Chapter 21
Levi
Sitting at his desk in his apartment, Levi tried to focus on his books for his upcoming exams. But every time he thought of school, he thought of Evie too. They were supposed to go to law school together. They had always talked about it.
Levi leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling, his thoughts consumed by Evie. The emptiness in his chest felt like it was expanding with every passing day, making it impossible to focus on anything else. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear the door open.
The sharp sound of heels clicking against the wooden floor startled him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see his mother standing in the doorway.
"Mom?" Levi rose from his chair.
"The housekeeper let me in," Daisy said, stepping into the study and looking around.
"What are you doing here?" Levi wondered.
"I came to talk to you about Evie," Daisy said. "And about your behavior yesterday."
"I know. I mess-"
"Levi," Daisy's voice was stern, no-nonsense, as she set her eyes on her son. "What the hell were you thinking?"
Levi straightened up, surprised by the sudden confrontation.
"Have you completely lost your mind?" Daisy asked. "Did I really need to come down here and talk some sense into you?"
Levi sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sor-"
"It's a little too late for that!" Daisy snapped. "What were you thinking, going off on her like that? At her engagement celebration, no less! Do you have any idea how inappropriate that was?"
"I wasn'tâ" Levi started, but Daisy cut him off.
"Don't you dare say you weren't trying to do anything," she said, her voice rising. "I know you, Levi. You were trying to push her away from Harry. You've always had this...this possessiveness over her, and it's gotten out of hand."
Levi felt his frustration rising. "I wasn't trying to push her away, I was trying toâ"
"Trying to what?" Daisy challenged. "Make her doubt her own choices? Embarrass her in front of everyone? You're not a child anymore, Levi. You can't just throw a tantrum every time something doesn't go your way."
Levi stood up, his own temper flaring. "I'm not throwing a tantrum. I just don't think she's making the right choice!"
"And who are you to decide that for her?" Daisy's voice softened slightly, but the anger was still there. "She's an adult. She's making her own decisions, and you have to respect that, whether you like it or not."
Levi clenched his fists, struggling to keep his emotions in check. "It's just... It's not right. I know her. She's not happy."
"And how do you know that?" Daisy asked, her tone more gentle now. "Because you think you know what's best for her? Levi, you don't have all the answers. Sometimes, you just have to let people live their own lives, make their own mistakes."
Levi's shoulders slumped as the weight of Daisy's words sank in. He knew she was right, but it didn't make the pain any easier to bear.
Daisy stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm. "Levi, I love you, but you have to let this go. You're only hurting yourselfâand herâin the process."
Levi looked away, his jaw tight.
Daisy sighed, "What is it that you really want?"
"I don't know," Levi said.
"If you don't know, then stay away from Evie until you figure it out," Daisy said. "You're acting just like your father. I know she is your best friend but she does not belong to you. She's her own person and until you know what you want, leave her alone. Let her be."
Levi remained silent. He stared out the window as Daisy waited for him to speak. When it was clear he wasn't going to, Daisy reached up and touched the edge of his face.
"You have to try to be happy, for both your sakes," she said. "If you really care about her, you'll find a way to support her, even if it's not in the way you want."
Levi swallowed the lump in his throat, though the ache in his chest remained as deep as ever.
"I know you will do the right thing," Daisy said.
___________
Theo
"Ah, Mr. Patel," Theo looked up from his phone, his gaze sharp as the tall, skinny man hurried down the hallway toward him.
"Mr. Silvano," Patel extended his hand eagerly, his expression a mix of nervousness and anticipation. "What a pleasure to meet you."
"Thank you for coming on such short notice," Theo replied, shaking the man's hand with a firm grip, his tone polite but edged with impatience.
"Of course, anything for you," Patel responded, a bead of sweat already forming on his forehead.
"Wonderful," Theo's eyes flicked to the building manager, who stood uncertainly beside the locksmith. "Now that I have the building owner here, will you comply with my wishes and open this door for me?"
The manager hesitated, his gaze darting from Theo to Patel and back again. "This is a violation against our tenant and shareholder policiesâ"
Theo's expression darkened, unimpressed and irritated by the manager's resistance. His cold stare shifted back to Patel, who immediately stepped forward, clearly understanding the unspoken threat.
