The television screens across the country flashed the same headline:
Adrian Blackwood, heir to the Blackwood empire, signs a historic deal with German Motors.
News anchors praised him as he stepped formally into the global automotive world. Analysts called him one of the youngest and wealthiest business leaders of his generation. For the first time, Adrian Blackwood had appeared publicly as the true face of the empire.
Clips replayed from Mr. Song's anniversary gala — Adrian standing tall beside his fiancée, cameras flashing endlessly.
His fiancée, a celebrated A-list actress from a distinguished family, carried herself with effortless grace. Though born into prestige, she was known for her humility and warmth. The media adored her. Together, they were described as the perfect power couple.
In her quiet office, Elaine stared at the screen.
The applause. The admiration. The bright future waiting for him.
She felt nothing but a hollow ache.
Maybe I made the right decision, she told herself. He looks happy. He looks complete.
Before her thoughts could spiral further, the television suddenly went black.
Elaine blinked.
Ryan stood beside the remote, having just switched it off. He had returned from overseas that morning, and his sharp eyes studied her carefully.
"You're doing it again," he said softly.
Ryan's voice was calm, but firm. "You should tell him. And if you won't… I will."
Elaine's head snapped toward him. "You will not," she hissed, anger rising instantly. "You promised me, Ryan."
He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "I know what I promised. And I understand why you're doing this. But have you thought about Athena? Doesn't she have the right to know who her real father is?"
Elaine's expression hardened. "You are her father. You've always been there. You'll always be her father."
Ryan's eyes softened at her words, but his voice didn't waver. "I know I'm her father in every way that matters. No one can take that from me. But that doesn't erase the truth."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"What happens if one day I fall in love? If I decide to divorced you and get married? What will you do then? What will Athena think when questions start coming?"
Elaine looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean?" she asked slowly. "Have you… found someone?"
Ryan's eyes widened.
The question hit harder than he expected. He hadn't meant to say that much. The words had slipped out before he could stop them. Bashfully, he looked down, suddenly very interested in the floor.
Elaine stared at him for a second — then something softer replaced her shock.
She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.
"Tell me," she said gently.
Ryan hesitated before letting out a small, nervous laugh. "It's not serious," he admitted. "I just… met someone. I don't even know where it's going yet."
Elaine smiled gently. "I'm happy for you, Ryan. Really. I'm glad you're finally letting someone into your life. You deserve that. You deserve to move on."
Ryan didn't return her smile.
Instead, he looked at her carefully. "What about you, Elaine?"
She stiffened slightly.
"You keep talking about me moving forward," he continued, his voice steady but serious. "But what about your own heart? How long are you planning to keep pretending you don't have one?"
Elaine looked away.
Ryan stepped closer. "You should tell Adrian. There might still be hope for you."
She shook her head immediately, but he didn't stop.
"If he didn't care," Ryan said quietly, "he wouldn't have left his fiancée alone at the party just to come after you. He wouldn't have stayed at the hospital. He wouldn't be looking at you the way he does."
Elaine's breath caught.
"He still cares," Ryan said. "Maybe more than you think."
Silence settled between them, heavy and fragile.
The silence between them was suddenly broken by the sharp ringing of Ryan's phone.
He glanced at the screen — and something in his expression changed instantly. A small, unguarded smile curved at the corner of his lips.
Elaine noticed.
He answered the call. "Myra? What a surprise," he said, his tone softening. "You're calling me ?,"
Elaine blinked.
Myra ?
Ryan turned slightly away, but she could still hear him. "Yeah, I'm nearby… Don't move. I'll come pick you up. Just stand there."
He ended the call, slipping the phone back into his pocket.
Elaine was still staring at him.
Ryan cleared his throat, suddenly looking a little embarrassed. "It's not what you think."
Elaine crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"
Elaine leaned forward slightly. "Oh no. I need details. All of them."
Ryan actually blushed.
"Okay, okay," he muttered, scratching the back of his neck. "But she's waiting for me right now."
He awkwardly pointed his thumb toward the door. "I really have to go."
Elaine narrowed her eyes, studying him carefully. "I think you've fallen for her."
Ryan cleared his throat quickly. "I'll tell you everything tomorrow. Promise. I just… need to go."
Before she could question him further, he was already halfway out the door, moving far too fast for someone who claimed it wasn't serious.
"Ryan!" Elaine called after him.
He paused at the doorway and turned.
She crossed her arms, trying to look stern but failing to hide her grin. "Don't forget to use protection!"
Ryan nearly choked. "Elaine!"
Her laughter followed him down the hallway — light, genuine, and rare.
But when the door finally closed and the office fell quiet again, the smile slowly faded from her face.
Because while Ryan was bravely stepping into something new… she was still standing at the edge of a past she refused to confront
.
___________
Ryan picked Myra up from the airport himself.
By the time they arrived at his restaurant, evening lights had begun to glow warmly against the grand exterior. Inside, the space carried a Roman-Gothic elegance — arched ceilings, sculpted pillars, dramatic chandeliers, and stone textures that made it feel as though a piece of ancient Europe had been carefully transported into the city.
Myra turned slowly, taking everything in.
"As an architect," she said softly, "this is breathtaking. The symmetry, the height, the detailing… it feels like stepping into another world."
Ryan smiled, pleased but modest. "I wanted it to feel timeless."
_______
She couldn't stop admiring the structure — but soon her attention shifted. Across the table, Ryan was on his phone, discussing a deal he was about to finalize. His tone was calm, authoritative, confident.
Myra found herself studying him instead.
Ryan felt her gaze and glanced up.
For a brief second, his breath hitched. Under the warm lighting, she looked radiant — travel-worn yet effortlessly beautiful. He quickly ended the call.
"So?" he asked, leaning back slightly. "How is it?"
"It's beautiful," she admitted. "You really outdated yourself it's magic i love it "
Ryan nodded. "You should see Elaine's hotel. It's even more impressive."
Myra's expression shifted subtly at the name.
She hesitated before asking, carefully, "Is she… okay with you meeting me? I mean… you two were husband and wife."
The question lingered between them.
Ryan didn't look uncomfortable — but he did grow thoughtful.
"We were never really husband and wife," he said gently. "It was an arrangement. A decision made for reasons that mattered at the time."
He paused, then added quietly, "Elaine deserves her own happiness. And so do I."
Ryan reached across the table and gently took Myra's hand in his.
"I know this might sound too fast," he said quietly, his thumb brushing against her fingers. "But I think… I'm falling for you. I don't even know when it happened. It just did."
Myra's heart skipped.
She had sensed it — in the way he looked at her, in the softness of his voice when he said her name. And if she were honest with herself, she felt something too. Something steady and warm.
But she wasn't ready to rush it.
"It's only been three months, Ryan," she said gently. "I do feel something. I really do. But I need time. I want to know you more — not just the businessman, not just the man everyone respects… but you."
Ryan didn't pull his hand away.
Instead, he smiled — relieved.
"That's fair," he said softly. "I'm not going anywhere."
_____
Without another word, Ryan leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against Myra's cheek.
She froze for a second — then her face turned a deep shade of red. The sudden affection caught her completely off guard.
Ryan couldn't help laughing. "You're adorable," he teased gently.
But his laughter was cut short.
A fist came out of nowhere.
The impact was sharp and sudden, snapping his head to the side. The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth as the chair scraped harshly against the floor.
Myra gasped, jumping to her feet.
"Ryan!"