Chapter 28: Two Different People...

Ryan pushed open the door and stepped into Ryder’s home office. The faint smell of tobacco hung in the air, mixed with the scent of aged whiskey. It wasn’t the first time he had seen Ryder like this—alone, in silence, with smoke circling above his head.

Ryder was sitting on the couch near the window. The curtains were half drawn, allowing a dim ray of light to cut across his face. A glass of whiskey sat on the table in front of him, half empty, beside an open bottle. His hand rested lazily on the armrest, holding a burning cigarette between two fingers.

Ryan walked in without waiting to be invited. He didn’t say anything at first; he just looked at Ryder for a moment— the way his expression never changed even when he noticed Ryan had come in.

Ryder took a slow drag from his cigarette, inhaling deeply before exhaling in a controlled breath. The smoke curled upward.

Ryan sighed and walked across the room. He stopped by the working desk that stood opposite the couch. It was the same