Ryan scratched his head as Eryx’s sharp gaze stayed locked on him. They’d moved their conversation to a nearby café, but sitting across from Eryx felt more like being on trial than a casual et-up. The wait for the drinks was dragging, heavy with silence, and Ryan swore the air itself was judging him.
He shifted in his seat, glancing around for the waiter like his life depended on it.
Eryx leaned back slightly, arms crossed, eyes never wavering. "You nervous?"
"Terrified," Ryan admitted honestly, then quickly added, "But I’m not here to play gas. You wanted the truth, I’ll give it."
"Start talking," Eryx said finally, his voice low but firm.
Ryan nodded slowly. "Alright. My full na is Ryan Davis."
Eryx’s brow twitched, but he didn’t react outright.
"I’m... technically part of the Davis family," Ryan continued, choosing his words carefully. "But I’m not officially acknowledged. My mom raised on her own. She used to work for the Davises. I always introduced myself using her last na, with the hope no one will associate with Davis."
Eryx’s eyes narrowed, calculating. "You’re saying you’re that Davis?"
Ryan sighed. "Not exactly. They don’t talk about , and I don’t talk about them. I’ve never lived in their world. I started a business with my mom... Elmond & Co. We make custom leather goods. Wallets, belts, bags. All handmade."
Eryx leaned forward slightly. "Elmond & Co.? That’s you?"
Ryan blinked. "You’ve heard of it?"
"I have one of your belts," Eryx said coolly, then added with mild surprise, "Didn’t expect that."
"We worked hard to build it. No help from anyone. My mom handles designs and quality checks. I take care of the business side. It’s doing well... better than we expected."
Ryan’s shoulders relaxed slightly as he spoke, his voice steadier now.
"I didn’t tell Naomi about the Davis family. I just... didn’t want her to look at the way people look at the na. Either too curious or too cautious. I wanted to be known for sothing I built, not a na I never chose."
Eryx leaned back in his seat, arms crossed. "Six months together, and you never told her anything?"
"I told her about my mom. About our business. That was the truth. Everything else... I didn’t think it mattered back then."
"And now?"
Ryan t his eyes. "Now I just want to fix it. If I even get the chance."
Just before Ryan could say anything, Lunara returned from the restroom, wiping her damp hands on a paper towel. She glanced between the two of them and imdiately sensed the tension still thick in the air.
"Did I miss sothing?" she asked, sliding back into her seat beside Eryx.
Eryx didn’t answer right away, just leaned back in his chair with arms folded, watching Ryan like a hawk.
Ryan cleared his throat. "Just... starting to explain things."
Lunara simply nodded, but then leaned closer to Eryx, her hand brushing his arm as she whispered sothing into his ear.
Eryx’s tense expression softened slightly. He smiled, eyes flicking down to her with a quiet warmth. "Wait here. Is that all?"
She nodded. "Hmm, just a slice for now."
He stood up, grabbing his wallet from the table. "Don’t go anywhere," he muttered, not just to her but to Ryan too, with a pointed look.
Ryan exhaled slowly once Eryx stepped away, the weight on his chest easing just a little. He glanced at Lunara, who gave him a quick side-eye but said nothing.
"Is she okay?" he asked, his voice quieter this ti. He had been holding the question back for a while. "I heard during the first trister, morning sickness is bad for so won. Does she have morning sickness?"
Lunara’s expression didn’t change much, but her eyes softened slightly. She straightened her back, pressing her hands on the sides. "It cos and goes. So days are worse than others."
"Is there anything she wishes to eat? Like anything?" Ryan’s eyes lit up with a kind of eagerness that caught even Lunara off guard, like he was just waiting for sothing or anything to do for her.
She tilted her head, watching him for a mont. "She craved fried tofu with soy sauce last week," she said casually. "Then I heard she hated it two days later."
Ryan let out a breathy laugh. "Okay... got it. So it changes."
"Like the weather," Lunara muttered, then looked at him again. "Hmm..." she suddenly paused and glanced back at Eryx, who was still at the counter paying for the cake. "Do you want to see her latest picture?"
"Can I?" Ryan leaned forward, his voice almost too hopeful. His eyes sparkled as he nodded hard, like a kid being offered candy.
Lunara gave him a look, half amused, half worried but still took her phone out anyway. "Just don’t freak out."
She tapped a few tis, then turned the screen toward him. It was a candid shot, Naomi, in a loose sweater, sitting on a couch with a pillow hugged to her chest. Her hair was tied in a ssy bun, and though she looked a little pale, there was a small, peaceful smile on her face.
Ryan stared at the photo for a long second. "She looks... thin," he murmured. "Are you sure she’s eating well?"
Lunara sighed, locking her phone and slipping it back into her bag. "She eats," she said quietly. "But not like before. Her appetite’s been up and down, and honestly... her mood swings make it harder."
Ryan’s brows furrowed with worry. "I should’ve been there," he muttered, mostly to himself. "Oh, she loves egg tarts, should I buy so?"
Lunara blinked at him, a little surprised by the sudden offer. "You knew her favorite?"
Ryan gave a small smile. "Of course I do. She used to light up every ti she had one. Especially after a long day."
"She hasn’t asked for it lately," Lunara said, her tone thoughtful. "But maybe... it’ll cheer her up."
"I’ll go buy so from her favorite place," he said, instantly standing up just as Eryx returned, carrying a tray with a slice of cake.
"Where are you going?" Eryx asked, narrowing his eyes.
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