she think

she found Stephanie's journal," Angelo

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Chapter 129

broke her heart. She thinks that's what

irritated than anything. "That's ridiculous. We had

wasn't the

sure,

nodded, his expression sympathetic. "I know, man. But grief makes people look for someone to blame. Right now,