Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 39 RYAN The following day demanded my swift return to New York, as pressing business matters awaited my attention. My stay in Canada was meant to be brief, lasting no more than a day. However, deep down, a twinge of apprehension about facing my children may have hastened my departure. What if they questioned the prolonged absence I'd had from their lives? The truth-that their mother intentionally kept them away from me- was too painful to reveal. With no other acceptable excuse in sight, I found myself grappling with the inevitable. As Angelo steered us towards the office, a heavy silence enveloped us. Finally, he broke the quietude with a pointed question, "Will you be discussing this with your father? Raising my eyes from the glow of my phone, I emphatically shook my head. He has absolutely no reason to be in the loop about this," I asserted. I do not see the need to utter a single word to anyone until I could wrap my head around the situation. The unwelcadvice and opinions from others was not needed at this early stage, where I was still trying to cto terms with the news. Angelo skillfully steered the car into a parking space, and as I got off. I briskly made my way to the office, with him quietly trailing behind. However, my purposeful stride cto an abrupt halt when I spotted Lora, my sister, occupying the reception space adjacent to my office. Arching a curious brow, I approached her with a hint of surprise coloring my expression. "What brings you here?" we hardly see each other, not unless necessary. We do not even pay each other a visit. It wasn't usually like this, but how we grew apart. I am yet to understand. As Lora caught sight of me, she swiftly rose to her feet, her demeanor tinged with a hint of reproach. "Took you quite a while to make it to work," she remarked dryly. "I understand you're not exactly thrilled to see me, and believe me, the feeling is most definitely mutual but at least have the courtesy to return my calls I entered the office, Lora trailing behind. "What do you want?" I inquired, my tone curt Seating herself comfortably on the sofa, she crossed her legs with an air of self-assurance. I'm filing for divorce," she declared matter-of- factly Taking a seat directly opposite her, I mirrored her posture, meeting her gaze with an air of detached indifference. "And why is that any concern of mine? Despite my attempts to lend an ear to Lora in the past, each effort had been met with disappointment. "You never bothered to informabout your previous divorces. Why should this be any different?" A wry smile played at the corners of her lips. "Because this time, I need a lawyer, she deadpanned. Already feeling the weight of disinterest settling in, I made no effort to conceal my lack of enthusiasm for prolonging the conversation. "Again, how is that my business?" I stated bluntly, my tone a reflection of the detachment I felt. "My lawyer passed away last week, so I'm in need of a competent replacement, Lora replied, her voice tinged with a hint of desperation "Do you happen to have any recommendations?" Exhaling audibly, I ran a tired hand down my face, the weariness of the situation etched in the lines of my expression. "And why exactly are you divorcing Hagg? What did he do?" I asked, despite my efforts to remain aloof. Folding her hands in a gesture of guarded defensiveness, Lora's countenance hardened in an instant. "What Hagg did or didn't do isn't any of your business, she shot back, her tone laced with an angry edge. "I find it rather surprising that you even remember his name, considering your absence at the wedding "Don't lay the blonfor not showing up," I retorted sharply, my patience wearing thin. "I grew weary of being a guest at your weddings." "Do you have a lawyer in mind to recommend or not? Lora retorted, prompting an involuntary roll of my eyes. "No, I don't," I replied curtly, my response lacking any hint of hesitation or apology. Observing her nod, I anticipated her departure, yet she seemed to settle even deeper into the sofa, defying the unspoken expectation. My eyebrows furrowed in mild irritation. "Aren't you leaving?" I inquired pointedly, my patience wearing thin. She shook her head in response, a stubborn defiance gleaming in her eyes. "I bumped into Stephane, and she's hoping I can help mend things between you two," she explained. "So, what's going on? Why are you two having problems?" 11:41 AM Chapter 39 Amirthless chuckle escaped my lips, tinged with a bitter irony. "Why attempt to fix our relationship when you're unable to mend your own!" I questioned pointedly. People often seek to offer solutions to others' problems while failing to address their own. "Just leave, Lora. I have an important meeting to attend," I concluded. Her laughter, devoid of any amusement, filled the air as she rose from the sofa, her movements deliberate and devoid of hesitation. "I honestly couldn't care less about whether you patch things up with her or not. My only mention of it was a promise to Stephanie, she declared, her tone blunt and matter-of-fact. With a swift motion, she grabbed her purse and fixedwith a pointed stare. "I have no interest in the details of your situation, but I must caution you about Stephanie. That girl seems more desperate than I am, and that's a dangerous trait. Without waiting for my response, she turned on her heel and swept out of my office. At the end of the workday, I made my way home, the weight of the day's events heavy on my mind. However, during my journey home, I couldn't resist the temptation to go online and catch up on the latest news and updates. To my dismay, a picture of Stephanie and me, undoubtedly taken months ago, was not only trending on her social media story but was also making waves across various platforms. "Should I make a statement that our relationship is over?" 1 queried Angelo, frustration evident in my tone. "Stephanie's constant posting of these pictures is really getting under my skin. This is the third one she's posted this week." Angelo shota doubletake, momentarily taken aback before refocusing his attention on the road. "You ended things with Stephanie? Why am I just hearing about this now?" Letting out a resigned sigh, I tossed my phone onto the seat beside me, the weight of the situation settling heavily upon me. Just answer the question, Angelo, I urged, eager for his perspective. "What held you back from making the statement all this time?" Angelo asked, his expression still registering the shock of the news. "She beggedto let her be the one to announce it to the public I explained wearily, the memory of Stephanie's pleading words still fresh in my mind. "But now, she's really starting to get on my nerves." "I think you should bring it to her attention and insist she makes the public statement about your relationship or else you'll do it yourself, Angelo suggested, offering a pragmatic solution. 1 considered his advice. "That seems fair, I acknowledged. Angelo cleared his throat, cautiously broaching another topic. "If you don't mindasking," he began, "why did you end things with Stephanie? Is it because of Lily?" "Partly. I admitted candidly. "The thought of ending things with her had been lingering, but it took seeing Lily to pushto act on it." Sensing his scrutinizing gaze through the rear-view mirror, I met his eyes. "Is there something you want to say?" I asked, a hint of challenge in my tone. Clearing his throat, Angelo addressed a concern that had evidently been weighing on him. "You're not going to disrupt Lily's relationship just because you found out she has your babies, right?" he pressed, his words laced with a plea for restraint. As I remained silent, he continued, "She's engaged, meaning she's about to start planning her wedding. Please don't jeopardize things for her." Tearing my gaze away from the rear-view mirror, I shifted my focus to the passing scenery outside. "I refuse to let my children grow up in a broken home, I muttered under my breath "Now, that's just selfish, Angelo countered, his voice tinged with reproach. "You're the one who shattered the home. Why should Lily be the one to bear the brunt of it?" His words struck a nerve, and I fixed him with a steely glare. "Hiding my kids fromfor seven years, with no intention of ever revealing the truth until circumstances forced her hand, is more than enough to pay for the crof losing her, I retorted sharply. "Ryna Angelo attempted to interject, but I cut him off with a sharp gesture. "Letfinish," I snapped, my tone clipped with impatience. He mumbled an apology, and I continued. "Lily won't suffer, I can assure you of that." "You'll force her to end a relationship with someone she loves, Angelo deadpanned, "That, in itself, is enough suffering, if you ask me. "I intend to rekindle her love for me, but for that to happen, I must put an end to whatever she has with that man." I asserted firmly. My children will not be raised by another man, nor will I allow another woman to raise them. 11:41 AM Chapter 40

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