After Grandfather's Heart Attack, She Regretted It

"Jack, why is Grandpa's phone with you?" Lily looked panicked, staring at the phone in my hand. "Is something wrong with Grandpa?"

I just stared back, ice cold. Why the sudden concern?

"Hey, she's talking here! Answer her!" Ethan chimed in, sensing Lily's mood, his voice fierce, "Lily's way out of your league, man. If she even bothers to ask, you better give her the courtesy of a response. What's with the attitude?"

I smirked slightly, "If I'm such a reach for her, why should I say anything at all? Seems pointless to talk."

Lily's face turned a shade redder. "What are you trying to say, Jack?"

My look was dismissive. "Just that I find this whole thing pointless, that's why I'm not talking."

"You—!" Lily was visibly seething with rage.

Ethan stepped in front of her, his anger directed at me, "Who gave you the right to speak to Lily like that? She's the most important person to me. You mess with her, you mess with me! C'mon, try me!"

Lily, moved by his words, held onto Ethan's arm, "Ethan, take it easy. You just had surgery. Let's just talk this out, slowly."

Ethan's gaze softened as he looked at Lily, "I've been meaning to tell you—this guy isn't worth your time. If he wants out, let him go. You deserve way better."

I noticed a slight shock on Lily's face, yet she didn't speak up.

It dawned on me that Ethan had shielded her from his flirty posts.

Ethan, noticing our silence, grew more intense, pointing aggressively at me, "Answer her, now!"

Calmly, I met his stare, "I refuse."

Out of nowhere, Ethan threw a punch, but I dodged. Then, unexpectedly, he went low with a kick to my stomach. I fell back, and the urn with Grandpa's ashes tumbled from my grasp, scattering across the floor.

Along with it, Grandpa's cherished belongings spilled out, including his phone with its lucky charm.

The sight of the chaos froze both Lily and Ethan.

"I'm gonna kill you!"

Furious, I lost all restraint and retaliated with a hard punch to Ethan's face.

He screamed as he hit the ground, his nose bleeding profusely.

"Ethan!" Lily screamed, rushing to his side, all concerned, "Are you okay? Talk to me!"

Ethan, face bloody and tear-streaked, cried out, "He's insane! Jack's lost it!"

Lily spun around, fury in her eyes, "Jack! What's gotten into you? Apologize to Ethan, now!"

I scoffed, "No way. He hit me first. He should be thanking me for sparing his sorry ass. I'm not apologizing, especially not after that!"

I used to take so much care of Lily's or even her friends' feelings. So she was stunned, her image of me as the gentle, accommodating boyfriend shattered. She hadn't expected me to strike her best male friend or to erupt like that.

Ethan continued, tears in his eyes, "Lily, he said he wanted to kill me!"

Lily's expression darkened further, "Jack, I'm serious. Apologize to Ethan, or you're not getting out of here."

My response was icy, "I won't."

Suddenly, I felt punches land on my stomach.

Lily's bodyguards, following her subtle nod, landed two more kicks.

Writhing in pain, I barely managed to speak.

"Apologize!" Lily demanded, her voice fierce.

Despite the pain, I gritted my teeth and said, "Never!"

"You're going to regret this!" she threatened.

I laughed bitterly, "The biggest regret I have is not ending this sooner."

"Fine! Have it your way," Lily snapped, grabbing her phone. "I'm calling off all of Grandpa's appointments right now! You'll regret it!"

She spoke into the phone, "Don, cancel all of Jack's grandpa's specialist appointments, immediately!"

Don's reply came hesitantly, "Um, those were actually canceled days ago… Jack's grandpa passed away."

Lily's face went rigid, "What? Repeat that!"

"He passed the night you were supposed to get engaged."