Lies and Funerals Under the Moon Chapter 13

Kate looked at him in surprise. "Why did you stop?"

Ryder stroked the corner of her eye. "Don't force yourself if you don't want to."

Kate’s energy suddenly drained away.

She lay quietly on the bed, looking at Ryder.

"Am I pathetic? I thought I didn't care anymore, but..."

Her clothes were mostly off, revealing the scars on her arm.

Ryder’s fingertips traced the scars gently. He turned and grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses.

"Drink?"

Kate took the glass.

They drank and talked, just chatting under the blanket.

Unlike his arrogant appearance, Ryder was a good listener.

As Kate spoke haltingly about the past, he stayed quietly by her side, handing her tissues when she cried.

Until Kate was drunk and fell back onto the big bed.

Tears soaked into her hair. Kate mumbled.

"When I first got here, I had nightmares every night. Dreams of him hurting me."

"Sometimes, I imagined him coming back to beg for forgiveness."

"But seeing my parents so worried, walking on eggshells around me... I had to pretend to be strong. I kept busy so I wouldn't think about it."

"I haven't dreamed of him in a long time. I thought I had let go. Why did I break down just seeing his face?"

She looked at Ryder through blurred eyes.

"I'm useless, aren't I?"

Ryder lowered his eyes and kissed the tears from the corner of her eye. "No."

He stroked her hair gently.

"Kate, you feel this way because you gave your true heart in the past. You loved, you hurt, you despaired."

"You have the right to be sad. It doesn't mean you're wrong or weak. It just means you're human."

Kate stared at him, then couldn't hold it back anymore. She hugged him and wailed.

Ryder held her tight, patting her back patiently.

If asked if she would get back with Liam, Kate would say absolutely not.

She had loved Liam, and she truly didn't love him anymore.

But she couldn't help wondering.

How did the person carved into her life for twenty years change so completely in a few months?

She just had so many regrets.

Kate cried herself to sleep in Ryder’s arms.

She didn't know how long she slept. In a daze, she heard the door open.

Kate opened her eyes and woke up instantly.

Ryder’s cheek was bruised purple. There was blood at the corner of his mouth.

Like he had just gone out and had a fight.

Kate sat up. "What happened? Why are you hurt?"

Ryder looked down at her, silent.

Kate got anxious. "Say something!"

Ryder bent down and hugged her, burying his face in her neck, his voice muffled.

"I thought about that bastard using a silver blade on you. I couldn't stand it. So I went and beat him up."

Kate paused, laughing and crying at the same time. "You beat him up? Why are you the one hurt?"

Ryder nuzzled her neck like a puppy. "He's hurt worse."

Kate pulled back to check his injuries.

Swollen cheek, broken skin on his knuckles. Not too serious.

She ordered medicine online immediately.

While applying it, Ryder watched her expression. "You don't blame me for hitting him?"

Kate looked up. "Why would I? I only regret you didn't call me to watch."

Ryder froze. The next second, Kate leaned in and kissed his lips.

"Good job."

Ryder’s breath hitched. He pushed her down onto the bed.

Kate pushed against his chest. "Are you crazy? You're injured!"

Ryder grinned like a rogue. "Didn't hurt anything important."

Outside the door.

Liam hadn't treated his wounds. He found Kate's room number and rushed over.

He knew Kate was soft-hearted. Seeing his injuries might make her willing to listen.

He limped to the door, ready to knock, when he heard low moans from inside.

The voice was too familiar. He froze.

He couldn't see the scene, but his imagination ran wild.

Thinking of Kate and Ryder...

Liam’s face went completely white.

When Kate slept until noon the next day and opened the door, she met Liam’s eyes.