Chapter 10

Through my blurry vision, a hand suddenly reached out, wiping away the wetness from my eyes.

Only then did I realize I was crying.

Ryder withdrew his hand, saying faintly, “Don’t feel wronged. After today, I won’t look for you again.”

“Aria, we’re even.”

I had a track record, so it was normal for him not to trust me.

While trying to convince myself, I forced back my tears and looked at Ryder earnestly:

“I’m sorry.”

He paused, surprised: “Matters of the heart can’t be forced. No need to apologize.”

“When we get back from the hospital today, I’ll explain everything to your parents. We’ll break—”

His words were cut off by my sudden kiss.

Ryder’s eyes snapped open, staring at me in disbelief.

I awkwardly pressed my lips against his for a moment, then pulled back slightly, panting softly, tugging at his collar.

“Don’t… don’t say break off the engagement.”

I steadied myself and continued, “Ryder, whether you believe it or not, all those things with Julian before? I didn’t want to do them.”

“I brought you to the hospital simply because I saw how pale you looked and was worried about you.”

He looked down at me, the tumultuous emotions in his eyes obscured by his long lashes:

“Is this your new tactic?”

I suppressed the bitterness in my heart: “My life, our shared history—we’ve known each other for as long as I’ve been alive. So you have to believe me.”

“If you don’t believe me—”

“I’ll kiss you again.”

I said, leaning in again.

But Ryder pressed against my forehead, stopping me in time.

His breath was incredibly close, his voice a little hoarse:

“Aria, do you know what you’re doing right now?”

I answered,

“Yes, I know. I’m doing what we did when we were eighteen.”

That sentence was like a fuse, igniting everything.

Instantly burning away all reason between Ryder and me.