Chapter 83: Chapter 85

Hope accompanied Logan to the airport, tears brimming in her eyes as she embraced him tightly, reluctant to see him leave.

As the announcement for his flight echoed through the terminal, Hope reluctantly pulled away. “Don’t forget to eat and get some rest,” she reminded him, placing her hands on his arms.

“| promise,” Logan assured her, gently tucking stray strands of hair behind her ear before leaning in to kiss her, pouring his emotions into the tender moment. Stepping back, he glanced briefly at Clifton.

“Keep watch while I’m away,” Logan instructed him solemnly, his gaze lingering with. full of concern.

“Don't worry, Boss,” Clifton reassured Logan.

“Logan, I'll take care of Hope as well. So, don’t stress about her well-being,” Paul's girlfriend, Violet, chimed in, wrapping her arm around Hope’s shoulder for added comfort.

“Let's go ahead. We can’t afford to miss the flight, Paul urged, prompting the two of them to bid farewell and depart with a wave.

Once they were gone, Hope and Violet returned to the mansion with Clifton, the air heavy with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension for what lay ahead.

“Hope, did Logan ever mention me to you?” Violet inquired as she settled onto the couch in the living room. Camila provided them with water before departing with the servants to prepare dinner.

“No, he never did. | was aware that Paul was seeing someone, though,” Hope clarified, taking a sip of water before placing the glass on the table. “Logan doesn’t often discuss the people he knows with me,” she added.

“In fact, there’s a significant reason why he may not have mentioned me to you,” Violet asserted, taking another sip of water before setting her glass down.

“A big story?” Hope’s surprise was evident in her tone.

“Yes, indeed, Violet confirmed. “I graduated from the same college as Paul and Logan. Olivia was my friend as well. When Logan lost Olivia, he was shattered, and in the heat of the moment, | said something to him that caused him to resent me. Despite still communicating through Paul, our relationship was never the same.”

“I'm sure you didn’t mean to hurt him, Hope reassured, her empathy shining through 10:48 Fri, 1 Mar Chapter 83 her words. “But Logan is sensitive when it comes to Olivia. | can’t help but wonder what kind of relationship they had,” she mused aloud. “Although he’s told me that I've brought meaning and happiness back to his life.”

Violet smiled warmly. “It’s truly remarkable to see such a transformation in Logan,” she remarked. “Olivia was instrumental in pulling him out of the darkest phase of his life. When you lose someone, you have to find a way to move forward because time waits for no one. Logan struggled with that, but Olivia was there for him during that time, which is why she holds such a special place in his heart. Her loss was devastating for him.

As Violet shared what she knew about Logan’s past with Hope, she continued, “Olivia may not have been his destined mate, but they formed a deep bond. I’m incredibly glad that destiny intervened and brought you into his life,” she affirmed, her words carrying a sense of genuine happiness and hope for their future together.

“| made a foolish mistake yesterday. He must have been so worried,” Hope confessed, her gaze dropping to her hands.

Violet gently placed her hands over Hope’s, offering comfort and support. “Paul told me about what happened. It was indeed a mistake, but Logan was beyond terrified for you. He was shaking with fear,” she revealed solemnly, emphasizing the depth of Logan’s concern for Hope’s well-being.

“| want to celebrate his birthday, but | don’t think he’ll be back that day. He mentioned. it’s the anniversary of his parents’

passing,” Hope revealed, withholding the fact that it was also the day her parents had died. “I don’t want him to see it only as a day of loss anymore. | want him to find joy that day since he was born on that day,” she declared.

“Hope, the best gift you can give him is your presence. Today, | witnessed firsthand how much he cares for you,” Violet affirmed, her smile radiating warmth. “He’s taking small steps towards you and will soon be ready to move forward completely,” she assured, offering Hope a sense of hope and encouragement for their future together.

“| will drop you to your home,” Ryan said as he came to the living room after freshing up, with keys in his hand.

“I'll go by myself,” Roaxana said.

“| cannot let you go alone,” Ryan replied.

“Why? The other days you did let me go by myself. I’ve not forgotten how you didn’t open the door and even changed its passcode,” she complained to him.

Her intention was to spend the night at his apartment to prevent him from drinking 10:48 Fr, after her departure.

“Are you leaving or not?” Ryan inquired impatiently.

“No, not yet,” she replied firmly.

n “Why are you so determined to stay here? Your mom will be worried about you,” Ryan reasoned, approaching her and attempting to pull her up by her arm. However, she remained rooted to the spot, unmoved by his efforts.

“Do you even realize | got sick because of you?” Roaxana suddenly confessed, her words hanging heavily in the air.

“What?” Ryan’s grip on her arm loosened for a moment. “Did you cry?” he asked.

“Of course, | cried buckets. My only best friend asked me to forget him and not show my face to him ever,” Roaxana confessed, her voice heavy with emotion.

Ryan’s heart sank as he remembered that day, realizing he had been too harsh on her. “Are you doing better now?” he inquired gently.

“Yes, | am,” Roaxana assured him, her tone more composed.

As Ryan almost withdrew his hand from her arm, Roaxana caught it, surprising him. Before he could react, she tugged him down, causing him to hover above her momentarily. “Roxy!” he exclaimed, startled, quickly composing himself and sitting beside her.

“What's gotten into you? This isn’t like you,” Ryan remarked.

Roaxana responded by flipping her hair to one side and attempting to look cute, placing her hands on her cheeks in a playful gesture.

Unable to contain himself, Ryan burst into laughter, prompting Roaxana to inquire why he was laughing. “You shouldn't laugh at me. | was trying to be cute, she protested.

“It was just so funny,” Ryan managed between chuckles, offering an apology as he struggled to regain his composure. Roaxana couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy seeing his smile.

In a spontaneous moment of affection, she enveloped him in a hug, causing him to momentarily freeze, his laughter fading away.

“Ryan, please, keep smiling and laughing like this. I’ve missed it so much. | miss the Ryan I’ve known all these years,” Roaxana murmured softly, her hand gently stroking his back.

Feeling comforted by her touch, Ryan curled his fingers slightly, silently acknowledging 10:48 Fri, 1 Mar her words. As Roaxaria leaned into him, he instinctively drew her close, his arms. encircling her in a warm embrace.

Apologizing for his behavior, Ryan held her for a moment longer before reluctantle releasing her, letting her go with a sense of remorse lingering in the air.

gow “Ryan, don’t you wish to know the truth?” Roaxana asked him.

“| don’t want to hate my father for lying to me. | think I'll be upset to learn why my mother died,” Ryan expressed and it showed that he wanted the truth to remain hidden.

Roaxana understood what he desired. “Alright.” She placed her hand above his and held it firmly. “Don’t lose yourself. You are such an incredible man, Ryan. | cannot see you in such a devastating state,” she murmured.

“| know. Roaxana, | can be a good friend to you, but we can’t be good life partners. We aren't destined for each other,” Ryan again claris to her. “You should consider dating Isaac. I'll help you,” he pronounced..

Roaxana was never with a guy before other than him, so Ryan understood how uncomfortable it was for her to open with any man.

“| don’t wish to date him and you cannot force me for it,” Roaxana delivered her decision to him.

“| respect your decision, but, Ryan met her gaze when she placed her index finger on his lips.

Let me at least prove to you how good we both look once we get together. Let me make those efforts. You won't find a loyal woman like me. | promise you,” Roaxana asserted as she peered into his orbs.

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