My Deep Affection Couldn't Match Her Unrestrained Nature

Oh, Lily, you're playing a dangerous game.

Just then, sounds of intimacy broke through, igniting my rage. I stormed up the stairs, ready to burst.

I slammed my foot against the bedroom door, letting my fury out, "Lily, you think I'm clueless? Bringing your lover into our home? Get out here now!"

The door held firm. I cursed the day I chose such a sturdy one.

Panic sounded from within. They hadn't expected my sudden return.

I kicked again, harder this time.

Bang!

The door flew open. Lily was by the bed, hair wild, cheeks flushed, and when she saw my livid face, she froze in fear.

My eyes quickly scanned the room. The bed was a mess, the window wide open, no sign of Alex.

Clever move, jumping out the window. Our place is a two-story, and he landed in the bushes. Not enough to hurt him.

I regretted not getting an apartment higher up.

Lily finally found her voice, "Ryan, what are you doing…" Her newfound confidence evaporated with Alex gone.

SMACK!

I cut her off with a slap. "Cheating right under my roof? You think you're justified?"

Lily clutched her face, her temper flaring. "You hit me? You're taking your frustration out on me? Are you even a man? I've been here taking care of our son, and you accuse me of cheating? Show me proof!"

"No proof and this isn't over," she challenged, fumbling with her phone.

Proof?

I scoffed, pulled out my phone, and played their earlier conversation.

Lily trembled, losing her earlier fire, and clung to me. "Babe, I'm so sorry…"

I pushed her away, disgusted. "When did you and Alex start?"

"It wasn't Alex!"

Lily denied desperately, "It was some guy from a bar. I swear, babe, it was just a mistake."

Is she still covering for Alex? Does she think I'm deaf, or didn't I see them clear as day on that tape?

I was beyond furious, and my hand flew again.

Lily shrieked, tumbling to the ground. Just then, the doorbell rang, and she scrambled for it like it was her lifeline.

Outside stood her parents, stern and serious.

"Ryan, you've crossed a line hitting my daughter!"

"What kind of man hits a woman?"

Hit her? I was so angry I could've done much worse.

Stone-faced, I played the recording again for her parents.

Their righteous indignation deflated as they listened.

Finally, her dad softened, "Ryan, no matter what, you shouldn't hit a woman. It's tough enough getting along, isn't it?"

"Exactly," her mom agreed quickly, trying to smooth things over. "I know my daughter, she must've been upset to do something foolish. Maybe if you weren't so busy at work, this wouldn't have happened."

The audacity of this family, blaming me while I'm busting my ass?

Have I ever really neglected her?

I couldn't help but smirk.

Seeing me like this, Lily raised her voice, "Don't be ungrateful, Ryan. My parents are trying to be fair. What more do you want?"

She turned to her parents, a sharp tone in her voice, "Mom, Dad, don't bother being polite. He's bankrupt now, just a broke nobody."

Bankrupt?

Her parents' faces shifted instantly, their concerns vanishing just as quickly.