I had tossed the card that came with the lilies and left the bouquet at the library, but somehow the words still echoed in my head and the memory attached to it kept replaying like a movie.

I ran a hand through my hair as I walked round the kitchen, thinking of how to finally get Enzo off my back. I'd avoided calling Nathan all evening because I had no idea what to say. The look on his face earlier at the library still made me feel guilty.

Eventually, I finally grabbed my phone, scrolled to Enzo's number, and hesitated for a full five seconds before I hit the call.

It rang and rang. I was about to hang up when he picked up.

"Hello love."

"Stop messing with me, Enzo," I snapped. "No more dropping by the library. No more flowers. This has to stop."

"I'm just trying to get what's mine," he said quietly.

"What's yours?" I asked. "You keep saying that, but I don't have anything that belongs to you."

He stayed quiet, then in that deep voice of his..

"You. You belong to me."

I closed my eyes, my heart racing for reasons I do not care for. "Stop living in the past, Enzo. Whatever we had, it's over. That's never going to happen again."

"What did I do to you that was so wrong?" he asked, the amusement gone now. "Why do you hate me so much?"

"I don't hate you," I said. " I did..years ago. But I've moved on and you should too. Save us both this headache. Sign the papers and get out of my life for good this time."

He went quiet for so long I thought the line had disconnected. Then he said softly, "All I did was try to build something for us."

"Not this again," I murmured.

"I've been waiting for you," he continued. "Thinking you couldn't stay mad at me forever. You didn't date anyone for five years, I knew you were waiting for me too."

My grip on the phone tightened. "I do not like the fact that you kept tabs on me. That's creepy, unhealthy and beyond arrogant, even for you."

He laughed bitterly. " You should at least hear me out. Give me a chance to make you see things differently. Meet me, Elena. Tomorrow. Corner diner. I promise I'll behave."

I hesitated, then realized it was better to get it over with. "Fine. But after that, don't call me again."

The next evening, I headed straight to the diner right after leaving the library. The place was alive, the clatter of plates and the smell of coffee. I saw Enzo near the window, waving me over.

He was dressed in black shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, looking all casual. He looked like someone who spent half his week in the gym, not behind a desk signing contracts.

"You look tired," he said as soon as I sat.

"I didn't come here for small talk."

He looked at me for a long time, his face unreadable. "You don't love him, Elena. I know that and you know it too."

I rolled my eyes. "You're acting crazy."

"Maybe." he said, leaning forward. "But I know you. You still think about me. You still remember."

"Don't flatter yourself. I remember the lies. The broken promises. The other women. The times you conveniently forgot you had a wife. How you chose money over me, over our marriage, over everything. Should I keep going? Because trust me, I remember plenty."

He exhaled. "I've made mistakes. I thought if I could build something, make something of myself, I could give you the life you deserved. I see now I was wrong, I should've done things differently. But I can fix it. Just give me one more chance."

"One more chance?" I laughed softly. "You really have some nerve."

For a moment, I could see a glimpse of the man I once loved, before it vanished behind that unreadable mask.

He leaned forward. "Looks like we're doing this the hard way then." He stood, dropped a few hundred dollar bills under his cup. "I'll be in touch, Mrs. Wayne,"

"Don't call me that," I snapped, but he was already walking away.

By the time I got home, I realized the truth, Enzo wasn't going anywhere. He was back.

I tried calling Nathan but it went straight to voicemail. Minutes later, a text came in.

I don't want to talk right now. I'll call tomorrow.

I stared at the message, I felt bad knowing Nathan was still angry and I couldn't even fault him.

I dropped my phone on the couch, leaned back and stared at the ceiling. My mind refused to settle. Enzo's voice echoed again and again, like I hadn't already spent years trying to get him out of my mind.

I tried sleeping, but sleep wouldn't come.

Instead, my mind drifted back to a time before everything went wrong. Before pride. Before the broken promises. Before Enzo turned into someone else.

Back to our wedding night.

It was ridiculous now that I thought about it.

Completely ridiculous.

Not the perfect, glamorous type people post about online. No roses on the bed or candlelit hotel suites. We were too broke for that. Too young . Too in love to care.

We checked into a tiny lodge with ugly wallpapers and a bed that squeaked everytime we moved. The elderly owner gave us a wink that made me want to bury my face in Enzo's chest.

We had spent the whole day dancing, smiling so hard my cheeks hurt. But the moment we stepped into the room, everything crashed at once.

