About halfway through the movie, my phone rang. I nced at the screen, and my heart almost jumped <b>out </b>of my chest.


    It was Edward. ‘Seriously? Is Edward losing it? I ignored his text and now he’s actually calling me? I thought.


    It rang twice before I hung up.


    Ryan nced over at me and asked quietly, “Who was calling?


    “Just someone from work,” I said with a smile. “No need to pick up–I’ll deal with it when I’m back in the office.”


    Ryan scooted a little closer, grinning. “You sure it’s nothing important?”


    “Nope, nothing urgent,” I said.


    Ryan didn’t press for more, and the movie was getting to the juiciest part–the whole love triangle was about to be exposed.


    The way the movie mirrored real life felt like an invisible thread tugging at my nerves, leaving me totally


    tense.


    It was a foreign film, and I hadn’t seen it before.


    “Vic, who do you think the lead will end up with?” Ryan asked out of the blue.


    I smiled and said, “No clue. The lead doesn’t even know herself. If she really wants one of them, she should just go all in and love him wholeheartedly, instead of stringing the other guy along and letting him get hurt for her.”


    Ryan chuckled. “Love is strange–you can’t control it. Most people are just swept along, powerless to fight it.”


    I was caught off guard. Ryan was still so young, yet he saw through things with a rity and wisdom that made him seem like an old soul.


    I nodded right away. “Yeah, when ites to feelings, there’s never a clear answer.”


    Ryan turned and gave me a thoughtful look before shifting his gaze back to the screen.


    I snuck a nce at his face. His striking profile only made the masculine lines of his features stand out even


    more.


    As the shifting light and shadows danced across his face, there was something almost secretive hidden in Ryan’s eyes.


    The more time I spent with Ryan, the more I realized I’d really underestimated him. Maybe it was time I finally cut off all contact with Edward–no more hesitation.


    <b>10:50 </b><b>Fri</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>5 </b>


    With that in mind, when I slipped away to the bathroom, I went ahead and blocked both of Edward’s numbers.


    By the time the movie ended, the sky outside was pitch ck, like someone had spilled ink all <b>over </b>it.


    In the end, the heroine didn’t pick either guy. She set off on her own<b>, </b>traveling to find what life was really about. She became a volunteer, working with a charity to rescue wild animals and bring a glimmer of hope to kids living in poverty.


    Seeing that ending, it was like I snapped out of a dream–my soul felt like it was being tugged somewhere <b>far </b>away. But then, with Ryan’s warm presence right beside me, I slowly drifted back to reality.


    “Ryan, I’m a bit tired. I think I’ll take a nap,” I said softly.


    “Sure, go ahead. Lean on me–I’ll just read for a bit,” Ryan said, reaching for the book he’d been reading.


    I quietly rested my head on his leg and started drifting off, half–asleep and half–awake.


    I couldn’t tell if I was actually sleeping or just dead tired, but it felt like there were eyes on me, watching even as I slept.


    Suddenly, my chest tightened and I snapped awake–turns out Ryan had dozed off too.


    My sudden movement woke him up. Ryan reached over and gently helped me sit up. “What’s wrong? Bad dream?”


    wash my face.”


    I nodded with a smile. “I’m gonna go wash


    I stepped into the bathroom and cupped cold water in my hands, letting it jolt me awake and wash away the clutter in my mind. Leaning against the ss sink, I stared at my reflection–fair skin, delicate and gentle features, and eyes that looked soft and dewy, filled with calm warmth and not a hint of sharpness or unrest.


    I gave a small, helpless smile, dried my face with a towel, brushed my teeth, and walked back out.


    Ryan was on the phone, nced back at me, then lowered his voice. “Uncle Ryan, I probably won’t be able to head out tonight–Vic’s at my ce.”


    “You’re not gonna show Nora around a bit more? Why are you in such a rush to head back to Shaville?”


    “Disnend is basically a kid’s paradise. Are you gonna take Nora there yourself tomorrow?”


    “Alright, just make sure you take good care of Nora. I’ll be heading back to Braylin tomorrow morning.”


    Ryan chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up and setting his phone down on the table.


    ‘Was that Edward on the phone?‘ I wondered to myself.


    I kept quiet and didn’t ask.


    Ryan didn’t mention it either.


    <b>10:50 </b><b>Fri</b>, <b>Sep </b><b>5 </b>


    After my nap, I was feeling recharged. As soon as Ryan put down his phone, he came right over and started getting affectionate.


    AD