Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 154

RYAN

I decided to head to the office early this morning because I had a plan in mind to head back to Canada by the weekend. I wanted to be with my family, and there was something unsettling about a new man who seemed to be spending too much time around my wife. I couldn't just sit by idly. I had to protect them and, more importantly, remind Lily of my love for her, to ensure she wasn't influenced or distracted by anyone else.

As I was settling into work, I heard a soft knock on my office door. Before I could respond, my secretary stepped in, placing a document on my desk.

"Here are the papers that need your signature, sir," she said calmly.

It was impressive how quickly Palmer had adapted to her responsibilities around here. "Did you review them, Palmer?" I asked while glancing over the top sheet. She nodded. "Yes, I went through everything."

"I'll take a look myself before getting back to you," I said, acknowledging her thoroughness but preferring to double-check the details. "Give me a little time."

"Of course, sir." I assumed she'd leave after that, but she lingered for a moment.

"There's someone here to see you, sir," she added cautiously.

I shifted my focus entirely from the documents and looked at her. "Who is it?"

"It's Ms. Maya," she said softly.

What does she want? I nodded towards my secretary. "Let her in."

Palmer gave me a quick nod and slipped out of the room, her shoes barely making a sound as they retreated down the hall. A few seconds later, the door creaked open, and in walked Maya, moving with confidence like she owned the place. She always had that audacious walk. "Good morning, brother," she greeted, her voice dripping with a forced sweetness.

I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms and staring her down, fully aware that she thought she could play some twisted game with me. "What are you doing here, Maya?" My tone was sharp, cutting through the pleasantries. "More properties under your name, is that it?" She shrugged nonchalantly and slid into the seat across from me, crossing her legs. "I'm not greedy, dear brother, but I get angry when someone pushes me against the wall."

I arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You're not making any sense," I said flatly, not trying to mask the irritation rising within me.

She leaned back in the chair, her smirk widening as if she held some invisible cards in her hand. "I know you sent someone to my room to take a sample of my hair," she said, her voice low but biting.

My expression didn't falter, though inside, I was taken aback. How in the world did she find out about that? Keeping my face blank, I tilted my head slightly and spoke with as much disdain as I could muster. "You came all the way to my office to spout this nonsense?" I wasn't about to let her know she'd rattled me.

"You're not denying it,"

I gestured toward the pile of documents on my desk, a clear sign

results come in-and trust me, they'll

confident about the outcome, and it made me uneasy. But I wasn't

will hasn't been read yet, and I'm telling you now, if you're not mentioned

cheek, flipping her hair with arrogance. "I heard the will reading is tomorrow," she said, clearly fishing for a reaction. I refused to give her one, blinking slowly in response, making it clear I wasn't going to rise to her bait. "I want to be there," she added,

property," I said coldly,

lie to me," she shot back. "You look like someone who would do anything to keep me from my

not a thief," I gritted out. "And these are legal documents-they're binding by law. There's nothing I could do to change the outcome, even if I wanted to." I took a breath, forcing myself to stay calm. "The only compromise I'm willing to make is involving you in

but

sniffed, her eyes

"You'd better call me, Ryan," she said, standing up. "I'm not the type to stand outside your gate, screaming

reach her eyes. "But/dn't

trust me, you don't want to find out just how

that, she snatched her purse off my desk and

*************

hospital. My stomach tightened as I clicked t open, knowing it contained the DNA test results. Skipping past the irrelevant details,

to the gut. There

onto the bed, the screen dimming as it landed with a soft thud. Anger bubbled inside me, not just at the result, but at the

this to us? Now I had the daunting task of figuring out how to break the news to my mom and, even more critically, how to stop Maya from being

her photos before she had the

lost in thought, there was a knock at the door. It opened, and my mom walked in, her eyes narrowing

"I'm fine, just a little stressed about work," I said, not wanting to burden her with my worries. I needed to talk to Lily when I got back to Canada; she might have the best ideas

a curt nod.

head, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized me. "Are you sure you're okay? You

trying to

she walked over and planted a gentle kiss on my cheek before heading out. Once the door closed behind her, I picked up

going to call," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, making my frustration