Eliza’s POV
Alex’s eyes widened in surprise. “Help him? How?”
I felt a wave of encouragement in my brother’s interest. “Ryder’s friend, Dr. Adams, has a new experimental treatment that could—”
“Experimental?” Alex interrupted, a frown settling on his face. “You know how dangerous those can be, Eliza. We can’t just jump into something without knowing the risks.”
I met his gaze, trying to find the right words. “I know, but what if this could be the breakthrough we need? What if it could save him?”
Alex shook his head, his brows knit in concern. “Have you spoken to Father about it? Does he even want to go through something so uncertain?”
My heart sank. I hadn’t thought about that. “He hasn’t been awake long enough for us to discuss it,” I admitted. “But I know he wouldn’t want to leave us in a position where we had to watch him suffer.”
“Is it worth the risk?” Alex asked, his words laced with scepticism.
“Maybe,” I replied, a quiet determination settling in. “I’m willing to hear Dr. Adams at least out. We owe it to Father to explore every option available.”
“Exploring options is one thing, but—”
“Alex,” I interrupted, my voice firm, causing him to stop mid-sentence. “I need you to trust me. I’m trying to be strong for all of us right now. If I don’t give this a chance, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”
Alex paused, his expression softening as the tension between us eased. “I just don’t want you to get hurt. Or our father.”
I nodded, grateful for his concern. “I know. But sometimes, we have to take risks. There might not be any guarantees, but we can’t let fear hold us back from hoping for a miracle.”
His shoulders relaxed slightly, and he sighed deeply. “Okay. Just promise me you’ll be careful. I don’t want you to get your hopes up too high.”
“Promise,” I said, relieved that he was on board.
Just then, a knock at the door startled us both.
“Who is it?” I called, facing the door.
“It’s Abbie,” came her cheery voice from the other side. “I may have just finished talking to Dr. Adams’ assistant. He wants to know if you’re still interested.”
I exchanged a glance with Alex, my heart racing. It was happening—an hour ago, I had been unsure and anxious, and now, I could feel a glimmer of hope peeking through the heavy curtain of despair.
“Let her in,” I said, my voice steadying.
The door swung open, and Abbie bounced in. “So, what do you think? Are you ready to take that leap of faith?”
“Absolutely,” I replied.
“Great!” Abbie clapped her hands together excitedly. “Then let's get things moving. Time is of the essence!”
I nodded, ready to put one foot in front of the other. “Yes, but we have to talk to Father first. He deserves to be part of this decision.” I told Alex, feeling my stomach churn with nerves. “I’ll talk to him, and then we can decide if he wants to move forward.”
Alex nodded, seemingly prepared to support me through whatever came next. I took a deep breath and prepared myself to face the unknown.
As I entered my father’s room, a sense of calm washed over me. I pulled a chair closer. “Father,” I said softly, taking his hand once more. I have something important to discuss with you.”
His eyes fluttered open, and he smiled, a glimmer of warmth illuminating his face. “What is it, my dear Eliza?”
I took a breath, feeling the weight of my words. “Ryder has a friend who might be able to help you. His name is Dr. Adams, and… well, he has an experimental treatment.”
Father’s gaze sharpened, his expression turning serious. “Experimental? Hasn’t there been enough uncertainty already?”
I squeezed his hand, my heart aching at his hesitation. “I know, but this could be… this could be a chance for you, for all of us. I wouldn’t even suggest it if I didn’t believe it had potential.”
He took a moment to absorb my words, and I watched as the wheels turned in his mind.
His gaze softened as he looked at me, pride creeping into his eyes. “You’ve grown so much, my little princess. You’re right. Maybe it is worth considering.”
A sense of relief washed over me, and I squeezed his hand tighter. “So, you’re willing to meet him?”
He took a deep breath, letting the reality settle around us. “Yes. Let’s see what this doctor has to say.”
I nodded, blinking back tears of gratitude. “I’ll get him here as soon as I can.”
As I prepared to leave the room, hope bubbled within me. I was ready to take that leap of faith, not just for myself but for my father and maybe for Ryder. Perhaps a new chapter was beginning, and I would embrace whatever came next with open arms.
“Father is willing to consider Dr. Adams,” I announced, allowing a smile to break.
“Really?” Alex’s eyes widened in surprise and disbelief. “That’s amazing, Eliza! You handled that well.”
Abbie practically bounced on her feet. “I knew he’d see sense! This is our chance to make a change!”
I nodded, my excitement bubbling over like a pot on the verge of boiling. “I’ll get Ryder and let him know what we’ve decided. He can set it up with Dr. Adams to talk as soon as possible.”
Once I stepped outside, I felt a rush of wind against my skin, the evening air crisp and revitalising. It was as if nature itself was urging me forward. I went where I knew Ryder would be waiting, my heart pounding excitedly.
As I approached, I could see him standing by a small fountain in the garden, deep in conversation with a couple of the guards. Jasmine was excited as we got closer to where Ryder was standing.
“Ryder!” I called out, making my way over.
He turned, his face lighting up with a warm smile as soon as our eyes met. “Hey, beautiful! How did it go?”
I felt my pulse quicken at his proximity. “He’s willing to talk to Dr. Adams!”
His smile widened, and relief washed over his features. “That’s fantastic news, Eliza! I’ll call him right away to make the arrangements.”
“Thank you for believing in us,” I said, sincerity flooding my voice. “Thank you for believing in my father.”
“Of course, but it’s a team effort. I’m just here to support you and your family.” He paused, his expression turning slightly more severe. “But I want you to know that no matter what happens with the treatment, I’m here for you.”
His words sent a shiver down my spine. I wanted to dive into that comforting feeling but held back, reminding myself of my father’s condition and the weight of responsibility I still bore.
“Thanks, Ryder. That means a lot to me,” I replied softly, aware of how true that was.
Before I could get pulled into daydreams of what could be, Ryder pulled me close to him, lowering his voice just enough to feel intimate despite the busy courtyard around us. “And after we meet with him, I’d still like to finish our dance at the ball. If you’re open to it, of course.” he leant in, running a finger down my cheek to my neck and stopping at the top of my breasts. Jasmine was already howling excitedly, and I did not want that moment to end. Ryder completely took my breath away.
I felt my cheeks grow warm. “I’d love that.” I could not take my eyes off of him. He traced a finger around my lips, and the next thing I knew, we were locked in a passionate kiss that sent butterflies swirling through my stomach. The world around us seemed to fade as I melted into the moment, his warmth enveloping me like a protective cocoon. Everything else—the uncertainty about my father’s health, the risks of the experimental treatment, the fear of losing him—vanished, leaving only the sweet sensation of Ryder’s lips brushing against mine.
When we finally pulled away, I felt breathless, exhilarated and vulnerable. I was acutely aware of the weight of the moment, the essence of what had just transpired between us. Ryder’s eyes searched mine, a soft intensity illuminating his gaze. “Are you okay?” he asked, an amused smile on his handsome face.
I nodded, still slightly dazed. “Yeah… I’m just surprised.”
Ryder stepped back slightly, giving me space while still keeping his gaze focused on mine. “I understand. We’re both dealing with a lot. But I want you to know that I care about you, Eliza. And I want to be here, no matter how complicated things get.”
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