I was taken aback that Ryan was delving into my personal life. Even though I knew he liked me, I didn’t appreciate him asking so straight–up about my rtionships.


    I pushed him away and said tly, “That’s between me and him. Don’t ask.”


    “Victoria, do you think I don’t deserve to be your man?” Ryan suddenly got emotional and


    spoke with intensity.


    I turned to him with a small smile. “You’re just like a little brother to <i>me</i>. There’s no way


    anything inappropriate could happen. Ryan, I hope you understand.”


    “I don’t.” Ryan leaned against the window, frustration in his eyes. “I saw you and him cooking together today. It made me feel weird, like the next thing I’d hear would be a


    wedding invite or news of your baby’s one–month party.”


    I froze for a second and thenughed at him. “You’ve got quite the imagination,” I said,


    rolling my eyes.


    “If it was just my imagination, fine. But I’m scared it’s real.” Ryan’s eyes were red as he


    looked at me with a sad expression. “You just got divorced. You’re not thinking about


    getting married again, are you?”


    I shook


    my head. “Don’t worry. I’m not that reckless. And you should focus on your studies. Stop worrying so much.”


    Ryan looked at me, then lowered his head and said, “I tried getting close to you by


    pretending to be just a harmless little brother. I thought you’d be less guarded with me, and that’d help us get to know each other better.”


    Hearing that, my expression shifted a bit. “I can tell you’ve been trying hard. But no matter how real a lie feels, it’s still a lie.”


    “Sorry.” Ryan looked back up at me. “I know I was wrong, I won’t lie to you again.”


    “That’s fine.” I forgave him easily. “You cared enough to try, and that counts.” As I said, some memories popped into my head and I couldn’t help but smile.


    Ryan was quiet for a moment and thenughed bitterly. “I lied because I was scared.”


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    08:39 Fri, 22 Aug 7.


    “Scared of what?” I asked, curious since we hadn’t known each other long.


    67%


    “Scared you’d shut me down right away.” Ryan’s eyes got intense. “Scared you’d think I’m too young and irresponsible and not see me as a man.”


    “You are young. Honestly, I have a mental block about younger guys. They always seem to be missing something.” I was being honest.


    Ryan looked hurt and annoyed. “I can’t choose where I was born, but I can choose who I


    like.”


    “Alright, Ryan, enough.” I cut him off. “I’m not in the mood for romance. I’m d you like


    me, but let’s be friends.”


    Ryan shook his head suddenly. “No way. I’m leaving–Hachester soon. I don’t know when we’ll meet again.”


    Iughed. “It’s not the old days with slow horses and carriages. We can just text if


    something’s up.”


    “Some things have more meaning when said face to face.” Ryan sounded serious.


    Right then, Ss’s voice called from nearby. “Mr. Jennings, the cake’s ready. You and Ms. Murphy maye eat.”


    +23<i>) </i>


    I turned and headed to the living room. Ryan followed. The smell of fresh bread filled the air in the dining room. “Ms. Murphy, this is Mr. Jennings’s favorite. Try some,” Ss said with a


    smile.


    I took a piece, bit into it, and nodded. “It’s creamy. Good.”


    Ryan’s face flushed a bit, probably hearing mypliment. He grabbed a piece and started


    eating too. Whatever wasn’t said earlier seemed to vanish.


    After a few bites, Ryan suddenly brought over a photo album and said, “I want to show you my family.”


    I walked over with curiosity/Ryan flipped to a family portrait. “This was taken when my dad was still alive. That’s him, and that’s my grandpa. Over there… those are all my enemies


    now.”


    08:39


    His face stiffened as he pointed to another group in the photo. My heart clenched. Ryan looked up at me with sadness in his eyes. “You probably never expected it, but my family and I are enemies.”


    Looking at this handsome guy in front of me, I couldn’t imagine the kind of life he grew up in. He kept his secrets tight. Otherwise, there was no way he could have held his ground in the family.


    Ryan pulled out another photo–a woman in a suit skirt set, sitting confidently on a couch with her hands resting on the arms. “That’s my mom,” he said.