Chapter Two- Revisiting Memories

Lily Thompson 

I tore my gaze away from the man standing before me, focusing instead on my daughter, who beamed up at me with unwavering excitement. Her innocence was a soothing balm to my racing thoughts, grounding me in the present moment. 

Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I mustered a smile for her sake and knelt down. "Thank you, sweetheart," I said softly, reaching out to ruffle her hair affectionately. "But why don't you go inside and start on your homework? Mommy needs to have a little chat with our guest." 

My daughter's smile faded for a moment, her brow furrowing in confusion, but she nodded obediently and scampered inside, leaving the two of us alone on the porch. 

Once she was out of earshot, I stood up and turned my attention back to the man standing before me, the man whose presence dredged up memories I had long buried beneath the weight of time. 

"Ryan," I whispered, his name a ghost on my lips as I struggled to find my voice. 

He nodded, his gaze never leaving mine. "Lily," he replied, his voice tinged with a mixture of regret and longing. 

For a moment, neither of us spoke, the silence was deafening. But then, with a tentative sigh, Ryan took a step forward, closing the distance between us. 

"I never thought I'd see you again," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "But fate has a funny way of bringing people back together, doesn't it?" 

I couldn't help but laugh, the sound bitter and full with pain and anger. "Fate," I repeated, the word heavy with irony. "More like cruel irony." 

Ryan's expression softened, his eyes filled with an unspoken apology. "I know I hurt you, Lily," he said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "And I'm sorry. I've spent years regretting what happened between us, wishing I could go back and make things right." 

I wanted to believe him, wanted to let go of the anger and resentment that had festered in my heart for so long. But old wounds ran deep, and forgiveness didn't come easily. 

“Ryan, I really don’t want to see you here” I said, trying hard to block out all my emotions “please leave” 

“Lily, I won’t leave you again no matter how much you push me away. I’ll always be here for you and your daughter” he said sounding genuine but I wasn’t about to fall for the same trick he used years back 

“Oh, really, where were you when I needed you the most, why weren’t you there for me” I said, raising my voice, tears almost dropping from my eyes “now you appear all of a sudden and think I’ll let you back into my life, into my daughter’s life? You really must be delusional 

My daughter comes back to the porch probably because she heard me shouting at Ryan and sees my eyes teary and instantly knows that something is wrong 

“Mommy, what’s wrong” she said, looking up at me 

I immediately get on my knees and give her a hug “nothing is wrong, my love. Just go inside, mommy will be with you soon” 

“Will uncle Riri be joining us for dinner?” she asked 

“Uncle Riri? Who’s that” I asked. Totally confused 

“Your new husband” she whispered into my ears and giggled 

So, she abbreviated his name to Riri. She looked so excited and it was contagious but too bad I’m going to have to ruin her excitement for our won good 

“No, uncle Riri will not be staying for dinner” I said and her smiles and all her excitement completely vanished “he has some work to take care, right Ryan?” 

I stood up and looked at him signaling him to agree with me and just leave and he does 

“Uhm yes, Bells, I would love to stay but I’ve got some urgent work to attend to. I’m so sorry” he said 

Bells? So they gave each other nicknames. How long did they stay on the porch waiting for me? 

Isabella ran over to him and held his left leg with her tiny hands 

“Please don’t go uncle Riri” she begged “can’t your work wait just for today?” she pleaded 

Ryan looks at me pleadingly hoping I'll change my resolve but I don’t. I won’t give him that chance to break me all over again 

When I don’t agree, he picks up Isabella “I’m so sorry, Bells” he says and she wraps her hands around his neck and starts crying 

I quickly rush over and take her away from him and hold her in my arms. Isabella has always been a cheerful child. This is the first time in four years that I’ve seen her cry. What charm did Ryan use on my baby girl? 

“It’s okay my baby. Uncle Riri will stay for dinner” I found myself saying. 

Anything for Isabella even if it meant inviting this monster into my house, just for her sake 

“Uncle Riri, you’ll stay?” Isabella asked through tears and sobbing from my arms 

“Of course, bells. I’ll postpone my meeting anything for you” he said 

She was so happy that she jumped down from my arms and gave him a big hug 

“Yayyy, thank you. Now come along, I want to show you my room and my toys” she said, dragging him inside 

God, I hope I don’t regret this decision