Chapter 6

**Amira pov**

The days that followed my conversation with Ryan were a mix of relief and continued tension. The weight of his feelings, now out in the open, hung between us, altering the dynamics of our friendship. I couldn’t help but replay our conversation in my mind, the guilt gnawing at me. I knew I couldn’t continue to leave him in limbo, but the thought of moving forward while still entangled in my past was overwhelming.

A few days later, I decided to take a step forward. I couldn’t bring myself to talk to Ryan just yet, but I knew I needed to start dealing with the mess I had left behind. I went to the locker tried removing my engagement ring from my finger, the symbol of a relationship that had ended in confusion and pain. It was so tight that I got scared of losing my finger. My fingers trembled as I pulled it out, the small band feeling heavy in my hand. For a moment, I simply stared at it, memories flooding back—both the good and the bad. I kept my ring into the locker and closed it .

Then, with a deep breath, I made a decision. I couldn’t keep clinging to the past, hoping for closure that might never come. I needed to move forward, even if that meant letting go of something that had once meant everything to me.

The next morning, I walked into the hospital and headed straight for the pediatric ward. Ryan was there, checking on one of his post-op patients. When he saw me, his face lit up with a smile, but I could see the questions in his eyes. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I needed to say.

“Ryan, can we talk?” I asked, my voice steady.

He nodded, following me into a quiet corner of the ward. I looked up at him, my heart pounding in my chest. This was it—no more running, no more avoiding the truth.

“I’ve made a decision,” I began, meeting his gaze. “I’m ready to move forward, but I need to do it in a way that feels right for me. I care about you, Ryan. More than I’ve been able to admit to myself. But I need time. Time to sort through everything I’ve been holding onto, and time to make sure I’m truly ready for whatever comes next.”

Ryan listened quietly, his expression thoughtful. When I finished, he nodded, reaching out to gently squeeze my hand. His touch was warm and reassuring, sending a spark of tenderness through me. “I understand, Amira. I’ll wait as long as you need. Just know that I’m here for you, no matter what.”

His words brought a wave of relief, and for the first time in weeks, I felt like I could breathe again. The warmth of his hand in mine was a silent promise of support and affection. As we left it at that, agreeing to take things slow and see where they led us, I noticed the way his gaze lingered on me with a mix of hope and longing. It wasn’t a perfect solution, but the gentle, unspoken understanding between us felt like a tender beginning, a hint of romance blossoming in the space we were creating together.

He gently grazed his knuckles over my cheek, his touch both tender and electrifying. “Had breakfast ?” he asked softly, his voice a soothing whisper that made my heart race. I felt a flutter of nerves and warmth at his proximity. He patted my head affectionately, a gesture that had once been friendly but now stirred something deeper within me. I nodded, blushing, overwhelmed by the new, intimate feeling of his touch. His laughter was light and affectionate, deepening the newfound, romantic connection between us.