Rosie joined them, her tone warm and coaxing."We all feel joy when you're around. Don't leave just yet, dear."
Ryder's footsteps echoed as he came downstairs, his voice cutting through the room like ice. "Let her be, Mother."
Elder Edward's face twisted with anger. " Have you no heart, boy? Just look at what you've caused!"
"Thea, don't waste your tears on someone who's so adamant to leave us.." he said, his voice softening slightly as he turned to her. "He's made his choice... Let him be."
She looked in his direction, she saw him coming downstairs, his eyes avoiding hers.
"I have this opportunity, and I don't want to miss it."
Thea's tears flowed as she realized Ryder's determination to leave. 'You're too abandoning me.' she murmured, her voice shaking with sadness.
The words he spoke felt like a thorn to her heart, piercing deep and causing unbearable pain. Her heart was bleeding, shattered into a million pieces.