"Open the door, Hank," Patel ordered, his voice slightly wavering.
"But sirâ" the manager started to protest, but Patel cut him off.
"It's a beautiful building you have here, Mr. Patel," Theo's voice was smooth, almost conversational, as he leaned back against the wall, his eyes scanning the hallway with feigned interest. "Pre-war? Fantastic location. You seem to have the airspace to build upwards. And even if you didn't, I'm sure we could acquire the air rights from the neighboring buildings. It's close to Central Park, major subway lines, ample underground space for a parking lot..."
Patel swallowed hard, the implications of Theo's words clear. The threat was unmistakable, and the thought of losing control over his prized property over something as insignificant as a single apartment made him sweat even more.
"Open the door, Hank," Patel repeated, this time with an edge of desperation in his voice.
The manager, now visibly nervous, nodded quickly and gestured for the locksmith to proceed. As the locksmith worked, Theo remained calm, his eyes cold and calculating as he watched the lock to Daphne's apartment slowly give way.
"Now, was that so hard?" Theo asked, stepping forward, once the lock was removed and the door was opened. "Have a new set of locks put in and hang onto the keys for Ms. Dashwood."
"Right away," the locksmith said, stepping aside.
Theo stepped into Daphne's apartment, his chest tightening as he crossed the threshold. The scent of her filled the airâfaint traces of strawberry and the subtle fragrance of the plants she loved. The familiarity of it calmed the storm brewing inside him, but only slightly.
His eyes swept over the room, taking in the disarray of papers scattered across the counters, the candles half-burned, and the books piled haphazardly on the floor. Her plants were thriving, creating a small jungle in the corner.
The space was chaotic, yet undeniably hers. The anxiety that had gnawed at him for days, wondering if something terrible had happened to her, began to ease. He was upset, his jaw clenched tight as he moved deeper into the apartment, but he was also relieved. She wasn't hereâshe hadn't done something unimaginable to herself inside the apartment.
As Theo walked around, his gaze landed on a stack of journals on the kitchen table, each one marked with her meticulous handwriting. He knew without opening them that they would be filled with numbers, the obsessive calculations of her daily intake. A frown tugged at his brow.
The apartment was eerily silent, the only sound the faint ticking of a clock somewhere in the background. Theo sighed, running a hand through his hair, frustration and concern warring within him. The relief of finding the apartment empty didn't erase his angerâanger at her for blocking him, for shutting him out when he needed to know she was safe.
But for now, she was safe. That was enough to keep him from tearing the place apart in search of answers.
As he turned to leave, something caught his eyeâ the lush greenery of her plants in the corner, their leaves reaching toward the light. They looked a little thirsty, the soil dry and cracked. Theo hesitated, his gaze lingering on the plants.
He crossed the room and picked up the small watering can that sat on the windowsill. The routine of itâsomething so simple, so mundaneâoffered a momentary distraction from the turmoil inside him. He carefully poured water into each pot, watching as the soil soaked it up, the plants seeming to perk up almost immediately.
As he moved from plant to plant, his anger began to dissipate, replaced by a quieter, more solemn feeling. This was her sanctuary, her space filled with life, and in some small way, tending to these plants made him feel connected to her, even in her absence.
For a brief moment, he allowed himself to imagine her here, humming softly as she cared for her plants, her presence bringing warmth to the cold, empty space. The thought made his chest tighten, the anger resurfacing as he remembered why he was here in the first place. But he pushed it down, focusing instead on the task at hand.
Once the last plant was watered, Theo set the can down with a soft clink and stepped back, surveying the room one final time. The plants now stood a little taller, their leaves glistening with moisture. It was a small thing, but it brought him a strange sense of comfort.
Taking a deep breath, he turned and walked out of the apartment, closing the door behind him.
"I'll be coming by to water the plants until she gets back," Theo announced. "I'll need a copy of the keys."
________________
Lily
"Yes, I'll call your doctor and get you an appointment," Wendy sighed, rubbing her forehead as she listened to her mother on the phone. "I know. I know. Only morning appointments."
Lily sat on the edge of her bed, peering at her roommate and witnessing the fatigue in her eyes. She began to chew on her bottom lip as her heart sank inside her chest.
