71I rolled my eyes at Lucas's greeting, a habit when interacting with my former lover. While our history remained, my heart now belonged to Damien. Thankfully Mr. Watson had departed, sparing me further awkwardness."And what the situation at the gym?" I asked concerned. "The situation is under control, most patients moved to the gym for now," Lucas replied to my inquiry. I detected a hint of weariness in his tone; tending to the aftermath must have drained him. "And Damien?" I pressed, concern for my fiancé overriding other matters. Lucas sighed. "I left him overseeing cleanup but he was in a foul mood, snapping at anyone within earshot. Didn't seem like he'd be home anytime soon."My shoulders slumped at the news. The stress of the day still clung to me like a shroud, and I longed for Damien's comforting embrace. But his duties came first, as always."And you?" Lucas asked gently, gazing at me with a tenderness that still stirred emotion, despite my resolve. "How are you holdin

73The next evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, I found myself on edge, anxiously awaiting Grace's arrival. She called me half an hour ago to ask if I was home and I said yes. My heart pounded with anticipation and dread, knowing that I would have to face her and maintain the facade of normalcy.As the sound of her car pulling into the driveway reached my ears, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the confrontation that was sure to follow.Grace stepped out of the car, her expression a mixture of concern and confusion as she approached me. "Lilian, I've been worried sick about you," she exclaimed, her voice laced with genuine concern. "I haven't seen you all day. Are you okay?"I forced a weak smile, my stomach churning with guilt. "I'm fine, Grace," I replied, my voice strained with the effort of concealing the truth. "Damien asked me not to set foot in the hospital until I've fully recovered."Grace's brows furrowed in concern as she reached out to touch my arm. "Oh,

75LilianMy anger flared anew as the real reason for my upset surfaced. Grace was due to visit Lucas again soon. How could he invite her back into his life so casually after what had happened? I decided I needed an explanation. Once the children left with Damien, I headed straight to Lucas's house, determined to confront him.With my heart pounding in my chest, I pressed the doorbell and stepped back, waiting. Minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. I could hear shuffling from within, then the sound of locks being turned. The door finally swung open, revealing Lucas, looking as handsome as ever.Seeing me on his doorstep, he frowned in surprise. "Lilian? What are you doing here so early?" he asked, but I brushed past him into the house without a word. He followed me in, shutting the door behind him.Once inside, I whirled around to face him. "How could you invite Grace back into your life without any consideration for how that might affect others?" I demanded, my fists

77LilianOutside, the cool night air hit my warm skin sharply. As I tried to wrap my mind around the betrayal, I noticed Mr. Watson, our elderly neighbor, crossing the street. He was cradling his cat."Evening, Lilian!" he called out, his voice carrying the warmth of familiarity.I mustered a weak smile, waving back. "Good evening, Mr. Watson." I said, my heart not in the conversation. After, I hurried home.Once inside, I dashed to my bedroom, my refuge from the world. The need to wash away the night's events was overwhelming. I peeled off my clothes with a sense of urgency, each piece reminding me of my humiliation with lucas.The shower's hot spray felt cleansing, as if it could wash away not just the physical residue but the emotional stain Lucas had left. I stood there, letting the water run over me, my thoughts a mix of anger, betrayal, and self-reproach."Why did I let myself get drawn back in?" I muttered to myself, clenching my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms.W

79Damien took a deep breath, and as the dim light from the screen illuminated his face, I saw the nervousness there, the hope. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box, opening it to reveal a beautiful ring. "Lilian," he began, his voice trembling slightly, "I know I've been distant, and I've made mistakes, but I love you more than anything. Will you marry me, even though it's the second time I asked you to be my wife?"The cinema, once filled with the sounds of discontent, was now silent, all eyes on us. I was speechless, my emotions a whirlwind of surprise, joy, and lingering doubt. But looking into Damien's eyes, seeing the love and sincerity there, the hurt and confusion began to melt away."Yes," I whispered, the word barely audible. "Yes, I will marry you, again and again."A cheer erupted from the audience, a spontaneous celebration of our moment. Damien removed the first ring and slipped the ring onto my finger, and as he did, I felt a weight lift from m