Expect the worst

"Hi, honey." Sarah greeted me from behind the kitchen counter. Ryan gave her a quick glance and went into the room. Sarah followed him from behind.

Unexpectedly, Sarah quickly took Ryan's clothes and put them on the bed. Then she also prepared a bathtub for her husband to soak in.

"I've prepared everything. I'll prepare dinner first," said Sarah as she prepared to leave the room. Ryan's hand gently pulled Sarah's arm, accompanied by a sharp eyebrow that made the woman pause.

"Why is it suddenly like this?" Ryan asked. Ryan's hand grip hardened, and it made Sarah a little painful.

"Ryan, don't be like this. I can explain everything." Sarah tried to release Ryan's hand grip, but to no avail.

"Tell me, who has brainwashed you to change this quickly?" Ryan shouted out. Sarah was terrified. She looked down to cover her face, which was trembling with tears.

"Tell me! It's not crying that I want!" Rayyan slammed Sarah's hand and dragged her until her body fell on the bed. "Tell me!"

"I-I...was I wrong to do this to my husband? I just wanted to make amends for my mistake this afternoon."

Ryan gripped Sarah's cheek to chin a little hard until she moaned in pain and then let go.

"You're full of lies. I don't believe you."

Sarah burst into tears, and Ryan didn't care. He went into the bathroom, ignoring the crying that was getting worse. Soon, Sarah stopped crying. She wiped her tears and left the room with a sob escaping her lips.

"Who does she think she is?"

***

Steve has been walking back and forth around the living room since an hour ago. His eyes were wildly searching for something with his mind going nowhere. His attention was drawn to his two children and Lily who was sitting in front of the television. Lily turned her head. Her forehead wrinkled sharply as she saw her husband looking confused. 

"What's wrong with you, dear? Something on your mind?" asked Lily as she patted her son's tiny hand.

"Bad news." 

"What bad news?" asked Lily curiously.

"Your ex-father-in-law hired someone to spy on your whereabouts. How is this?" Steve looked confused. His hands clenched into fists, and he bit his lower lip.

"How did you know that? If he does find me, I can't help but be ready," Lily said a little resignedly. 

"From some CCTV coverage I installed at Tya's house. In the past few days, there have been people passing by with suspicious behavior. Should we-" 

"Relax; I know what to do. I won't leave the two of them with their families. Tya wouldn't be careless." Lily pulled Steve's hand and told him to sit next to her. "Don't worry, my dear."

"I'm just scared," said Steve, still looking worried. 

"Any more suspicions besides the CCTV?" 

Steve nodded. He began to tell the story. "From Scott, he found out about it from Ryan, who was interrogated by his father. He said his father found out from a spy he hired," Steve explained at length.

Lily frowned. It was no secret that Stewart was being sneaky like this. "No problem. Let's face everything from now on."

Actually, Lily was also worried about the information Steve had told her earlier. However, she knew what she had to do. There was no way she could just let the Stewart family take everything.

'What if I make a request to him?'

***

Entering the dimly lit door of Ryan's house didn't stop Scott from continuing his steps. This is normal, he told himself. But when he saw the light in the direction of the kitchen, his heart was moved to get closer. There was the figure of Ryan, who was sitting quietly while sipping his drink.

"What's wrong with you?" Scott asked. He came to sit beside Ryan. His hand reached out for the cold drink in front of him. "Does it hurt?" 

"What should I do?" 

"The one you told me about this afternoon?" Ryan nodded. Scott glanced around the room. After making sure there was no one else but them, he leaned closer to Ryan's ear. "I told Steve everything." 

Ryan turned his head. "What was their reaction?" 

"Lily didn't bother. If they're finally found, she won't shy away." 

Ryan furrowed his brow in disbelief at what Scott was saying. 

"She gave up and gave in?" Steve nodded. "That's not typical of the real Lily." 

"Even if it's not typical of Lily, she'll still choose to surrender if Uncle Stewart finds her in the future," Scott said with a serious look. 

"But right-" 

"Think about it, where would they go again? The place they're staying now is the most comfortable," Scott interrupted as Ryan tried to protest. 

"I can't do much either." 

"For that, leave everything to Steve. He can organize everything. And if you're going to meet to talk about something, please create a barrier between you." 

Once again Ryan nodded. He sighed resignedly remembering that what Scott said had some truth to it. Where else would Lily go if every place would be searched by her father.

***

"How much?" a whispered voice could be heard near the balcony of Ryan and Sarah's room overlooking the highway. Apparently, Sarah was talking to someone on the other end of the line. "Can you find out where the address is?"

Sarah looked back repeatedly. Making sure her husband hadn't come in or caught her talking to someone in the middle of the night like this.

"If that's the case, I'd like the full address. I sent the data via email earlier."

Sarah nodded as she listened to someone on the other side provide information.

"Then I'll-"

"What are you doing on the balcony at this time of night?" Ryan's voice interrupted the call. Sarah widened her eyes in surprise. She quickly switched off the phone and turned to face Ryan, who was now standing behind her.

"We're talking about tomorrow's schedule. You're not asleep yet?" Sarah changed the subject. Ryan sensed something odd in Sarah's eyes but tried to dismiss it.

"Asleep. It's late."

"Okay."

Sarah followed him into the room. She breathed a sigh of relief as she rubbed her chest. Fortunately, Ryan didn't overhear her conversation.