Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

RYAN

I had taken the boys out to the park for some fresh air. It felt good to step outside for a while, and I was relieved when I received a call saying that my mom had gone out herself.

She had been cooped up in the house for too long, and I had been worried it was affecting her mental health. She hadn't been herself lately, snapping at everyone except the kids over the smallest things. I figured it was the weight of everything she was bottling up-grief, frustration, and perhaps a feeling of helplessness.

After spending some time with the boys, I decided it was time to head home. We walked up to the front door, and the boys, full of energy, rushed inside ahead of me. I followed, glancing around the living room but finding no one there. The house felt quiet, a little too quiet. I headed toward the bedroom, looking for Lily. As I approached the door, I carefully pushed it open, just in case she was resting. The last thing I wanted was to disturb her if she had finally managed to get some sleep after the stressful day. But when I stepped inside, I saw her sitting on the bed, not asleep but reading a book.

She looked up when the door opened, and the moment our eyes met, I could tell something was wrong.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my voice soft but concerned, as I moved closer to her. I took her hand, sitting beside her on the bed, trying to comfort her, though I had no idea what had upset her so deeply. "Did something happen while you were out?"

Lily pulled her hand away, crossing her arms defensively over her chest, her expression hardening. "Your mum thinks I'm cheating on you," she said through gritted teeth, her frustration clear. "She came right out and said it to my face-that I'm cheating on you."

I sat there, stunned, my mind struggling to process what she had just told me. My mother? Accusing her of cheating? I blinked, speechless, caught between disbelief and anger.

"I guess she saw me with Amell during the furniture shopping trip," Lily continued. "And instead of asking me any questions to clarify what she thought she saw, she jumped straight to accusations. She told me I'm ungrateful too."

I could feel the blood rushing to my face. My mother-whom I respected deeply-had crossed a line, one she should never have approached. Without saying another word, I stood up from the bed, anger boiling inside me. Lily doesn't deserve this.

the room, my feet moving quickly as I sought out my mother to set things straight. She had no right to make those kinds of accusations, and I wasn't about to let her drive a wedge between Lily and me. Not now,

the door twice, and when she opened it, she greeted me with a warm smile. "You're home," she said with a hint of

a frown as she sensed my upset demeanor. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded and pushed the door wider to let me

I stepped inside.

she asked, closing

not," I snapped, the words spilling out before I could temper them. "What was that you said to

her eyes. "I see she ran to complain to you," she mumbled, as if

rising slightly. "Why on

she fired back. "I saw how close she was

glared at her, trying to rein in my anger. "You used to love Lily. Why are you letting your grief get

like Lily," she argued, her voice defensive. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to keep quiet if I think she's doing

I growled, my

what

off whatever nonsense she was about to say. "This is our private life, Mom, and would appreciate it if you didn't interfere. Even if my wife were cheating on me-which she isn't-it's none of your business

jaw dropped in shock.

you nicely, Mom. If you can't show Lily the same respect she shows you, then I will have no choice but to send you back to New York. You will not

her expression shifting as she absorbed my ultimatum. "Fine. I won't say anything about this anymore," she said reluctantly, though I could see the defiance lingering in her eyes. "But when it all dawns on you and