Chapter 20
Lina met Rylan five years ago, right after she landed in England. She could get by, but not really–she was alone, the language tripped her up, and she spent months feeling lost, not sure what she was supposed to do with herself.”
Rylan was the first person from home she found in this strange new place. Later, after they got closer, he’d tease her about it, saying in all his years in the UK, he’d never met anyone else who’d shown up with no plan, no English, and honestly, not even a spark of adventure–just a girl who’d flown halfway around the world, spent two months barely able to say hello.!!
But Lina was lucky. She met Rylan at his lowest, too.
Eventually, they struck a deal: she’d pay him a more–than–fair salary to be her guide–teach her English, show her the ropes in England, help her figure out life here. When he saw how aimless she was, he even pushed her to find her talents, her dreams.
When an injury left her unable to draw with her right hand, Rylan sat with her as she trained her left. From the first wobbly letters to eventually drawing perfect designs with her other hand, he was always there, patient and steady.l
The truth is, Lina would never have become who she is now without Rylan’s help.
What she didn’t expect–what she never even considered–was that Rylan would fall for her
The first time he confessed, she just sat there, stunned, for what felt like forever before she said anything at all.
From that day on, Lina started to pull away. Rylan noticed, of course, but he didn’t back off. If anything, he doubled down, his feelings more obvious than ever
It wasn’t until she told him about Bruno–and that she wasn’t planning on dating anyone, maybe not for a long time–that Rylan finally changed. He stopped chasing, but he didn’t leave.
“That’s okay, Lina. I’ll stay by your side. When you’re ready to let go of the past, whether you accept me or not, I’ll respect your choice.” Lina ran out of excuses. She let him stay.
Days slipped into months, months into years.
Now, whenever something happened, she’d look for him first, not even thinking about it. She’d gotten so used to having him there, it was like he was part of her world.
The kettle dinged. Lina reached for the teapot, pouring the water over loose tea leaves and watching them swirl, the scent slowly filling the quiet kitchen.
Rylan’s eyes followed her every move. He watched her push a cup toward him, noticed the way her ears turned just a little pink. He couldn’t help but laugh..
“Drink up,” she snapped, shoving the cup across the table. Under her breath, she added, “Maybe tea will finally shut you up.”
Night had just fallen, the city lights flickering on outside Morris Estate, Bruno sat on the sofa, the chandelier overhead casting a sharp shadow across his face.
Across from him knelt a group of people who, back when the Morris family still held power, had called Kylie a friend. But when the family fell from grace, they’d all abandoned her, even kicked her while she was down.
Kylie remembered the last time she saw them–how they’d trailed after some other rich girl, sneering at her, making sure she knew she wasn’t welcome anymore!
Now, they were on their knees in front of her. One of them was clutching a smashed hand, blood dripping onto the marble floor, crying and begging for mercy. The sound was oddly satisfying.?
She forced herself to look conflicted, turning to the man beside her as if reluctant. “Bruno, isn’t this a little much?”||
She didn’t see the look of disgust that flashed in Bruno’s eyes when she touched his sleeve.
“Too much? They made their choices Losing a hand is getting off easy,” he said, voice cold and flat.
Kylie’s smile widened. She knew it–Bruno still cared. Why else would he go this far just because they’d said a few nasty things about her?:
