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Chapter 35: New Beginnings
Ryan sat on the edge of the sofa, staring at the space where Sofia had stood just moments before. The house felt quieter now, emptier somehow, despite the bustling activity around him. It was hard to ignore the change within himself. He had spent so long trying to deny it, convincing himself that his feelings were just fleeting moments of weakness or confusion. But now, he knew the truth—he had feelings for Sofia, deep feelings he couldn't ignore any longer.
It had started with the way she had cared for Lily, the tenderness in her voice, the way she made his daughter smile with nothing more than a glance. Sofia had always been a part of their lives, even when she wasn't physically present. But seeing her again, witnessing the bond between her and Lily, had reopened something in Ryan's heart. It wasn't just about the past, or about what could have been. It was about the future, about the possibility of them both moving forward together, even if it seemed impossible.
He had made so many mistakes, pushed her away when she had never truly left. The thought of her now, the way she had carried herself with grace and strength through everything, filled him with a sense of admiration. And yet, there was guilt too—guilt for not seeing her, for not acknowledging the feelings that had been there all along.
Ryan ran a hand through his hair, trying to think clearly. He had to talk to her, tell her how he felt. But where would he even begin? After all this time, would she even want to listen? He had been her employer, then her distant acquaintance, and now—what? Was there a chance for them to move beyond the walls they had built?
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Ryan looked up as his sister, Julia, stepped into the room, her eyes soft with understanding. She had been there for him through the years, watching him wrestle with the choices he had made, but she had always remained quiet, never pushing him to confront his feelings.
"Ryan," Julia said gently, sitting beside him on the couch. "Lily's ready to leave for Canada. The car's here."
Ryan nodded, his heart tightening. Lily had recovered well, and now the day had come for her to go back to school, to resume the life that had been put on hold for so long. She had fought hard to heal, and it had been an emotional journey for all of them. The thought of sending her away again, so far from home, felt like a weight pressing against his chest. But it was what she needed. She needed stability, and he knew that she would thrive at her school in Canada. He just hoped he had done enough to make sure she knew how much she was loved, how much she meant to him.
"Do you want to see her before she goes?" Julia asked softly, glancing at her brother, who had gone quiet. "I think she'd appreciate it."
Ryan hesitated. He hadn't expected this moment to come so soon, and he wasn't sure if he was ready to face Lily's departure. But as the words sank in, he realized it wasn't just about saying goodbye—it was about letting go, even if only for a while.
He stood up and nodded. "Yes, I'll be right there."
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Ryan made his way down the hallway, each step heavy with the weight of the emotions swirling inside him. He had to face Lily, had to show her that he was proud of her, that he would always be there for her no matter where she went.
When he reached the living room, Sofia was standing by the window, her back to him as she gazed out at the car waiting outside. Her presence felt like a gentle pull on his heart, and for the first time, he didn't want to hide from it. He had let her slip away once, but he wasn't going to make that mistake again.
"Lily's ready," Sofia said without turning around, her voice a mix of sadness and warmth. "She's been looking forward to seeing you before she leaves."
Ryan nodded, his heart swelling with a mixture of pride and longing. He watched as Sofia finally turned to face him, her eyes meeting his with a quiet understanding.
"I'll be there in a moment," he said, his voice thick. He was so close to saying what he needed to say, but the words didn't come easily.
Sofia nodded and walked toward the door, pausing just before leaving. "Ryan," she said softly, her voice almost too gentle to hear. "Thank you for everything. You've done more than you know."
Ryan swallowed hard, the knot in his throat growing tighter. He couldn't find the words. But as Sofia stepped out of the room, he made a decision. He wasn't going to wait any longer. He wasn't going to let the fear of rejection, of what might or might not be, hold him back.
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