Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

RYAN

Stepping out of the bathroom, I made my way to the foot of the bed, my gaze falling on Lily. She sat there, staring blankly at the bedside lamp, her features tense yet fragile. I could see it-the effort she was putting into keeping up a strong front. But beneath the surface, she was breaking, piece by piece.

"Did you find who you were looking for?" I asked, my voice rougher than I expected. I cleared my throat, trying to sound more composed.

Lily turned her head slightly, meeting my eyes for a brief moment before nodding. A weary sigh escaped her lips. "It was just a delivery woman," she murmured, her voice heavy with exhaustion. "But she gave me the address of the person who handed her the perfume to deliver to Clover."

She sat up straighter, her fingers brushing her lips as she thought. "I gave the address to Neo," she continued. "He said he'd look into it and get back to me as soon as he could."

Just then, her phone buzzed against the rumpled bedspread. She snatched it up quickly, her movements almost desperate, but the hope in her eyes deflated the moment she saw the caller ID. With a frustrated sigh, she placed the phone face-down on the bed and crossed her arms tightly over her chest, retreating into her thoughts once more.

"Who was that?" I asked softly, my eyes narrowing in concern. It was obvious she didn't want to talk to whoever had called. "Is someone bothering you?"

"It's Amell," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She kept her gaze on her lap, her fingers twisting nervously. "I've been avoiding him all this time." A sad chuckle escaped her lips as she stared down at her legs. "No matter what I do, I can't shake the feeling that he's part of the problem."

I hesitated. I didn't believe Amell had anything to do with this mess. Walking around to her side of the bed, I sat down next to her and gently took her hand in mine. "It's okay to feel that way," I said quietly, trying to reassure her.

slowly, glistening with unshed tears. "You were right," she whispered. "I should have stayed away

broke me. I hated to admit it, but I knew the truth needed to be spoken. "I think I misjudged Amell," I confessed. "Back then, I was jealous and anxious. After what happened with Jake... I let my fears get the best of me." Her lips trembled,

my men dig into his

her face with the back of her hand. "Are you seriously defending Amell

shook my head. "I'm not defending anyone," I replied. "All I'm saying is, while you're holding onto this anger toward him, just leave room for the possibility that he might actually be innocent.

at the screen and sighed when I saw the name of the detective. Switching the call to speaker,

was discovered on an abandoned road, along with a note." Lily's eyes widened in alarm, her lips parting slightly as she turned to me.

way, Detective," I blurted out. Ending the call, I quickly grabbed a jacket for myself and another for Lily. Without wasting another moment, we rushed out of

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

the area was swarming with police officers, their cars parked haphazardly along the roadside, lights flashing in a

my way

did this left a message for you," he said, handing me a glove before handing the paper over carefully. His eyes studied

against you? Someone

could be behind this?"

me, Lily leaned in, her shoulder brushing mine as she peered at the paper. Her breath hitched as we read the words together, the message stark and chilling against the faintly crumpled page. I AM WILLING TO RELEASE ONE OF YOUR

MEAN ALL YOU HAVE TO CHARITY, THEN GIVE UP YOUR POSITION AT THE OFFICE.