A month had passed since that dreadful night at the hospital, and Lily was finally settling into life again. Released from the hospital two weeks ago, she had been recovering at home ever since, with her friends and family taking turns to watch over her. Her living room was a constant hub of warmth and support, but tonight, an undercurrent of tension lingered beneath the surface.

Lily sat on the couch, trying to enjoy the conversation around her, but Ryan’s presence felt suffocating. He kept inching closer, his proximity making her uncomfortable. She could feel his eyes on her, and although she tried to act nonchalant, she couldn’t shake the awkwardness.

Ryan scooted even closer, a hopeful smile on his face. “How are you feeling today?” he asked softly.

Lily shifted, subtly distancing herself. “I’m fine,” she replied, her voice polite but distant.

“Can I help you with anything?” Ryan persisted, leaning in slightly.

Lily tensed, trying to keep her discomfort hidden. “No, really, I’m good,” she assured him, her tone firm yet polite.

Tim, sitting across the room, had been watching the whole exchange. His jaw clenched, and a surge of possessiveness surged through him. They had yet to make their relationship public, but seeing Ryan hover so close to Lily stirred something fierce inside him. He couldn’t take it anymore.

Without a word, Tim stood up and crossed the room. “Silly girl,” he murmured, reaching out and gently pulling Lily into his arms, his tone both tender and possessive. “Come take a walk with me.”

Lily looked up, surprised, as Tim’s arm wrapped protectively around her. She caught Ryan’s crestfallen expression and Becca’s wide-eyed look of surprise. Tim’s public display of affection was unexpected, especially since they hadn’t told anyone they were dating yet.

Becca was the first to break the silence, clearing her throat. “Umm...what’s this?” she asked, pointing between Lily and Tim.

Lily, her cheeks flushing, stammered, “Umm…we…”

Tim, unfazed, smiled down at Lily, then turned to face Ryan and Becca. “Didn’t Lily tell you? We’re dating now.”

Becca and Ryan’s reactions were immediate.

Becca, ever the supportive friend, clapped her hands together and grinned. “Dating?! That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you two!”

Ryan, on the other hand, struggled to mask his disappointment. His face fell as he mumbled, “You’re dating…?”

Tim, noticing the shift in Ryan’s expression, only smiled wider. “Yes, Ryan,” he said, his tone pointed. “We’re dating.”

Ryan looked away, hiding the hurt in his eyes. He had liked Lily for years, patiently waiting for the right moment, thinking his loyalty and friendship would eventually blossom into something more. But now, as he saw the way Lily looked at Tim, he realized how naive he had been.

Becca, oblivious to the tension, beamed at her friend. “Congratulations, Lily! I’m so happy for both of you.”

Ryan, his voice barely above a whisper, added, “Yeah...congrats.”

Lily, sensing the awkwardness, smiled softly. “Thanks, you guys. I’m glad my closest friends are happy for me.”

Tim, on the other hand, wasn’t just happy for the congratulations—he relished the discomfort on Ryan’s face. His message was clear: Lily is mine now. Back off.

The tension was palpable, but it was quickly interrupted by the arrival of Eric and Emily, who carried trays of food from the kitchen. They set the dishes on the dining table and called everyone over.

“Dinner’s ready!” Eric announced with a grin.

Lily seized the opportunity to change the subject. “Emily, my brother is going to be so spoiled with all this cooking,” she teased, as she sat down at the table. “Everything smells delicious!”

Becca nodded in agreement. “It really does. Thank you, Emily. The meal looks amazing.”

Emily blushed. “Thanks, guys. Please, eat as much as you want.”

As everyone began digging into the food, Tim leaned over and whispered in Lily’s ear, “I can cook for you too, you know.”

Lily blinked in surprise, turning to him with wide eyes. “You can cook?” she whispered back, genuinely intrigued.

Tim nodded with a proud smile, watching her delight grow.

Across the table, Ryan reached for the serving plate of chicken and placed a piece on Lily’s plate. “Here, Lils. It’s your favorite. You should eat more—you’ve lost too much weight.”

Lily, caught off guard by the gesture, gave a small, awkward smile. “Oh…umm…thanks, Ry.”

Tim’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Thank you for being so concerned about my girlfriend, Ryan,” he said, emphasizing the word ‘girlfriend’ with deliberate sharpness.

Ryan shifted uncomfortably, sensing Tim’s agitation. “No problem,” he muttered, clearly feeling the weight of Tim’s pointed words. “I’d do the same for Becca, too.”

Becca, who had been quietly observing the exchange, raised an eyebrow. Would you, though? she thought, but said nothing.

Sensing the tension rising again, Lily decided it was time for a graceful exit. She turned to Tim, placing a hand on his arm. “Tim, I’m feeling tired. Can you take me up to my room?”

Tim’s face immediately softened with concern. “Of course,” he said, standing up and offering her his hand. “Let me help you.”

Lily smiled at the group, grateful for the evening but ready to retreat. “Sorry to leave early. Thank you all for caring about me.”

Becca waved her off with a smile. “No worries, Lils. Get some rest. I’ll talk to you soon.”

Ryan offered a strained smile. “Goodnight, Lily.”

Eric, ever the protective brother, added, “Let me know if you need anything.”

Emily, always thoughtful, smiled warmly. “I’ll send up some fruit in a bit.”

Lily gave them all a grateful nod. “Goodnight, everyone. And thank you, Emily.”

Tim helped her up the stairs and into her room, gently guiding her to the bed. As soon as he closed the door behind them, a strange look crossed his face. He stood there for a moment, silent and brooding.

Lily, sensing the shift in his mood, looked at him with concern. “Tim?” she asked softly. “What’s wrong?”

Tim, his expression serious, turned to her, his eyes intense. “We need to talk. Right now.”

Lily nervously watched as he quickly clicked the lock in place on the door and turned back around to face her with a look of slight anger.