Becoming strangers again (Lily and Ryan)

Chapter 131

they to own the fence persing dowels had to are up here for de ong with necking ham a

fee which now lay sempry and watered around the Boysen

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To be do te tine? though me anges big a Bocey me think the must hav

Peeling en waren we would be a ceruse Each ping me get i water wed If my ength wening

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that let in a sliver of moonlight. I had There was no were out unives verone ch

1 set down in the cold Be my hack game the w and clowed my eyes

Ryan, pawpely I knew Ry would be looking for me. He was always there for me and I had be he would come through this time too. But how long would it take him To bong did

sty mind wandered back to the late I saw Ryan We had argued about something trivial wething that wemand we nogicam

The thire gnawed at me a constant reminder of predicament. I glanced at the empty water horties again, their prounce mocking my despeses I had tried to ration them, but it hadn’t been whough I could fel debration atting in, day band growing weaker by the mume

I had well to think of Ryan again, to lead

for uspe that he would fit me. I imagined

was the only thing that kept me going

Row: bursting chrough the door has fare ind with wet

to sly thing that kept the fear wt bay

Thour dragged on and I died in and out of a caly Each time I woke the roum wemed hare the alleys more open 1 and was reps my mond focused on survival datang harde wach rack peasing add

for

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der marli fu my kids and when I got sove. I woda

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I would sure this. I had no For Ap war jake paid hoe what he had done

Ching we wyn i allowed if done, ang tus by the time I wake ups i ll be all

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and dan bewys, and be able Mand with hope and dreperation

but I was too weak to even sit up. I could barely lift my head, the dehydration and exhaustion taking their toll. I wanted to call out, to let whoever was out there know I was here, but my voice was a mere whisper, lost in the suffocating silence of the room.

The footsteps grew louder, more hurried. Then, a loud bang echoed through the space, causing me to flinch. Someone was at the door, pounding on it with relentless force. Each hit reverberated through the walls, shaking me to my core. I prayed was Ryan, that he had finally found me.

With a final, resounding crash, the door gave way. Splinters flew as it broke open, and Ryan rushed in, his eyes wide with panic and relief. He spotted me immediately, his expression softening with profound relief and concern.

“Lily!” The shouted, dropping to his knees beside me. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me close. I felt his warmth, his strength, as he cradled me gently. “I’m here. I’m here,” he repeated, as if trying to convince himself as much as me.

I managed a weak smile, feeling the tears well up in my eyes. “Ryan,” I whispered, my voice barely

audible.

He pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek, his touch tender and comforting. “You’re safe now,” he murmured, his voice choked with emotion. “I’ve got you.”

But my body, pushed beyond its limits, had other plans. The world around me began to fade, my vision narrowing as darkness crept in from the edges. I wanted to stay awake, to hold on to the safety of his embrace, but I was slipping, my strength ebbing away.

“Ryan…” I managed to say before the darkness claimed me, pulling me into unconsciousness.

The last thing I felt was his arms tightening around me, his voice a distant, soothing murmur as I surrendered to the void.

When I woke up, I found myself in a familiar room one that I knew belonged to Ryan. The soft lighting and the comforting scent of his place wrapped around me like a warm blanket. An IV drip was attached to my hand, delivering much–needed fluids into my system.

I turned my head slowly and saw Ryan seated on the sofa, his head resting in his hands, his posture tense and weary. The moment he saw I was awake, he sprang up and hurried to my side, his eyes wide with relief and concern.

“Lily,” he said softly, reaching out to take my hand. You’re awake. Thank God.”

I managed a weak smile, squeezing his hand lightly. “Ryan,” I whispered, my voice still raspy. “You found me.”

He nodded, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I was so worried, Lily. I thought… I thought I was too late.”

I shook my head slightly, feeling the sting of tears in my own eyes. “You weren’t. You saved me.”

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He gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face, his touch tender and soothing “I’ll always find you, no matter what. You’re safe now. Just rest!

The comfort of his presence and the security of being in his home allowed me to relax. I knew t was safe, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a sense of

peace,

“Thank you,” I whispered, my eyes closing as exhaustion claimed me once more. “Thank you for coming for me.”

“Always,” he replied, his voice a soft promise that followed me into sleep.

When I woke up again, the first thing I noticed was Ryan lying beside me, his arm protectively wrapped around me. The IV drip was gone, replaced by a lingering ache in my hand.

I shifted slightly, and Ryan stirred, his arm tightening around me for a moment before he opened his eyes. He looked down at me, his expression softening with relief when he saw I was awake.

“Hey,” he said quietly, his voice rough from sleep. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, feeling the sincerity of his concern. “Yes, I’m okay. Thanks to you.”

He smiled, a tired but genuine smile, and brushed his thumb gently across my cheek. “I’m just glad you’re safe now.”

I hesitated for a moment, then asked the question that had been weighing on my mind. “What about Jake? What happened to him?”

Ryan’s expression hardened slightly. “He’s not going to get away with what he did. They’ve intercepted him by sea, and he’s being brought back to Canada. He’ll face justice for what he’s done.”

A wave of relief washed over me. Knowing that Jake would be held accountable lifted a heavy burden from my shoulders. “Good,” I whispered, leaning into Ryan’s embrace. “I’m glad.”

He held me closer, his presence a solid anchor in the aftermath of the ordeal. “You don’t have to worry about him anymore,” he murmured. “I’ll make sure of it.”

For the first time in days, I felt a sense of true safety With Ryan by my side, I knew I could begin to heal, to move forward. I closed my eyes, letting the comfort of his embrace and the knowledge that Jake was no longer a threat lull me into a peaceful rest.

“Thank you, Ryan,” I whispered.

“Always,” he replied softly, his breath warm against my skin. “I’ll always be here for you.

As I lay there, wrapped in the conforting embrace of Ryan’s arms, a sudden thought struck me. I lifted my head to look at him. “Ryan, what about the boys? Noah, Lian, and Ethan–are they okay?”

A gentle smile spread across his face. “They’re fine, Lily. They’re already asleep.”

III

Relief washed over me, eating the tight knot in my chest. Thank God I murmured, leaning into him. Knowing that my triplets were safe and sound made everything else seem manageable.

Ryan brushed a kiss across my forehead. I made sure they were well taken care of. They’ve been worried about you, but they’re strong, just like their mom.”

I felt tears welling up with an overwhelming relief of knowing my children were safe. “I can’t wait to see them in the morning

“And you will,” Ryan assured me. “For now, you need to rest. You’ve been through a lot