Don't annul the marriage. It's not safe.
Her hands were shaking as she lowered her phone. The words kept ringing in her head, making her feel like the ground under her was shifting.
Who would send something like this? And why would it matter to anyone else whether she annulled this mystery marriage?
A tight knot of anxiety made its way to her chest. She felt trapped between dobuts and fear, the message even adding more to the chaos that had already taken over her day.
The logical part of her mind wanted to dismiss it as a prank, but her instincts was saying otherwise. This wasn't random.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. Ethan's familiar, confident footsteps made sounds through the hallway.
She quickly put the phone into her bag, forcing her face to look calm. The last thing she needed right now was more questions.
"Hey, babe," Ethan's voice was warm, filled with exhaustion from a long day. He leaned in for a kiss, but she turned her head slightly, letting his lips brush her cheek instead. His brows raised up , and his smile faded.
"Everything okay?" he asked, his sharp green eyes looking at her closely.
Lily's pulse stated beating faster. She hated lying to him, but the truth was impossible to explain. Not now.
"I'm fine. Just… a lot on my mind," she said, forcing on a weak smile. She tried to act busy by tidying up the coffee table, avoiding his eyes that we're looking at her.
Ethan didn't buy it. His arms crossed, an expression she had come to recognize as the start of one of his "serious talks."
"Lily, you've been acting strange for days. Distant. What's going on? Is it work?"
Her chest tightened. She wanted to tell him everything, to let him help her figure out this mess. But how could she?
"Oh, by the way, I'm apparently married to a stranger named Adrian Blackwood" didn't exactly roll off her tongue.
"It's nothing," she said quickly. "Just work stress. Deadlines are just too much".
Ethan's frown grew even stronger. He didn't look convinced, but after a moment, he let out a long sigh. "Alright. But if something's wrong, you can talk to me, okay? I'm here."
"I know," she said softly.
As Ethan walked into the kitchen, Lily's phone rang again. Her stomach twisted as she checked the screen. Another text, this time shorter but also unsettling:
Meet me. 8 PM. Cafe Verona.
There was no name, but she didn't need one. It had to be Adrian.
The dim lighting of Cafe Verona cast a glow over the small tables and lush chairs. Normally, Lily would have appreciated the lovely atmosphere, but tonight, it felt stifling.
Her nerves were a whole lot of mess as she stepped inside, her eyes immediately landing on him.
Adrian Blackwood sat in the corner, his posture relaxed, yet commanding. He was looking through his phone, completely at ease, as though this was just another ordinary evening.
The sight of him made her stomach twist in frustration—especially after what happened between them.
"You're late," Adrian said, not even bothering to look up as she approached. A faint smirk formed at his lips.
Lily slid into the chair across from him, her movements filled with irritation. "I wasn't planning to come at all," she snapped. "But then I got a text. Care to explain?"
Finally, he looked up, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers. For a moment, the air between them seemed to change.
Adrian's eyes dropped to her phone as she placed it on the table, the message still displayed on the screen. He picked it up, his brows clinging together as he read.
"Not me," he said simply, sliding the phone back to her.
Lily crossed her arms. "Convenient answer."
Adrian leaned back, his expression calm but his tone a little bit off."Why would I send a message like that? I'm in this mess just as much as you are.
If I wanted to keep you tied to me, I would be a lot more direct about it."
She hated that his stupid logic made sense. But that didn't mean she trusted him. "So, if it wasn't you, who was it? And why would anyone care if we end this… thing?"
Adrian's eyes changed slightly, an expression of something unreadable crossing his face. "Good question. One we need to answer."
"We?" Lily repeated, amazed . "There's no 'we.' This was a mistake, and I want it fixed."
Adrian came forward, his voice dropping to a quiet intensity. "Do you think I don't? But until we figure out how this happened, looking for answers might be more dangerous than you think."
His words sent a chill down her spine. "Dangerous? What are you talking about?"
