Chapter 53. The Choice I Can’t Escape

Ryder’s POV

She was smiling.

it’s not... it’s not the big one. The one that kinda takes over her whole face, you know? It’s just this small, tired little thing. Barely a curve. But it’s real. I can tell and I’m glad that she’s getting better and Helena hasn’t ruined everything totally.

There was this tightness in my chest, this sadness that had been sitting there for so long and It was finally letting go. Just a little.

Lila was actually sitting up now on her own more than before, anyway. Her voice was also better getting stronger and her cheeks has added more colour and her hair looked bouncy now not limp like before. The sun was shining so bright now and I really wanted to kiss her again just like before.

Her eyes dropped to our hands. Still tangled up.

“Won’t you go home?”

“Don’t plan to.”

“Good, don’t go. I want us to stay here like this. Forever. I don’t want to forget this memory.*

I kissed her fingers, real gentle,