I was still in my wedding dress, laughing because Enzo couldn't figure out how to get the window open and kept saying, "This thing is older than my grandfather."

He finally got it open on the third try, letting a cool breeze rush in. Then he turned around and whatever joke I'd been about to make died instantly.

He looked at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.

Like he couldn't decide whether to fall at my feet or lift me onto the bed.

"Come here," he said, pulling me in by the waist.

Then the zipper of my dress got stuck.

Not halfway down. Right at the top, just wouldn't budge.

"Don't move," Enzo said behind me, sounding far too confident for a man who had zero experience with wedding gowns.

"I'm not moving," I said, already sweating. "You're pulling my hair."

"That's because your hair is everywhere."

"Well, that's because you're pulling it!"

He said something else that I didn't quite catch.

Then, I heard a rip. A loud riiip.

I gasped. "Lorenzo!"

"Okay, okay," he said quickly. "Good news and bad news."

"Oh my God. Which one first?"

"Good news, it's open."

"And the bad news?!

"...It's very open."

I turned around so fast I nearly fell. "Enzo! You ripped my wedding dress!"

He started laughing then, that absolutely gorgeous laugh that used to melt every bit of common sense I had.

"You're unbelievable," I said, trying not to smile.

"You married Mr. unbelievable," he replied, pulling me to him. "Too late to complain now."

The kiss started slow, soft then deepened quickly as we pulled at each other's clothes. His hands slid along my back making me shake with desire.

I remember him whispering, "Tell him you're mine,"

And I whispered it back, breathless.

Everything after that was clumsy, perfect, beautiful and a little ridiculous.

We couldn't stop laughing because the bed kept creaking.

At one point, Enzo paused, looked down at me and said,

"Babe, do you think we're going too hard? I think the bed is judging us."

I laughed so hard the bed creaked again, making him laugh too and then neither of us could breathe because we were kissing and laughing at the same time.

He moved with so much tenderness, like he wanted to mark every inch of me. His mouth traced my shoulder, my neck, his tongue was in my ear. My hands in his hair.

We made love like we had all the time in the world.

Afterward, I lay on his chest, our fingers intertwined, his heartbeat slow and steady against my ear as he traced circles on my arm.

"We're going to have a beautiful life, you and me." He whispered

And for a while...that was true.

We were happy. So happy.

Before the late nights started.

Before the contract and deals and "just one more meeting."

Before the "business trips" that lasted days...then weeks.

Before I met a new version of him, the one that came home tired, distracted, smelling like someone else's perfume.

I felt a sharp ache in my chest at the memory, pulling me back into the present, into my dark room and the weight sitting heavily in my chest.

That night had felt like a beginning.

I had no idea it would be the highest point of our marriage before the fall neither of us saw coming.

I learned something no one tells you;

That sometimes love isn't enough.

Finally, after months of planning, It was time for storyfest. It was a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning, the perfect weather we needed.

The library lawn and hall was already buzzing when I walked in. Kids ran around in costumes, adults hung around the different stalls to see what they could buy and Maya was shouting orders like a general directing soldiers.

For the first time in weeks, my worry about how the event would turn out lifted. I felt light.

Maybe it was because somehow, we'd managed to pull the whole thing together.

Maybe it was the last minute donation that saved us.

Maybe it was the boxes of new children's books that arrived two days ago like magic.

Whatever it was, I felt... happy. Genuinely happy as I moved through the crowd.

"Look at this place," Maya said beside me, smiling with pride. "We did it. We actually did it."

"We really did," I whispered back.

She tapped my shoulder, "So the special donor is coming today. You're going to be shocked."

I raised a brow, wondering why I would be shocked, but she winked and hurried off before I could ask her.

Typical Maya. Always dramatic.

The next hour went by in a blur. Paint, laughter, glitter everywhere and so much food. Kids dragged me around to see their costumes, dragons, robots, princesses. Judy did dramatic voices for the kids during story hour, making toddlers shout with joy.

Olive managed the face painting section while Maya stood at the food stand sampling almost everything.

It was perfect.

Until I saw him.

Enzo.

Standing near the entrance like he belonged there, hands in the pockets of his dark jacket, watching me.

My legs felt weak. Not in the romantic way. More like the "what now?" way.

I walked up to him, already preparing to drag him outside by the ear if needed. "What are you doing here?"

