The taxi sped through the busy streets.
Every red light felt like an enemy.
Lia sat in the back seat, clutching the edge of her hoodie.
She kept checking the time.
11:18 AM.
She still had a chance.
She had to.
"Please..." she whispered.
The driver glanced at her through the mirror.
"Miss, are you sure you're okay? You're bleeding through your bandage."
Lia touched the side of her head.
Her fingers came away stained with a little blood.
She didn't care.
"Just drive."
The driver nodded and pressed harder on the accelerator.
Meanwhile...
Ryan Blake stood in front of the departure gate.
A black suitcase rested beside him.
Passengers walked past, chatting and laughing as if it were just another ordinary day.
For Ryan...
It was the hardest day of his life.
His phone buzzed.
Ava Calling.
He stared at the screen.
Then declined the call.
A second later—
Ethan Calling.
He closed his eyes.
He couldn't answer.
If he heard their voices...
He wasn't sure he could still leave.
He switched off his phone.
"Flight 308 to New York is now boarding First and Business Class passengers."
The announcement echoed through the terminal.
Ryan picked up his suitcase.
His feet refused to move.
He looked back one last time.
No one.
He smiled bitterly.
"I guess... this is really goodbye."
Outside the airport...
The taxi stopped with a sharp screech.
"We're here!"
Before the driver could finish speaking, Lia pushed the door open.
She stumbled as she ran.
Her legs were still weak from the hospital.
But she forced herself forward.
She ignored the pain.
Ignored the dizziness.
Ignored everything.
Inside the terminal...
Ryan handed his boarding pass to the airport staff.
"Thank you, sir."
He took one step toward the boarding gate.
Then another.
"LIA!"
A familiar voice echoed across the terminal.
Ryan froze.
He slowly turned around.
Ava and Ethan were running toward him.
Ryan frowned.
"What are you two doing here?"
Ethan stopped to catch his breath.
"Where's Lia?"
Ryan's expression changed.
"...She isn't with you?"
All three of them looked around at once.
Then—
A weak voice cut through the crowd.
"...Ryan..."
He knew that voice.
He would recognize it anywhere.
Ryan spun around.
There she was.
Standing several meters away.
Breathing heavily.
Still wearing her hospital clothes beneath her hoodie.
The bandage on her head had turned red.
She looked exhausted.
But she had come anyway.
Ryan's eyes widened.
"Lia..."
She tried to take another step.
Her knees almost gave out.
Ryan dropped his suitcase and ran to her.
He caught her before she hit the floor.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, panic filling his voice.
"You should be in the hospital!"
Lia looked up at him, tears filling her eyes.
"You promised..."
Ryan's heart sank.
"You said you'd come back."
The terminal around them faded into the background.
Neither of them noticed the people staring.
Or the boarding announcements.
Or the noise.
It felt as if the entire airport had disappeared.
Lia grabbed the front of his hoodie.
"Don't leave."
Ryan closed his eyes.
He wanted nothing more than to say yes.
To stay.
To forget everything.
But then he remembered his father's words.
"Then Lia Thompson will never know another peaceful day."
He gently held her hands.
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"If I stay..."
"They'll come after you again."
Lia shook her head.
"We'll face it together."
Ryan smiled sadly.
"I used to think protecting you meant standing beside you."
He swallowed hard.
"But now..."
"I think protecting you means walking away."
Tears rolled down Lia's cheeks.
"I don't care about any of that."
"I just want you."
Ryan's eyes glistened.
"So do I."
For a moment...
Neither of them moved.
Then the final boarding announcement echoed through the terminal.
"Final call for Flight 308 to New York. All remaining passengers, please proceed to Gate 12 immediately."
Ryan looked toward the gate.
Then back at Lia.
He gently wiped away her tears.
"I'll come back."
Lia searched his face.
"You promise?"
Ryan placed his forehead against hers.
"This time..."
"I'll keep it."
He slowly let go of her hands.
Picked up his suitcase.
And forced himself to walk toward the gate.
Lia watched him go.
One step.
Two steps.
Three...
Until he disappeared beyond the boarding entrance.
She stood there in silence.
Unable to move.
Unable to speak.
Ava quietly wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Ethan lowered his head.
No one said a word.
Because some goodbyes...
Didn't need words.
Will Ryan keep his promise, will Lia forget all they had stay tuned....
END OF CHAPTER