The morning's confrontation with Zahir left an unshakable tension in the air, one that followed me like a shadow. Even as the hours ticked by, my mind churned with questions I wasn't ready to confront. What had I done to attract men who mistook control for love? And why did Ryan's words linger in my mind like a soft whisper, tugging at something I couldn't quite name?
By the time evening fell, the estate felt unusually quiet. Ryan had disappeared after our exchange, leaving me to roam the expansive halls in search of something to distract myself. When I finally found him, he was in the study again, seated at the desk with a glass of whiskey in hand. The dim lighting cast sharp angles across his face, but his eyes betrayed a weariness I hadn't noticed before.
"You've been avoiding me," I said from the doorway, crossing my arms.
Ryan looked up, his expression unreadable. "You looked like you needed space."
I stepped further into the room, closing the door behind me. "I don't need space, Ryan. I need answers. Why are you helping me? Why do you care?"
He took a slow sip of his drink before setting it down, the glass clinking softly against the wood. "Maybe because I know what it's like to lose control of your own life."
The confession surprised me, but I didn't let it show. "That's not an answer. You don't strike me as someone who does anything without a reason."
Ryan leaned back in his chair, studying me intently. "Let's just say I see something in you, Enisa. Something worth protecting."
The vulnerability in his tone caught me off guard. I wasn't used to this side of him the man who could admit to cracks in his armor. For a moment, the barriers between us felt thinner, but I wasn't ready to let them down.
"Protecting me won't fix whatever's broken in you," I said softly, my voice more resigned than harsh.
He chuckled darkly, running a hand through his hair. "And fighting everyone who tries to help you won't fix what's broken in you."
The words stung because they were true. I looked away, unsure of what to say, until Ryan spoke again.
"Zahir's not done with you," he said, his tone serious now. "Men like him don't walk away easily."
"I don't need you to remind me," I snapped, my defenses flaring. "I've dealt with Zahir before."
Ryan stood, his presence filling the room as he closed the distance between us. "And how did that work out for you? You ran, Enisa. You disappeared from his life and tried to start over. But now he's here, and he's not going to stop."
His words struck a nerve, but I refused to back down. "I can handle him," I said, though my voice wavered slightly.
Ryan's gaze softened, and for a moment, the intensity in his eyes shifted to something almost tender. "You don't have to do it alone."
I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could respond, a sharp knock echoed through the room. We both turned as the door creaked open, revealing one of the staff.
"Mr. Hayes, there's a call for you," the butler said, his tone formal but urgent.
Ryan nodded, his jaw tightening. "I'll take it in a moment."
The butler left, and Ryan turned back to me, his expression unreadable once more. "We'll continue this later."
Before I could protest, he walked past me and disappeared down the hall, leaving me alone in the dimly lit study. For the second time that day, I found myself staring after him, wondering who the real Ryan Hayes was and what it would take to unravel his secrets.