Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 35: The Path Forward

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: The Path Forward

For Lily, the days that followed were a roller coaster of feelings. She felt as though she was standing on a brink, uncertain about whether to jump or turn around, following Ethan’s confession in the park. Even when she was preoccupied with the daily turmoil of life, the weight of his words—his proclamation of love—remained in her thoughts. She had always taken great satisfaction in being in charge and living her life with direction and accuracy. However, now that Ethan’s confession was lingering between them, she felt as though everything she believed to be true about herself was being questioned.

She could hear his words replaying in her mind over and over. She was liked by Ethan. After everything they had experienced, she had never anticipated it. But it was there, as plain as day. A part of her hesitated, even though she wanted to believe it. She wasn’t certain that she was worthy of love. Not in light of what she had done and the choices she had chosen out of retaliation. When she first met Ethan, she was a different person. Not in the way she had hoped, but she had changed.

Although it wasn’t her choice, Lily avoided Ethan for the following few days. Even though her heart ached to talk to him, she avoided his texts and didn’t answer his calls right away. But her thoughts were a battleground. She required time. She needed time to reflect, to absorb all she had discovered about herself, and to consider what might lie ahead.

But she felt even more alone because of the quiet. Once a sanctuary, her apartment now felt like a jail. She yearned for her former freedom before the anguish of betrayal had shattered her spirit and before her thoughts were occupied with retaliation. However, despite her best efforts to ignore it, Ethan was always there in her life. She was aware that she couldn’t get away from it—not without confronting what he had openly spoken and promised her.

After a long day of meetings and paperwork, Lily stood by the window one evening and watched the world outside as the city lights started to twinkle and the sky grew darker. In the distance, she could hear a little hum of traffic, a constant reminder that life was going on whether or not she was prepared.

On the table next to her, her phone buzzed. Ethan texted.

"Lily, I miss you. I must speak. Please.

A beat skipped across her heart. Now there was no way out. In one way or another, she had to confront him.

For a few moments, she gazed at the message, her thoughts racing. At last, she inhaled deeply before typing a reply.

"All right. I’ll see you.

It was a straightforward but sufficient message. Ethan answered almost instantly.

"I’m grateful. I’ll be here waiting.

As Lily picked up her coat and left, her chest constricted. She was sick of running, but she had no idea where this conversation would lead them. She was sick of acting as though she didn’t feel anything for Ethan.

She immediately recognized him when she got to the café where they had decided to meet. He was watching the door from a corner table with his head cocked slightly. When he saw her, his face softened, and he got to his feet as she approached him.

"Lily," he whispered softly, his voice brimming with passion. "I appreciate you coming."

Unconfident in her ability to talk, she nodded. She had so many questions running through her head and so much she wanted to say. For the time being, though, she just sat down opposite him and tried to calm her breathing.

The silence between them was heavy with unspoken words as they placed their drink orders. Ethan appeared to be as anxious as she was, but he never took his eyes off hers, as if he could read her mind.

After what seemed like an age, he finally said something.

With regret in his voice, Ethan replied, "I know I’ve put you through a lot." "I never wanted to share in your suffering. But in all honesty, Lily, I’ve fallen in love with you. Furthermore, I don’t want to continue acting as though I haven’t.

Lily’s mind was still spinning from the magnitude of what he had spoken, and her heart was thumping in her chest. Instead of the relaxation she had anticipated, she experienced a wave of panic. Would she ever be able to love again? After all that had transpired, could she trust him?

She said, her voice trembling a little, "I don’t know what to say." "I’m not sure if I can love you the way you desire." Ethan, I’ve changed. I am not proud of the things I have done.

Ethan softly took her hand in his as he reached across the table. "I’m not expecting you to be flawless. Lily, all I want is to be there for you. to always be there for you. But if you continue to push me away, I won’t be able to accomplish that.

The weight of his words made Lily’s heartache as she gazed down at their clasped hands. She could sense how deeply he felt for her and how sincere he was. Still, she was unable to get rid of the anxiety that had become ingrained in her. She worries that she might lose herself if she lets herself fall in love once more.

Her voice was hardly audible above a whisper as she continued, "I’ve hurt people." "And not only because of Daniel’s situation." You have also been harmed by me. I have misled you and withheld information from you.

The soft touch of Ethan’s thumb on her hand was reassuring. "Lily, we’ve both committed mistakes. However, that does not exclude us from attempting to put things right. Although we cannot alter the past, we may influence the future. Together.

Lily’s breath caught in her throat, and she gave herself permission to hope for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. It could have been time to quit running. Perhaps it was time to consider the prospect of something more than retaliation or revenge, something genuine. Perhaps she needed to forgive herself.

She looked up at him, her eyes a mix of trepidation and hope, and murmured gently, "I want to try." "I would like to try with you."

For the first time in weeks, Lily felt a glimmer of calm settle in her chest as Ethan’s face brightened with a smile. There would be difficulties ahead, and it wouldn’t be simple. However, she felt less alone for the first time in a long time.

The world around them vanished as they sat together, laughing and conversing. They still had so much to confront—so much that had remained unsolved. But they had made the initial move for tonight. Together.

And it was sufficient for Lily.