"Yeah, don't worry about that," Wendy continued. "I'll call the landscaper too. They'll come by the house to take care of the lawn."
Wendy's voice was calm and reassuring, but there was a heaviness to it, a weight that pressed down on Lily's heart. It felt so unfair that Wendy had to shoulder the responsibilities of a parent, managing appointments and household chores that should have been handled by adults.
Lily's gaze softened with sadness as she saw how drained Wendy looked, her fingers slouched slightly as she rubbed her forehead. The sight made Lily's chest tighten with empathy. She wanted to reach out, to take some of that burden away, but she knew there was little she could do to change the situation.
The unfairness of it all gnawed at her. Wendy had always been the one to step up, to handle things when her parents couldn't, or wouldn't, and it pained Lily to see her friend constantly bearing that weight. She bit down harder on her lip, a mixture of sorrow and helplessness swirling within her, wishing she could make things easier for Wendy, wishing that her friend didn't have to be so strong all the time.
As Wendy ended the call, Lily walked over to the other side of the room and wrapped her arms around her.
"Why are you touching me?" Wendy asked, her voice flat but not entirely devoid of emotion. She didn't move to pull away, though, as if the warmth of Lily's hug was a small comfort she wasn't ready to refuse.
"Because I love you," Lily whispered, resting her chin on Wendy's shoulder. "And I think you're killing it."
Wendy's initial resistance melted just a bit, the tightness in her chest loosening under the gentle pressure of Lily's arms. "Get off of me," she complained, though there was no real bite in her words.
Lily slowly let go and sat beside Wendy on the bed, her concern for her friend evident in the way she looked at her. "Do you want to talk about it?" she asked softly. "What's going on?"
Wendy shook her head, her eyes downcast. "Nothing. I don't want to talk about it right now. Distract me. You were saying something about your aunt?"
Lily hesitated, not wanting to brush off Wendy's feelings, but she knew better than to push. Wendy was stubborn, and if she wasn't ready to open up, there was little that could change her mind.
"Yeah," Lily nodded, her voice gentle as she shifted the conversation.
"What did she say when you told her about Gabriel?"
"She said exactly what you said," Lily replied with a frown. "That he's giving too many mixed signals."
"And?" Wendy prompted.
"And that I should talk to him about it."
Wendy's head snapped up, her eyes widening. "What? No," she shook her head vehemently. "These guys are not mature people you can have a conversation with. Anything you say will go right over his head. They're idiots."
"I have to try!" Lily insisted, frustration creeping into her voice. "I hate this limbo, this in-between situationship that we're in."
Wendy studied her friend, her brows knitting together in concern. "What are you going to do? What will you say to him?"
"I..." Lily faltered, uncertainty flashing in her eyes. "I'm not sure yet... but I want to ask him out."
"What?" Wendy gasped, disbelief coloring her tone. "Are you insane?"
"It's direct," Lily said, trying to sound more confident than she felt. "He's shown some interest in me. I'll just ask him out. If he says yes, then great. But if he says no, then at least we know he was just messing around."
"And you'll be okay with that?" Wendy pressed, her voice gentle but firm.
"What do you mean?" Lily asked.
"You've been crushing on this guy forever," Wendy reminded her, her voice softening. "If he says no to going out with you, you'll be okay with that?"
Lily's resolve wavered, and she bit her bottom lip. "Yeah," she nodded slowly. "I mean... I'll be sad... but at least I won't be confused."
"I guess," Wendy murmured, still looking troubled. "What about Alexa? Have you told her?"
"No," Lily admitted, her voice small. She shook her head, feeling a pang of guilt.
"You should," Wendy advised. "Before you ask Gabriel."
"I know..." Lily nodded, her mind already racing with the implications. "How do you think she will react?"
Wendy sighed, uncertainty clouding her expression. "I honestly don't know. They seem close, but you never know."
"You're right," Lily agreed. "I'll speak to her before talking to Gabriel."
____________________
Daphne
Daphne sat curled up on her bed in her childhood bedroom, the room feeling both familiar and comforting as she tugged on the sleeves of the sweater she wore. The soft hum of the old ceiling fan filled the silence, but her focus was on the phone in her trembling hand. She hesitated for a moment, then pressed play on the first voicemail from Theo.
