Tale of tree house

The Unspoken Truths Part 5

Noah wanted to avoid distractions and live peacefully with Rebecca. She understood him well, and he appreciated that. But the problem was Lilly. Despite his efforts, he couldn't help but feel a soft corner for her. Just being near her made him realize how significant she still was to him. Even while talking to Rebecca, his mind was consumed with thoughts of Lilly. Rebecca mentioned wanting to set a wedding date, and her family agreed. Noah told her he'd think about it.

Just then, Lilly came out of her room and asked Samantha if there was something to eat. Samantha nodded and went into the kitchen. Lilly casually asked Noah, "What's up?"

"Nothing, just talking to Rebecca," Noah replied.

Lilly's face fell, and her appetite vanished. Samantha said, "I've heated up the food. You both should eat."

Noah asked, "How's your hand?"

Lilly replied, "It's fine."

They sat at the table, eating in silence. When they finished, Lilly turned to Noah. "Noah, if it's okay with you, I need to talk to you in the lawn."

Noah nodded, "I'll come."

He followed her outside into the cold, quiet night, wondering what she had to say. Lilly took a deep breath and began, "Look, Noah, I know you don't have any feelings for me anymore, but I want to tell you that I still care about you. I now realize how important you are to me. I know I hurt you deeply, and I don't know what I can do to make it right."

Noah interrupted, "I forgave you a long time ago, Lilly. Please, don't bring this up again. You've built a successful career. What more do you want? Your dreams were always different. You always thought about yourself. I needed someone who would be a homemaker, someone who would welcome me when I came home. That's why I can't discuss this anymore. And besides, in these six years, I'm sure you've been in other relationships. It's better if you go back. I'm planning to get married soon."

Lilly looked at him, her voice trembling. "I chose my career, but when I realized what I truly wanted, it was you. In these six years, I never looked at anyone else. I wanted to prove to myself that I had guts. But Noah, how could you claim to love me and then get engaged to someone else out of spite? Was my mistake so big that you had to punish me like this? I came back for you, waited for you, cried for you, called and messaged you, but you never replied. What kind of love was that? Look at me. I left everything to come back to you. Yet, you keep punishing me. You come close, make me feel like I've committed a grave sin. If you truly loved me, you would have supported me, encouraged me, and shown the world what real love is. Instead, you're punishing both of us."

Noah listened silently, her words piercing him. "You're right. I've been punishing you, but I've been punishing myself too. I've kept myself so busy trying to forget you that I forgot what I wanted," he thought as he watched her walk away.

The next morning, Lilly sat at the breakfast table, her eyes swollen from crying. Her mother arrived with a surprise. David, her assistant, was with her. "Wow, David! What are you doing here?" Lilly exclaimed, hugging him.

David replied, "I couldn't wait any longer. You haven't been answering calls or emails for four days. I couldn't handle things alone, so I came here."

Her mom said, "Let's catch up later. Frederick is here. I should go meet him." She walked towards Noah, who was just coming in from the gate after checking the land.

Noah's blood boiled at the sight of Lilly with another man. He entered the house and greeted Aunt rosy  warmly. "Did you come alone?"

"No, David is here. He's Lilly's assistant. He's a very nice young man," she replied.

"Oh, so that's the assistant she's so close to," Noah thought, feeling a pang of jealousy.Noah saw Lily and David together, and it was more than he could bear. He walked towards them, his jealousy barely contained. Lily and David were engrossed in work, and Noah couldn't help but notice how perfect Lily looked. For a moment, he questioned his actions. David brushed a strand of hair behind Lily's ear, and Noah's anger flared. He cleared his throat loudly, making them turn around. Lily introduced David reluctantly, "Noah, this is David, my assistant."

David stood up and extended his hand, "Nice to meet you, Noah."

Noah shook his hand, saying, "Carry on. I was just checking if Lily needed anything, but now that you're here, I guess she has everything she needs." His tone was laced with bitterness. He turned and walked away, feeling a mix of regret and anger.

Lily's mother had given her a list of things to buy, and since she couldn't drive due to her injury, David offered to take her. As they were leaving, Noah saw them together again, and the sight made him furious. He tried to calm himself, reminding himself of his decision, but the emotions were too strong. In a moment of impulsiveness, he called Rebecca and asked her to come over, needing a distraction.

Rebecca arrived quickly, and they sat in the lawn, but Noah's mood didn't improve. When Lily and David returned, laughing together, Noah couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed Rebecca and pulled her into a kiss. Rebecca, surprised but pleased, responded enthusiastically. Lily froze, shocked and hurt, and David noticed her sudden change.

"What's wrong, Lily?" David asked, concerned.

Lily, struggling to keep her composure, replied, "Nothing, just a bit tired." She forced herself to go inside, tears threatening to spill. Meanwhile, Noah, feeling the weight of his actions, broke the kiss and tried to act normal. He knew he had kissed Rebecca to hurt Lily, and it worked.

Later, in the evening, everyone was gathered in the lawn again. Rebecca, eager to solidify her position, brought up the topic of marriage. "So, when should we set the date, Noah?"

Uncle Frederick and Aunt Samantha agreed, urging Noah to decide soon. Lily, unable to focus, stared at her nails, trying to ignore the conversation. Rebecca, sensing her discomfort, leaned into Noah, whispering in his ear, "What do you think, love? When should we get married?"

Noah, feeling trapped and angry, replied, "I haven't decided yet."

Aunt Samantha then turned to Lily, "You know, David is such a nice boy. You two would make a great couple."

Noah's anger boiled over. He stood abruptly and walked away, unable to stand the conversation any longer. Rebecca shot Lily a venomous look, and once everyone had dispersed, she approached Lily with a sneer. "What are you doing here, trying to steal Noah from me? You think you can just waltz back into his life? You're nothing but a witch casting a shadow over us. Just leave."

Lily, shocked and hurt by Rebecca's words, replied calmly, "No one can steal someone who isn't theirs to begin with. And if Noah was truly mine, he wouldn't have kissed you."

Rebecca, infuriated, stormed off to Noah's room. She found him coming out of the bathroom and demanded, "Take down those pictures of Lily in your closet, or I will."

Noah, towel around his waist, looked at her coldly, "Get out, Rebecca. Don't come into my room without my permission again."

Rebecca, screaming, "I am your fiancée! Remember how Lily left you? I was the one who picked up the pieces!"

Noah, his patience worn thin, shouted back, "Enough! Get out and close the door behind you."