Ryan didn't know how to react to her words. Delyth had been acting so differently recently that he was even confused about whether to bla her for her past mistakes or feel guilty for treating her like this.
"Ryan, you don't have to feel guilty," Delyth spoke with a small smile over her lips. "I am just a burden on you. Anyone in your stance would want to unburden as soon as they could. You have still been kind enough to make sure that I get back in a situation where I don't have to suffer more than I am already suffering," she said, smiling at her legs. "Thank you. It's because of your efforts I will be able to get back on my feet soon."
"Delyth, I —" Ryan hesitated to take the good words. But before he could refuse them, Delyth interrupted him.
"Ryan," she said, taking a deep breath. "You don't have to be so humble. I know you were just doing sothing that you had promised to my brother, but between us, no strings were ever attached. And even without that, you cared for so much. This is more than anyone could have done for an orphan like . So, I cannot be an ingrate to not recognize it."
Ryan shifted slightly on his feet. "I don't need you to thank , Delyth," he said, his voice deep but full of care. "I just need you to take care of yourself so that tomorrow you don't need . Your brother wanted that for you. He didn't want to stay and care for you all your life, rather he wanted to make sure that you beca independent and strong enough so that you can manage it all on your own."
Delyth smiled. A mont of quietness took and just when he felt it becoming a little awkward, he spoke, "I think you should rest now. I won't stay and disturb you more." With that, he walked to her and helped her adjust the pillow and then covered her legs with the sheet provided. "Rest. I will co and visit you later in the evening."
He then turned to leave. However, right before he could even take a step away, Delyth grabbed his hand.
"Ryan," her voice ca ek, but Ryan could hear the underlying dare in them. "I know I have told you this before. But after thinking a lot about what all I have done, I really regret the things."
As she spoke that, Ryan beca confused. He didn't understand what she was referring to. He turned to look back at her, but she had kept her head down, maybe intentionally.
"I know I have ruined it all and nothing could nd the things between us," she said, her voice soft but carrying a depth of emotion that seed very similar to remorse. "I know we can't go back to how we were before. You can't anymore see in the light you used to see . And believe , I no longer want that too. But even so, I want to correct sothing that I have gravely done wrong. And I just hope you give a chance."
Ryan still confused, asked, "What are you trying to say, Delyth?" His frown deepened when he thought of the possibilities that could co from her. "If you are going to go back to the sa old story then —"
But before he could complete, Delyth interjected, cutting his words off.
"I am not going back to any old story, Ryan," she said, suddenly lifting her face to look at him. "I know after all that has happened, it's hard to believe, but I am not going back to the sa story. I just wanted a chance to confess to you in the right way."
"Delyth, you —"
"Ryan, I love you." Once again beating him in his words, Delyth said. "I don't know since when, but maybe from the very first ti I t you, I have started liking you. It was before you took my responsibility from Zeke so when Zeke was gone, leaving to you, I wasn't upset. I might have lost a family with him, but before I could feel sad about it, you beca the family I have always envisioned in the future."
"So, yes, I beca obsessed over ti. I shouldn't have, but I did," she admitted, letting her lips curl in a disdainful smile. "I did all that would have made it possible between us. But …" she looked into his eyes, her gaze laced with rue. "...even doing that all, I lost. Maybe I wasn't just good enough to be loved."
Ryan had mixed feelings. He didn't feel any apology for Delyth, instead, he rembered how he lost Arwen, little by little, over ti. "Delyth, you can't compare to Arwen," he said. "Not because you are less than her. But because you are not her."
He didn't explain more, but it seed like Delyth understood what he ant. Smiling, she nodded. "Of course," she said. "I know I can't be. Today, I just wanted to express what I feel for you in a right. Not how I did the last ti. I didn't an anything else."
He didn't say anything. He simply stared at her for a second longer. "You can rest now. I still have things to do. I won't be able to stay for long."
Delyth nodded to him. "You don't have to compel yourself to co here, Ryan."
"Delyth, I have made this clear before, and I am clarifying it again," he began. "I am coming here for the promise I have given to Zeke. There is nothing else. So even if I feel compelled, this sothing I should do."
"You got it wrong, Ryan," she shook her head and continued. "I didn't an that. I simply said it because I am feeling much better than before. Since I am doing fine, you don't have to be so worried. I am not going to complain to Zeke, anyway."
Ryan's jaws tightened as he failed to understand Delyth. Her gestures were simple, yet given her record from the past, he couldn't bring himself to put his guard down. "I will visit you in the evening," he said, and then turned and left.
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