He looked around, the decorations, the crowd, the kids. "Came to support you."

I searched his face for sarcasm but found none. That unsettled me more than anything.

"This isn't your kind of event," I muttered.

"You'd be surprised."

Before I could reply, someone called my name and I had to step away. But Enzo stayed. He talked to people, smiled, and charmed them.

Judy pulled me aside later, "Your ex...sorry, your husband is surprisingly pleasant."

Olive scoffed, "Yeah, he better stay that way or I will personally drag him to the next country."

Judy laughed. "Let's be real. I get that you're you're trying to be tough for our friend. But the three of us combined can't even move that man one inch. Have you seen how tall he is? That man looks like he's made entirely of muscle."

"Girl, keep your pants on," Olive said. "That's still your friend's husband. Stop looking at his muscles or anything on him."

"Well, the man's hot." Judy said. "Elena won't deny that. She's engaged, not blind. Right, Elena?"

I shook my head and sighed. Judy was insane.

Nathan arrived about two hours into the event, apologizing for being late, kissing my forehead, and checking if I'd eaten. Sweet, familiar and warm as always. I leaned into him and actually felt my shoulders loosen.

Things were normal between us again.

Well... for about ten minutes.

Nathan left to get wine, but when he came back, he didn't bring any wine. He also had that look on his face, the one that meant someone was testing his patience.

His smile was gone. His jaw tight.

I touched his arm. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"You look like you want to strangle someone."

He exhaled. "I just ran into Enzo."

I felt a headache coming on, but I kept my voice calm. "And?"

"And nothing. He just..."

Nathan shook his head. "It's fine. Let's enjoy the event."

He didn't tell me what happened and I didn't push.

A few minutes later, someone tapped my arm and handed me a drink.

I turned. Enzo.

"Wine?" he said casually, offering two glasses.

I barely glanced before reaching for the red wine. "Thanks."

He nodded once and walked away without another word. He really was being nice today like Judy said earlier.

I told myself it meant nothing. That anyone could guess which wine I preferred.

But Nathan's eyes followed Enzo as he moved through the crowd, and he got that look on his face again.

Whatever happened between them...It was boiling under Nathan's skin.

The rest of the day blurred again, book readings, kids laughing, more donations and then Maya gave a speech and finally thanked the donor.

Who turned out to be none other than Enzo Wayne.

The crowd clapped.

Enzo simply dipped his head once, as if it was nothing.

I stood frozen.

He did this?

He saved our event?

He dropped six figures on something that wouldn't profit him at all?

Why?

Eventually, the event wrapped up and people started packing. I caught sight of Enzo walking toward the parking lot.

Before I could think, my feet moved.

"Enzo."

He turned, brows lifting slightly.

"Why did you do it?" I asked. "The donation."

"Do I need a reason to support my hometown?" he said softly.

"No... I guess you don't."

We both stood there in silence.

"Well. Thank you." I said at last.

I turned to leave, then against my better judgement... asked, "What did you say to Nathan?"

"Reported to you, did he?" he said, voice sharp.

"I wasn't sure you said anything, but with that answer, I'm sure you did. So what was it?"

"Nothing for him to get pissy about, I told him what kind of wine you like. He insisted you liked white wine and I told him the truth. I guess he was angry about me knowing you more than he does because he left without getting any wine." he said.

"And the truth is...?" I asked.

"That you hate white wine. You only pretend to like it because he does. You love red wine. And then," he added, "I showed him."

At that moment, it clicked. The reason he brought me two glasses. To show Nathan he knew me better. And I proved him right by choosing the red.

"I can't believe you would do something so childish just to prove a point." I said. "You need to stop trying to sabotage my relationship."

"I don't need to do anything," Enzo smirked. "It's obvious where that relationship is headed. It's going to fail all on its own."

"You disgust me. It's obvious you moved back to make my life hell, but I won't give you the satisfaction. Your ego can't stand that despite all your money, I don't want you anymore."

I turned away, but he grabbed my elbow and pulled me back.

"Let me go, Enzo." I struggled but his grip tightened.

He stared into my eyes and brushed his knuckles lightly over my cheek. Then he leaned in, bringing his face close to my cheek, then my neck, like he was breathing me in.

And just like that, he let go.

I stared at him, speechless.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, which somehow made it worse. "I want you, Elena. But not this way. It's okay. I can wait. I'm very patient".

I stood there in shock.

