As ra got closer, she didn''t hesitate-she pped him hard across the face.


    Ryan''s clothes were still drying nearby, and his body was covered in bruises and welts from the car ident. Thankfully, it wasn''t life-threatening. His face had been fine until now, but ra''s p left it instantly swollen, showing she hadn''t held back.


    Fuming, ra grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him closer. "I came all the way here to find you, and you''re giving me attitude? What''s going on?"


    Ryan turned his head away, staring at the cave wall. Tears streamed down his face, silent but telling.


    ra knew her brother well. Ryan was never quiet when he felt wronged-he''d usually shout about it, demanding her attention. If things went badly with Z, he''d insist she break up with him. Whenever he studied hard, he''d call just to hear her praise. He might be a bit foolish, but he was genuine, which is why ra often let him be.


    She took a deep breath, thinking about how he hade here to get herbs for her, leaving in the middle of the night and spending it alone in a cave. He must''ve been terrified. She regretted hitting him.


    "Okay, Ryan, I shouldn''t have pped you. What''s bothering you? Didn''t get the herbs? I ran into an old herbalist on my way here. He gave me a jar of herbs and seemed nice enough not to cause you trouble. Plus, you''re heading the wrong way. If you got the herbs, shouldn''t you be on your way back?"


    Why was he here, alone?


    Ryan hugged his arms, burying his face, still sobbing without saying a word.


    ra couldn''t stand seeing him like this; she thought he had grown up. How could he still be so helpless?


    Z was better-at least he was straightforward.


    She was about to nudge Ryan''s shoulder when he suddenly stood up and ran out of the cave, like he couldn''t stand to be near her.


    ra was shocked, even wondering if something supernatural was going on.


    She stood by the fire for a moment, then hurried after him. "You''re barely dressed; do you want to freeze to death? Ryan, what''s wrong with you?! Don''t make me angry!"


    But he was too quick, disappearing into the forest.


    ra''s frustration grew, wishing she could just grab him and shake some sense into him. But she figured her p had hurt his pride, and now he was sulking.


    She quickly followed, tracing his footprints in the snow.


    Ryan was hurt. Though his injuries weren''t severe, each movement made him wince in pain. He sobbed as he limped along, not knowing where he was going, just wanting to be away from ra.


    ra followed quietly, noticing he was almost out of energy. He was running on pure stubbornness.


    She didn''t say a word, just followed.


    After what felt like forever, Ryan''s leg injury forced him to stop. Exhausted, he realized how cold it was and turned to see ra still behind him.


    Embarrassed, he tried to keep going but tripped,nding at ra''s feet, face down in the snow.


    ra almost teased him but held back, unsure of what had upset him so much. She quickly helped him up.


    Ryan leaned on her to stand and they started back the way they came.


    ra helped him in silence.


    It took them forty minutes to get back to the cave with the fire.


    ra added more wood and tossed his dry coat to him.


    The warmth felt good, and he quickly put it on, drawing closer to the fire.


    After all the chaos, night was falling, and the snow was stilling down hard, probably blocking the roads.


    With Ryan injured, ra couldn''t risk traveling in the dark to reach her car.


    She yawned, "I''ll call for rescue in the morning. We''ve got enough firewood. Let''s just wait for help tomorrow."


    Ryan stayed silent, adding wood to the fire.


    ra rested her chin in her hand, watching him closely.


    Under her gaze, he grew more anxious, unsure of himself.


    ra sighed, relieved he was just upset and not traumatized. She had always been easygoing and


    asleep by the fire.


    fell


    Once she was asleep, Ryan dared look at her. She slept peacefully, a her


    strand of hair across her chee face glowing in the firelight


    He got lost in memories of their past.


    As a kid, ra was often sick. He mostly saw her through hospital ss,


    spending his time praying for her recovery.


    Eventually, she got better, living like any normal person.


    Ryan knocked his head, trying to figure out where things went wrong.


    He took a deep breath and moved closer to ra.


    Maybe he should confront her, or try


    for destro


    her, like Sarah suggested,


    her to hand over the Bradford family''s assets.


    Was she acting, or did she really care?


    He didn''t know. Everything felt like a mess, and he just wanted to escape.