Adrian paused, as though measuring what and what not to say. Finally, he spoke. "Let's just say I have a feeling this isn't as simple as a drunken mistake in Vegas.
Someone wanted this to happen. And until we know who and why, we need to be careful."
Lily just kept staring at him, her heart pounding. There was no mistaking the seriousness in his tone. She hated how her guts told her to believe him, even when her mind screamed not to.
"Alright," she said slowly. "But that doesn't mean I trust you. For all I know, you could be involved."
Adrian's lips shifted into a faint smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Fair enough. But if you want answers, you'll need my help. Whether you like it or not."
As she was about to leave, he shocked her with a statement." I cannot seem to forget the kiss that happened between us". Lily grew nervous as she swallowed hard and forced out a response to him.
"What happened between us was nothing, I am in a relationship and I am faithful and loyal to him". And with that she stormed out of the Cafe.
Back home, Ethan stood in the living room, looking serious and frustrated. His arms were crossed tightly, and his jaw was very folded. The moment Lily stepped inside, his eyes locked onto hers.
"Where were you?" he asked, his voice filled with anger.
Lily stopped, feeling the tensions in the air. She paused, trying to think of a lie. "I just needed some air," she said softly, her voice quieter than she had expected it to be.
"Air?" Ethan's voice rose, shocked. "Lily, you've been so distant lately. You're hiding something from me. What's going on?"
Her chest began filling with guilt and fear. The secrets inside her felt heavy, and she didn't know how to tell him. She opened her mouth, but the words seemed not to come out.
"It's nothing," she said at last, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I'm just... very stressed.Work has been crazy."
Ethan's eyes stayed on her, searching for the truth. The silence between them grew, but finally, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"I'm here for you, Lily," he said softly, his voice losing some of its angering tone.. "Whatever it is, you can tell me."
"I know," she whispered, barely able to hear herself. She turned away, hoping the conversation would end before she said too much.
But Ethan was not finished. He moved closer, stopping her with a gentle hand on her arm.
"Lily," he said to her very softly, "look at me."
She slowly turned to face him, her heart beating. His anger was gone, replaced by concern and care.
"I hate seeing you like this," he said, his hand brushing against hers. "Whatever it is, we'll get through it. Together."
The kindness in his voice made way for something inside her, and a tear fell down her cheek. Ethan gently wiped it away with his thumb, his touch not leaving her.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"For what?" His voice was soft, his eyebrows raised in confusion.
"For... everything," she said, her voice shaking. "For not being able to tell you."
Ethan shook his head and pulled her into his arms. At first, she tried to let go, guilt telling her to pull away. But the warmth of his hug calmed her, and she let herself relax and held on to him too.
"I don't need the answers right now," he said quietly, his breath warm against her hair. "I just need to know you're with me."
"I am," she whispered, her voice not clearly heard against his chest.
Ethan gently raised her chin up, looking into her eyes. "Then let me show you."
Before she could say anything, his lips touched hers in a kiss that was so gentle and desperate. It wasn't just a kiss—it was a promise, a plea, and an apology all at once.
Lily held his shirt, trying to stay calm in the moment. The tension between them melted away, replaced by something softer, more vulnerable.
As the kiss between them grew more passionate, the storm seemed to fade, leaving only the quiet sound of their breathing and feelings.
For just a moment, Lily let go of her secrets and held onto the man she loved as he carried her onto his arms into the bedroom.
That night, Lily lay in bed beside Ethan after the moment they just shared, she was staring at the ceiling. Her mind wouldn't stop racing.
The text, the meeting with Adrian, Ethan's suspicion, the kiss with Adrian….It was all too much.
When she finally fell asleep, her dreams were filled with puzzling images. Flashing lights, laughter, and Adrian's piercing gaze.
A hand brushing hers, kisses so passionate, a whispered promise she couldn't quite hear… and then darkness.
She suddenly woke up to her heart pounding. The memory of his touch lingered, unwanted but undeniable.