"You know what, Lucas? You are insane!" Lily yelled, pulling her arm away from him. She did it so forcefully that the necklace around Lucas' neck bounced to reveal that golden tag with her name carved on it.
Instantly, Lily stilled. Her heart skipped a beat while her eyes were glued to the pendant. This was the same necklace and pendant Lucas bought the week before he disappeared.
More questions formed in her head, ‘Why was he wearing this? Did he still care? If he cared, then why did he leave in the first place?’
Lily's eyes could not help but brim with tears as she stared at the pendant. With this discovery, she looked into his eyes and begged, "Please, Lucas. Tell me why you left, and maybe we can set aside all this misunderstanding."
Lucas maintained eye contact. He clenched his jaws and said, "I can't, Lily. I just can't."
“Then -" Lily finally snapped. "I don't want this assignment. Talk to the major about this because there is no way I can stand being in the same room as you, much more, breathe the same air as you!"
She grabbed her duffle bag and threatened, "I'm leaving. Don't you dare say a word about it to Major Patton!"
"Lily," Lucas called, but Lily was already at the door.
The bodyguards watching outside tried to reason with Lily, but Lucas said to his men, "Let her go. You'll only end up hurting yourself. She isn't a simple lion."
"Good that you know!" Lily yelled upon walking in the direction of the lift.
***
"Where are you flying to, Miss?" The ticketing agent at Rose Hills airport asked.
Where does she want to go? Lily did not know. She pursed her lips, wiping the tear that fell down her face. She told the woman before her, "Excuse me, let me make a phone call real quick."
Stepping aside and finding an isolated corner in the airport, Lily cursed, "Fuck, why am I crying? I really hate you, Lucas!"
She took out her phones. She had two: her personal phone and the one meant for the mission. She dialed Jake's number.
"Lily, what a surprise! I thought you were out on a mission?" Jake, her boyfriend, answered after two calls.
"Yes, things have changed, and I need you, Jake. I need to talk to you," Lily said. "You are in Lockwood, right? I'm in Rose Hills. Can I see you for a few hours? I won't disturb your business trip. I will go to be with Aiden after our talk."
She sighed and reiterated, "I want to see you."
"Of course, Babe. Come to see me in Lockwood. I am staying at Blue Intercontinental. Call me when you have arrived and Let's have dinner together. I missed you," Jake said, but Lily felt a lump in her throat and could not say the same words back.
Instead, Lily responded, "Thank you, Jake. I'll see you in about two hours."
The truth was, Lily hoped that seeing Jake would make her stop thinking of Lucas. Thus, she went out of her way to see him.
***
"Ah, there she is!" Jake exclaimed. His gorgeous grey eyes sparkled at the sight of Lily. He hugged her and pecked her lips. "God, I miss you so much, but this life of dating a military woman sure is tough."
"I -" Lily flushed. "I'm sorry you had to bear with that."
"It's alright, Lily. I understand. Come inside. Let's have a wonderful meal together," Jake suggested while grabbing her hand. They went to the main restaurant, and Jake quickly ordered Lily's favorite food.
As they ate, Lily studied Jake. He had dark hair and sharp features. He almost looked like Lucas in the past, except his eyes were gray. Suddenly, Lily dropped her fork. She covered her face with the realization that Jake looked somewhat like the old Lucas.
'Oh, my god,' Lily said to herself. She had probably seen this before and simply lied to herself. ‘Did I date Jake because he looked a bit like Lucas?’
"Babe, is there something bothering you?" Jake asked, interrupting Lily’s thoughts.
"Nothing," Lily quickly recovered and faked a smile. She drank her wine and poured more, gulping down three glasses in a row.
"Woah." Jake laughed. He said, "Are you sure everything is okay, Lily?"
Nodding her head, Lily answered, "Yes. I'm just pressured with work."
Jake was an heir to a known construction company in Braeton, the Bass Power Construction. He was currently the Marketing Director. Lily met him through her brother, Liam.
Liam had introduced Jake to Lily as one of their new contractors. Often, Jake traveled to other cities to make proposals, hoping to get another project for the company. That was why he was in Lockwood.
"Lily, my job here will be extended for another week," Jake revealed. "But I'll see you after that, right? Since your mission is canceled."
With a smile, Lily faintly replied, "Yes, it's fine. Do what you have to do here. Aiden wants me to spend time with him."
She continued to finish her meal, but just as she did, she saw a familiar figure walking towards them. It was her former high school classmate, Alicia Bennet.
Immediately, Lily frowned. She said, "What is Alicia doing here?"
Jake turned in shock, saying, "Alicia? Oh." He shrugged and said, "I don't know."
