The Twisted Obsession
Chapter 215: Win her back

Chapter 215: Win her back

But despite the guilt that weighed heavy on her heart, Lily couldn’t shake the lingering resentment that lingered beneath the surface. Abby may have changed, but the wounds of the past ran deep, and the scars they left behind were not so easily forgotten.

With a heavy sigh, Lily turned her attention back to Alice, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. "I don’t know what happened to her," she admitted, her voice tinged with regret. "But whatever it was, it certainly turned her into someone we never could have imagined."

As if she could hear their whispered conversation, Abby turned gracefully, her eyes locking with Lily and Alice’s. With a subtle smirk playing at the corners of her lips, she raised her glass in a silent toast, her gaze unwavering.

Lily felt a chill run down her spine as she met Abby’s piercing stare. It was as if Abby knew they were talking about her, as if she could hear every word they had uttered in hushed tones.

Alice shifted uncomfortably beside Lily, her expression betraying a hint of unease. "Should we... acknowledge her toast?" she murmured, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Lily hesitated for a moment, torn between the desire to acknowledge Abby’s gesture and the lingering guilt that gnawed at her conscience. In the end, she raised her glass in return, a silent acknowledgment of Abby’s presence.

As Abby’s gaze lingered on them for a moment longer, Lily couldn’t help but wonder what thoughts were running through her mind. Did Abby harbor resentment towards them for their past actions? Or had she truly moved on from the pain and hurt they had inflicted upon her?

As Cage’s gaze shifted towards Lily, she felt a surge of apprehension wash over her, her muscles tensing involuntarily. The intensity of his stare bore into her, and she couldn’t help but feel as though he could see straight through her facade.

Lily’s heart quickened its pace as she braced herself for the wave of disgust and hate she knew would accompany Cage’s gaze. She had seen it all too often before – the contempt that lingered in his eyes whenever he looked at her, a silent reminder of the role she had played in Abby’s past torment.

With a forced smile, Lily met Cage’s gaze, though she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling of unease that gnawed at her insides. She hated the way he looked at her, as though she were beneath contempt, as though she were nothing more than a cruel reminder of the pain Abby had endured.

But beneath the surface, Lily couldn’t help but wonder what thoughts were running through Cage’s mind. Did he see her for who she truly was, or was he blinded by the bitterness and resentment that clouded his judgment?

As Cage’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, Lily forced herself to maintain her composure, though the weight of his scrutiny bore down on her like a leaden weight. She knew that she couldn’t escape the judgment of those who knew the truth, and as Cage turned away, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt gnawing at her conscience.

"Don’t tell me you still like Cage?" Alice whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of conversation in the room. Lily’s cheeks flushed at the question, a hint of embarrassment coloring her features, a flicker of discomfort crossing her features. "What are you talking about?" she replied in a hushed tone, her voice tinged with defensiveness. "I’m with Alex. He’s the legitimate son and the key to my success."

Alice let out a frustrated sigh, shaking her head in disbelief. "You know, Lily, sometimes it’s not about what’s on paper," she said, her voice laced with frustration. "It’s about what’s in your heart."

Lily’s brow furrowed at Alice’s words, a pang of guilt tugging at her conscience. She knew that Alice was right – her relationship with Alex was built on convenience and ambition, rather than genuine affection. But she couldn’t deny the allure of the power and influence that came with being with him.

"I can’t just throw everything away," Lily muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I’ve worked too hard to get to where I am."

Alice’s expression softened, a hint of sympathy in her eyes as she reached out to place a comforting hand on Lily’s arm. "I understand, Lily," she said gently. "But sometimes, the heart wants what it wants. And if Cage is the one who holds your heart, then maybe it’s worth taking a chance."

Lily’s gaze flickered to Cage, her heart aching at the sight of him across the room. She knew that Alice was right – she couldn’t ignore the feelings that she still had for him, no matter how hard she tried.

With a heavy sigh, Lily nodded in reluctant agreement, knowing that she would have to confront her feelings for Cage sooner or later. And as she watched him from across the room, a sense of longing welled up inside her, urging her to take a chance on love, even if it meant risking everything she had worked so hard to achieve.

As Lily’s thoughts drifted to her secret plans involving Cage, a sense of trepidation washed over her. The idea of taking such a risk filled her with both excitement and fear. Tonight could be the night she finally set her plans in motion, but the uncertainty of the outcome weighed heavily on her mind.

She knew that if everything went smoothly, she could finally have Cage, the man she had secretly longed for. But if things didn’t go according to plan, she shuddered to think of the consequences. The thought of facing rejection or, even worse, the fallout of her actions filled her with dread.

Despite the uncertainty, a glimmer of determination flickered within Lily. She had spent too long yearning for Cage from afar, too long denying herself the chance at happiness. Tonight, she would take a chance, consequences be damned.

With a deep breath to steady her nerves, Lily made a silent vow to herself. Tonight, she would seize the opportunity to pursue what she truly desired, no matter the risks involved.

***************

Alex sat at the bar, his gaze fixed on Abby as if in a trance. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her, captivated by her beauty in a way he had never been before. Was she always this stunning? he wondered, a pang of regret tightening in his chest. Why hadn’t he realized it sooner?

Abby’s red hair cascaded in waves around her shoulders, a stark contrast against the vibrant blue dress she wore. In that moment, she seemed to glow with an ethereal radiance that left Alex breathless.

Funny enough, he recalled how he used to despise her red hair, finding it an annoyance rather than an attribute of beauty. But now, as he watched her from across the room, he couldn’t help but marvel at how it complemented her features, enhancing her beauty in ways he had never imagined.

He remembered the taunts and the jeers, the way he had joined in with the others in mocking her for her appearance. But now, as he watched her from afar, he couldn’t understand how he had ever felt that way.

There was a grace and elegance to Abby that he had never noticed before, a quiet confidence that drew him in despite himself. As he studied her, he felt a pang of regret for the way he had treated her in the past, for the hurtful words he had spoken without truly understanding the person she was beneath the surface.

As memories of their past relationship flooded his mind, Alex couldn’t shake the feeling of remorse that washed over him. He had once been blind to Abby’s beauty, too caught up in his own ambitions and desires to appreciate what he had right in front of him.

But now, as he watched her with a mixture of longing and regret, he realized that he had made a grave mistake in letting her go. And as he sat at the bar, lost in his thoughts, Alex couldn’t help but wonder if it was too late to make amends for the pain he had caused.

Alex was snapped from his reverie by a voice beside him, pulling him back to the present moment. "She’s beautiful, isn’t she?" the voice remarked, drawing Alex’s attention away from Abby.

"Yes," Alex replied absentmindedly, his gaze shifting to the man who had walked in with Abby. Rumors had been circulating about him, whispers claiming he was her husband. Even as a man, Alex couldn’t deny the striking appearance of Abby’s companion. There was an undeniable allure to him, a magnetic presence that commanded attention.

But despite the admiration Alex felt for Abby’s husband, a surge of determination rose within him. This was the man who had taken Abby from him, the man who had claimed her as his own. But in Alex’s heart, Abby belonged to him, and looking at her now, he was more determined than ever to win her back.

As he watched Abby from across the room, a fire ignited within Alex, burning away any doubts or hesitations. He knew that reclaiming Abby wouldn’t be easy, but he was willing to do whatever it took to make her his once again.