James paced the living room, his phone clutched tightly in his hand. The weight of Amanda's threats hung over him like a dark cloud. Lily watched from the kitchen, her arms crossed, unsure whether to push him for details or give him the space he seemed to need.
"I can't let this continue," James said finally, breaking the silence.
"What are you going to do?" Lily asked cautiously, walking over to him.
"I'm going to meet her," he said, his jaw tightening. "Face-to-face. This ends tonight."
Lily's stomach churned at the thought. "Are you sure that's a good idea? She's unpredictable, James. What if she makes things worse?"
"She already has," he replied, his tone resolute. "But I can't keep letting her control my life—or ours. If I don't deal with this now, it'll only escalate."
Lily hesitated, torn between supporting his decision and fearing the consequences. "Where are you meeting her?"
"At a café near her place. Public, neutral ground," he said. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
She grabbed his hand as he turned to leave, her grip firm. "Be careful, James. Promise me you won't let her provoke you."
His expression softened as he looked down at her. "I promise."
---
The café was bustling with activity when James arrived, the noise and chatter providing a sense of anonymity. Amanda was already seated at a table in the corner, her sunglasses perched atop her head as she sipped a glass of wine.
"You're late," she said as he sat down across from her.
"I didn't come here to exchange pleasantries," James replied, his tone cold. "What do you want, Amanda?"
She smirked, leaning back in her chair. "I want you to remember who held you together when you were falling apart. Who was there for you when no one else was."
James clenched his fists under the table. "You don't get to rewrite history. You manipulated me, lied to me, and now you're trying to ruin my life because I won't come running back to you."
Amanda leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You think you're so untouchable, James. But we both know the truth. I have the power to destroy you—and I will if you don't give me what I want."
James met her gaze, unflinching. "Go ahead and try. Whatever you're planning, it won't work. You can twist the narrative all you want, but the truth will come out."
Amanda's expression hardened. "You're making a mistake, James. I could've been your ally. Instead, you've made me your enemy."
He stood, his chair scraping against the floor. "This is the last time we'll ever speak, Amanda. Stay out of my life—and Lily's."
Without waiting for a response, he walked out of the café, his heart pounding.
---
Back at Lily's apartment, the minutes felt like hours. She paced the living room, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios. When James finally walked through the door, she ran to him, relief flooding her.
"How did it go?" she asked, searching his face.
"It's over," he said, pulling her into his arms. "She knows I'm done with her. I don't think she'll bother us again."
Lily wanted to believe him, but a lingering sense of unease remained. "I hope you're right."