Chapter 2: The Return of Ryan Whitaker

How had the wild, passionate boy I loved changed so completely?

But since things had come to this, I still had my pride.

“Since everyone’s here, let’s make it official.” My voice barely shook. Inside, I was breaking.

I blinked back the sting in my eyes and reached for the necklace around my neck.

It was last year’s birthday present from Mason, designed by a famous local jeweler. Our initials were engraved inside the pendant. I remembered how he’d clasped it for me—his fingers gentle, the promise in his eyes brighter than the diamonds.

I’d loved it. Treasured it as a token of our relationship. I even wore it in the shower, often smiling to myself when I touched it.

But now, I calmly took off the necklace and held it out to the empty air. I tried not to let my hand shake.

“Mase.”

Amid everyone’s shocked or gossiping looks, I forced a gentle smile. My heart pounded, but I kept my chin up.

“I wish you… a happy engagement in advance.”

Maybe he didn’t expect me to react like this. Mason cursed under his breath, venting his anger by kicking the table leg, the air around him icy. The table rattled, and someone’s fork clattered to the floor. No one dared move.

Everyone else stared at the floor, not daring to breathe. It was like the whole room was holding its breath, waiting for something to snap.

“Looks like I came at the wrong time. Why’s everyone so glum?”

The door opened, letting in a rush of night air, just as the stalemate dragged on.

A faint woody scent drifted over. I nodded toward the newcomer. “Ryan, you’re here.”

Ryan Whitaker, the eldest son of the wealthy Whitaker family, had just arrived. When we were kids, our families lived next door, and I’d always run over in my princess dresses to visit him. He was the kind of boy who’d let me braid his hair and read me stories, never once complaining.

Although we lost touch after he went abroad to study medicine, I’d always seen him as an older brother. There was always something steady and safe about Ryan, even after all these years.

“Long time no see, Hannah… Is it really your birthday today?”

I was surprised for a second—my heart skipped—then I nodded. The sound of his voice brought back a flood of memories: hide-and-seek in the backyard, lemonade stands in the sticky heat of July.

“Tsk.”

Ryan glanced around, his clear voice teasing, “Judging by the scene, I thought this was Mason’s engagement party—with some random actress.”

He deliberately lingered on ‘random actress,’ making sure everyone caught it.

Sure enough, Natalie snapped first. “Who are you? Do you know how to respect women? Do you even know how to talk to people?”

Ryan ignored her and looked straight at Mason. My pulse quickened, waiting for what he’d say next.

“Is this how you treat Hannah?”

He had the air of a big brother standing up for his little sister. His tone was steel, quiet but unyielding. Even Mason seemed to hesitate.

Mason and I got together at eighteen. At first, we didn’t tell our families, and Ryan was the first to notice something was up.

He’d warned me to be careful in love, even ‘interrogated’ Mason, making him promise to treat me right for life. His nagging was both funny and exasperating. He’d always been protective.

Ryan had seen our relationship from the start. For me, he was family. Even Mason respected him, in his own way.

So even though he was annoyed, Mason still tried to explain.

“We… broke up. It was mutual.”

Ryan snorted. “Even you don’t believe that.”

“Let’s call it a night. Hannah, I’ll take you home.”

Ryan didn’t want to waste words. He must’ve noticed Mason and Natalie holding hands, and added, “…Let’s not stick around with a guy who doesn’t care.”

His words made me smile, even if just a little. For the first time all night, I felt a tiny spark of warmth.

“…Alright.”

My cane tapped the floor as I slowly made my way toward him. Each click steady, guiding me out of the wreckage of the night.

But as I passed Natalie, she suddenly stuck out her foot and tripped me. I stumbled forward, my cane skittering away. For a second, I thought I’d hit the floor, but strong arms caught me and held me upright.

“Hannah!”

Mason called out in alarm, panic clear in his voice. His warm hand wrapped around my waist, steadying me.

“If we’re broken up, act like it. You’d better keep an eye on your new girlfriend.” My voice was flat. I turned my face away, not wanting him to see how shaken I was.

