Her gaze lingered on the photo, emotions swirling.She still remembered it clearly: her childhood fascination with Ryder. Even back then, she wanted to follow him everywhere.
Many times, her grandma would gently remind her, "Call him Brother Ryder, dear. He's older than you." But she stubbornly refused, insisting on addressing him solely as Ryder.Later, her grandma couldn't help but sigh and shake her head, recognizing the futility of her suggestions. Thea's determination to call Ryder by his name alone was unwavering.
"Ryder, Ryder, Ryder," her grandma would tease, smiling. "You're stubborn, child."
Thea's face would light up with a mischievous smile. "That's because it's his name, Grandma."
"Why are you smiling?" Ryder's voice broke into her reverie, bringing her back to the present.
Thea's gaze drifted up to meet Ryder's, "Ryder, I had no idea you kept all these photos.."
"Yeah, I like to hold onto memories."
She continued to flip through the album,her eyes caught a white envelope beside the bed on the table. "What is this?" She stretched her hands to take the envelope. Nothing was written on the top, no indication of its contents or origin.
She looked around the room, her eyes searching for Ryder, but he was nowhere to be found. The place where he had been sitting was empty. With a sense of foreboding, she unfolded the paper inside.
And then, she saw it. The words that made her heart skip a beat, her world spinning with a mix of shock and disbelief. Her eyes widened, her breath caught in her throat, as if time itself had paused, refusing to let her move forward. The room around her began to blur, the sounds of the outside world fading into the background, as she stared at the paper, her eyes fixed on the revelation that would change everything.
It was a ticket to Scotland, accompanied by a letter that made her heart sink. When she saw Ryder returning to the room, a mix of emotions swirling inside her, she confronted him. "Ryder, what is this?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of betrayal and confusion. "A ticket to Scotland? A letter about future studies? What's going on?"
Thea's eyes blazed with anger and betrayal as she confronted Ryder. "You're going to abandone me !" she accused, her voice trembling with emotion.
Ryder sighed. "I'm not abandoning you, Thea . I just need to do this for my future."
"Your future?" her voice rose in disbelief. "You're already studying at a prestigious University, what more do you need? You promised me...y... you'd stay, and now you're breaking that promise!"
Ryder shrugged, his indifference fueling her anger. "I don't want to answer your questions," he said, his voice cold.
Thea's s tears flowed as she realized Ryder's determination to leave. She turned and ran downstairs, seeking comfort from Elizabeth.
"Thea what's wrong?" Elizabeth asked, concern etched on her face.
"Aunty, is Ryder going to Scotland next week?" Thea asked, her voice trembling with anxiety.
"Yes, dear." Elizabeth replied, her expression a mix of sadness and frustration. "He wants to go to Scotland for his future studies. I tried to stop him, but..." She sighed, shaking her head. "He is adamant about going there."
Thea's tears flowing uncontrollably. "He promised me he'd stay, but now he's breaking his promise."
The thought echoed silently in her mind, a painful truth she dared not speak aloud.
"He's always putting his own needs before mine!"The words hung unspoken, a heavy burden in her heart. She bit her lip, holding back the tears that threatened to spill.
Elizabeth's face hardened. "I tried to stop him, but he won't listen."She embraced her tightly as Thea kept sobbing.
"Aunty, I am leaving now." Thea said, her voice trembling as she broke free from Elizabeth's embrace, her eyes red and puffy from sobbing.
"Thea have lunch before you go." Elizabeth pleaded, her eyes filled with concern. "We all feel happy in your presence. Don't go yet, dear."Rosie pleaded.
"Mom, Grandma, let her be,I've made up my mind." Ryder's voice came, his tone indifferent.
"Brat, how dare you make her cry?" Elder Edward's voice rose in indignation, his eyes flashing with anger as he turned to Ryder.
"Thea, don't waste your tears on someone who's so adamant to leave us.." he said, his voice softening slightly as he turned to her. "He's made his choice. Let him be. You deserve better than someone who'd willing walk away."