Chapter 5 UNSPOKEN TRUTHS

Later that night, after the noise and laughter of the evening had faded, we all retreated quietly to our separate rooms.

I was just about to lie down when a knock came at my door.

It was soft and hesitant, so I froze.

For a moment, I thought of ignoring it. Maybe it was someone looking for another room. But when the knock came again, firmer this time, I forced myself to get up and check.

I opened the door.

And there she was.

Lily.

She looked unsure, standing barefoot on the hallway rug in a silk robe, hair down, eyes uncertain. The warm hallway light made her skin glow.

"Hi, Edward," she said quietly.

"Hi." I stepped aside, holding the door for her. She walked in slowly, her presence both comforting and painful.

We stood there in silence for a few seconds before finally saying something.

"Edward, I know we haven't really had the chance to talk since the wedding."

I nodded, but my chest was already tightening.

"That's why I'm here," she added.

"What about Sam?" I asked.

"He's asleep. Everyone is. I just..." She trailed off, biting her lip. "I couldn't sleep."

"Okay." I folded my arms, unsure what to expect. "And?"

She sighed and sat on the edge of the chair by the window, her hands twisting nervously.

"I know how shocked you must've been about everything," she said. "Seeing me married to Sam."

Her voice cracked slightly.

"It's been years, Edward. And yes, we barely even broke up before you left. No big fights. Just silence. Then you were gone. And after a while, I thought you moved on."

She glanced up at me, and I could see the uncertainty in her eyes.

"The distance. The time. It felt like you had chosen your life elsewhere. And Sam? He was there. He understood my pain in a way I didn't expect. We got close, and things just sort of happened. He was safe. Familiar. And I thought I was ready to move on."

"But on the wedding day," she shook her head"seeing you again, it... it messed with me. I wasn't prepared for how it would feel."

My heart was beating fast.

"Lily," I said, stepping closer. "The truth is I never really moved on from you. I've spent years trying to convince myself that I had, but I didn't. I left because I thought I wasn't enough for you. I thought you deserved someone better. But you've always been in my heart."

She looked up, startled by the rawness in my voice.

"I'm still in love with you, Lily."

The words left me calm, almost relieved.

But her silence felt like a knife.

She stood slowly, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Edward, I don't know what to say. Even if I care about you, even if there's a part of me that never stopped" she paused, her voice trembling "I just can't leave Sam. We just got married. It's done. And I made that choice."

Her words hit like cold rain.

She turned toward the door.

"Lily," I called out, my voice more desperate than I intended.

But she didn't look back.

She opened the door and walked out.

The soft click of the door shutting behind her was deafening.

I stood there, staring at it, feeling the weight of rejection settle into my chest.

Maybe I always knew this was how it would end.

But knowing didn't make it hurt any less.

I could barely sleep that night. I kept tossing, turning, haunted by what Lily said.My mind played the scene over and over, torturing me with what-ifs.

What if I had stayed?

What if I had fought harder back then?

What if I had never let her go?

By the time 5 a.m. rolled around, I'd surrendered to insomnia. My phone buzzed, it was another message from Rose, reminding me about breakfast with the client. Eight sharp.

I dragged myself to the bathroom and stared into the mirror. My eyes were red and swollen, my face pale, like grief had painted itself across my features. I splashed water on my skin, but the heaviness lingered. I had three hours to pull myself together, to look the part, to sound sharp, to pretend my heart wasn't breaking again.

Business, I reminded myself. Business will keep you from falling apart.

As I fastened my cuffs, my mother knocked softly and stepped into the room.

She didn't say much, just checked in to make sure I'd be joining the family for breakfast and reminded me of some afternoon event I'd already forgotten.

I shook my head. "I've got an early meeting. Business."

She frowned, just a flicker of disappointment, but she didn't push. "Alright," she said softly. "Just don't forget about dinner, we'll all be eating together"

And then she was gone.

By 8 a.m, I was seated at the breakfast hall, sipping dark coffee and waiting. I needed this meeting to go well, not just for business, but for my sanity.

Mr. Heng Yi arrived five minutes late, dressed casually but with quiet authority. We shook hands and got straight to it.

"Hi," he said. "Your secretary Rose spoke highly of you. I've been looking forward to this."

"The pleasure's mine," I replied. "I've followed your work in the Asian fashion market for years. It's an honor to finally meet you."

He smiled, intrigued. "Then tell me about your brand."

"I run a luxury clothing line in Paris. We've had multiple successful fashion shows, and our presence is steadily growing. But I want to introduce the brand to the Asian market and you're the best person to help us navigate that landscape."

"Show me your work," he said.

I opened my laptop and presented our latest collections, high-performing designs, pieces with potential, the creative heart of the brand.

Mr. Heng Yi studied them with sharp eyes.

"I know a seller when I see one," he said finally. "You've got something here, Edward. I'd like to work with you."

A surge of relief rushed through me.

"I appreciate your confidence."

"Only one thing," he added with a grin. "My wife doesn't know I'm here. This trip is supposed to be work-free. So let's begin once I return. I'll be back in a month and I'll call you then."

We shook hands, sealing a deal I hadn't expected to land so easily. Less than an hour later, it was done.

It should have made me feel better. And in some ways, it did

But the silence that followed his exit felt even louder.

I sat alone and ordered breakfast, not out of hunger, but out of the need to avoid going back to the others.

Instead, I took my coffee and decided to spend the day exploring the Elysian Dream on my own. If I had to be here, I might as well make the most of it. A little peace before the next storm, or so I thought.

And just as I was on my way out, I saw her from a distance.

She turned back, almost like she could feel my eyes on her.

"Edward!" she called out, her voice cutting through the quiet hallway.

I paused, unsure for a moment, but then I smiled. "Lily!"

She walked over, the awkwardness from the night before still lingering in her eyes, but softened now by something I couldn't quite name.

"I'm going for a little tour of the ship," I said casually. "Wanna come?"

She hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Sure."

And just like that, it felt like maybe, just maybe, we were beginning to move past everything.