Chapter 25

Chapter 25
A week passed.

Still no word from Ethan.

Every day, Lily went to Ethan’s house but only got the same treatment.

A stiff ‘He’s not back’ at the entrance.

They— Lily, Chloe, and Miles—  called his phone every day. And every time it went straight to voicemail. They had wanted to file a missing person’s report, but her father had discouraged them.

“He’s an adult now,” he’d said gently. “And it is not our place. His legal guardian would have to make the call. Let’s wait till she returns. The house staff aren’t acting concerned, are they? It means they know where he is.”

Lily understood what her father was saying, but she was still worried. Ethan had never hidden anything from her. Or been out of contact ever, not to mention this long. He could have said something before leaving, even a simple goodbye.

She was going to give him a piece of her mind when he got back.



“Lily, sweetie,” Mrs. Harper said as she walked into Lily’s room. “I’m going to the orchard. Would you like to come with me?”

Lily wanted to say no, but the worry on Mrs. Harper’s face stopped her. She nodded and followed her out.

Just when they passed Ethan’s house, a car drove past them. It was the car that Ethan’s stepmother used.

Ethan’s stepmother and stepbrother finally returned.

“Mrs. Harper, I can’t go with you anymore.” Mrs. Harper followed her gaze and saw the car driving into the villa.

“Go on, dear.”

Lily ran through the gates after the car.

This time, she was let inside. She was shown into the living room and took a seat opposite Ethan’s stepmother in the living room.

She looked good, practically glowed, like she was on a vacation.

“Miss Lily,” the woman said, crossing her legs. “I heard you’ve been coming over to my house often, looking for your friend. But Ethan isn’t here.”

Lily’s head snapped up. “You know where he went?”

“I don’t,” she replied slowly. “But he’s left the house to live on his own.”

“How could Ethan just suddenly leave?” 

She didn’t speak, she only smiled slightly.

The realization hit Lily. The new Mrs. Blackwell had never liked Ethan. Her gaze turned cold.

“You made him leave, didn’t you?” She shouted, standing up.

“You can’t say that, Miss Monroe. I only mentioned it in passing since he was already an adult. He chose to leave himself. This is my house, after all.”

Lily's hands were clenched into fists. “Your house? You mean Uncle John left this house to you?” She shook her head. “That’s not possible. This house belonged to Aunty Wendy. It can only belong to Ethan.”

The woman’s expression turned hostile. “I don’t know what arrangements had been made before I joined this family. But according to my husband’s will, this house is mine.” 

The woman stood, brushing nonexistent flecks of dust from her skirt. “Miss Monroe, you would have to excuse me. I just got back from a journey and haven't had time to rest. I hope you understand.”



Lily called all their classmates, but nobody knew where Ethan was. 

Nobody had heard from him either

He didn’t call. He didn’t text.

She didn’t know where he was living, how he was living, or if he was okay.. 



Lily sat in the garden drawing. She had set up to draw the tulips she had put in a vase in front of her.

She heard a voice behind her.

“You miss him that much?”

Lily looked up, Aspen was standing behind her.

She turned back to her easel. Somehow, she ended up drawing Ethan.

She didn’t answer.

Why didn’t he tell her what was happening? He could have come to live with her family or with Miles.

He patted her hair, ruffeling it. “Ethan will turn up soon. He just doesn’t want to be a bother.”

But he could never be a bother, her home was his too.



Their graduation party would be in a few days. Maybe Ethan would turn up then.

Her mother took her shopping for her dress, and after she had made her choice, her mother decided to pick something for herself, too.

While her mother was in the dressing room trying on outfits. Lily sat in the lounge area, typing a message to Ethan. She had been sending him messages every day since he disappeared, updating him on everything that was happening.

“Hi,” a familiar voice said.

Lily looked up. Stacy. 

She frowned and didn’t respond.

“I just wanted to say goodbye,” Stacy continued. “Goodbye.”

“How wonderful,” Lily replied flatly, raising a brow.

Since when had she and Stacy been close enough to have small talk?

Have a good life.” 

Stacy sat down beside her. “I’m also going to England.”

“Also?” Lily asked, confused.

“Yeah, Ethan too.” She answered with a smile.

Lily’s breath caught. “What?”

Stacy tilted her head, feigning surprise. “You didn’t know? Ethan’s studying in England. We’re going to be in the same city.”

Ethan was going to study in England. He didn’t tell her. He didn’t say anything. But he told Stacy?

“Oh, you didn’t know,” she said, a mocking light in her eyes. “Aren’t you and Ethan best friends?” 

Lily didn’t answer. She couldn’t answer. Her mind spun. 

How could Ethan leave the country without telling her? Without saying goodbye.

He didn’t tell her he had gone off to college.

“I’m guessing he also didn’t tell you we are together.”  Stacy’s voice lowered, as if shy.

Stacy looked at her watch before standing up. “Well, goodbye, I have somewhere I need to be.”

Lily stood there frozen.

Ethan left.

Her mom came out of the dressing room moments later. “Lily, what do you think?” She asked, doing a little twirl.

Lily didn’t answer.

She didn’t hear.

Her mother took in her pale face.

“Lily? Sweetheart, is something wrong?”

Lily didn’t say a word. 

She started to sob.

Her mother rushed over to hug her.

The ride home was quiet. 

Lily was stuck in her thoughts, and her mother didn’t know what to say.



When she got to her room, she stood by her bed. She picked up the envelope from her nightstand.

She stared at it for a long moment, then slowly placed it in the bottom drawer and locked it— along with her feelings.