The most stubborn person ever—that's the perfect title for Lily. How could it not be? The girl who had just fainted and thrown the entire office into panic was now already back at work. If Alger found out, he would definitely be furious. Luckily, he was currently in a meeting that couldn't be postponed.
Eliza, who was passing by Lily's office, suddenly stopped and rubbed her eyes in disbelief.
"Lily?"
"Hmm," Lily responded indifferently. "Do you have any documents to submit to Mr. Alger?"
Eliza didn't answer but instead sat on Lily's desk, staring at her face. A small bandage was stuck to Lily's forehead, making Eliza sigh.
"If you're sick, don't force yourself to work, Ly. Remember, the company can always find a new employee if you fall ill or can't work anymore. But if you get sick, who's going to care for you? Your health is way more important, Ly."
"I know, but what's the point of lying in a hospital bed when I only hit my head? It's nothing to worry about."
"Your memory?"
Lily smiled and shook her head. "I thought it would be like in the movies, where memories come back after another hit to the head, but turns out, it's not that simple. I still can't remember anything, El."
Eliza gently patted Lily's shoulder and nodded. "I know how you feel, Ly. Just hang in there, I hope your memory returns soon."
"Who told you it's okay to gossip during work hours?"
Eliza immediately hopped off Lily's desk and lowered her head. Why did her boss always appear out of nowhere without making a sound? Even the sound of his shoes didn't give him away.
"S-Sorry, Sir."
"If it's not important, get back to work!"
Eliza quickly scurried out of Lily's office, half-running. If she got caught gossiping during work hours again, her paycheck might take a hit.
Once Eliza was gone, Alger turned his gaze to James, who was still standing behind him, making Alger let out another deep sigh.
"What are you waiting for?"
James innocently pointed at Alger and the documents in his hand. "Didn't you just tell me to follow you to your office? If I went in first, wouldn't that be disrespectful, Sir?"
"Come to my office in thirty minutes."
James held back a smile and nodded before turning to Lily, who was still standing there.
"You're feeling okay now, right, Ly?"
"I'm perfectly fine, Sir."
"Good. So there's nothing—"
"James!"
"Oh, right, Sir."
James immediately left when Alger called his name, not because he was scared but more because he enjoyed teasing his boss. He even gave Alger's shoulder a light push before walking away. After all, who else dared to mess with the boss if not Lily and James?
Alger watched James disappear behind the hallway before shifting his gaze back to Lily.
"What are you doing here?"
"Just get to work, Sir. Do you think I'm here to open BO?" Lily replied casually as she handed over several documents.
"These are some files I just finished, from a few companies and…"
"Bring them to my office."
Lily furrowed her brows, staring at the brown folder in her hands. She looked confused by Alger's mood today.
"What's wrong with you? Your mood is terrible. Did your business deal fall through? Or is there another reason?" she asked, quickening her pace to keep up with Alger from behind.
"Who told you to come back to the office?"
Alger's sharp question made Lily frown just as she closed the door to his office.
"No one. Besides, why should I stay at home when I'm perfectly fine, Sir?"
Alger stepped closer, gently touching Lily's forehead. "You call this fine? Did you forget how much blood you lost? You needed several stitches!"
"But I really am fine, Sir. I don't feel dizzy or anything," Lily insisted, refusing to back down.
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Alger, who seemed way too angry about this.
"Why are you this mad? Shouldn't you be happy that I'm not wasting time lazing around? You should be glad that you can still use my energy, even when I'm in this condition."
Alger cleared his throat and loosened his tie before turning away and walking toward his desk.
"Bring me the files," he said, changing the subject.
Lily smirked as she walked toward his desk and sat in the chair opposite him.
"Do you really have to change the subject like this, Sir?"
"What exactly are you planning? Be honest with me this time. I really can't figure out what's going on in your head."
Alger stayed silent, pretending to focus on the documents, signing a few papers in his hand. His demeanor had changed ever since his father told him that Lily had distanced herself because of pressure from her parents. For years, they had been caught in a misunderstanding.
"Why didn't you tell me that my dad was behind our breakup?"
Lily frowned even more before laughing. Now she understood. She finally knew why Alger was in such a foul mood.
"So this is what's been bothering you?"
Alger didn't answer. His gaze locked onto hers, filled with silent hope, waiting for her response.
"If you're asking me about that, my answer will always be the same. I don't even remember who you are, Sir. What role you played in my life, or what your parents did to me. You know that, right? I lost my memory. None of this is something I made up—it's real."
Lily cleaned up the files on Alger's desk, stacked them neatly, and held them in her arms.
"My past with you... I don't remember any of it at all, Sir. So, it's better if we just live in the present. If there's nothing else to discuss, I'll get back to work now, Sir."
Lily always remained calm in every situation. Even though she carried countless burdens in her memory, she still spoke with composure. But in reality, she wasn't as strong as she seemed. She was just incredibly skilled at hiding her problems, making it look as if she had no weaknesses at all.
She glanced around Alger's office before returning to her seat.
"So this is what changed you, Sir? I thought you were strong in your principles, but I was wrong. You're so unstable in the face of what's happening to you."
Alger was the same. He kept staring toward Lily's office, his guilt intensifying with each passing second. He didn't know what he had missed in the past five years that had turned Lily into such an independent and seemingly flawless woman.
"Whether it's just an appearance or you're truly this independent… I'm sorry, Lily. If I could turn back time, I wouldn't have been so foolish as to accuse you of being with another man. The truth is, it was my parents who told you to stay away."
Even though Lily had been told to go home because she was in no condition to work, she was as stubborn as ever. She worked until late in the evening, being the last to leave because she had to finish inputting some important data.
"Ahhh, finally done! Even though my head hurts, at least the work is finished," she murmured, stretching her stiff muscles.
"Alright, Lily. Time to go home."
She shut down her computer and tidied up the files on her desk. Just as she stood up, Alger happened to walk out of his office, his face expressionless.
"Come with me in my car," he ordered, walking past her without stopping.
Lily clicked her tongue but followed her husband and CEO's long strides.
"But I drove my own car today, Sir."
"You can leave it here. This is the office; no one's going to steal your car… unless you file a fake report saying it was stolen yourself."
"What would be the point of that?" she mumbled.
"Maybe to get attention."
Lily laughed, crossing her arms. "Attention from whom, Sir? Besides, I can handle everything on my own. Why would I seek attention? My life is too valuable for something that trivial."
"Don't be so independent that you end up needing no one," Alger stated firmly, standing in front of his car. "Get in."
Lily nodded. Strangely, Alger didn't tell her to drive herself this time. Could he really be changing for the better?
She shook her head, fastened her seatbelt, and turned her gaze toward Alger once again.
"My life has been trained for independence since long ago, so if I can do something myself, why should I ask for help? Why should I bother other people?"
"But you did trouble my parents, didn't you? There must be a reason why you agreed to marry me."
"A debt of gratitude."
"For what?"
Lily shook her head and turned her gaze toward the window.
"Just ask your parents, Sir. Even if you want our relationship to end here, I wouldn't mind. My father is no longer around anyway."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"You'll find out soon enough," she replied with a faint smile.
Lily returned her gaze to the window, lost in thought. If Alger asked her to leave his life, at the very least, she could fight one more time to pay off the debts she owed to Helena and Daniel. It wasn't a small amount, but why should she give up when she was still capable of working this far?
"There will always be an answer," Lily whispered in her heart.