Chapter 5
During my y time in Toronto, it was Ryan who kept me company
I had a vague idea of what he wanted, but since he didn’t say it nutright, I didn’t bring it up
“Tiena, are you going back! ||
He was peeling fruit for me. The weather in Toronto was dry, so he bought a lot of fruit and brought it to me
“I won’t go back for now. I’ll deal with things later.
I knew I was still running away. After all, seven years of a relationship can’t just be ended with a snap |
Ryan fell unusually silent. Though we hadn’t known each other for long, I could tell his mood was heavy and lonely
I couldn’t help but smile, trying to ease the tension.]
“Don’t want me to go back?]
He tugged at the corner of his lips
“If I say I don’t want you to, would you stay?“||
I might consider it-
His long fingers peeled a piece of orange and fed it to me
“Then I’ll behave, and you wont go back.“||
He fed me the whole orange
After washing his hands, he sat beside me, gently wrapped his arm around my waist, and rested his head on my shoulder.
His breath was as light as a feather, brushing against my ear, making me feel ticklish. I instinctively moved to the side, uncomfortable ||
But Ryan only held me tighter.
Tena we-
I knew what he was about to say, so I turned my head and kissed him to idence the words
Our breaths mingled. We were so close, yet
yet both of us were lost in our own thoughts
Before bed, he hugged me from behind and asked once more
“Dena, let’s be together.”
I didnt answer for a long time. In the stillness of the night, even the air seemed to hold its breath.
TI treat you well, 1–
I turned around and gently pushed hun away.
“Ryan, I’m sorry.1
whyr
He looked dow
me, and in the moonlight, I could see the stubbornness in his eyes and the faint redness at the corners[]
lewered my heat, avoiding his gaze, afraid that I wouldn’t be able to bear it ||
Youre great, its me. I’m just not ready to start a new relationship
The moment I finished speaking, he hurriedy spoke up
Elena, I can give you time. Take as long as you need. (
Can we start by dating first? |
His tone, full of pleading, left me speechless.]]
“I’m sorry.”
1 Barned around,
ind afraid he would see the expression on my
“Ryan, just think of these past few days as us using each other for our needs.
He seemed in disbelief, and he turned my body back towards him.]]
“Look at me, Elena. You feel something for me, don’t you?”
I felt weary and brushed his hand away [
Tm sorry, I don’t want to start a new relationship.”
“If I’ve done anything in these past few days that gave you the wrong impression, I apologize.
“Or… maybe we shouldn’t see each other anymore.
My words were resolute, and I knew it myself. But I didn’t want to hurt Ryan
After all, he had brought me warmth these past few days, and for once, I wasn’t constantly reminded of the pain that Jason had caused me
“Alright, I understand,
He looked at me as if trying to carve my image into his mind.
Then, Ryan stood up, put on his clothes, and slowly walked to the door, as if waiting for me to ask him to stay
But even when he opened the door, I didn’t say a wont.]
After Ryan left, I feit completely drained, collapsing into the bed as though all my strength had been sapped]
Though it had only been a few short days, a strange, indescribable emotion stirred in my heart []
This emotion wasnt because of Jason; it was because of Ryan ||
Thinking of his red–rimmed eyes, I couldn’t help but teel pang of sympathy. But more dearly, 1 knew that I could never love somenne again. At least not now.
years with Jason had drained all my energy
Seven
I was afraid that no relationship could withstand the test of time.
I was afraid to start again, only to end up with the same result ||
1 Legan to regret that my Indulgence with Ryan might have been a mistake
Ryan didn’t leave. He drove around the city center of Toronto, then returned to the university where he and ens had first met:
He had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, possessing so much that his desires were minimal.]
The first time he saw Dlena was at the zebra crossing near the side gate of the school
While waiting for the light, he sat in his car and saw an old lady fall in the middle of the road. No one went to help. but Elenn did.[]
She wore a pure white dress, her hair in a ponytail, looking like a warrior heading into battle.
Even in an age where helping elderly women across the street could end up in scandal, she still stepped forward.
That was their first theeting ||
The second time they met was at school, when the family of the old lady Dena had helped i
to accuse her.
She stood there, unbowed, her back straight. At that moment, Ryan thought she was foolish–doing good deeds only to be extorted.
ately, there was surveillance footage, an en was not
was not harmed []
He thought the girl would learn her lesson this time But when the teacher asked her what she would do if the situation happened again, Ryan still clearly remembered what she said ||
With her ponytail and bright smile. Elena replied. If everyone is afraid and no une dues anything, then this world is truly beyond saving”
“Okay, teacher! I be more careful next time,” she said in a playful tone before leaving
She completely disregarded Ryan, who had been watching from the sidelines, quietly falling in love with her.
From then on, whenever Ryan happened to pass by Tiena, he always hoped she would notice him. But Dena treated him as someone from another world, and their paths never crossed||
Ryan’s unrequited love was long
was long and difficals.||
Eventually, he went abroad to study, bringing an end to this one–sided affection.||