Ryan brushed away his hand and steadied me, then let go right away. He picked up my cane and pressed it gently into my hand. That small gesture made me feel less alone.

In the past, if someone had pulled a stunt like that, Mason’s temper would have flared. He’d have thrown a punch, made a scene, defended me without hesitation.

But today, he just swallowed his anger and said, “What I’ve given away, there’s no reason to take it back.”

He was talking about the necklace on the table, left behind by everyone. A promise abandoned, left to gather dust.

“Then just throw it away.”

I was tired, my voice soft and distant. I let my shoulders sag. Enough was enough.

Slowly, I turned back, picked up the necklace, and tossed it in the trash without a second thought. The clatter it made was sharp, echoing in the silent room. Something in me closed.

The night breeze through the car window brushed my cheek, blowing away some of the gloom tangled in my heart. The city lights blurred behind my eyelids. For the first time all night, I felt like I could breathe again.

“Thank you, Ryan.”

Ryan had just come back to the States, and he risked offending Mason to stand up for me. I hadn’t expected that. It meant more than I could say. For a moment, I let myself lean into the comfort.

He’d gone abroad the year of the earthquake. It had been three years since we’d last seen each other. I’d poured myself into Mason, and my childhood friendship with Ryan had faded. Until now.

“I heard Mr. Whitaker likes antiques. My dad just bought a set of 19th-century teaware at auction. I’ll bring it over sometime.”

I added that, afraid a simple thank you would sound hollow. I wanted him to know I still remembered the small things.

Ryan paused for a couple seconds and smiled. “Hannah, you don’t have to be so formal with me.”

I didn’t know if I was imagining it, but I thought I heard a trace of disappointment in his voice, quickly hidden. Maybe he missed the old days too.

“Here, your birthday present.”

He quickly shifted back to normal, tossing a rectangular box into my lap.

“Thank you. Is this… a necklace?”

I joked, “Guess it’s out with the old, in with the new.”

Ryan didn’t laugh. He looked at me for a long time in silence, then asked, like an old friend catching up:

“How have you been these three years?”

I felt the air move—he must have waved his hand in front of my eyes, checking if I could see.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t bother, I really can’t see.”

Ryan clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. “If I’d known Mason would turn out like this…”

He’d always been easygoing, teasing people with a smile. This was the first time I’d ever sensed real anger from him.

I was a little surprised, and touched by his protectiveness.

“From tonight on, I have nothing more to do with him.”

My voice was gentle but firm. I meant it.

From eighteen to twenty-five, we’d spent seven years together.

I’d loved with all my heart. Now that I was letting go, I wouldn’t drag things out.

“He’s not worthy of you.”

Ryan paused, his voice rough. “Hannah, you should… think about other guys.”

I took it as his way of comforting me and smiled. The words hung in the air, soft and uncertain, but full of hope.

“By the way.”

The car started up again, and Ryan changed the subject.

“Your eyes—there’s a chance they can be treated. Did you know that?”

“Yeah, but the risk is high. If the surgery fails, I could end up with brain damage.”

I turned my head toward the window. No matter how wide I opened my eyes, all I could see was darkness. The world was still out there, just out of reach.

“In the past three years, my parents have called in every favor and seen every top doctor, but nothing’s worked.”

I’d lost hope a long time ago. It was easier than getting my heart broken over and over again.

Ryan’s tone was calm as he explained, with the professionalism of a med student.

“Most of your optic nerve is severed. There’s a chance, but with the current state of medicine here, it’s risky. If you could get a top surgeon in the States, it might be worth a shot.”

I gave a bitter smile. “There’s a renowned ophthalmologist in the U.S., Dr. Lucica, but she’s retired from surgery and only teaches now, right? I heard you can’t hire her, no matter what you offer.”

“That’s not necessarily true,” Ryan replied with a sly smile.

If I could see, I bet his eyes would be sparkling in the night, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, waiting for me to praise him.

“Funny thing is, I studied ophthalmology abroad, and Dr. Lucica—she was my mentor.”