He started toward his car, then paused. "Oh.I remember...I have something for you. I meant to bring it today but forgot. I'll drop it off tomorrow."

I frowned, "What is it?"

"A surprise," he said.

Then he got into his car and drove off.

I stood there long after his car disappeared down the road, wondering why my heartbeat felt too loud and why I didn't bite his ear off the moment he grabbed me. I promised myself I would do just that next time.

I went back to help with packing up and saw Nathan coming out.

"Where have you been?" he asked.

"Err... I went to say goodbye to some kids and their parents."

The lie tasted bitter, but I couldn't tell Nathan I'd been talking to Enzo.

So, I kept the truth to myself.

I waited three days.

Not like I was counting or anything. I wasn't. Absolutely not.

It was just noticeable, that's all. He'd said he wanted to drop something off for me and then vanished. At first, I convinced myself it was for the best. Less stress. Less chaos. Less Enzo.

But by the third day, I found myself checking my phone like I was expecting a delivery and that annoyed me more than anything. So, to save myself from overthinking, which I definitely wasn't doing, I just called.

And the moment he picked up, I regretted it.

"Hey," I said, trying too hard to sound casual. Like calling Enzo was something I did every other Tuesday.

His voice came through low and rough. Not his usual calm and steady tone.

"Hey."

I frowned. "What's wrong with you?"

"I'm not feeling good"

"Yeah,right." I replied instantly. Because seriously? Enzo Wayne,sick? No. Please.

"I'm serious."

I scoffed. "In all the years I've known you, you've never been sick."

"Just because you've never seen me sick doesn't mean I don't get sick. I'm not Superman."

I muttered, "Yeah, you're definitely not Superman."

He went quiet. Long enough that I thought he'd hung up.

"You're actually serious?" I asked finally.

"Yeah."

"Are you at the hospital?"

"No."

"Oh." I paused. "Well, if you're at home, I'm sure you're being taken care of. You have your... people around."

"I don't have anybody," he said. "It's just me. I'm at home."

"Where?" I asked, before I could stop myself.

"My house here in Maplewood."

I frowned. "You're still in town?"

"I thought you'd gone back to New York," I continued. "You disappeared and you didn't drop anything off like you said you would."

"I've been sick for a few days."

I was silent again. Then quietly, "Where's your house again?"

"The new estate."

My jaw dropped. "The new estate? You mean Double E Estate?"

"Yes," he said. "I own the estate."

I had to sit down. "Wait. What?"

"My house is on Wayne street. The only one on that street."

I blinked at the ceiling. "Wait...they've been building that estate since last year... does that mean you've been planning to move back since last year?"

"Yeah. Among other things. But you wouldn't give me a chance to say anything to you."

I had no better response than ending the call.

I stared at my phone. "Typical Enzo." He'd been planning to move back for a whole year and he chose my engagement party to start terrorising me? Of course he did.

I paced my living room, trying to shake off the irritation...and the worry creeping in.

I must be insane... But I couldn't just pretend I didn't know he was sick. If I didn't call him, sure, fine. But I did. And never let it be said that I let my soon to be ex husband die when I could have helped. I'm not that terrible.

"Ridiculous," I muttered as I grabbed my keys. "This is ridiculous."

But my feet carried me out anyway.

Double E Estate was even more beautiful in person, wide roads, trees, huge houses that screamed money... but I refused to be impressed. I asked the security guys for Wayne Street. They gave directions with too much eagerness. I wondered if Enzo put them up to that.

Driving through the estate slowly, one thought kept going through my mind,

How sick is he, really?

Then I remembered a random memory from years ago, when I was sick for some days and he babied me like I was made of glass. I'd teased him then, asking why he never got sick.

He smirked and said, "Because I'm an alien."

I definitely didn't smile at the memory now. Okay..maybe a little.

When I pressed his doorbell, a small camera blinked. His face appeared a second later.

"What?"

He sounded miserable. Good.

A moment later, he opened the door, leaning on the frame.

"You're really here," he said, squinting like he couldn't see clearly. "I thought I was hallucinating."

Then he added, dead serious, "Am I that bad? You want to divorce me that badly? Did you come here so I can sign the papers before I die?"

"Oh, shut up." I pushed past him. "I'm not as evil as you. Besides, if you're dying, why would I bother with a divorce? I'd be free from you anyway."

He smiled weakly. "Come in."

He walked to the couch and collapsed onto it.

"I'd give you a tour, but I'm tired."

