The accusation hit Ryan like a punch, leaving him montarily speechless. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice slightly faltering. "I think you are misunderstanding sothing."
Catrin's gaze beca sharp for a mont as she shook her head. "You know what I am talking about, Ryan," she said. "And no, I am not misunderstanding anything. While you are here, assuring about your feelings for Arwen, you are sowhere still entangled with Delyth day and night, haven't you?"
She asked, but it wasn't a confirmation she sought in response. Her tone was more bent to let him know that she wasn't unaware of the things happening around her. "Ryan, I might have chosen you for Arwen, but know that Arwen is my daughter and I would never force her to be a man who can't even offer him loyalty."
Ryan frowned, his expression taut. "You are misunderstanding my relationship with Delyth, Aunt Catrin. I know I have caused all the misunderstanding, but she is nothing more than a sister to . I am taking care of her on behalf of her brother who was once my good friend."
"Ryan, do you think I haven't investigated it?" Catrin interrupted him while walking to take a seat on the sofa. "Zeke Ember and Delyth Ember, two orphan siblings, capable enough to enter high-profile best universities with scholarships with their exceptional talents. While Zeke was brilliant in sports, Delyth was also interested in dance. But things changed for the two when Zeke t with an accident entrusting his sister to you. But even if you took responsibility for Delyth, Ryan, you should have known how to draw a line at the right ti."
She sighed. "I helped you before, by asking Arwen to give up on ballet, her dream so that Delyth could make up her career in it, and you can free yourself from the stupid responsibility, but you remained bound to her, hurting Arwen again and again. Do you think that was why I asked Arwen to give up her passion?"
Ryan's frown deepened. He had never known Arwen gave up ballet for him. He had always assud that she had simply lost interest. The realization hit him hard —he had been oblivious to how much she had sacrificed for his sake.
"Dance held value for her," he murmured, his voice filled with guilt. "She didn't have to give it up, I would have helped Delyth in my own way. Arwen shouldn't have had to sacrifice sothing so precious."
He rembered how Beca always praised Arwen's performances over the dinner. He might not have attended her shows, but from the way Beca spoke about them and Arwen's reputation, he didn't need to ask to know that she must have been exceptional.
It doesn't matter now," Catrin said, her tone dismissive. It was as if she never felt it was important in the first place. "I made her do what she should have done. That's all in the past. What is important now is present. And you should focus more on that."
Ryan didn't like how easily she dismissed that. But he agreed to what she said. The past wasn't important, it was rather Arwen that was important. "Delyth is still my responsibility, Aunt Catrin, I can't let her go because I can't betray the promise I have given to Zeke. But I assure you that I will draw a clear line between us. I have already arranged for her surgery, once she recovers, I will send her abroad and help her settle there."
That was sothing that Catrin hadn't known. Her gaze squinted at Ryan for a mont and as if reading what she was thinking Ryan explained. "I have realized my feelings for Arwen, and now that I have, I want her to see the sincerity."
Catrin's lips curled up in a warm smile. Nodding, she said, "Today, you made believe again that I wasn't wrong to choose you." She then stood up and then walked to him. "Ryan, I know in the past we forced you into this relationship with Arwen which made you so repulsive of her. But good to see that finally, you have realized why we, the elders, decided you two to be together. As long as you promise to send Delyth away and give yourself and Arwen a chance, I believe you two have a chance together. I will help you."
With Ryan accepting his feelings for Arwen, she doesn't think anyone will have anything to question about. After all, over the years she couldn't believe that Arwen wouldn't have developed feelings for him. She believed Arwen only made such a reckless move because she felt betrayed by Ryan. As long as Ryan assures her with his best, she is confident that Arwen will circle back to him.
But Ryan wasn't as confident as her. It wasn't like he didn't want to but sothing at the back of his mind was refraining him from believing it to be an easy task.
His brows tugged together as he slowly said, "I don't think that alone would be enough, Aunt Catrin."
Catrin's brows knitted. "What do you an? Are you already ready to give up?" She wouldn't allow that. Not when she was finally seeing things falling to their rightful places.
Ryan hesitated, his hands slipping into his pockets. Turning slightly away, he said, "Aunt Catrin, did you know Arwen recently visited Lustreé? One of my friends saw her there, and he said that she was looking for wedding ring—for her husband."
Catrin froze, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief. She knew Lustreé's reputation —it was famous for its exclusive wedding pieces symbolizing eternal commitnt. But Arwen's visit wasn't what stunned her. It was the implication.
"Impossible!" she snapped, her voice shaking—not ready to believe it. "Lustreé's wedding pieces are iconic for their significance. There is no way Arwen would be dumb to commit herself to so stranger for a lifeti. There must be so misunderstanding."
Reviews
All reviews (0)