Alicia Bennet was obsessed with Lily's boyfriend. She flaunted her admiration towards Jake, not bothering to be discreet. She would post it on her social media and tell some of Lily's high school classmates.
This woman had long, straight blonde hair and dressed like a model. She was rather the opposite of Lily.
As expected, Alicia walked over to their table. She smiled and said, "Fancy meeting you here."
"Really? You did not stalk Jake, right?" Lily asked while gazing at her boyfriend.
"So what if I did?" Alicia rolled her eyes. She said, "I at least have the freedom to do that."
Jake sneered at Alicia's words. He appeared to be disgusted by this woman. He said to Lily, "Ignore her, Babe. Eat your food. Let’s not waste our breath on her.”
"The truth is, I'm with my friends. I guess I'll be on my way," Alicia said before joining a table where three other girls were waiting for her.
"Is she bothering you? I could ask my cousin to teach her and her family a lesson," Lily offered to Jake.
Jake merely laughed and said, "This is the first time I have seen her in Lockwood. Don't bother yourself with unimportant people, Lily. Let's just enjoy our dinner."
After their meal, Jake invited Lily to his hotel room. She agreed. Again, she wanted to convince herself that she had moved on with Jake, but she did not last a second when her boyfriend kissed her on the lips.
Lily pulled away and made an excuse, "I - I'm sorry, Jake. I wasn't expecting to stay longer. I booked a flight to Braeton at ten in the evening."
"oh, that's a shame," Jake muttered. He smiled and cupped her face. He said, "Don’t worry. I will always understand you because I love you, Lily. You know that. I will always be patient with you."
He grabbed her hand gently and said, "Let's go and get you a taxi."
***
Earlier that day.
Through a security surveillance video, Lucas watched as Lily left the Headquarters of the Thompson Group of Companies. His eyes were fixed on her slender frame, her small and cute face that had not aged over the years.
Like him, Lily was already in her early thirties, but her face looked so young.
Lucas did not want her to leave, but Lily was a force to reckon with. It wasn’t the time. He needed the right opportunity and he was determined to find it.
He glanced up at his assistant and said, "Ryan. Have someone follow her. Update me on her whereabouts.”
"Yes, Sir," a man, also well-built with blond hair, acknowledged.
Lucas returned to work for the rest of the day. He did not leave his office and wasn't planning to until nighttime.
Ryan entered his office once more to update Lucas, "Sir, Miss Wright went to Lockwood to see her boyfriend, Mister Jake Bass. They had dinner together, and she spent a few minutes in his hotel room."
"Jake?" Out of anger, the pen in Lucas' hand snapped. The veins on his neck protruded, and his jaws were clenched. He was seething as he ordered, "Find out everything you can with this man, Jake Bass. I want all his dirt in twenty-four hours. You got that, Ryan?”
"Yes, sir," Ryan replied.
Ten years ago, he left, but now he has returned. Lucas would stop at nothing to have Lily back in his life.
November 18, 2023. Chapter 1-3.
"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 p
"The aortic stent graft collapse," Doctor Steven reported to the Wright family. "That caused him to faint. So, earlier, we inserted another stent, and he is under observation." "I feel that there is a but coming," Lily's oldest brother, Liam, predicted. Behind him, all of Lily's brothers were giving the doctors murderous looks. The doctor sighed and admitted, "There is an endoleak. Despite the new stent, we still see blood flowing outside the graft. This continues to put pressure on the aneurysm." Lily’s family gathered outside the recovery room to listen to Doctor Steven. Her mother, her uncle, and all five brothers were naturally there. Lily's father, Kaleb Wright, was still under observation and would be moved to his private room later. "You said you were the best at this!" Lewis, Lily's other brother, yelled. From there, everyone was nagging the doctor. "I specialize in aortic repair via stent grafts! Yes, I am the best at this," the doctor claimed. Last year, Kaleb Wrigh
“Marry me, tomorrow.” Lily blinked. Eventually, her brows furrowed, and she regained her awareness. She asked, “Marry you?” “Yes, that’s my condition,” Lucas repeated. “Of course, you can seek out other doctors from another state, perhaps from another country, but I am the convenient option, right?” Lily grunted. She answered, “You are so heartless. My father’s life is at stake, someone who was like a second father to you, and yet you come up with a bargain!” “What is so wrong about marrying me, Lily?” Lucas asked. The two remained to stare at each other. Lily did so with anger in her eyes, while Lucas had a strong look of determination. “Why? Because you hurt me, my family, and even your family? Why would I marry you?” Lily expressed. “Whose to say you won’t leave again?” “Because I am back to make it all right,” Lucas answered. “And I will do everything to repair the unfavorable outcomes of my decision to leave.” Lucas grabbed Lily’s arm and said, “I’m staying for good. I