"It's fine, I didn't come for a tour. Just stay there."

I touched his forehead lightly.

"You're burning up. Why did you stay at home instead of the hospital? Are you trying to die? Not that it wouldn't make my life easier..."

"Damn, you hate me a lot," he mumbled. "It'll pass though, I don't feel like I'm about to die."

"You still need a hospital, you should get checked."

"No. I'm going to sleep a bit."

"Fine," I sighed. "Sleep. After that, you should let me drive you to the hospital."

He smiled at me before drifting off.

I went upstairs to look for a blanket. One room was open, bare and half unpacked, like someone stopped unpacking halfway. I grabbed a blanket, went back, covered him and put a wet towel on his forehead.

He shivered.

I walked into the kitchen next and discovered it was empty. Nothing edible except you counted water and wine.

"Of course. The man couldn't even stock groceries but made it his life's mission to stress me." I grabbed my bag.

I drove to the mini mart, bought some groceries and returned.

As soon as I stepped out of the car, I saw him standing outside.

"Oh, you're feeling better already."

"I thought you left me to die alone."

I rolled my eyes. "Quit yapping. If you feel better, help me with these."

He eyed the bags. "Are you moving in?"

"In your dreams. Quit making silly jokes, I'm not your friend. Just get the bags in." I shoved a bag into his hands.

"Well," he said, teasing, "maybe you're not my friend right now... but you're still my wife."

I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly fell out.

I unpacked the groceries while he leaned on the counter.

"I planned to cook earlier," I said, "but I can drive you to the hospital now instead."

"No, I feel better. It's probably just stress."

I checked his forehead again. Warm but not burning up.

"Your fever's gone down."

"Must be your magic touch." He winked. "Maybe your presence was all I needed."

I stared at him like he'd grown two heads and he laughed.

"Why're you looking at me like I said something wrong?" he joked.

I ignored him. "Do you want spaghetti and meatballs or not?"

He brightened instantly. "That's my favorite."

"I know."

"What can I do?"

"Move. You'll get in my way."

"You know I can cook, right?"

"I doubt you remember how. Move, Enzo. Or I'm leaving."

"Hmm, I know you still love me. You wouldn't let me die," he said with a grin.

"Keep talking and I'll poison you."

"Now that's the Elena I know."

He smirked and left the kitchen.

I cooked. He ate every bite. He tried to get me to eat, but I shook my head.

"I'm heading out now. Since you're not going to the hospital, you obviously feel better."

"Stay longer," he said quietly.

My heart fluttered annoyingly soft, but I shut it down immediately.

"I don't know what you think is happening here," I replied. "I'm being nice. Not that you deserve it. Let this be a reminder that I can be nice and my niceness can easily turn into killing you if pushed."

He smirked. "Your claws are showing. Does Nathan ever get to see this side? Have you ever threatened to kill him?"

"No," I replied sweetly, "because unlike you, he doesn't bring out anything negative in me. He's the sweetest man alive."

"Hmm." Enzo tilted his head. "Doubt it. Want to come upstairs real quick? Let me remind you how sweet I am too?"

I grabbed the nearest fork. "I'm this close to stabbing you. I'm leaving. Die alone, a**hole."

He laughed. Completely himself. Honestly, it looked like annoying me cured him.

As I walked out, he called, "sweet dreams, sweetheart... that's if you have any after threatening me twenty five times today."

I slammed the door.

In my car, I groaned into the steering wheel. "I need to get myself checked too, my brain specifically. Why did I come here? He wasn't going to die from a fever."

I felt angry. At him. At myself. Mostly at myself.

"He always makes me act rash. And I was trying..really trying to be civil."

I felt awful.

"Nathan can never know about this lapse in judgement. He's already angry enough."

I got home, dropped my phone, and it buzzed immediately.

Yeah, you guessed right. It was a text from Enzo.

"Thanks for dinner. I wasn't trying to make you angry. I just like pushing your buttons. You're cute when you threaten me. Sweet dreams."

I stared at the message.

"Yeah. Going to his house was a mistake, I never should have done that," I muttered. "Showing him any softness is going to make everything worse."

I tossed my phone on the couch.

Then, slowly, a thought dropped in my mind. It was dangerous, impulsive, petty.

And effective.

I smiled.

"Oh, this is going to be good." I murmured.

If Enzo wanted to play games, I was going to give him a taste of his own medicine.