"Mommy, are you okay? You have been staring into spaces lately," Aiden asked. Lily was helping her son with his homework. While Aiden wrote his answers in the book, Lily was in a daze.
"Sorry, Buddy. Was thinking of something," Lily said. "Are you done?"
"Almost. I'm so glad your mission got canceled," Aiden revealed.
Lily was unsure if Lucas had canceled the request for military protection, but since Major Sergeant Patton had not called, she assumed nothing had officially been done. She supposed she still had to make that weekly report to the major by the end of the week, even if it was fake.
These past three days, she had been thinking a lot about Lucas. She was furious that he would not tell her what happened to him over the years. She was even more angry that he wanted her back and expected everything to be the same.
When Aiden was finally done answering his homework, the mother and son pair had snacks in the kitchen. In the middle of their meal, Lily received a call.
She picked it up and heard a woman speak on the other line, "Miss Wright. This is Anna from Emerald Residential Tower. Mister Bass had arrived from a business trip and requested you join him for dinner."
The lady was referring to her boyfriend, Jake Bass. Lily was confused because Jake was meant to be on a business trip until next week. Then, if Jake wanted to have dinner with her, why ask the residential building receptionist to call her?
Still, she did not think much about it and answered, "I'll be there. Thank you, Anna."
Lily tried to call Jake, but his phone was off. Thus, she left Aiden in the care of her parents. After getting changed into something comfortable, Lily went to the Emerald Residential Tower.
When she arrived, Anna greeted her warmly and gave her a keycard, saying, "Mister Bass asked that you let yourself in, Miss Wright."
Lily accepted the keycard and took the lift to the tenth floor, where Jake's flat was. As instructed, she let herself in.
She was about to call for Jake from the living room when she heard sensual moans from the second floor of the apartment. Immediately, she frowned.
"Ah, Jake!"
"I love it!"
"More! More!"
The closer Lily walked to the staircase, the louder the moans became. Lily carefully ascended to the second floor and identified where the sounds were coming from. It was from Jake's room, and whoever was inside left the door open.
Clothes were scattered on the floor. Inside, Lily saw her boyfriend, Jake, completely naked and was on top of a woman she knew well. The woman was Alicia Bennet!
Of all the people Jake screwed around with, it just had to be her!
'Well, I guess Alicia got what she wanted.' Lily concluded, recalling how this woman had always wanted to be with Jake.
To Lily's surprise, though, it did not affect her. Shouldn't she be screaming and crying right now? However, she was unfeeling. Why? She probably already knew the answer. She never truly moved on with Jake.
Somehow, Lily was relieved. Aiden was right all along. Jake never deserved to be Aiden's father.
Lily entered the room and coldly said, "I guess this means we are over, Jake!"
Jake scrambled off Alicia. His face turned ghostly white upon seeing Lily. He stuttered, "Fuck, no. Lily, I'm sorry."
"Goodbye, Jake," Lily said before leaving.
***
Lily, wait! Lily! I'm sorry!" Jake called. He chased after Lily as soon as he found her stepping outside the lobby of the residential building. "Stop, please. Lily. I'm sorry."
"I could not hold it. I am a man with needs, and you did not want to do it with me!" Jake complained and managed to grab her wrist. "I gave in to the temptation, and I'm sorry. I promise it won't happen again. I love you -"
"You lied about your whereabouts, Jake," Lily pointed out while pulling her hand away. "You said your business trip got extended, but instead, I found you home, in bed with another woman, worst, with Alicia!"
"She had always been so frank about wanting you; she did not even care if you and I were in a relationship! Finally, I understand why," Lily gasped and said, "Because for all I know, you have been doing her for -"
"No, Lily. It hasn't been that long -"
"Oh, god," Lily shook her head. "Forget it, Jake. Just forget about you and me. I can't be with you anymore."
Jake kneeled before her and begged. He repeatedly asked for Lily's forgiveness, but he probably realized that she would not change her mind. He said, "Lily, think about this carefully. You won't find any other man who will love you when you have a baggage -"
"Stop! How dare you say that? Do you want me to kill you right now? Because we both know what I am capable of." Lily knew exactly who Jake was referring to: Aiden. So, was she meant to settle down with Jake just because she was a single mother? How long has Jake considered Aiden as a baggage?
