Chapter 123: Forever in our hearts
Ryan’s expression remained neutral, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise at Charlotte’s biting tone."I’m not going to stand in your way.." Charlotte continued, her voice steady. "You’ve made your priorities clear."
The air was thick with tension as Charlotte’s words hung between them, her implication clear: Ryan had chosen Ava over her.
Ryan’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing. "Charlotte, that’s not—"
But she cut him off, her voice firm. "Don’t bother explaining. Your actions speak louder than words."
"Drop me now.." Charlotte said abruptly..
Ryan’s brow furrowed. "You don’t want to go to the restaurant?" he asked, seeking clarification.
Charlotte’s response was curt. "Nope."
His eyes never left hers, his expression a mix of surprise and frustration. "Okay... Fine.." he said slowly, his tone resigned.
He looked at her, expecting some explanation, but Charlotte’s gaze remained steadfast, her jaw set.
Ryan’s hands tightened on the wheel, his knuckles whitening. "Where do you want me to drop you?" he asked finally.
Charlotte’s response was immediate. "Anywhere. Just not with Ava."
Ryan swiftly picked up his phone and dialed a number. His words were brief. "You don’t need to come there." He hung up the call.
Charlotte’s eyes rolled in frustration. "Drop me there.." she requested..
But Ryan ignored her plea, continuing to drive toward the restaurant. His actions seemed resolute.
Charlotte’s gaze turned suspicious. "Don’t tell me you want to take me there to dine with you two?" Ryan’s eyes remained fixed on the road ahead. "She will not come.."
"What do you mean? You just called her, didn’t you?" Her voice rose slightly.
Ryan’s jaw clenched. "Hmm..." His tone was resolute.
The car stopped in front of the restaurant, its brakes softly engaging. Charlotte’s face broke into a subtle, knowing smile.
Meanwhile, in Thea’s room, a peaceful atmosphere prevailed.
Thea lay comfortably on her bed, her legs swinging gently as she flipped through the pages of a magazine. Her eyes scanned the glossy spreads, her expression relaxed.
The soft rustle of turned pages and the occasional creak of the bedframe were the only sounds disturbing the quiet. Thea’s focus remained on the magazine, oblivious to the unfolding events outside.
Her phone rang..She picked up without checking the caller ID."Hello?" she answered, her voice calm and serene.
"Sister Thea... It’s me, Emerson!" Emerson’s excited voice burst through the line, his youthful energy infectious.
A warm smile spread across Thea’s face as she recognized the cheerful tone. "Hi, Emerson! What’s going on?"
Her voice took on a soothing, affectionate quality, embracing the young caller’s enthusiasm.Emerson’s eager words tumbled out, and Thea listened attentively, her expression reflecting her fondness for the young speaker.
Emerson called from Ryder’s phone, her voice bursting with excitement.
"Sister Akai, are you free now? Can you accompany me?" she asked.
"Hmm... I am free...Do you have to say something?"
Emerson’s squeal of delight was immediate. "Then it’s great! We’ll come to pick you up! We will go to somewhere..."
Thea chuckled at her enthusiasm.Before she could say another word, Emerson ended the call.She shook her head, smiling and got up from the bed and headed to get ready, first stopping to inform her grandma about it.
She stepped into her room, ready to dress up...
"Hmm, which one will make tonight special?" she wondered, browsing through her collection."This one.." she decided, holding the dress against herself.
Thea looked radiant in her knee-length, blush pink dress. Subtle bell sleeves framed her arms, and the straight skirt fell smoothly above her knees, creating a perfect balance of elegance and modesty.
With her outfit settled, she moved on to styling her hair.She finished her look by sweeping her hair into a high bun and adding a light layer of lip balm.
As the car horn honked outside, Thea quickly made her way to the balcony and saw a vehicle waiting in front of her house. Hurrying downstairs, she found Emerson, Lydia, and Melanie chatting with Grandma Grace in the living room.
"Hello, Sister Thea.." Emerson greeted warmly, as Thea joined them on the sofa.
"Would you like some chocolate treats?" Grandma Grace offered..Emerson nodded enthusiastically. "Hmm, Grandma."
Grandma Grace disappeared into the next room, calling out, "Would you like some cookies too?"
Lydia replied, "No, Grandma, we’ll be heading out soon with sister Thea."
