Chapter 824

“You can’t cook,” I teased, thinking back to how you almost choked on your own noodles at the villa two years ago. I knew the kitchen wasn’t your friend.

But Ryan just shot me a cocky grin. “Who says? I’ve totally picked it up these last two years.”

I stared at him in surprise.

“Hey, don’t count me out. I’ve actually learned to cook–maybe it’s not restaurant quality yet, but I can help out in the kitchen for sure,” Ryan said, giving me a sheepish smile.

Meeting his eyes, I couldn’t help but think–Ryan really was the determined type. With that kind of focus and ambition, it’s no wonder he keeps surprising me.

And just like he said, Ryan really turned out to be a huge help. Watching him handle the sea fish, cleaning it with confidence, practiced movements, carefully plating it, tossing on the veggies and sauce, then sliding it straight into the steamer–he looked like he’d done this a hundred times before.

While he was working, I noticed there was still a touch of boyish innocence clinging to his face–especially when he was deep in concentration, head dipped down. That youthfulness was impossible to miss, even now.

But then, when Ryan glanced up at me, those eyes of his—quick and knowing, with the sharpness of someone who’s seen it all–were as piercing as a hawk’s. Just one look and you couldn’t help but realize: he’s not someone you’d ever want to underestimate.

As soon as I rinsed off the veggies, Ryan’s phone rang. He stepped out to take the call, leaving me to handle the rest–and just like that, I wrapped up the remaining prep in no time.

Whipping up stir-fries, spicing things up, simmering soup–I breezed through it all like a pro.

Ryan came over and took in all the food I’d made, a helpless look flickering across his face. “Vic, I’m so sorry - I just got hit with something urgent, and I have to leave right now.”

“Wait, what?” I stared at him, totally stunned. “Does that mean… you won’t be back tonight?”

Ryan pulled me into his arms, holding me tight. “It looks like I’ll need to be away for probably two weeks. I’m really sorry, things are just super busy right now. But give it a year, and once I get transferred back to Braylin, I swear I’ll be here for you–breakfast, lunch, dinner, sharing every season and every moment by your side.”

I knew Ryan was shouldering a ton for his family. From what Vivian told me, Jeffrey had a younger brother, and all the younger generations were grinding hard, so both Edward and Ryan were seriously feeling the pressure.

“Okay, go do what you have to,” I told him softly. “Just call me before you come home.” I watched him go, not stopping him.

“I will!” Ryan gave me one last look, clearly reluctant to leave. “Wait for me.”

I walked him to the door. He glanced back at me once, then strode off without looking back.

I walked over to the window and saw a few cars parked by the curb, their lights flashing.

After a moment, I spotted Ryan striding toward the middle car. The vehicles pulled away, disappearing down the street.

With my apron still on, I glanced at the steaming dishes on the table, then took one last look out the window at the world outside.

I felt a wave of peace settle over me.

Everyone needs something to believe in, something to hope for. But if you have someone waiting for you to come back, that’s a whole different kind of happiness–and the sweetest kind of joy.

I had lunch by myself, and with so much food left over, tossing it out felt wasteful–so I figured I’d just eat it again for dinner. The rest of the afternoon, I kept to myself at home, diving into my work and not bothering to go out at all.

By a little after 3 p.m., I’d drifted off for a nap when my phone buzzed with a text.

I figured it was just some work thing, so I didn’t bother picking up right away. I kept lazing in bed a bit longer -until another message pinged in.

I finally stretched out my arm, grabbed my phone, and checked my notifications. Mixed right in with my work messages were two texts from Jared.

The first text: [So, is he really the one?]

The second one said: [Victoria, you’re so shallow–just got a thing for younger guys, huh?]