Stay With Me

Chapter 25: Closure

Lily stepped out of her car, feeling the gravel crunch beneath her heels as she approached the modest building where Sophia was staying. The rain had started to drizzle, a soft, relentless pitter-patter that matched the melancholy air surrounding the decrepit apartment complex. The once-pristine princess of the Patterson family was now living in a place that mirrored the decay of her carefully constructed facade—a grim reminder of how far she had fallen.

Lily adjusted her coat and took a deep breath, steadying herself before pushing open the building's heavy metal door. The dim hallway smelled faintly of mildew and desperation, a stark contrast to the lavish homes and high-end clubs Sophia used to frequent. As Lily climbed the stairs, her thoughts drifted back to the countless times she had stood on the sidelines, watching Sophia receive all the love and attention she had so desperately craved.

It wasn't just about revenge anymore. This was closure.

Sophia's apartment was on the third floor. Lily reached the door marked "303" and hesitated for a moment. She had rehearsed this moment in her mind a thousand times, imagining different outcomes. Would Sophia scream? Beg for forgiveness? Would she blame Lily for everything, as she always had? But as she raised her hand to knock, Lily knew that no matter how this encounter unfolded, she had already won. She had taken back control of her life and was no longer the helpless girl yearning for scraps of affection.

The door opened before she could knock. Sophia stood there, her face a shadow of its former self. Gone was the radiant, immaculately dressed girl who used to command every room she entered. In her place was a woman worn down by bitterness and loss, her once perfectly coiffed hair now tangled and lifeless, and her eyes sunken with exhaustion.

"Lily," Sophia said, her voice flat and devoid of the honeyed charm she used to wield so effectively. She leaned against the doorframe, looking both surprised and unsurprised to see her. "I thought you'd come."

Lily met her gaze, unflinching. "I'm here, Sophia."

Sophia stepped aside, allowing Lily to enter. The apartment was small and sparsely furnished, a far cry from the opulence Sophia had grown up with. The walls were bare, save for a few faded pictures and a mirror with a crack running through it—much like Sophia herself.

Lily walked in and took a seat on the worn-out couch. Sophia watched her from across the room, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as if trying to shield herself from Lily's silent judgment. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The tension was palpable, a tangible force that filled the tiny space between them.

Lily broke the silence first. "How have you been?"

Sophia scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "How do you think? My life is in ruins. Everything I had is gone." She paused, her eyes narrowing. "But I'm sure you already knew that."

Lily nodded, unruffled by Sophia's accusatory tone. "Yes, I know. And I'm sorry it came to this."

Sophia rolled her eyes. "Sorry? You're sorry? Don't pretend to care, Lily. You got what you wanted—revenge. You've ruined me."

Lily took a deep breath, allowing Sophia's words to settle between them. She had expected this reaction, the lashing out, the refusal to take responsibility. But this wasn't about punishing Sophia anymore. It was about freeing herself from the chains of their shared past.

"I didn't do this just to ruin you, Sophia," Lily said calmly. "I did it because it was the only way I could save myself. You took everything from me—my family, my dignity, even my chance at love. And for so long, I let you. But not anymore."

Sophia's eyes flashed with anger. "You think you're the victim here? Poor Lily, the orphan who never fit in. You were always so pathetic, always trying to steal what wasn't yours. My parents, my life, my—"