Chapter 7: Cheated On

"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.