Against the Tide

Chapter 17 - Fractured Trust

When Lily finally stirred awake, she smiled softly, noticing Adam wasn't beside her. She sat up, rubbing her eyes and looking around for her phone, only to realize it wasn't on the bedside table.

"Adam?" she called out, her voice groggy. She slipped out of bed, pulling on one of his shirts that hung loosely on her frame, and padded downstairs.

She found Adam in the kitchen, cooking breakfast with a ridiculous grin on his face. "Good morning, beautiful," he greeted her, leaning over to kiss her softly on the forehead. "I hope you're hungry. I'm making your favorite."

Lily smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her. She walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his bare back. "You're spoiling me," she teased.

"You deserve it," Adam replied, turning around to face her. "I was thinking... how about we spend the whole weekend together? Just you and me. No distractions. What do you say?"

Lily's smile widened. "That sounds perfect."

Adam felt a surge of relief wash over him as he pulled her close. He was going to make this weekend one she would never forget—anything to keep Gregory far from her mind.

As they ate breakfast together, Adam couldn't help but feel the nagging worry in the back of his mind. He tried to push it away, focusing on the way Lily smiled, the way she laughed, and how everything about her made him feel alive. He would make sure that Gregory stayed in his place—where he belonged.

Adam took a quick shower, the excitement radiating off his body. Today was about making Lily feel cherished, reminding her how lucky he felt to have her. He planned the entire day: shopping at Zudio, her favorite, followed by Lunch at McDonald's and back home for a cozy and lovely movie night. He quickly got dressed, his heart felt light, but deep down, the shadow of Gregory's presence still lurked. No matter how hard Adam tried to push it away, the thought of Lily's lingering feelings for Gregory gnawed at him.

By the time they arrived at Zudio, the excitement on Adam's face was contagious. He picked out dresses for Lily, holding them up with an exaggeratedly serious face, making her laugh. Lily felt her heart warm with every effort he made, but beneath it all, guilt started creeping in. She watched as Adam payed for the clothes—without hesitation, without blinking.

"Adam, you don't need to spend this much on me," Lily said, worry clouding her voice.

Adam scoffed, pretending to be annoyed. "Lily, seriously. If you say one more word about money, I'll make you carry everything back!"

She laughed, but it was half-hearted. She couldn't shake the feeling that she didn't deserve this, that Adam deserved someone better—someone without this complicated baggage.

After shopping, they headed to McDonald's, where the laughter came easier. They teased each other over fries and burgers, Adam making faces and doing silly impressions. Lily found herself giggling, her worries fading as they exchanged playful banter. For a moment, she was in the present—here with Adam, not haunted by thoughts of Gregory.

But that peace shattered when her phone buzzed.

As they waited for their cab, Lily checked her phone and froze. It was a message from Gregory.

Gregory: Are you really busy or just avoiding me? That text didn't sound genuine.

Her brows furrowed. What text was he talking about? She hadn't sent him any messages. Confused, she typed back.

Lily: What text? What are you talking about?

Within seconds, Gregory sent a screenshot of their previous conversation. Lily stared at it, her heart racing. She hadn't written those messages, but they were from her phone.