Mia excused herself, saying she had to get back to work, leaving the two of them alone.
They chatted like old friends catching up, even though it had only been a week.
"You didn't even tell me you quit."
She sounded a little hurt because her friend had left without saying goodbye.
"You always complained about your father nagging you to take over his position, but I never imagined it would be this hospital."
Edris only shrugged.
He had no idea what to say, not after walking away the moment she chose to marry someone else.
The disappointment back then had cut deeper than he'd ever admitted.
"So… I guess it'll be harder for me to see you after this?"
She smiled, but her eyes held a faint trace of sadness. It felt like she was losing a friend.
"You can always find me here. Just… come see me whenever you're free," Edris said, but almost immediately, the words felt wrong.
He had left Mistvale just to distance himself from her.
But why had he invited her here, as if he wanted to see her again and only to end up crushed by the same frustration all over again?
Edris shook his head, wondering how he could be so silly.
"Okay… If I ever come to Bellwyn again, I'll make sure to visit you."
Lyra lifted her hand for a pinky promise, and the simple gesture made guilt twist even deeper inside him.
Still, he nodded.
Now that the words had already slipped out, there was no point in holding back.
Something had been gnawing at him all this time, pushing him to finally ask.
Edris felt this was the right moment, especially with no one else around.
"Lyra," he called her.
"That day… was it truly your first time meeting him? I mean, Rowan?"
"Yes."
"Then why choose him… when you didn't even know him yet?"
There was no sign of holding back. He had regretted, once, not being brave enough to act, but today he decided he would not repeat the same mistake.
Between him and Rowan, he had been the one closest to her.
If he had spoken up that day, he was certain she would have been his by now.
Not Rowan, someone who had been nothing but a stranger to her.
"I don't know… but I had to take responsibility. That's all."
She was a bit puzzled by Edris suddenly bringing up something unpleasant at a moment like this, but she figured it probably came from concern.
Edris scoffed.
"Marrying a stranger just to take responsibility?" he said in disbelief.
Anger had flared up inside him without warning, leaving Lyra momentarily taken aback.
Seeing her discomfort, he pulled himself back.
"Sorry, I got carried away."
"It's okay. I know people can't help reacting that way," she said with a sigh.
Her gaze dropped, fixing on her fidgeting hands.
"Grandma insisted the wedding had to go on. That was the only choice I had—"
Before Lyra could finish, footsteps echoed in the hallway. They both turned toward the sound.
A nurse approached, gently reminding her that it was time for her medication and that she needed to rest.
Lyra was ready to leave, but Edris stopped her, insisting on walking her back. He'd asked for five extra minutes, just to stay with her a little longer.
He might have lost his first chance, but he wasn't about to lose another.
"Lyra, whatever happens to you, please come find me first before anyone else. Or… you can go to my sister. You can trust her too. Promise me… please."
He gently placed his hand on her shoulder, waiting patiently for her answer.
Lyra wasn't sure how to respond. After thinking for a moment, she simply nodded.
They walked together toward the hospital entrance, and Lyra completely forgot about Kane.
Across the garden, Kane approached his boss, who stood rigid, his face tight with anger.
Rowan's gaze fixed on the spot where the two figures had been just seconds before they disappeared into the building.
Kane craned his neck slightly, searching for his madam in the garden, but she was already gone.
And Rowan said nothing. He just turned away and left.
"Boss," Kane called out as he noticed Rowan heading in the opposite direction.
"You're not going to see madam?"
Rowan didn't answer. He just kept walking toward the car, leaving Kane perplexed.
He had come to visit, yet had left just as quickly. With a small shrug, Kane turned and walked into the building.
That evening, Albert and Theo arrived.
Theo kept glancing at his watch. Visiting hours were almost over, and since they got there, Rowan hadn't shown up once.
He wanted to ask his father about it, but Albert and Lyra were lost in their conversation. He was busy slicing apples and arranging them neatly for his daughter-in-law.
Not wanting to interrupt, Theo stepped out toward Kane, who was waiting outside the room.
"Where's Rowan?" Theo asked quietly.
Kane turned to him, gesturing for Theo to move closer.
He whispered, "He came earlier… but he left right away."
"So he already came to visit?" Theo asked.
Kane waved his hand, meaning Theo had guessed wrong. "Boss came, but the moment he reached the garden, he turned back and got into the car. I called him, and he completely ignored me."
"Why would he do that?" Theo was confused.
Kane shrugged. "No idea."
Theo rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment, before telling Kane to ask Damian where their boss had disappeared to.