Chapter 827 Ryder strolled over, a lazy smile playing on his lips. âNo sweat, Agnes. Itâs not like itâs the first time Iâve seen you tipsy At his words, Agnes could feel her cheeks burning with embarrassment Silence hung between them, thick and uneasy, and Agnes found herself at a loss for words Despite the discomfort. Ryder remained steadfastly by her side Feeling the need to break the silence, Agnes grasped at the first topic that came to mind. âYou walked away from med school to take over the family business. Are you happier now?â
Ryder leaned against the balconyâs glass door, arms crossed, his stance giving off an air of nonchalance âIâm not happy. Agnes. Not at all he admitted without flinching Curiosity got the better of her âThen why do it? Why give up your dreams for business?â
Why take on the Thomas Group and fight for shares in the Tim Group if it didnât bring joy? These were the puzzles Agnes couldnât solve Ryderâs gaze settled on her face, intense and searching âFor years, Iâve been wondering, Agnes. Why did you fall for my uncle?
Why choose kim first, and then again? We spent so much time together in Manhattan, as much as you did with him, yet you never really opened curious what it was about his life that drew you in. I wanted to walk his path, live his life, to find an answer for myselfâ
Her heart sank at his words. It was indeed all because of her. She felt the weight of his life decisions on her shoulders, a burden too heavy to bear Overwhelmed, Agnes directed her gaze downwards, finding sudden interest in the floor beneath her, unable to bear the intensity of Ryderâs gaze âYou didnât have to give up your dreams for my sake, Ryder Itâs not worth it,â she said softly.
Ryder chuckled, a sound that seemed to hold a touch of melancholy. âYou seem to have forgotten that I left the Whitfield family and decided join the Novy Medical Team because of you.â
She was taken aback, memories flooding back.
Yes, it was at the Whitfield Manor, in the garden where they had talked about dreams. Ryder had been uncertain whether to return to the Thomas family, which would have allowed him to join the prestigious Novy Medical Team.
Back then, everyone in the Whitfield family was against it â everyone but Agnes, who had encouraged him wholeheartedly.
Five years had passed since then, in the blink of an eye.
So much had happened, time blurring the details.
But within those blurred memories, much had changed Like Ryder, standing before her no longer the innocent and distant youth of five years ago.
Agnes managed a wry smile âRyder. I should never have entered your lifeâ
He looked at her, his voice a whisper of the past. âDo you remember our freshman year, the campus film festival? We al packed im auditorium to absorb the spirit of cinema Do you remember the movie they showed?â
Her mind drifted back I remember, The Shawshank Redemption It left a lasting impression.â
And thereâs a line in that movie Ryder mused, âabout how some birds arenât meant to be caged because their feathers are just too bright, but when they fly away, the world seems dulier for their absence To me, Agnes, youâre that bird. You stopped in my world for a moment, and when you flew away the color went with you Itâs heartbreaking and yet. Iâm grateful for that brief vaitâ
Agries lifted her gaze to meet his âRyder Words failed het, and the things she couldnât say hung heavy in the ai