Lily found her car. Before getting in, she said, "I wish you and Alicia the best. You deserve each other. Don't bother me anymore."
She left, driving to the nearby park to think.
At the park, Lily found a bench and sat there, reflecting on the recent events in her life. First, Lucas was back, but someone wanted him dead. Then, Lucas told her he wanted her back after ten long years. Now, she discovered her boyfriend had been cheating on her!
'What had Lucas done in the ten years that he was gone? Did he have a girlfriend in between, or maybe more, and he only realized he loved me just now?' She was asking questions that only Lucas could answer.
"What the hell is going on with my life?" Lily thought before muttering, "But then again, Lily, breaking up with Jake was for the best. Because with Lucas back, you are second-guessing your life's future decisions - oh, my god, I can't believe I just said that."
Lily face slapped herself at the thought of Lucas.
"Lucas. Lucas. Lucas." He was getting into Lily's head more often than he should.
Unexpectedly, her phone rang. She picked it up and heard her mother's voice. Her mother was crying on the other line when she revealed, "Lily, your father was rushed to the hospital. He suddenly fainted. The doctors rushed him to surgery. Aiden is with your Aunt Gaby now."
"Oh, god. I'll be there," Lily said in a panic.
When Lily arrived at the hospital, all her brothers were present, including her uncle. The doctor walked up to them and revealed her father's condition.
November 18, 2023. Chapter 2-3.
"The aortic stent graft collapse," Doctor Steven reported to the Wright family. "That caused him to faint. So, earlier, we inserted another stent, and he is under observation." "I feel that there is a but coming," Lily's oldest brother, Liam, predicted. Behind him, all of Lily's brothers were giving the doctors murderous looks. The doctor sighed and admitted, "There is an endoleak. Despite the new stent, we still see blood flowing outside the graft. This continues to put pressure on the aneurysm." Lily’s family gathered outside the recovery room to listen to Doctor Steven. Her mother, her uncle, and all five brothers were naturally there. Lily's father, Kaleb Wright, was still under observation and would be moved to his private room later. "You said you were the best at this!" Lewis, Lily's other brother, yelled. From there, everyone was nagging the doctor. "I specialize in aortic repair via stent grafts! Yes, I am the best at this," the doctor claimed. Last year, Kaleb Wrigh
“Marry me, tomorrow.” Lily blinked. Eventually, her brows furrowed, and she regained her awareness. She asked, “Marry you?” “Yes, that’s my condition,” Lucas repeated. “Of course, you can seek out other doctors from another state, perhaps from another country, but I am the convenient option, right?” Lily grunted. She answered, “You are so heartless. My father’s life is at stake, someone who was like a second father to you, and yet you come up with a bargain!” “What is so wrong about marrying me, Lily?” Lucas asked. The two remained to stare at each other. Lily did so with anger in her eyes, while Lucas had a strong look of determination. “Why? Because you hurt me, my family, and even your family? Why would I marry you?” Lily expressed. “Whose to say you won’t leave again?” “Because I am back to make it all right,” Lucas answered. “And I will do everything to repair the unfavorable outcomes of my decision to leave.” Lucas grabbed Lily’s arm and said, “I’m staying for good. I
A black Cadillac pulled over in front of Lily. The car's window rolled halfway down, and she saw those piercing dark brown eyes that held her captive for a second. As usual, Lucas had that serious look on his face. He greeted, "Good morning." "I can't be seen in public," Lucas reminded her. "Do you mind getting in on your own?" "I wasn't about to get carried into a car, anyhow," Lily muttered. Prior to flying out to Rose Hills, Lily informed Lucas' assistant of her arrival. So, as soon as she stepped out of the airport, it no longer surprised her that Lucas was there. The man arrived in a caravan of three cars. All of them looked armored and brand new. As soon as Lily settled, the car drove away from the airport, with one vehicle ahead of them and another behind. "I have already ordered Uncle Kaleb to be airlifted to Rose Hills," Lucas revealed. He was leaning back in his seat, looking out the window. "I only allowed a maximum of three visitors, I'm afraid. I will tighten sec