His voice filled the room, low and tense, each word laced with worry.
"Daphne, it's me. I've been trying to reach you. Call me back when you get this."
The message ended abruptly, but the tone of his voice lingered in the air, making her chest tighten. She swallowed hard, her thumb hovering over the next voicemail. Taking a deep breath, she pressed play again.
"Daphne, give me a callback. I'm starting to worry about you."
His voice cracked slightly, betraying the calm façade he was trying to maintain. The concern in his words made her heartache, but she forced herself to listen, knowing she needed to hear him, even if it hurt.
Another voicemail played, this time his tone more urgent, almost desperate. "Daphne, what's going on? Why aren't you picking up? I'm standing outside. Marcus said you weren't home but I had to come check for myself."
Guilt welled up inside her heart as Daphne clutched the phone tighter, the weight of Theo's words pressing down on her. She had blocked his number out of self-preservation, needing space to clear her head, to sort through the mess of emotions that had overwhelmed her. But hearing his voice now made her question if she had done the right thing.
As the final voicemail played, Theo's voice was tinged with a quiet anger she hadn't heard before. "Daphne, I don't understand why you're shutting me out like this. If you don't want to talk, fine, but at least let me know you're okay. I... I don't know what else to say. Where the fuck are you?"
The message ended, leaving her in the deafening silence of her childhood room. Daphne leaned back against the headboard, her eyes drifting to the familiar posters on the walls, the stuffed animals on the shelvesâremnants of a simpler time when life hadn't felt so complicated. The room was filled with memories, but now it felt like a cage, trapping her with the emotions she had tried so hard to escape.
Grabbing her wallet, Daphne picked up her jacket off the floor and rushed downstairs. Her parents, Molly and Bill, were still enjoying their morning coffee at the kitchen table. As she rushed past them, Molly looked up and poked her head out.
"Where you headed, sweetheart?" She asked.
"Just need to grab a few things from town," Daphne grabbed her rainboots and shoved her feet in. "Dad, can I borrow your truck?"
"Want me to drive you?" Bill asked, walking out to the mud room.
"No, it's fine," Daphne shook her head. "It'll be quick. Do you guys need anything?"
"We're good," Billy said, fishing out his keys from his pocket.
"Thank you, Daddy," Daphne pushed to her tiptoes and kissed her father's cheek. She felt a small bit of her heart swell up as his familiar scent of lemon drop and mint hard candy greeted her from his clothes.
"Drive safe," Bill kissed her back.
Daphne zipped her boots and walked out of the house. With the keys in her hand, she climbed into her father's old white pickup truck, a grin spreading across her face as she pushed her hair out of her eyes. The truck was filled with memories, from the first time she'd learned to drive to the countless trips they'd taken together through the winding country roads. The familiar rumble of the engine brought a sense of comfort, grounding her in the moment as she backed out of the driveway.
The skies were still overcast, the earlier rain leaving the roads damp and shiny. Daphne turned onto the main road, her heart lightening as she drove through the small town she had always known. She passed by the old diner with its neon sign flickering in the window, the general store where she had spent countless afternoons as a child, and the tiny park with its swings swaying in the breeze. Everything was just as she remembered, unchanged by the passing of time.
As she drove, her mind drifted back to Theo, his voice still echoing in her ears from the voicemails she had listened to earlier. A pang of guilt tugged at her heart, but she shook her head, determined not to let those thoughts overwhelm her. She was here to clear her mind, she told herself.
Daphne rolled down the window, letting the cool, damp air fill the cab of the truck. She breathed it in deeply, letting it calm her racing thoughts. She needed thisâshe needed to focus on the simple pleasures of being home, where the world felt smaller and her worries seemed a little less daunting.
She turned onto the main street, the town's small businesses lining the road. As she parked outside the general store, Daphne took another deep breath, telling herself that she wouldn't let thoughts of Theo consume her.
She stepped out of the truck and made her way down the street lined with little shops. The air smelled of apple cider donuts, and she found herself smiling as she wandered past the familiar storefronts. She took her time visiting each store and buying something small. She picked up a purse for her mother, a new sweater vest for her dad. Some jewelry for herself and a red scarf she couldn't leave behind.
