Chapter 3

Lily sat in her office, staring blankly at her computer screen. She couldn't focus on work, not when her mind was consumed with thoughts of Ethan.

It had been a few weeks since their last encounter, and Lily couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing from her life.

She tried to push the thoughts aside and focus on her work, but her mind kept wandering back to Ethan. She couldn't help but wonder what he was doing, where he was, and if he was thinking about her too.

As she sat there lost in thought, her phone rang. It was Mark, her ex-husband. Lily hesitated before answering, unsure of what he could possibly want.

"Hey, Lily. How are you doing?" Mark's voice was cold and distant, a stark contrast to the warmth and passion she had experienced with Ethan.

"I'm fine, Mark. What do you want?" Lily asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. I heard you're seeing someone new." Mark's tone was accusatory, and Lily could feel his jealousy radiating through the phone.

"It's none of your business, Mark. We're divorced, remember?" Lily snapped, feeling a surge of anger and frustration.

"I know, I know. I just wanted to make sure you're okay. You know I still care about you, Lily." Mark's voice softened, and Lily could hear the hint of desperation in his tone.

"I don't need your concern, Mark. I'm doing just fine without you." Lily hung up the phone, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. 

She was finally free from Mark's toxic influence, and she wasn't going to let him ruin her happiness.

Days turned into weeks, and Lily and Ethan's relationship continued to blossom. They spent every moment they could together, exploring the city and discovering new things about each other. Lily felt like she was living in a dream, and she never wanted it to end.

But as much as she tried to ignore it, the reality of their situation was always lurking in the back of her mind. Ethan was a billionaire, and Lily was just a regular woman with a regular job. She knew that their worlds were vastly different, and that there would be challenges ahead.

One day, as they were walking through the park, Lily finally mustered up the courage to bring up the topic that had been weighing on her mind.

"Ethan, I need to talk to you about something," she said, her voice shaking slightly.

"Of course, Lily. What's on your mind?" Ethan asked, his eyes filled with concern.

"It's just...I don't know if I can keep up with your lifestyle. You're a billionaire, and I'm just a regular person. I don't want to hold you back or be a burden on you," Lily said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ethan took her hand and pulled her close. "Lily, you could never be a burden on me. I love you for who you are, not for what you have or don't have. And as for my lifestyle, I willing to make adjustments if it means being with you."

Lily felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had been so worried about their differences, but Ethan's words reassured her that they could make it work.

As the weeks turned into months, Lily and Ethan's relationship continued to grow stronger. They faced challenges along the way, but they always worked through them together.

One day, Ethan surprised Lily with a trip to Paris. They spent a week exploring the city of love, and it was there that Ethan got down on one knee and asked Lily to marry him.

Lily was overjoyed, and she said yes without hesitation. She knew that their journey together would be filled with ups and downs, but she was ready to face it all with Ethan by her side.

As they returned home from their trip, Lily couldn't help but feel grateful for the second chance at love and happiness that Ethan had given her. She knew that their love was worth fighting for, and she was willing to do whatever it took to make it work.

With Ethan by her side, Lily felt like anything was possible. And she knew that together, they could conquer anything that life threw their way.

As the day wore on, Lily found herself lost in thought once again. She couldn't stop thinking about Ethan and the way he made her feel. She knew she shouldn't get too attached, but she couldn't help but feel drawn to him.

That night, Lily found herself standing outside Ethan's apartment building. She hesitated for a moment before ringing the buzzer, unsure of what she was doing. But before she could change her mind, Ethan answered the door.

"Lily, what are you doing here?" Ethan's voice was filled with surprise and excitement.

"I couldn't stop thinking about you," Lily admitted, feeling a rush of vulnerability.

Ethan smiled and pulled her into a warm embrace. "I couldn't stop thinking about you either," he whispered, his lips brushing against her ear.

As they kissed, Lily felt a sense of passion and desire that she had never experienced before. She knew that being with Ethan was risky, but she couldn't resist the pull of their chemistry.

As they lay in bed together, Lily couldn't help but think about her past with Mark. She had thought that their marriage was the end-all-be-all, but now she realized that there was so much more to life than being trapped in a loveless relationship.

With Ethan, Lily felt alive and free. She knew that there were risks involved, but she was willing to take them for the chance at true happiness.

As the night wore on, Lily and Ethan talked about their pasts and their hopes for the future. 

They both knew that their relationship was complicated, but they were willing to take a chance on each other.

For Lily, being with Ethan was a second chance at love and happiness. She knew that there would be challenges ahead, but she was ready to face them head-on. With Ethan by her side, "she felt like anything was possible".