Chapter 790

I glared at him and noticed he’d gotten a lot skinnier since the last time I saw him. ‘Is he actually on a hunger strike or something?’ I thought.

“Ryan, do you even realize how much you’re just acting out right now?” I snapped, my anger bubbling over.

Ryan crossed his arms, giving a wry smile. “Yeah, I know, I wish I could help it, but I really can’t.”

“You’re just going to push away everyone who actually cares about you,” I said, still fuming.

“People who care about me? You mean Uncle Ryan? Sure, he used to care about me–he was the one I trusted most. But now… everything’s different.” Ryan’s eyes went red as he strode right up to me. “The person I loved most and the one I trusted most ended up falling for each other when I was at my lowest. That’s a double betrayal–do you even know how much that hurts?”

I instinctively took a step back, just staring at him in shock.

Ryan was still the same as ever–always on the verge of tears. Now, two streaks of tears slid down his face, pale as ever, making him look heartbreakingly pitiful.

“Ryan, you were married back then. What was I supposed to do–just wait around for you forever?” Vic shot back, her voice tight. ‘He has his grievances, but I have my reasons too,’ she thought.

Ryan turned around and strode back into the living room without answering me right away.

He grabbed some tissues, wiped all the tears from his face, and said, “Did Grandpa even tell you why he wanted you here?”

“How should I know? He didn’t say,” I replied, clearly irritated.

Suddenly, Ryan walked right up to me. “Can I have a taste of your cooking? Would you make me a meal?”

“What?” I stared at him in disbelief. “Are you seriously telling me you had me come all the way here just to cook for you?”

Ryan just shrugged. “That’s exactly what I told Grandpa. I wanted to eat your food.”

“You…” My head was pounding–I swear, this kid is going to be the death of me.

Ryan gave me that pathetic look. “That shouldn’t be too much to ask, right?”

“So if I make you a meal, can I go?” I snapped.

“That’s not it. You have to stay here for three days,” Ryan replied.

“Why?” I snapped, my anger flaring.

“Because Uncle Ryan’s birthday is in three days,” Ryan said, with a scheming glint in his eyes.

And just like that, I got it–he was actually trying to keep me from spending Edward’s birthday with him.

“You’re out of your mind!” I yelled at him.

But Ryan just stood there, looking like he was loving every second of my outburst–his eyes only shining brighter with amusement.

“Did I owe you a debt in my last life or something?” I tossed my handbag onto the sofa and shot Ryan an annoyed look. “Come on, our thing before–wasn’t it just me liking your youth and energy, and you liking that I was gentle and pretty? We were just messing around. Did you actually catch feelings?”

Ryan was stunned, clearly not expecting me to spill the truth like that.

“I’m still young and full of energy, and you’re still as gentle and pretty as ever,” Ryan shot back, making my heart skip a beat.

“It was just a fling, an adult game, right? First you get divorced, then you go on a hunger strike–what exactly do you want from me?” I demanded, stepping right up to him, my anger barely contained.

Ryan lowered his eyes, his gaze burning as he took in my furious expression. “Sorry, but I can’t play at these adult games. Once I tried, I couldn’t stop. I got divorced just so I could see you sooner. And the hunger strike… it was the only way I could make you come to me.”

My chest felt tight, and I turned my back to him, my emotions all over the place for reasons I couldn’t even explain.

I never believed anyone would just wait around for me.

“You know who I like now? It’s Edward,” I said, my voice coming out awkward as I just said it straight out.

“I know, but are you really ready to be Nora’s stepmom? Do you really have the guts to marry into the Jennings family? Nora might be young, but she’s not clueless. And you know, that little girl’s heart is full of stories about her aunt–are you sure you want to hear them?” As Ryan spoke, he suddenly moved in behind me, his hands slipping around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder. “Vic, why did you have to pick the hardest path for yourself?”