After returning to her room, Thea was resolute in her decision not to go out with Ryder. She needed time to process her emotions, to come to terms with the pain he had caused her.
Ryder stood outside Thea's room, his hand hesitating over the door handle. He took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts before knocking gently.
"Thea?" he called out, his voice soft and tentative.
The door remained closed, but Ryder sensed her presence on the other side. He knocked again, his heart heavy with regret.
"Thea, please talk to me."
Silence.
"I'm sorry, Thea."
Still, there was no response.
Ryder's gaze drifted downward, his eyes fixed on the floor. He knew he had hurt her deeply, and the thought filled him with anguish.
"I'm sorry, Thea, for my earlier behavior."
But Thea remained silent, her door a barrier between them. He turned to leave, but then the door opened, and Thea stood before him, her eyes red and puffy, her face contorted in pain.
Ryder's heart broke at the sight, his regret and sorrow intensifying. He took a step closer, his eyes fixed on her face, his hands reaching out to her.
"I'm sorry, Thea. Will you forgive me?"
Thea nodded her head, her eyes welling up with fresh tears. She threw her arms around Ryder, holding him tight as she burst into sobs. Ryder's heart wrenched at this sight.
"Thea, I'm going to Scotland for studies, but I promise to come back to you. I will never leave you again. I promise."
Thea's sobs intensified, her body shaking with grief. Ryder held her tight, his arms wrapped around her, his heart overflowing with love and regret. He rubbed her back, his fingers stroking her hair.
As they stood there, holding each other, Ryder knew that he would never let her go again. He held her tight.
Finally, Thea's sobs subsided, her body still shaking with occasional hiccups. Ryder pulled back, his eyes locking onto hers, his face etched with pain and regret.
"It's okay, Thea. Don't cry."
Thea's eyes searched his face, her expression softening. Ryder's face contorted in relief.
He pulled her back into his arms, holding her close as they both stood there, their hearts heavy with emotion.
"I love you, Ryder." Thea whispered, her words lost in the embrace.
She held him tight, as if she would never let him go, her arms wrapped around him like a lifeline. Her heart poured out all the emotions she couldn't express with words, her love, her pain, her fear of losing him.
Ryder's heart swelled with love and regret; he held her close. He felt her warmth, her trembling body, but didn't hear the words she longed to say.
But before he could sense more, Thea's grandma called out from downstairs ."Thea, dear, can you please come here for a moment?"
Thea's eyes flashed up, her gaze meeting Ryder's, her face still etched with pain and sadness. She wiped her tears, her voice hoarse from crying.
"Yes, grandma."
Ryder's eyes never left hers, his face filled with longing and love.
"So, you're coming with me?" he asked, his voice laced with hope, his heart yearning for her presence.
Thea's expression faltered; she tried to feign anger, her voice trembling.
"I don't know, Ryder. I need time to think."
Her actions screamed her love, but her words failed to express it.
Ryder's heart sank. He knew he had hurt her, and he didn't blame her.
As Thea turned to leave, Ryder's arms felt empty, his heart heavy with sorrow. He watched her go, his eyes never leaving hers.
Thea's grandma noticed her distress and wrapped her arms around her.
"What happened, Thea? What's wrong?"
Thea buried her face in her grandma's shoulder, her body shaking with sobs.
"Ryder's going, grandma. He's departing.." she murmured, her voice stifled by sobs.
Her grandma tenderly ran her fingers through her tresses, her words comforting.
"Don't fret, darling. He'll be back in future. He cherishes you, and you cherish him. That's what truly matters."