Her Internal Struggles


    I looked at Ryan and knew he had waited for me for too long. I found it hard to answer his question.


    because I didn’t want to hurt him.


    I considered how we were during college and remembered him caring for me when I returned home


    during my freshman year. Ryan was always attentive, yet he kept a distance and never crossed


    boundaries.


    So, I only saw him as an elder brother from the neighborhood.


    “Perhaps I would have,” I answered honestly. “You never gave me the chance to consider things in that


    direction.”


    Ryan tightened his grip on my hand. He looked conflicted with pain, regret, and longing. He was brave


    this


    time, asking, “What about now? I’ll do my best to care for you and Ava.”


    His words made it hard for me to remain serious, I knew he was earnest, but I couldn’t help but


    chuckle.”


    Ryan, you’re too funny. You…”


    When I saw his anxious gaze, I quickly adjusted my tone. I realized I was too light–hearted and even


    disrespectful. Iposed myself and said thoughtfully, “I know you’re serious and will do an excellent


    job


    at that.


    “Today’s incident isn’t your fault. I know you treat me well and have feelings for me. Please give me


    some


    time.”


    “Really?” Suddenly, Ryan looked determined. “I will try my best. Thank you for giving me a chance!”


    I felt speechless. I didn’t mean to start a rtionship with Ryan but rather to try and get closer. It


    seemed like I hadn’t made myself clear. I would try it since I couldn’t take back what I had said. I said


    softly, “But


    I


    I


    let’s not force anything, okay?”


    He tightened his grip again like he feared I might take back my words. “Chlo, you’re everything to me. I


    regret being indecisive. You wouldn’t have suffered with Matthew if I had been braver back then.”


    I said, “This is my fate. The Murphys are dysfunctional. Mnie harbors deep hatred toward me. To


    her,


    I’m the one who took away her brother and fortune.”


    I continued to analyze Mnie’s mindset, “I was toopliant with Matthew. The Murphys think I took


    everything from them, so Mnie is aggressive toward me. They were heartless to me just now, but I


    didn’t want to be like them.


    “The baby was Innocent, and saving him was my motherly Instinct. Let’s hope Ava will get good karma


    “But I was with you and could only watch you get hurt,” Ryan continued to me himself. He said


    affectionately, “Take better care of yourself next time. Do you still want stew? Let me take you.”


    I chuckled, “All that happened because I wanted some stew. We wouldn’t have bumped into them if I


    had


    stayed here.”


    Ryan was determined to take me. “Should I get your parents first? Then, we can find a nearby stew


    ce.


    together.”


    I nodded. “Okay, I’ll nap while you pick my parents and Ava up.”


    “Sure.” Ryan squeezed my hand before finally leaving the hospital.


    I looked at my injured arm. Although the pain had subsided after applying the medication, there was


    still a lingering difort. Suddenly, I became emotional. I could only see As standing before me


    with As’s deep eyes that sent a chill down my spine.


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I always got hurt whenever he was around. Only I knew myposure wouldn’t waver before him. My


    suppressed longing had caused his indifference. No matter his reasons, it couldn’tpensate for my


    disappointment. only watch him walk away with another woman. I wasn’t even worth his nce. I


    smiled bitterly


    I could with these thoughts. Perhaps it was time for me to start a new life.