Chapter 819 After Ryder got into the car, he managed not without difficulty, to buckle her into the seatbelt.
But he didnât just start the car and drive away Instead, he turned to study her face intently It felt like ages since hed allowed himself such a luxury in the past, he never dared to gaze at her so openly After all these years, he always felt shackled, and each stolen glance was a secret treasure To be honest Ryder was tired of that feeling. He was tired of lurking in the shadows, aching for the sunlight. It was blinding, it hurt, but he couldnât bring himself to settle in the dark corners where light never reached He didnât know how long he watched her. Memories flooded back as he looked at her faceâmost from their school days Ryder remembered when they rehearsed a play together it was âRomeo and Julietâ He was Romeo, and she was Juliet Night after night, they practiced their lines in the attic of Whitfield Manor.
Sometimes. Agnes would just collapse into the hammock chair and doze off Heâd watch her then, much like he did now, as if only when her eyes were closed could his gaze wander freely and fearlessly.
Looking back those moments were rare sparks of joy in his lifeâa celebration of youth and dreams Eventually Ryder started the car He drove along the cityâs elevated roads, with no clear destination in mind.
He knew Agnes was living with Jared now, at Maplewood Manor Heâd driven past it twice, and never stopped But in the end, selfishness overruled reason Ryder ended up taking Agnes to his highârise apartment As they entered the elevator, they bumped into a neighbor from downstairs.
The apartment was one Ryder had rented during his internship at Hope Hospital Before leaving, Ryder had bought it The building was mainly occupied by former colleagues from the hospital. Though it had been years, Ryderâs return had rekindled old acquaintances. After sharing a meal. they reconnected The downstairs neighbor was Dr. Kermit, the neurology departmentâs former anesthesiologist Seeing Ryder carrying Agnes, he couldnât hide his curiosity. Dr. Ryder, finally brought a girlfriend home, eh?â
Though Ryder was no longer practicing medicine. Dr. Kermit still called him Dr. Ryder.
Plus his reputation in international medical circles remained notable.
Ryder managed a tight smile. No, sheâs not But he offered no further explanation.
Dr. Kermits smile was mischievous. âWe know you well enough. All of us in medicine tend to be a bit obsessiveâcompulsive. If she wasnât a girlfriend, would you her to your place?â
The elevator reached the floor Without a word. Ryder stepped out For some reason, the term girlfriend stung like a thorn in his side.
He wasnât afraid of misunderstandings, nor did he feel the need to clarify It was as if when others got it wrong, he reveled in a fleeting illusion. As if, for just a second, Agnes was indeed his girlfriend