### FLASHBACK ### When Lily and Lucas were kids, their families decided to go on a vacation. They went to a private lakehouse. Lily's brothers were doing their own thing. Lily and Lucas, on the other hand, walked around the lake before settling on a picnic table. From there, Lily shared with Lucas a conversation with her friends at school. "My girl friends at school said that when we are older, we should have our own rings. But my friends like pink! Ewww! My brothers don't wear pink, so I never wear something pink." With a frown, she corrected, "But sometimes, Mommy forces me to wear pink and a dress." "Girls have to have a ring?" Lucas asked. "Yeah, like a diamond ring!" Lily revealed. "My mommy has a big yellow ring on her finger. Didn't you see?" "I think my mommy has blue," Lucas revealed. "I love blue!" Lily said. "My brothers wear blue all the time! When I grow up and meet my special person - because, only the special person gives that ring, you know. I want that sp
"I don't mind if she hates me right now, but I can't let her h -" Lucas' words were cut off because his phone rang. His father was calling, and he had to answer it. "Dad?" "Son, I heard Kaleb is being admitted to the Heart and Lung Center, and you are operating on him?" Lucas’ father, Evan Thompson, asked on the other line. "Are you -" Lucas felt his father's hesitation. Eventually, Evan Thompson resumed, "Are you fixing things?" "You could say that, Dad," Lucas answered. "Uncle Kaleb needs an ascending aortic replacement." “After ten years, your timing is still off,” Evan said. “I know, but when I saw Lily back in Koplin, I couldn’t - I had to have her,” Lucas reasoned. “I married her, Dad.” “What?” Evan reacted. “I forced her to marry me,” Lucas revealed. “You are going to give us a heart attack,” Evan remarked. “I’m sorry. I want to be with her badly,” Lucas explained. “Don’t worry about this. I’ll make it work.” There was silence in the air before Evan proposed, "The
Lily arrived with Lucas at Saint Dominque Heart and Lung Center. Ryan was also with them. As soon as they entered the lobby, a red-haired female doctor greeted Lucas. "Doctor Thompson, the patient from Braeton, has already settled in his room. The patient's name is Kaleb Wright. He is -" The lady doctor said, but Lucas raised his hand, stopping her from resuming. "Give me the charts," Lucas said. He had no expression on his face as he ordered. "I want to review it myself." "Um, Of course, Doctor. Let me accompany you to your office," the lady doctor suggested. Lily would not have minded this lady doctor, but she clearly saw the sparkle in her eyes when the red-haired woman spoke to Lucas. She also noticed how the doctor glanced at her, silently wondering who she was. When they made their way to a private office, Ryan opened the door for Lucas. The bodyguard that drove them to the center stood by the door as Lucas entered. Lily was about to follow inside when the red-haired lad
Three and a half hours later, the surgery was completed. Kaleb Wright had a new ascending aorta. After an operation, Lucas would generally leave the rest of the work to a resident surgeon. However, Lucas wanted to do everything for Kaleb. "Doctor, I can close the chest," Doctor Brown offered. "No," Lucas plainly said. "I'll do everything. Everyone can assist and learn." What Lucas really wanted to say was that he could not afford any mistakes during that surgery. This was his first step in redeeming himself. So, he would instead do everything with many eyes watching him. One by one, Lucas inserted the sternal wires, his eyes barely blinking, focused on Kaleb's open chest. After closing Kaleb's sternum, he also personally stitched the wound. Lucas observed Kaleb for a few minutes longer before finally giving the order, "We can move him to the ICU." The surgical team clapped their hands. One by one, they praised Lucas. "You did a fantastic job, Doctor Thompson," the cardiol
"Here?" Lily was stunned. Lucas brought her to a small Chinese eatery downtown. He asked the owner to close the store only for his late dinner. While Lucas sat before the table and ordered food, Ryan and one bodyguard watched from outside. Another private car from Lucas' men also arrived to stand watch. "It's two in the morning. The fancy restaurants are closed," Lucas reminded. "I mean, I don't mind," Lily said while sitting in front of Lucas. "I sometimes get sent to places that aren't on the map, and even casual dining isn't available, but you? You are not used to this." Lucas' brows met. While taking off his coat, he answered, "You'd be surprised." "Then." Lily paused and urged, "Surprise me!" Unfortunately for her, Lucas did not explain himself. He only said, "I'm famished. I don't usually eat before surgery." Lily watched as Lucas rolled up his sleeves. She did not miss the scars that were on his forearms. She counted around five. Two of them were very deeply inflicted.