Chapter 163 Ryan Doesn’t Come Home
As soon as the words left my mouth, Ryan pulled me into his arms and gently pinned me against the
wall.
His hands gripped my waist, holding me close. His gaze was intense, his voice low and laced with danger and seduction.
“So, you’re actually jealous this time, huh, Gabby?”
His voice was deep and sensual, and the warmth of his breath brushed against my skin, making me shiver. I leaned my neck back instinctively, glaring up at him.
“Answer my question first.”
He chuckled, the sound deep and husky. His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “Happiness, to me, is marrying you. I don’t care if the whole world wants me to marry Summer, you’re the only one I want.”
His words hit me like a punch to the chest–cutting straight through all my doubts. In that moment, the jealousy and anxiety melted away.
God, this man really knew how to talk.
I pursed my lips, fighting a smile.
“You’re way too good at sweet–talking.”
Ryan raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a smirk as he leaned in closer. “Only good at talking?”
His tone was playful–dangerously familiar, the kind he used when he was trying to drag me into bed.
My cheeks burned as a flood of vivid memories flashed through my mind. I couldn’t even come up with a comeback. My lips twitched into a helpless smile.
But then–suddenly–rapid footsteps echoed down the hallway.
I looked up and saw Eric jogging toward us, his expression more serious than I’d ever seen.
He gave me a quick glance before turning to Ryan, his tone was low and urgent. “Sir, I need to speak with you. Alone.”
A cold knot formed in my stomach.
“What’s going on?” I asked, my eyes flicking between them. “Is something wrong with the baby?”
Eric quickly shook his head, though his face stayed tight with tension. “No, it’s not about the baby.”
I frowned. ‘Then what could be serious enough for Eric to pull Ryan aside like this?‘
Ryan brushed my hair back from my forehead, his voice soft and calm. “Don’t worry. It’s nothing to do with you. I’ll handle it and be back soon. Get some rest, okay?”
He was trying to sound reassuring, but I saw it–something dark flickering behind his eyes–whatever it was, he wasn’t telling me anything.
I wanted to push for answers, demand the truth, but the words caught in my throat. I nodded instead.
13/20
92.61%
C
Merc
“Fine”
1 turned and headed back to the bedroom, but dread clung to me like a blanket
Was it really nothing to do with mer
Back in the room, I waited
And waited.
But Ryan never came back.
Eventually, I got restless and called for Nina. “Do you know where Ryan went?”
She shook her head, looking just as confused as I felt. Im not sure. I think he might’ve gone out?”
Gone out? At this hour?
A chill crept over me. Where the hell would he go this late?
I didn’t press further. Just picked at some food, crawled into bed, and tried to sleep.
But I couldn’t
I lay there, staring at the ceiling while my thoughts spun out of control.
The crap Summer said to me earlier…Eric’s serious face… Ryan’s vague answers–and now this total radio silence. It all felt like puzzle pieces that didn’t fit. The more I thought about it, the more anxious! became.
Finally, I grabbed my phone and sent him a text:
[Where did you go?]
The room was dead silent, except for the ticking of the clock on the nightstand.
I stared at the screen, waiting for that typing bubble.
Nothing.
My stomach twisted.
What could be so urgent that he couldn’t even reply?
Normally, even if he was slammed with work, he’d answer within seconds.
But now, minute after minute, nothing.
My chest tightened. The anxiety inside me was now full–on panic.
What the hell is happening?
I gripped my phone, torn between texting again or calling–but I stopped myself.
Instead, I lay back down, trying to convince myself it was nothing.
But sleep didn’t come easy. My dreams were a mess–dark, broken flashes of shadowy figures and faceless threats. I couldn’t see them clearly, but the feeling was unbearable–like something was
closing in on me, and I couldn’t breathe.
