The Twisted Obsession
Chapter 226: Got away

Chapter 226: Got away

Lily stood before the mirror, her reflection wavering in the dimly lit room. She held the crimson lipstick in her hand, hesitating, as if unsure whether to proceed. Tonight was the night she would finally see Cage again after what felt like an eternity. But with the anticipation came a fluttering of nerves, like tiny butterflies trapped in her stomach.

Her eyes traced the contours of her face, scrutinizing every detail. She smoothed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, revealing the delicate curve of her neck. The soft glow of the vanity lights cast a warm halo around her, accentuating the subtle flush of excitement in her cheeks.

With a steady hand, she uncapped the lipstick and carefully traced the outline of her lips. The rich color left a trail of velvety red in its wake, like a promise of passion yet to come.

As she filled in the center, she couldn’t help but notice how the shade seemed to embolden her features, lending an air of confidence to her reflection.

But it wasn’t just the lipstick that caught her attention. Her gaze drifted downward, lingering on the dress she had deliberately chosen for tonight.

It clung to her curves like a second skin, the fabric a shimmering emerald green that caught the light in all the right places. The neckline plunged daringly low, teasing a hint of décolletage, while the hemline grazed the tops of her thighs with tantalizing brevity.

Was it too much? Too revealing? The question lingered in the back of her mind, a nagging doubt threatening to dampen her excitement. But then she remembered why she had chosen this dress in the first place – to seduce Cage.

With a flick of her wrist, she capped the lipstick and set it down on the table. She straightened her shoulders, steeling herself for what lay ahead.

Lily slipped her phone into her purse, ignoring the persistent buzzing of Alex’s call. She couldn’t deal with him right now, not when her nerves were already on edge. With a deep breath, she made her way downstairs, where she found her mother in the living room, a distant look in her eyes.

"Hey, Mom," Lily greeted, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Her mother looked up, her expression strained. "Hey, sweetheart. Where are you off to?" she asked, her tone tinged with a hint of curiosity.

Lily hesitated for a moment, her mind racing for a plausible excuse. "Oh, I’m just meeting up with Alice," she lied, the words coming easily despite the unease swirling in her chest.

Her mother nodded absentmindedly, her gaze drifting back to the window. "Alright, have fun," she murmured, her voice distant.

Lily felt a pang of guilt as she watched her mother, her heart heavy with the weight of unspoken tension between her parents. They had always been the epitome of the perfect couple, their picture-perfect facade plastered across magazines and social media feeds. But lately, cracks had begun to form, invisible fissures that threatened to shatter the illusion of marital bliss.

She had tried to pry, to uncover the truth behind their strained relationship, but her attempts had been met with stony silence. It was as if her parents were living in two separate worlds, their connection severed by secrets and unspoken grievances.

Pushing aside her worries, Lily plastered on a smile and bid her mother goodbye, slipping out the door before the weight of her parents’ troubles could drag her down.

Lily slid into her car, the familiar scent of leather and air freshener enveloping her as she settled into the driver’s seat. With a quick flick of her wrist, she started the engine, the purr of the car drowning out the chaotic symphony of her thoughts.

The drive to the restaurant was a blur of streetlights and passing cars, her mind consumed by a whirlwind of emotions. Excitement mingled with apprehension, anticipation warring with doubt. Would tonight be the night she finally found closure, or would it only reopen old wounds, tearing at the fragile threads of her heart?

As she navigated the winding streets of the city, her grip tightened on the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white with the strain. The familiar landmarks passed by in a blur, each one a silent witness to the turmoil raging within her.

And then, finally, she arrived at her destination – a quaint little bistro tucked away on a quiet corner of the city. The soft glow of candlelight spilled out onto the sidewalk, casting a warm invitation to all who passed by.

Lily parked her car and took a moment to compose herself, smoothing down her dress and checking her reflection in the rearview mirror one last time. With a steadying breath, she stepped out into the cool night air, the click of her heels echoing against the pavement.

As she pushed open the door to the restaurant, a rush of warmth enveloped her, washing away the chill of the outside world. The soft hum of conversation filled the air, mingling with the tantalizing aroma of cooking food.

And there, across the room, she spotted him – Cage, sitting at a table by the window, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. With a flutter of nerves and excitement, Lily made her way towards him, her heart pounding in her chest with each step.

With each step closer to Cage, Lily’s heartbeat quickened, matching the rhythm of anticipation pulsating through her veins. She reached his table, her breath catching in her throat as she met his gaze.

"Cage," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper, yet carrying the weight of years of longing and uncertainty.

He stood as she approached, his eyes never leaving hers, his expression unreadable. "Lily," he replied, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine.

For a moment, they simply stood there, suspended in time, the air thick with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. And then, with a hesitant smile, Cage pulled out a chair for her, gesturing for her to sit.

Lily took her seat, the tension between them palpable, like a taut wire stretched to its breaking point. She toyed with the edge of her napkin, her mind racing with a thousand questions and doubts.

But then, as if sensing her inner turmoil, Cage reached across the table, his hand coming to rest on hers with a gentle warmth that sent a jolt of electricity coursing through her.

"I’m glad you’re here," he said softly, his eyes never leaving hers

As Lily felt Cage’s hand enveloping hers, a flicker of surprise danced across her features, momentarily overshadowing the layers of uncertainty that had clouded her mind. She couldn’t help but wonder at the sudden shift in his demeanor, the unexpected warmth in his touch.

Confusion mingled with disbelief as she searched his eyes for answers, her mind racing to make sense of the conflicting emotions swirling within her. This was not the Cage she remembered – cold, distant, his gaze like steel, cutting through her defenses with ruthless precision.

And yet, here he was, sitting across from her, his touch gentle, his words soft. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a side of him she had never seen before – vulnerable, maybe even... caring?

But why now? Why after all this time? The questions tumbled through her mind like marbles cascading down a staircase, each one adding to the growing sense of bewilderment that threatened to overwhelm her.

And as she struggled to find the words to express her confusion, she couldn’t help but wonder – was this genuine? Or was it merely a facade, a mask carefully crafted to conceal his true intentions?

"I-I thought you hated me—" Lily’s voice faltered, the words tumbling out in a hesitant whisper, her eyes locked on Cage’s as she braced herself for his response.

Cage’s expression softened, a flicker of regret flashing across his features before he spoke. "Lily, I..." He trailed off, as if struggling to find the right words.

The tension in the air thickened, suffocating in its intensity, as Lily held her breath, waiting for him to continue.

Finally, Cage sighed, his gaze dropping to the table before returning to meet hers. "I never hated you," he admitted, his voice raw with emotion. "I was angry, yes. Hurt, maybe. But I could never hate you."

Lily’s heart skipped a beat at his confession, her mind reeling with disbelief. All this time, she had carried the weight of his supposed animosity like a heavy burden, never daring to hope for anything more.

"But why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes pleading for answers.

Cage hesitated, his gaze distant as he searched for the right words. "Because you were the one who got away," he confessed, his voice tinged with regret. "And I couldn’t bear to face the truth of what that meant."

Lily felt her breath catch in her throat at his words, the realization hitting her like a wave crashing against the shore