As Grandma Grace returned with a box of chocolates.Emerson’s inquisitiveness took over. "Sister Thea, I’ve met your grandma, but where are your parents? Are they out?"
"Emerson, my parents are no longer with us.."
"No longer means... are they living somewhere else?"
Grandma Grace’s eyes filled with compassion. "Not exactly, sweetie. They’re in a place where we can’t see them or reach them, but we’ll always carry them in our hearts."
"Here, take this.." Grandma Grace said with a warm smile, handing them a beautifully wrapped chocolate box.
"It’s a little gift from me..." she added, her eyes twinkling with delight, as she chuckled.
In perfect sync, the trio replied, "Thank you, Grandma."
"Grandma..." Ryder’s voice rang out from behind.Grandma Grace turned around, her face lighting up with a warm smile. "Ah, Ryder! How are you, dear?"
Thea turned around to find Ryder standing there, dressed casually in a fitted navy blue T-shirt and worn black pants. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing his toned forearms.
Ryder acknowledged Grandma Grace’s greeting with a subtle nod before turning to the others. "Emerson wants Thea to go with us...." he stated simply.
"Go and enjoy..." Grandma Grace said with a warm smile, waving them off from the doorway of her house.
As they stepped outside, Lydia asked, "Emerson, where will you sit?"
"With Sister Thea.." Emerson replied, her eyes sparkling.Lydia teased, "Wow, then I’ll sit beside Brother Ryder!"
Melanie intervened, her tone gentle but firm, "Lydia, it’s not a good idea." She looked annoyed.Lydia pouted, but Melanie reassured her, "You can sit beside Ryder on the return journey, okay?" She patted Melanie’s shoulder.
Ryder leaned out the window, his voice firm but friendly. "Let’s go, everyone! No arguing over seats – we need to get moving."
Once everyone was settled, Lydia claimed the passenger seat. Emerson snuggled between Thea and Melanie, her eyes shining with excitement.
"I’m so excited!" Emerson squealed.
Thea asked softly, "Where are we going?"
Emerson’s grin widened as she clapped her hands over her mouth, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "That’s a secret!" she giggled.
"Little sister, what gift did you give to Brother Ryder? You didn’t tell us yet," Lydia asked..
Emerson’s face lit up, and she bounced up and down. "I made him a special picture!"
"What kind of picture?" Melanie asked, intrigued.
Emerson shared excitedly, "I drew a happy Brother Ryder, with lots of colors, and wrote ’I love you elder brother..’ just for him!"
Ryder, who was driving, smiled warmly, his eyes flicking to the rearview mirror. "That’s the best gift ever, Emerson!"
Thea’s eyes met Ryder’s in the rearview mirror, and she couldn’t help but smile at the rare sight of his warm, genuine grin.
Melanie leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper. "Look, the Iceberg Brother’s thawing."
Thea’s smile deepened as she whispered back, "I think he’d secretly love that nickname."
As Ryder navigated the road, his voice broke the silence. "Lydia, Melanie, have you thought about moving here like Grandma and Grandpa mentioned?"
Lydia swiveled to face him. "We’d really like to, but convincing Mom and Dad is another story."
Ryder’s expression turned reassuring. "Leave that to your Aunt. She’ll have a talk with them. It’ll be okay."
Thea’s gaze was fixed on her phone, scrolling through messages from Charlotte, when Emerson’s curious voice interrupted.
"Sister Thea, is this your friend?" Emerson asked, peering at the phone.
Thea smiled. "Yes, she’s my best friend, Charlotte."Emerson’s eyes sparkled. "She’s pretty, but you’re even prettier, sister Thea!"
Lydia teased, "Sister Thea, beware of her.." her words trailing off into laughter.
Emerson jumped in, protective. "No, Sister Thea! Ignore Sister Lydia!"
Lydia chuckled, intrigued. "And what about our looks, little sister?"
Emerson grinned mischievously, sticking out her tongue. "You’re pretty too, but you’re bad!"
Lydia’s voice trembled with mock sadness. "Okay, I’ll stop buying chocolates for you, Emerson...since I’m such a terrible person, I don’t deserve to spoil you."
Emerson countered immediately, "No, Sister Lydia, you’re so sweet! You’re the best sister in the world!"
All the others laughed at these two sisters’ words. But Lydia and Emerson didn’t let it faze them. They were too excited about their night out at the fair.
