Mia excused herself, saying she had to get back to work, leaving the two of them alone.
They chatted like old friends catching up, even though it had only been a week.
Just before, she had felt a longing to go home… but the moment she saw Edris, it felt as if someone had brought home to her instead.
She smiled at the sight of him, the warmth easing a little of her longing.
"You didn't even tell me you quit. Honestly, it's a good thing I got admitted to this hospital," Lyra said, sounding a little hurt.
"You always complained about your father nagging you to take over his position, but I never imagined it would be this hospital. If I'd known you were here, I would've come running to find you first thing in the morning—well… no, I can't. You'd be busy working. I shouldn't disturb you."
Lyra couldn't help herself ended up chattering away. Maybe she was happy to see him here… or maybe it was something else.
Her therapist once told her that when she was hurting inside, she tended to swing between two extremes.
Either falling into silence… or talking far more than she meant to.
Edris only shrugged and offered her a gentle smile. Honestly, he had no idea what to say, not after walking away the moment Lyra chose to marry someone else.
The disappointment back then had cut deeper than he'd ever admitted.
But now, watching her chatter so freely, something inside him loosened.
And when she smiled… God, that smile. It felt like warmth slipping straight into his chest, a quiet spark he didn't even realize he'd been craving.
Edris's reaction made Lyra let out an awkward little laugh before she continued.
"So… I guess it'll be harder for me to see you after this?" Lyra smiled, but her eyes showed a faint trace of sadness. She felt like she was losing a friend.
"I guess you can always find me here. Just… come see me whenever you're free," Edris said with quiet affection in his eyes.
But almost immediately, the words felt wrong.
He had left his job in Mistvale and come to Bellwyn just to distance himself from Lyra. So why was he saying something like that. Invited her as if he hoped to see her again, only to be crushed by frustration all over again.
Edris shook his head, wondering how he could be so silly.
"Okay… don't change your number, alright? If I ever come to Bellwyn again, I'll make sure to visit you," she said.
Lyra lifted her hand for a pinky promise, and the simple gesture made guilt twist even deeper in Edris's chest.
Still, he nodded.
Now that the words had already slipped out, there was no point holding back.
Something had been gnawing at him all this time. Something he'd been itching to ask her. Edris felt this was the right moment to ask, since there was no one else around.
"Lyra," he said gently, "there's something I'd like to ask you. If you don't feel comfortable answering, that's perfectly alright. It's entirely your choice."
Lyra turned toward him, her brows lifted slightly—a quiet sign she was listening.
Edris chose his words with care, his voice steady. "That day… was it truly your first time meeting him? I mean, Rowan Pierce."
Lyra nodded, a faint yes slipping past her lips.
"Then why choose him as your groom… when you didn't even know him yet?" Edris asked, his eyes steady on hers.
There was no sign of holding back. He had regretted, once, not being brave enough to act, but today he decided he would not repeat the same mistake.
Between him and Rowan, he had been the one closest to her.
If he had spoken up that day, he was certain she would have been his by now.
Not Rowan—someone who had been nothing but a stranger to Lyra.
Lyra's forehead creased. She was a bit puzzled by Edris suddenly bringing up something unpleasant at a moment like this.
She thought, maybe his question was probably coming from a place of concern.
But she wasn't sure how to answer.
Back then, Lyra hadn't had a choice. She had only wanted to take responsibility for what she believed she'd done wrong.
Choosing Lucas Arden had been the biggest mistake of her life.
"I don't know," she murmured, sounding a little lost. "But I had to take responsibility. That's all."
Edris narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean? Marrying a stranger just to take responsibility?"
His reaction made Lyra lean back, as if he'd suddenly gotten angry without warning.
Seeing her discomfort, Edris pulled his emotions back.
"Sorry, I got carried away."
"It's okay. I know people can't help reacting that way," she said with a sigh.
Her gaze dropped, fixing on her fidgeting hands.
"Grandma insisted the wedding had to go on. That was the only choice I had—"
Before Lyra could finish, footsteps echoed in the hallway. They both turned toward the sound.
A nurse approached, gently reminding her that it was time for her medication and that she needed to rest.
Lyra was ready to leave, but Edris stopped her, insisting on walking her back. He'd asked for five extra minutes, just to stay with her a little longer.
He might have lost his first chance, but he wasn't about to lose another.
"Lyra," he said, his voice low, "whatever happens to you, please come find me first before anyone else. Or… you can go to my sister. You can trust her too. Promise me… please."
He gently placed his hand on her shoulder, waiting patiently for her answer.
Lyra wasn't sure how to respond. After thinking for a moment, she just said, "Okay."
They walked together toward the hospital entrance. In that moment, Lyra completely forgot about Kane.
Across the garden, Kane approached his boss, who stood motionless.
Rowan's gaze fixed on the spot where the two figures had been just seconds before they disappeared into the building.
Kane craned his neck slightly, searching for his madam in the garden, but she was already gone.
And Rowan said nothing. He just turned away and left.
"Boss," Kane called out as he noticed Rowan heading in the opposite direction.
"You're not going to see madam?"
Rowan didn't answer. He just kept walking toward his car.
The car vanished from sight, leaving Kane perplexed. Rowan had come to visit, yet had left just as quickly. With a small shrug, he turned toward his madam's room.
That evening, during visiting hours, Albert and Theo came by.
Lyra apologized for troubling everyone. She felt embarrassed. So many of her problems had ended up being handled by the Pierce family.
Albert spoke warmly with her, noticing how easily Lyra blended with anyone. She really did know how to carry a conversation.
Theo, however, kept glancing at his watch… then at the doorway. Visiting hours were nearly over, and since the moment they arrived, Rowan hadn't appeared even once.
He wanted to ask his father about it, but Albert and Lyra were lost in their conversation. Albert was busy slicing apples and arranging them neatly for his daughter-in-law.
Not wanting to interrupt, Theo stepped out toward Kane, who was waiting outside the room.
"Where's Rowan?" Theo asked quietly.
Kane turned to him, gesturing for Theo to move closer.
He whispered, "He came earlier… but he left right away."
"So he already came to visit?" Theo asked.
Kane waved his hand, meaning Theo had guessed wrong. "Boss came, but the moment he reached the garden, he turned back and got into the car. I called him, and he completely ignored me."
"Why would he do that?" Theo was confused.
Kane shrugged. "No idea."
Theo rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment, before telling Kane to ask Damian where their boss had disappeared to.