Becoming strangers again (Lily and Ryan)

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. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

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?”

The young man who was working with the machine shook his head. “You should have engaged him longer.”

1821/

Aug

The fact that I’m In Canada right now, with men out in the streets, looking for anyone that has a resemblance with Jake.

“We narrowed it down to the area of Tursujug national park, but no exact location.”

My father placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “Do not worry, we’ll bring her

home soon.”

The thought of her being alone, surviving on water alone is daunting right now. “I hope her sanity will be intact when I’do find her.”

“She is a brave woman,” Dad reassured me, “I’m sure she’ll be fine when she gets back

home.”

She was crying during the video call, which means she’s far from being okay. “I hope so.

too.”

I sat on the edge of my bed, looking out the window at the setting sun. The room was quiet, shadows lengthening as the day drew 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 now, scared to death.

The door creaked open, 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 corner of my room.

“Hey,” I said, breaking the silence. “How did it go?”

Angelo sighed deeply, rubbing his hands over his face. “It was going as well as a funeral could, I guess. Everyone was trying to keep it together. But then…”

“But then what?” I asked, a hint of concern in my voice.

He looked up at me, his expression tense. “Stephanie’s mother saw me. She completely lost it.”

I frowned. “What happened?”

“She blames you, Ryan,” Angelo said bluntly. She thinks it’s your fault that Stephanie took her own life.”

I leaned back, processing his words. “Why would she think that?”

“Apparently, she found Stephanie’s journal,” Angelo explained. “There were entries.

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about you, about how you broke her heart. She thinks that’s what pushed Stephanie over the edge.”

I shook my head, more irritated than anything. “That’s ridiculous. We had problems,

but I wasn’t the cause of her suicide.”

sure,

Angelo nodded, his expression sympathetic. “I know, man. But grief makes people look for someone to blame. Right now, you’re that someone for her mom.”

I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. “It’s unfortunate, but there’s nothing I can do about her feelings. I know I didn’t cause this.”

“You’re right,” Angelo said, his voice firm. “You can’t take on that guilt. It’s not your burden to bear.”

There was a knock on the door, but I remained on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, lost in my thoughts. The sound of footsteps approached, and the door creaked open. Without looking up, I heard the staff’s voice.

“Dinner is ready, Mr. Ryan,” she said softly.

I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling up inside me. How could they think of food at a time like this? Lily was still missing, and every moment that passed felt like an eternity.

“Leave,” I snapped, my voice harsher than intended. “I’m not hungry.”

The staff hesitated for a moment, sensing my agitation, then quickly retreated, closing the door behind her.

As the silence enveloped me once again, I buried my face in my hands, feeling the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. Lily had been missing for days now, and despite our best efforts, there was still no sign of her. The fear and worry gnawed at my insides, leaving me feeling helpless and frustrated.

I couldn’t bear the thought of sitting down to dinner while Lily was out there, somewhere, alone and afraid. Every moment that passed without her safe return felt like a betrayal. We had to find her, and we had to find her soon.

With a heavy heart, I pushed myself off the bed and crossed the room to the window, gazing out into the night. The streets below were quiet, the world seemingly oblivious to the emotions and confusion raging inside me.

I couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt that gnawed at me, the sense that I should have

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done more to protect Lily, to keep her safe. But dwelling on regrets wouldn’t bring her back. I had to stay strong, to focus on finding her and bringing her home where she belonged.

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