The shrill sound of Lily's phone alarm cut through the morning silence, jolting her awake from an uneasy slumber on the couch. As consciousness slowly seeped in, she realized that Kade had not returned home overnight. Anxiety clutched at her chest, and her gaze darted around the living room as if expecting him to materialize.Checking her phone revealed no messages or missed calls. A growing knot of worry twisted in Lily's stomach. Where was Kade? Why hadn't he come home? The unanswered questions hung in the air, casting a shadow over the morning light.Determined to ease her rising concern, Lily dialled Kade's number. The phone rang, each ring amplifying the anxiety coursing through her veins. On the fifth ring, he picked up, and a mix of relief and apprehension flooded Lily's senses."Hey, are you okay?" she asked, her voice carrying a subtle tremor.Kade's response came, laden with weariness, "I'm just stuck with something really important. I'll be home as soon as I can. Don't worr
Lily's laughter echoed in the room, a nervous response to what she believed was an awful joke. She looked at Kade, waiting for him to burst into laughter and say, "Gotcha!" But his expression remained stern, void of any amusement."This isn't funny, Kade," she finally managed to say, her laughter fading.Kade's gaze held firm as he spoke, "It's not a joke, Lily. I'm serious."Her eyes widened, disbelief painted across her face. "Why? What's happening? Did something go wrong?" Lily questioned, her mind racing through possible explanations.Kade took a deep breath, his eyes avoiding hers for a moment before meeting them again. "I've realized I'm not the relationship type. It was just a phase for me," he explained, his words cutting through the air and piercing Lily's heart.Her laughter turned into silent tears as she pleaded, "But... I thought we were happy together. What changed?"Kade's tone remained detached as he said, "People change, Lily. Feelings change. It's better for both of
The door creaked open, and Bella wearily stepped into the cozy haven she shared with Reid and little Asher. She could hear the faint sounds of playful giggles, indicating that her husband was already home, engaging in one of their usual evening routines.As she entered the living room, she found Reid on the floor, surrounded by toys, immersed in the world of make-believe with their son. Bella couldn't help but smile at the heartwarming scene. She approached Reid, who looked up and greeted her with a quick kiss."Long day?" Reid inquired; his eyes filled with concern as he noticed the weariness etched on Bella's face. "You don't look okay."Bella sighed, the weight of Lily's pain heavy on her shoulders. "I was with Lily. Kade broke up with her."Reid's expression shifted from joy to disbelief. "What? That's insane. I saw Kade a few weeks ago, and he was asking me about jewellers, looking discreetly for engagement rings. He seemed so happy, Bella. What happened to change this?"Bella no
The somber news of Kade's father's passing hung heavily in the air, casting a shadow over all of them. Lily's mind raced with memories of the vibrant man she had met only weeks ago. How could someone full of life suddenly be gone?Bella, too, was visibly shaken. She closed her laptop, a forgotten task in the face of this unexpected revelation. The room echoed with a profound silence, broken only by the distant sounds of the city filtering through the closed windows.Lily, breaking the quietude, asked what lingered on everyone's minds, "But how did it happen? I mean, just a few weeks ago, he was... happy, full of energy."Reid sighed, the weight of the situation evident in the lines etched on his face. "I don't have all the details, Lily. I found out through a business contact, and after that I read the official communication from their corporate PR, and I reached out to offer condolences. They're handling it privately for now."Lily nodded, a deep frown creasing her forehead. The news
Kade remained frozen in his seat, his head slightly tilted as he looked through his shades at Lily. The weight of the moment hung heavily in the air, creating an atmosphere thick with tension and discomfort. The limo's interior seemed to amplify the quiet, allowing every passing second to drag on with excruciating slowness.Lily, dripping with anticipation and nerves, desperately awaited any response from Kade.“I am so sorry to hear about your father. I know you two were close, and it came so sudden.” she added.The silence persisted, and it became increasingly apparent that Kade was unresponsive, a stoic figure lost in his own thoughts.The limo's atmosphere grew thick with tension as Lily's attempt to comfort Kade met a wall of silence. The uncomfortable quiet lingered, each passing moment amplifying the weight of the situation.Feeling a knot tighten in her stomach, Lily pressed on, expressing sympathy for his loss and offering words of comfort. However, her well-intentioned words
Reid left the comforting scene in the living room and retreated to his home office, closing the door behind him. The weight of the situation lingered, but duty called. He busied himself with work, his mind preoccupied with the unexpected turn of events involving Kade.Meanwhile, Kade, still seated in the dimly lit limousine, stared at the sonogram picture Lily had left behind. The gravity of the revelation settled on him like a heavy fog. He whispered to himself, "A daughter." Emotions he hadn't anticipated flooded through him, leaving him emotionally drained. His hands were shaking, and his heart was breaking. His eyes were full of tears, and he never knew that he could feel such an agony.After a while, Kade gathered himself and dialed Reid's number. "Did she reach safely?" he began, his voice laced with exhaustion."Kade, what the hell is going on?" he heard his friend Reid from the other side of the line.“Can we meet?” there was a pleading note in his tone. "But don't tell anyone
After several moments of silence, as Kade calmed down, both him and Reid were sitting on the couch. Kade took a sip of his whiskey, the amber liquid burning as it slid down his throat. The weight of the revelation pressed upon him, but Reid's words resonated in the room. He looked at Reid, his eyes reflecting a mix of despair and realization."I missed this, Reid. I really missed it," Kade confessed, his voice heavy with nostalgia. "I miss the old times when we were all together, laughing, eating, drinking."Reid locked eyes with Kade, determination etched on his face. "You don't need to miss it, Kade. Don't let this disease run your life. Live your life, for as long as it lasts. Give Lily the option to choose, to make her own decision. Have you thought about how she would react if the treatments were not successful? She might believe that you thought so little of her that you chose to face this by yourself, or she'll be eaten by guilt. And what will she tell your daughter? That her f
The tension in the room was palpable as Kade stepped through the doorway, his expression strained and eyes avoiding direct contact with anyone. Reid acknowledged him with a subtle nod, and Kade, with a forced attempt at casualness, greeted Bella, "Hi, Bella," before turning his attention to Lily. "Hi, Lily."Lily stood frozen, shock etched across her face at the unexpected presence of Kade. Her gaze bore into him, a mixture of disbelief and hurt. The room became a battleground of unspoken emotions, heavy with the weight of unaddressed issues. He stepped in the room and took a seat at the table.As the aroma of breakfast wafted through the air, the table set for four seemed to stretch into an endless expanse of discomfort. Only Reid and Bella began to eat, the clinking of utensils against plates echoing awkwardly in the strained atmosphere. Kade sat rigidly, his discomfort palpable, while Lily continued to stare at him, her gaze an unrelenting scrutiny.Breaking the silence, Bella clea