Feeling better, Daphne thanked the old lady behind the counter and grabbed her bags. She stepped out into the street and turned for the pharmacy when someone suddenly called out her name.
"Daphne?"
Turning around, Daphne found herself face to face with Logan, the first boy she had ever dated. The sight of him brought back a flood of memories of late-night drives, summer bonfires, and stolen kisses in the backseat of his older brother's car. His brown eyes crinkled at the corners as he chuckled, flashing her the same easygoing smile that had once charmed her so effortlessly.
"Logan," Daphne's eyes widened in surprise, the corners of her mouth lifting into a smile.
"What are you doing back in town?" Logan asked, his voice laced with genuine curiosity. "I thought you moved to New York?"
Daphne returned his smile, feeling a sense of warmth at the familiarity of the moment. "Just visiting the folks for a bit."
Logan slowly nodded, his gaze lingering on her as if trying to reconcile the woman in front of him with the girl he used to know. "How have you been? I haven't seen you since graduation."
"I've been good," Daphne replied, her tone polite. "What about you?"
"Yeah, same old," Logan shrugged, his demeanor as laid-back as ever. "My brother and I took over my dad's dealership last year. We opened up three new locations."
"That's awesome," Daphne nodded politely. "How are your parents, by the way?"
"They're good," Logan chuckled, his hands sliding into his pockets. "You should come down and see them while you're still in town."
"I'll try," Daphne said, her voice noncommittal. "I'm not really sure how long I'm here for."
"How's Bill and Molly?" Logan asked, shifting the conversation back to her family. "I see your dad on Sundays sometimes at the bar during the football games."
"Yeah, they're good," Daphne nodded.
"My nana talks about your mom all the time," Logan said with a fond smile. "She's so wonderful. Always checking in on nana for us."
"You know Mom," Daphne smiled softly. "She's always been like that."
"Have you stopped by to say hi to your nana?"
"Oh," Daphne shifted her weight, feeling a bit guilty. "I haven't had the time."
"You doing anything right now?" Logan asked, his tone casual yet inviting. "I was just on my way to see her. I can give you a ride back to your parents afterward."
"I actually drove," Daphne said, pointing to her dad's truck parked just down the street.
Logan followed her gesture, his eyes lighting up with recognition. "Would you mind giving me a ride then?" he laughed.
"Not at all," Daphne chuckled.
"Need any help with the bags?" Logan offered, glancing at the few small shopping bags she carried.
"I think I'll manage," Daphne replied, turning toward the truck.
They made their way back to the pickup, the light drizzle from earlier starting to fade as the sky slowly began to clear. As they climbed into the truck, Daphne couldn't help but laugh, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep inside her as she remembered how they used to sneak out in this very truck back in high school.
"You've still got the magic touch with this old thing," Logan teased, watching her as she expertly started the engine, the familiar rumble filling the air once more.
"Some things never change," Daphne quipped, a playful grin tugging at her lips as they drove off.
The drive back to their childhood neighborhood was filled with polite conversation. They talked about old friends, reminisced about school days, and laughed at the shared memories that had once meant everything to them.
The truck rumbled along the winding roads, passing by the familiar landmarks that marked the borders of their small town. The sun had started to peek through the clouds, casting a soft, golden light over the landscape. Daphne felt a sense of peace settling over her, a rare and precious feeling that she wanted to hold onto.
As they pulled up to Logan's grandmother's house, just a few doors down from her own, he turned to her with a smile. "Thanks for the ride."
"Anytime," Daphne nodded.
"What are you doing tonight?" Logan asked.
"I don't know."
"Some friends and I are going out for drinks later tonight. You should come. It'd be like old timesâwell, almost."
Daphne hesitated for a moment, her mind briefly flashing to Theo and the complicated mess of emotions she was trying to untangle. But then she shook her head slightly, pushing those thoughts aside.
"Sure, why not?" She said. "Sounds like fun."
"Great! I'll pick you up at eight. It'll be good to catch up properly," Logan said, his smile widening.
"Yeah," Daphne smiled.
What will happen next with these Silvanos?