Chapter 5

The villa's doorbell rang.

Everyone's attention shifted to the entrance.

I went to open the door.

Outside, Ryan stood tall in the night, dressed in a simple black shirt and pants.

The swelling on his face had faded a bit, but the cut at the corner of his mouth was still obvious, adding a touch of raw, untamed edge to his usual gentle demeanor.

When Ryan saw me, there was a flash of genuine heartache in his eyes.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked. He meant the electric shock.

I shook my head.

"Why are you here?" Andrew shot him…