Chapter 13 13

Chapter 13 13


Lily pushed open the glass door and slipped into the office. The clock on the wall read twenty minutes past the end of lunch break. She had been carried away while at the hospital that she didn’t realize that time had passed.

Her heart thudded lightly against her chest as her heels tapped softly against the polished floor. The usual chatter that filled the office had already settled into focused silence.

Being late only a few days into working for a company wasn’t something she wanted for herself. Especially not today.

Five… four… three… two…. Good, one more step and she’ll be safely inside her office.

One!

She exhaled slowly. Great…. No one noticed. She adjusted the strap of her bag and walked quickly toward her desk, trying her best to look like she had been there all along. Her seat was exactly how she left it. Files neatly stacked, computer screen dimmed, no sign of disturbance.

Carefully, she sat down. Her movements were controlled and almost cautious as though any sudden action may draw attention to her.

Lily’s eyes drifted to the right. The large door beside her desk; the ceo’s office. The office was still closed, silent and empty.

Her brows furrowed slightly. She had been working in Marksonic solutions for six whole days and she hadn’t seen her boss. Not even once. Not even the least shadow or glimpse. Nothing.

She leaned back slightly in her chair, her gaze lingering on the door.

“Does he even come to work?” she murmured quietly.

Every instruction she had received she had received so far had come from the next office, the office of the general manager.

For someone she was told she’d work closely with, it felt strange.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard as she tried to focus on her tasks but her thoughts kept drifting. Firstly, it was her father’s health, next was Tracey. Her smug expression, the threat hidden behind her calm tone, all were fresh in her mind.

“Stay completely away from Kyrian,” Tracey had said.

Lily clenched her fingers slightly against the desk.

“I’m already away,” she muttered under her breath.

She shook her head lightly, pushing the thoughts aside. This was not the place for that. Not now when she had work to do. With a sigh, Lily forced herself to concentrate.

The rest of the afternoon passed steadily. She organized documents, responded to emails and scheduled meetings she wasn’t even sure her boss would attend. Time moved quietly, almost uneventfully. And before she realized it, evening had arrived.

The office slowly emptied as employees packed their bags and left in small groups. The hum of activity faded, replaced by a calm stillness.

The familiar warmth of Claire’s apartment greeted her the moment she stepped inside. The soft scent of vanilla candles filled the air, mixed with the faint aroma of something Claire had probably cooked earlier.

Claire was curled up in her sofa, sipping juice and watching her favourite TV show.

“Lily!” her voice rang out as she saw her best friend. Before lily could react, she was pulled into a tight embrace.

“Hey,” Lily murmured softly, her body relaxing slightly in her friend’s arms.

Claire held her a little longer than usual before pulling back to look at her face.

“You look tired,” she said, her brows knitting together.

“I’m fine,” Lily replied with a small smile. But Clair didn’t look convinced.

“Come here,” she said, guiding Lily toward the couch.

They both sat down, and for a moment, silence settled between them. Then Claire reached out, squeezing Lily’s hand gently.

“Your dad will be alright,” she said softly.

Lily’s throat tightened.

“I hope so. But I need to ensure the bills are paid so they don’t stop his treatment. He’s all I have,” she sobbed. 

Claire handed her a handkerchief. She muttered a ‘thank you’ and wiped her tears.

Claire paused briefly then suddenly straightened.

“Wait,” her eyes lit up slightly. “The cheque.”

“What cheque?” Lily blinked, looking confused. Claire stared back.

“The cheque, Lily. The blank cheque that bastard gave you.”

Lily’s expression changed immediately.

“Claire….” She began hesitantly.

“No, don’t ‘Claire’ me,” Claire cut in, folding her arms. “That man owes you everything, three years of your life, Lily. Three whole years. Don’t forget he even owes his life to you. That ungrateful idiot. He would have died but you nursed him to health.”

“I know but…”

“But nothing,” Claire interrupted firmly. “Your father’s life is on the line. This isn’t time for buts. You deserve that cheque and a lot more.”

The words hit Lily hard. Her father, the outrageous hospital bills and the fear she felt standing in the hospital hallway earlier in the day. She swallowed slowly.

“It feels wrong.”

“Wrong?” Claire leaned forward; her gaze intense.

“What’s wrong is what he did to you. What’s wrong is leaving you for another woman after everything you did for him.”

Lily remained silent.

“You’re not stealing from him. You’re taking what you deserve. Lily, look at it like your payment for those three years, even though its too small.”

Lily closed her eyes briefly. Claire was right, her father needed the money and nothing else mattered more than her father.

She inhaled deeply and stood up.

“I’ll go get it.”

Claire nodded, watching her carefully. Lily walked toward her room, her steps slow and thoughtful.

Lily’s phone which was on the table rang while she was in the room. The name ‘Kyrian’ showed on the screen.

Claire drew a long sigh. She had never liked him for what he did to her friend. Why the hell was he calling her now that she’s agreed to his divorce?

From the living room. Claire’s voice echoed.

“Lily, Kyrian’s calling.”

She paused, her heart skipped and her fingers trembled slightly. She didn’t realize when her feet started moving. She was already walking.

No… she was running.

Her heart pounded loudly in her chest as she rushed towards the living room to grab her phone. She didn’t know exactly why she was running. Or maybe she did.

She had missed him so much, even after everything. Despite the way he had discarded her like she meant nothing, she still loved him and thought about him.

She hated it. She hated how her heart still reacted to him and how hearing his name made her feel. She wasn’t supposed to feel this way. Not after that night he told her he wanted a divorce.

Her thumb hovered over the answer button. For a brief second, she hesitated then pressed it.

“Hello…” she said softly, her voice barely audible.

Silence. For a heartbeat, there was nothing. Then his voice came through.

“Lily…”

Her breath hitched. Her eyes closed involuntarily. It had only been a few days but hearing his voice felt like something she had been starving for. It felt warm and too familiar.

Her fingers tightened around the phone. She didn’t trust herself to speak.

“Lily, come home, please.”