CHAPTER 34: CONTINUED PLANS

Lily’s Point of View

His eyes were intense, locked onto mine. I felt his stare as if it was burning right through me. I knew I had to be careful with what I said next. Even after all the hurt, I couldn’t stand seeing him in pain. Where’s the ring Simon gave me? I asked myself. After everything, I swore I’d never look at that ring again—the symbol of his betrayal and my own gullibility. I didn’t throw it out, though. It looked expensive, and something in me couldn’t just get rid of it. I’d hidden the small black box somewhere among my old things, hoping to forget about both it and him. It had been three years since I’d last seen it, but I knew it had to be here somewhere.

“Lily, do you still have it?” Simon’s voice was soft, his gaze searching my face.

“Of course I do,” I said, even though I had no idea where it was.

He sighed, visibly relieved. “I thought maybe you’d pawned it or gotten rid of it after what I did.” He smiled then, his hand gently brushing against my cheek. “It me