Thea waited at Ryder's entrance, then reached for the bell. The door swung open to reveal a beautiful woman standing before her.
Elizabeth, Ryder's mother, greeted her kindly, "Thea, you've come to visit him?"
With a quiet smile, Thea accepted Elizabeth's open arms, melting into the embrace. It was the closest she'd come to a mother's love in years, filling a void that had lingered since the loss of her parents.
Memories of her parents filled her thoughts: joyful moments, shared smiles, and the deep sorrow of their early loss. Her uncle's indifference remained a sharp sting, but her grandmother's kindness had always been a healing touch.
As Elizabeth held her, she felt a lump form in her throat. She missed her parents dearly, but in this moment, she felt a sense of peace, a reminder that there were still people in the world who cared for her, who loved her.
"He's in his room now, and he has a fever. I just checked on him. Please be careful—I don't want you to catch it."
Thea nodded sympathetically. "Hmm, Auntie."
Outside Ryder's room, Thea's heart drummed wildly in her chest, her fingers trembling as they hovered over the door handle. He had just returned from his aunt's house two days before, and she had felt his absence deeply.
The thought of seeing him again had filled her with such excitement and nervousness that she couldn't wait to visit. But now, standing there, she learned he was ill.
She knocked gently on the door, but no answer emerged from within. Her apprehension surged, her grip intensifying as she wavered before twisting the doorknob.
The door swung open, revealing an expansive space that mirrored Ryder's calm and collected personality. The walls, painted a soothing sky blue.The large, spacious area was neatly arranged, with every item carefully positioned .
The cozy room boasted a stylish cream sofa, accompanied by a sleek dark wood coffee table with a thoughtfully arranged selection of books and a vase of fresh flowers. A wall of bookshelves, filled with Ryder's favorite reads.
The curtains, a crisp white with subtle navy blue stripes, hung gracefully from ceiling to floor, filtering the natural light and casting a warm glow across the room.
Sunlight spilled generously through the expansive window, bathing the carpet and modern furnishings in a soft radiance. Her gaze drifted to the bed, where Ryder rested, perfectly still. The steady rhythm of his breath was the only movement in the peaceful space.
She approached him, her eyes drinking in the sight of his pale face, his dark hair damp with sweat.Her hand instinctively reached out, her fingers brushing against his forehead, feeling the warmth and the dampness of his skin.
She saw the bowl of cold water on the table, a sign of his mother's care. Tears filled her eyes as she looked at Ryder, lying on his bed, and her heart ached with worry.
The sorrow of her parents' passing still scarred her heart, and the thought of losing Ryder too was excruciating. She gripped his hand tightly, her hold infused with urgency, as if anchoring him could keep him safe.
With a tender caress, she dampened a clean cloth in the fresh water, then laid it across Ryder's forehead, her fingers gently sweeping his hair back.
As she continued to wipe his face with the cool cloth, she sensed a subtle movement, a slight twitch of his eyelids.
Ryder's eyes began to flutter open, and she held her breath, her gaze locked on his face, captivated by the slow, sleepy blinks.
His eyes finally opened, and Thea's heart raced as she gazed into their depths. His waking face was a sight to behold - his eyes, though cloudy with fever,his lips curling into a faint smile as he beheld her.
Her breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of him, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't tear her eyes away from his face, drinking in the familiar features she had missed so dearly.
"Ryder?" she whispered.
Ryder's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to focus. "Thea.." he whispered back, his voice husky with sleep and fever.Her heart soared at the sound of his voice, "I'm here.."
Elizabeth walked into the room and was met with the view.