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Chapter 3 - chapter 3

10 years later

Lilly sat at the edge of her bed, her suitcase half packed beside her. The room was quiet except for the soft hum of the city outside her window. It felt unreal to think that, after 10 years, she was finally returning home.

Her eyes drifted over to her plane ticket, resting on the dresser. Tomorrow, at this time, she'd be on a flight back to the place she had tried so hard to forget. Skyline High school, the people who had hurt her, and the memories she buried all those years ago, it was all waiting for her on the other side of that flight.

Lilly ran her fingers through her long, sleek hair and sighed. It was a different world now. She was no longer the shy girl hiding behind her songs.

Now, she was a CEO, a woman who had built an empire, and men who once wouldn't look twice at her now practically fell at her feet. Yet, none of it erased the nervousness gnawing at her.

Her phone buzzed, and it was a message from her father.

"All set for your flight? Call me when you land."

She smiled softly, typing a quick reply.

"Will do. Thank you for everything, I love you dad."

Even though he was miles away, her father had always been her rock. He had made the decision to send her abroad, knowing that she needed a fresh start. And now, here she was, coming back stronger than ever.

Lilly stood up and walked to the window. The city lights sparkled like stars beneath her. Tomorrow, everything would change. She would be back in the city she once called home. But this time, she would be the one.

Lilly walked through the bustling terminal, her heart racing as she scanned the crowd. The familiar scent of the airport, coffee, perfume, and a hint of jet fuel flooded her senses. It had been 10 years since she stood on this soil, and everything felt surreal.

Then, she spotted them.

Her mother and father stood at the exit, holding a bouquet of her favorite flowers, smiling through tears.

Her mother, slightly grayer but still as elegant as ever, waved enthusiastically, while her father stood with a proud grin, his eyes misty.

Without thinking, Lilly broke into a run, her suitcase rolling behind her, forgotten in the moment. She reached her parents and threw herself into their arms, the tears she had been holding back finally spilling over.

"I missed you both so much." She said while sobbing.

Her mother stroked her hair gently, whispering, "We missed you more, sweetheart. It's been too long."

Her father wrapped his arms around them both, holding his family close, his voice thick with emotion. "Welcome home, Lilly."

For a moment, everything else disappeared. The years apart, the distance, the life she had built overseas. Right here, in her parents' arms, she felt like the 17 year old girl she had been when she left. But so much had changed since then. She had changed.

Pulling back slightly, Lilly wiped her tears and smiled through her emotions.

"It feels good to be home."

Her mother handed her the bouquet of flowers, and they shared a quiet look, understanding how much this moment meant for all of them.

As they left the airport, walking towards the car, her father's arm around her shoulder, Lilly couldn't help but feel a wave of anticipation. She was home now, but she wasn't the same girl who had left. This time, she was ready for whatever came next.

Lilly's company was thriving, her staff growing with each passing day. Though she occasionally wrote songs for fun, her focus was now on her business.

One morning, as she was reviewing some paperwork, she received a message from an important contact. A potential client looking to collaborate on a major project. Intrigued, she agreed to meet the person at a restaurant to discuss the details.

On Ethan's side, life had taken a stressful turn. He has been working at his father's company alongside his brother, trying to keep things going.

Though Ethan was still popular with the ladies, his charm wasn't going to save the company from the financial disaster that loomed. His father's business, once a giant in the industry, was now on the verge of bankruptcy.

During a tense family meeting, Ethan's father laid out the only solution. A massive project that could bring in a trillions and save the company. But there was a catch.

"I'm giving you both a challenge," his father said, looking between Ethan and his brother.

"Whoever lands this project will become the new owner of the company."

It was the opportunity of a lifetime, but also a competition that would drive a wedge between the brothers. Every major company in the industry was vying for this project, and it wasn't going to be easy. Ethan knew his father wasn't just testing their business acumen, he was testing their loyalty, ambition, and willingness to fight for the future of the family.

Now, Ethan had to decide how far he was willing to go to save his father's legacy, even if it meant competing with his own brother.

Lilly glanced at her reflection in the mirror one last time before leaving her office. Dressed in a sleek, tailored suit with just a touch of makeup, she looked every bit the powerful businesswoman she had become. Her life had taken a complete turn since her high school days, and now she was about to embark on a project that could expand her company's reach even further.

Arriving at the restaurant, she sat at a reserved table near the window, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her glass as she waited. She couldn't help but feel a bit curious about the person she was meeting today. The project seemed promising, and the tone of the message she'd received was professional, but vague.

After a few minutes, the door to the restaurant swung open, and in walked a tall figure in a suit. Lilly glanced up from her phone to catch the man's face, and then her breath caught in her throat.

It was Ethan.

The same Ethan who had been the center of her world in high school, the same Ethan who unknowingly sang her songs. Time had only sharpened his features, making him even more striking, but the familiarity was instant. She felt a rush of emotions—surprise, curiosity, and a flicker of the past.