Chapter 82: Ryder was Right
The door of the ward opened, and Grandma Grace entered. "Are you alright?" she asked her granddaughter, concern etched on her face.
"Hmm... Grandma," Thea replied, her voice weak but relieved.
"Elizabeth told me about the incident... Those culprits are captured, and they deserve punishment." Grandma Grace spoke.
"Yes, Madam Wynn," Elizabeth added. "Ryder told me that their leader was captured, and he found the real culprit who asked them to harm our Thea."
Elizabeth and Grandma Grace kept her company for a while and left when the nurse came to put a new drip on her. She fell asleep again. As she opened her eyes, she saw someone sitting next to Thea ,who was first startled, but then found it was Ryder.
Ryder stopped tapping on the keyboard and turned to look at her. "Did I wake you?"
She shook her head and wanted to get out of the bed. However, as she moved, she suddenly felt dizzy and almost fell. Ryder quickly caught her. One of his hands was holding her arm, and the other was on her waist. She could sense the heat from his skin.
Thea felt a bit uneasy, squirmed, and said, "I... I need to go to the bathroom."
"Okay, let’s go."
Thea was shocked.
’Let’s go?Was he going to take her?’ Looking up, she found Ryder did not seem to be joking.
Thea’s face was burning as she flicked his hands away, saying, "It’s all right. I can go on my own. Let’s go."
"Don’t be shy." He did not take her arguments and took her in his arms.
Thea was startled and asked, "What... What are you doing?"
That look again! Like a frightened deer. Ryder’s heart softened as he kept a straight face and said, "What are you afraid of? I’ll not do anything."
Her face became red as she looked down and muttered, "You... I..."
Ryder said, "Didn’t you say you want to go to the bathroom?"Then he carried her and walked toward the bathroom. She was totally shocked. She did not expect that he would do this for her... However, this is so embarrassing...
In front of the bathroom, Ryder did not mean to stop. Thea quickly said, "Wait a second. Just let me down. I am able to do this on my own."
"All right." Ryder did not insist and watched her going into the bathroom.Ryder saw her staring at him, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Do you need help?"
Thea suddenly blushed and said, "Nope!"
The door was immediately shut and locked. A few minutes later, she walked out, unable to look at Ryder, her face still flushed from their earlier encounter.
"Hello..Thea! Why are you up?" Charlotte’s happy voice sounded a bit surprised as she entered the room.
Thea turned her head to see Charlotte, trying to avoid eye contact with Ryder. "The doctor said you need to rest."
Putting the fruits down, Charlotte came over to help her back to the bed. Thea saw her with surprise and looked at Ryder subconsciously, feeling a flutter in her chest.
Ryder’s face was as calm as always, but his eyes locked onto Thea’s for a moment, causing a flutter in her chest.
Breaking the gaze, Ryder stood up, putting away his laptop. "I have something to do in my company. Please take care of her." he said to Charlotte.
Charlotte heard that and nodded. "Don’t worry, Mr. Thompson, I’ve got it." she replied with a smile.
With that, Ryder turned to leave, his eyes never looking back at Thea, leaving her feeling both relieved and disappointed.
"I heard that pain the ass.. Everly was behind it. Tell me what happened?"
Thea took a deep breath and recounted the events of the previous day. "Yesterday, after you left, I was waiting for a cab. I saw Everly squatting on the ground, and she asked me to buy some painkillers from a nearby shop. I went in the direction she told me, but I couldn’t find any shop. As I was returning, those men tried to force me and took me into a warehouse. Luckily, the person I called unknowingly was Ryder..."
Thea shared every detail with Charlotte, who listened intently.
"Hmm, for only him, Everly was sent to prison. Serve her right." Charlotte said, shaking her head in disgust."That bitch can go to that extent to harm you.." Charlotte retorted, her voice laced with anger and disgust. "I can’t believe Everly would stoop so low. She’s always been jealous of us. But this is just ridiculous."
Thea shook her head, still trying to process the events. "I know, right? I never thought she’d go this far. But Ryder saved me... again."
Charlotte’s expression softened, and she placed a hand on her arm. "Yes, he did. And that’s what matters. You’re safe now, thanks to him."
"I have to say, Mr. Thompson is so protective and caring about you." Charlotte added, a aly smile spreading across her face. She nudged Thea playfully.
Thea blushed at her words, feeling a flutter in her chest as she thought about Ryder’s actions.
At lunch time...
Ryder took out the food he brought. Placing it in front of her, he said in a low voice, "Finish the lunch first..."
Thea checked out what was in front of her and saw it was an all therapy diet. Judging by the package she knew it was expensive stuff, but... All the food was cooked with expensive medicine but the taste made her frown.
"You don’t like it?"
Of course she did not! Who would like to eat this?
Seeing her bitter face, Ryder continued, "You need to eat it. Grandpa said you should."
"Grandpa?"Ryder nodded his head at her question.
"Where is he then..."
"Grandpa went to Michigan a few days ago. He specifically called to make sure I bought these for you. He’ll come back tomorrow."
No wonder it was grandpa’s idea.
"Okay..." Theasaid.
Ryder said, "Just eat."
"Okay, I know. I will eat in a bit."Thea did not move. Noticing Ryder’s gaze, she added, "Don’t you have stuff to do at the company? Just go back first and finish them.."
Glancing at the food, Ryder said resolutely, "Grandpa said that I must see you eat all of it."
"Just tell your grandpa that I have finished. I will eat later."
"Finish it first," Ryder said, his eyes fixed on her plate.
"Ryder, do you want me to finish it all?"
Thea asked, her voice laced with a hint of frustration.
"Hmm, that’s Grandpa’s instruction," Ryder replied, his expression unyielding.
"Can’t you just say I...?" Thea started to suggest.
"I can’t lie to him," Ryder answered, his deep voice firm but gentle.
"You are so troublesome, Ryder," Thea said, exasperated.She sighed and started to have the meal, knowing that if she didn’t finish, Ryder won’t leave her alone.
She took a few bites, trying to ignore the bitter taste of the medicine-infused food. Ryder watched her, his eyes never leaving her face, making sure she finished every last bite.
As she forced down the unpalatable meal,
Her feelings swirled in turmoil - irritation at Ryder’s unwavering persistence, appreciation for his genuine concern, and a gentle glow of affection for Grandpa Thompson’s thoughtful guidance.
"Happy now?" She finally finished the meal, her voice laced with sarcasm.
"I’ll too give you this meal when you fall sick..just you wait..." she thought to herself, still grudging.
"Are you cursing me in your mind?" Ryder asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Yes..." Thea blurted out, her cheeks flushing.
"Stop your thoughts. I’m not as careless as you are.." Ryder said, his tone firm.
"Who are you calling careless?" Thea asked, her voice rising.
"You,the one infront of me.." Ryder pointed at her as he spoke.
"Ryder, it’s not fair...you’re bullying me.I am a patient here.." Thea protested.
"Bully...Do you know the meaning of bully?" Ryder asked, his eyes glinting.
"I’m sick." Thea said, trying to deflect.
"Don’t be good to everyone. Some people don’t deserve it.." Ryder spoke, his words hitting Thea like a slap.
She got silent as she understood what he meant. If he wasn’t there, who knows what would have happened to her. Thinking about it brought shivering to her body. She looked down, her eyes welling up with tears, as the realization hit her - Ryder was right.
