Chapter 3

Ryan's POV

Then, Delilah and I went into the new room.

Just as she was about to leave, I suddenly grabbed her and pinned her under me. I was half out of it, my eyes unfocused.

"Who are you? Why are you in my room?" I murmured. "Did you come to keep me company because you knew I was upset?"

Then… Then, I couldn't recall anything after that.

I slapped my forehead in frustration.

It seemed like it had been her first time.

That was when Delilah woke up. The moment she saw me, her face immediately flushed red.

"I—"

But before she could finish, I cut her off, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. Don't worry. I'll take responsibility for what happened. If there's anything you need later, you can reach out to me. I can also explain everything to your boyfriend."

She looked at me, her gaze serious. "I don't blame you. I was a willing participant, and I don't have a boyfriend. So, Ryan, don't feel burdened by it. Besides, we're both adults here."

…

In my second week in Altmarch, Naia Morenna, a friend from back home, messaged me on WhatsApp.

"Ry, when are you coming back to Azureland? Everyone misses you. Come back so we can all meet up."

I replied, "I'm not going back for the time being. We'll see when I'm free."

"Then fly back when my birthday rolls around soon. Didn't you say you'd have a drink with me last time?"

"I really don't plan on going back for now. I'll have someone deliver your gift to your place."

"Alright."

…

Third-person POV

At the dinner table, Naia showed her phone to Amara.

"Amara, why don't you just call Ryan yourself? He'll definitely cave. After all, he really did love you before—everyone knows that."

Amara glanced at the screen and snapped, "It's fine if he doesn't come back! It's not like I can't find another man."

However, her nails were digging deeply into her palms despite her words.

Someone tried to comfort her. "Don't be mad, Amara. Ryan's just sulking."

"That's right. Maybe he really is hurt this time, but give it a few days, and I'm sure he'll come running back to you."

"I've already broken things off with Callum. What else does he want?" Amara growled, so furious that she smashed her glass.

"There are plenty of people pursuing me. Who does he think he is? Listen up—Ryan and I are over. None of you is allowed to contact him again. And it'd be even better if he died somewhere out there!"

With that, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

A cold gust of wind greeted her at the entrance, and she suddenly felt very cold. She recalled how, after nights out with friends, Ryan would always be waiting at the entrance with a coat in his hands, ready to take her home.

Shaking her head, she blocked Ryan on WhatsApp and deleted his number as well. She couldn't help thinking how dramatic he was being this time, even changing tactics—dragging it out and refusing to come back.

But so what?

She wasn't going to cave just because of that. She was the CEO of Larkspur Corporation. Money and men were two things she didn't lack. Why would she need Ryan?

…

Ryan's POV

In the blink of an eye, fall arrived, and the weather turned cool.

After finishing a meeting with a client, I walked out and happened to see Delilah waiting by my car, wearing a beige coat.

The breeze ruffled her hair, but it couldn't hide the intensity in her gaze as she stared at me.

Ever since that one night we spent together, she'd been coming to find me every day to have meals with me or go shopping together.

At first, I refused. But she just smiled and said, "Ryan, we've already slept together. Are you really going to be so heartless? I just want a buddy to have a meal with."

I wasn't stupid. Even though that was what she said, the deep love and affection in her eyes were unmistakable. It was exactly the way Amara used to look at me when she was pursuing me back then.

But I'd just come out of a failed relationship, and I didn't want to repeat the same mistake. So I kept pretending to play dumb.

I walked over.

Delilah gave me a big grin. "Sir, where would you like to eat today? Your guide is at your service."

Since coming to Altmarch, I hadn't stopped working. And lately, I'd been rather swamped and exhausted. But Delilah's playful tone somehow made all that fatigue melt away.

I chuckled as well. "Let's get some street tacos."

It was actually kind of funny how the CEO of a listed company enjoyed eating street food. Previously, I often asked Amara to go with me, but she always refused because she found them dirty and unhygienic.

"Sure," Delilah answered. "I know a really good taco truck."