A black Cadillac pulled over in front of Lily. The car's window rolled halfway down, and she saw those piercing dark brown eyes that held her captive for a second. As usual, Lucas had that serious look on his face. He greeted, "Good morning." "I can't be seen in public," Lucas reminded her. "Do you mind getting in on your own?" "I wasn't about to get carried into a car, anyhow," Lily muttered. Prior to flying out to Rose Hills, Lily informed Lucas' assistant of her arrival. So, as soon as she stepped out of the airport, it no longer surprised her that Lucas was there. The man arrived in a caravan of three cars. All of them looked armored and brand new. As soon as Lily settled, the car drove away from the airport, with one vehicle ahead of them and another behind. "I have already ordered Uncle Kaleb to be airlifted to Rose Hills," Lucas revealed. He was leaning back in his seat, looking out the window. "I only allowed a maximum of three visitors, I'm afraid. I will tighten sec
### FLASHBACK ### When Lily and Lucas were kids, their families decided to go on a vacation. They went to a private lakehouse. Lily's brothers were doing their own thing. Lily and Lucas, on the other hand, walked around the lake before settling on a picnic table. From there, Lily shared with Lucas a conversation with her friends at school. "My girl friends at school said that when we are older, we should have our own rings. But my friends like pink! Ewww! My brothers don't wear pink, so I never wear something pink." With a frown, she corrected, "But sometimes, Mommy forces me to wear pink and a dress." "Girls have to have a ring?" Lucas asked. "Yeah, like a diamond ring!" Lily revealed. "My mommy has a big yellow ring on her finger. Didn't you see?" "I think my mommy has blue," Lucas revealed. "I love blue!" Lily said. "My brothers wear blue all the time! When I grow up and meet my special person - because, only the special person gives that ring, you know. I want that sp
"I don't mind if she hates me right now, but I can't let her h -" Lucas' words were cut off because his phone rang. His father was calling, and he had to answer it. "Dad?" "Son, I heard Kaleb is being admitted to the Heart and Lung Center, and you are operating on him?" Lucas’ father, Evan Thompson, asked on the other line. "Are you -" Lucas felt his father's hesitation. Eventually, Evan Thompson resumed, "Are you fixing things?" "You could say that, Dad," Lucas answered. "Uncle Kaleb needs an ascending aortic replacement." “After ten years, your timing is still off,” Evan said. “I know, but when I saw Lily back in Koplin, I couldn’t - I had to have her,” Lucas reasoned. “I married her, Dad.” “What?” Evan reacted. “I forced her to marry me,” Lucas revealed. “You are going to give us a heart attack,” Evan remarked. “I’m sorry. I want to be with her badly,” Lucas explained. “Don’t worry about this. I’ll make it work.” There was silence in the air before Evan proposed, "The
Lily arrived with Lucas at Saint Dominque Heart and Lung Center. Ryan was also with them. As soon as they entered the lobby, a red-haired female doctor greeted Lucas. "Doctor Thompson, the patient from Braeton, has already settled in his room. The patient's name is Kaleb Wright. He is -" The lady doctor said, but Lucas raised his hand, stopping her from resuming. "Give me the charts," Lucas said. He had no expression on his face as he ordered. "I want to review it myself." "Um, Of course, Doctor. Let me accompany you to your office," the lady doctor suggested. Lily would not have minded this lady doctor, but she clearly saw the sparkle in her eyes when the red-haired woman spoke to Lucas. She also noticed how the doctor glanced at her, silently wondering who she was. When they made their way to a private office, Ryan opened the door for Lucas. The bodyguard that drove them to the center stood by the door as Lucas entered. Lily was about to follow inside when the red-haired lad
Three and a half hours later, the surgery was completed. Kaleb Wright had a new ascending aorta. After an operation, Lucas would generally leave the rest of the work to a resident surgeon. However, Lucas wanted to do everything for Kaleb. "Doctor, I can close the chest," Doctor Brown offered. "No," Lucas plainly said. "I'll do everything. Everyone can assist and learn." What Lucas really wanted to say was that he could not afford any mistakes during that surgery. This was his first step in redeeming himself. So, he would instead do everything with many eyes watching him. One by one, Lucas inserted the sternal wires, his eyes barely blinking, focused on Kaleb's open chest. After closing Kaleb's sternum, he also personally stitched the wound. Lucas observed Kaleb for a few minutes longer before finally giving the order, "We can move him to the ICU." The surgical team clapped their hands. One by one, they praised Lucas. "You did a fantastic job, Doctor Thompson," the cardiol