Ryan left the hospital just before sunrise.
Before leaving, he glanced back at Lia one last time.
She was sleeping peacefully.
Ava was curled up on the couch.
Ethan sat quietly by the window.
Ryan smiled faintly.
"I'll be back."
Then he walked out.
The drive home felt longer than usual.
When he entered the mansion, the servants lowered their heads.
Nobody greeted him.
The atmosphere felt heavy.
His parents were already waiting in the living room.
His father calmly sipped his tea.
His mother folded a newspaper.
Neither looked surprised to see him.
Ryan walked straight to the table and dropped Lia's cracked phone in front of them.
It slid across the glass.
"I want the truth."
His father looked at the phone.
"What truth?"
Ryan's jaw tightened.
"The truth about Lia."
Silence.
His mother sighed.
"Ryan, you're exhausted."
"I'm asking one last time."
His voice became colder.
"Did you have anything to do with what happened?"
His father slowly placed his teacup down.
"For someone who's supposed to inherit this family, you're asking childish questions."
Ryan stepped closer.
"Answer me."
CRASH!
The teacup shattered against the floor.
The servants outside jumped.
His father stood.
For the first time in years...
Ryan saw anger in his father's eyes.
"If you continue choosing that girl over your family..."
He took one step closer.
"...then don't blame me for what happens next."
Ryan's fists clenched.
"You threatened her."
"I protected this family."
"You almost got her killed!"
His father's expression didn't change.
"No."
"I reminded you that every choice has a price."
The room became silent.
Then his father spoke again.
"You have one choice."
"Tomorrow."
"You leave for New York City."
"You'll complete your business training there."
Ryan laughed bitterly.
"And if I refuse?"
His father's answer came without hesitation.
"Then Lia Thompson will never know another peaceful day."
Ryan stopped laughing.
Because he knew his father wasn't bluffing.
He walked upstairs without another word.
His room had never felt so empty.
He opened his suitcase.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
His eyes landed on a photo of Lia from their first date.
She was laughing so hard she almost spilled her drink.
He smiled.
Then remembered her asleep in the hospital.
Bandage on her head.
Still smiling when she saw him.
He sat on the edge of the bed.
"If leaving keeps you safe..."
He whispered,
"...then I'll leave."
For the first time since he was a child—
Ryan Blake cried.
Not loudly.
Just quietly.
Where nobody could see him.
The next morning...
Sunlight filled Lia's hospital room.
She slowly opened her eyes.
The chair beside her bed was empty.
She smiled.
"He must be buying breakfast."
Ava was still asleep on the couch.
Lia waited.
Ten minutes.
Twenty.
Forty.
Still no Ryan.
A nurse brought breakfast.
Lia shook her head.
"I'll wait for him."
The nurse smiled politely and left.
A few minutes later...
The door opened.
Ethan walked in.
His face was unusually serious.
Lia looked up.
"Where's Ryan?"
Ethan didn't answer immediately.
Ava noticed his expression.
Something was wrong.
"What happened?"
Ethan finally looked at Lia.
"Ryan left."
Lia frowned.
"Left where?"
"He... he's going to New York."
She laughed.
"Very funny."
"I'm serious."
Lia's smile disappeared.
"No."
"His flight leaves in about an hour."
Everything inside the room became quiet.
Lia stared at him.
"No..."
She pulled the IV from her hand.
Blood stained the tape.
"Lia!"
Ava rushed toward her.
"I have to stop him!"
She jumped out of bed.
The monitor began beeping wildly.
Nurses rushed inside.
"Lia, sit down!"
"No!"
"He promised he'd come back!"
"He wouldn't leave without telling me!"
Her breathing became uneven.
She couldn't think.
Couldn't breathe.
The doctor stepped in.
"Lia, look at me."
"Breathe."
Ava held her shoulders.
Ethan stood beside the door, watching helplessly.
After several minutes...
Lia slowly calmed down.
The doctor checked her pulse.
"You are not leaving this hospital."
Lia nodded quietly.
"I understand."
Satisfied, the doctor left.
The nurses followed.
Ava sighed in relief.
"I'm going to get you some water."
"I'll be right back."
Ethan followed the doctor into the hallway to ask about Lia's condition.
The room became quiet.
Lia looked toward the door.
Then at the clock.
Forty-five minutes.
She slowly removed the heart monitor.
Put on her hoodie.
Took one last look around the room.
Then whispered,
"I'm sorry."
And slipped out.
Outside the hospital...
She stopped the first taxi she saw.
"The airport."
The driver looked at her bandaged head.
"Miss, are you okay?"
"Please..."
Her voice shook.
"Just drive."
As the taxi pulled away...
Lia looked out the window.
Silently praying.
"Please don't leave before I get there."
END OF CHAPTER
Will Lia Thompson make it in time to see Ryan Blake.
Stay tuned.....