Chapter 7
Lily spent the final three days before leaving for Aromport in the hospital.
During that time, Ryan didn't show up once.
It wasn't until the day she was discharged that, somehow, he figured out which room she was in and rushed over at the last minute.
When Ryan saw Lily's pale face and all those bandages covering her, guilt and worry instantly showed on his face. He hurried to explain himself.
"I was in a rush. I could only save Emily first since she was closest to me. She was hurt pretty badly too, and she's been in a rough spot these past few days. I had to stick around and take care of her. I just found out you were in the hospital," he said.
Lily didn't want to say much. She just nodded lightly, gathered her things, and got ready to leave.
She and Ryan weren't together, and Emily was the one he truly cared about. If she were in his shoes, she'd probably instinctively save the one she loved most too.
Even if Ryan hadn't explained anything, she would've understood.
On the way home, Ryan insisted on going back with her.
She didn't protest, and they just grabbed a cab, sliding into the back seat together.
No matter what Ryan said, Lily either stayed silent or just replied with a quiet "yeah." The tension in the air was almost unbearable.
Ryan frowned, feeling a wave of irritation. But when he glanced over, he saw Lily staring out the window, her eyes vacant. There was no spark in them at all, and even he was startled.
Lily had always been so lively. He'd never seen her like this before.
He reached out, wanting to hold her hand like he used to whenever no one else was around.
Suddenly, Lily's phone chimed.
She checked it. It was a notification about her flight.
There were fewer than four hours left before her plane to Aromport was set to depart.
Ryan instinctively leaned over to see, but Lily turned off the screen before he could catch a glimpse.
Ryan glanced over and asked, "What kind of message was that?"
Seeing her so on edge, Ryan felt a mix of curiosity and unease.
Lily had never been this guarded before.
"It's..." Her voice came out raspy as she started to answer.
But just as she spoke, Ryan's phone started ringing in his pocket.
He pulled it out and glanced at the caller ID.
The moment he answered, Lily could hear Emily sobbing on the other end.
"Ryan, where are you? I'm having my period, and my stomach hurts so much. Can you come over and stay with me?" Emily whimpered.
Ryan visibly tensed up, his voice dropping a notch. He instinctively shot a look at Lily before answering.
"Okay, just wait for me," he said to the phone.
"I've got something urgent to deal with, so I can't take you home. Please tell your mom I'm sorry. Next time, I'll make sure to bring a gift when I visit," Ryan said to Lily.
"Driver, could you stop up ahead?" he said.
Watching Ryan rush off, Lily quietly thought to herself.
Ryan was this close to knowing the whole truth.
But now, he'd missed even their final goodbye.
*****
When Lily got home, she hugged her parents goodbye, grabbed her suitcase, and walked out of the villa without looking back.
As she passed by the Parker residence, she gave a long look at the towering tree in their yard.
There were still faded wish ribbons hanging from its branches.
Lily had once scribbled, "Lily and Ryan, together forever."
But in the end, it was all just a lie.
Just like when Ryan planted jasmine flowers for her birthday, saying they would never be apart.
But he kept trying to push her away.
With all those promises he made, Lily couldn't tell how many of them were real.
By the time Lily arrived at the airport, it was already evening.
The weather was perfect. The sky was clear, not a single cloud in sight, and the sunset painted the sky in fiery reds.
Her phone buzzed again in her pocket. Lily pulled it out and saw a message from Ryan.
[Only ten minutes left before the deadline. Did you get a chance to check your choices yet?]
[Everything's sorted out here. My parents said they'll drop by your place later to celebrate. Don't forget to let your mom know.]
Lily chuckled to herself. She knew everything well. Ryan always thought she'd change her plans just to follow him to Roynfort.
But she wasn't going to give up her future for anyone ever again.
The plane touched down in Grandon, and Lily planned to hop on a ferry to Aromport.
As she stepped onto the boat, Lily caught sight of the tranquil sunset. The sky was crimson, like it was stoking the fire of her dreams.
Her phone buzzed, and Layne's calm, gentle voice drifted through, somehow matching the mood of the evening sky.
"When are you coming to Aromport?" Layne asked.
"Today," Lily replied.