The elevator smoothly ascended to the top floor, and as the doors slid open, Lillian stepped out alongside the others into the spacious office. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken emotions as three pairs of eyes locked onto her, their expressions heavy with a mixture of relief, reproach, and longing.
Lillian met their gazes and offered a gentle smile, trying to break the tension. “Why are you all staring at me like that? Aren’t you happy to see me again?” Her voice was soft, though a hint of playfulness lingered beneath.
Karina was the first to respond, her emotions bubbling over as she laughed and cried simultaneously. “You silly girl,” she said, shaking her head with a mixture of disbelief and joy. “Do you even realize what you’ve put us through? Two whole years without a word. We were beside ourselves with worry. If it weren’t for him keeping us updated, I might have thought you were gone forever.”
The mention of “him” brought a shadow to Lillian’s face, recalling the man who had come to the company two years ago bearing grim news about her condition. Since then, she had vanished without a trace. Karina had nearly given up hope, as rumors swirled—some whispered that Lillian had died, others that she had gone abroad for studies. But the truth had been guarded closely, with only Ryan and Wayne aware that Lillian was secluded, working on a groundbreaking medicine, with no clear return date.
Lillian’s expression softened, guilt washing over her. “Karina, I’m so sorry. Everything happened so fast—I didn’t have any warning, no chance to tell you. I never wanted to make you worry like this.”
She thought back to those frantic hours—only twelve in total, ten spent on a plane without even a phone in hand. There had been nothing she could do. The helplessness still stung.
Karina stepped forward, wrapping Lillian in a warm, reassuring embrace. “You don’t owe us any apologies. The only thing that matters is that you’re back safe and sound. For everything else, I’ll be here to protect you. You don’t have to be afraid anymore.”
That promise was more than words. From the moment Lillian had saved her years ago, Karina had vowed to stand by her side, to defend her through every challenge life threw their way. That vow remained unbroken.
Tears spilled freely down Lillian’s cheeks as her voice trembled with gratitude. “Thank you, Karina. Thank you so much.”
Ryan and Wayne, too, had tears glistening in their eyes, though they quickly tried to lighten the mood. “Alright, alright,” Ryan said with a teasing grin. “We’re still here, you know. Don’t start acting like this is some tragic farewell.”
Lillian and Karina shared a laugh through their tears, the heaviness in the room lifting like a morning mist.
Ryan’s grin broadened mischievously. “So, you’ve been the hands-off boss all this time while we’ve been working our tails off. Don’t you think we deserve a raise? Or maybe a vacation or two?”
Lillian gave him a sharp look. “Is that all you can think about? You’ve already spent half your time gallivanting overseas.” She recalled the foreign investments she had once instructed him to pursue.
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