Thaddeus quietly slipped out of the room the moment Ryland's name flashed on his screen. He stepped into the hallway and answered the call, his expression guarded.
"Thaddeus," Ryland's voice came sharp, laced with disappointment. "How could you just leave Lena like she meant nothing?"
Thaddeus said nothing.
Ryland sighed on the other end. "The doctor said she's fine. She just needs rest. But you... You need to make this right."
There was a pause before Ryland continued, his voice firm. "She'll be going back in a week. Let her visit you, even if it's just for two days. You're not getting any younger. Stop delaying."
Thaddeus clenched his jaw, but Ryland didn't wait for a reply.
"Two days," he said. "No excuses. Prepare yourself."
Then the call ended, leaving Thaddeus standing there, phone still in hand, with silence pressing in on all sides, his eyes drifting to the bed.
