Delyth stared at Ryan, waiting for him to say no. But when he stayed silent, she understood what that meant. Her hand, which had been holding Ryan''s, dropped as if all the strength had drained from it.

    "How can something like this happen to me? Ryan, dance has always been my passion. I had worked so hard for it. How can I lose the only thing I had? I can''t, right?" Tears rolled down her cheeks.

    Ryan gently reached out to caress her hair, offering her the hope he knew she desperately needed. "Delyth, I know the doctors are saying this, but medical science advances every day. I am sure we will find a way to cure your legs. It''s going to be okay."

    "Do you really think saying that will help, Ryan? I am telling you, Arwen is behind this. Why won''t you believe me? Bring her here and ask her. She will have to confess! How can she do this to me?

    How can she be so cruel, Ryan?"@@@@

    "I know, Del, that you are in pain, but Arwen had nothing to do with this. She wasn''t even here when it happened. She wouldn''t do something like this," Ryan said sympathetically. He knew Arwen would never stoop so low as to harm someone like that. Even the last time Delyth had made accusations, he sided with her, thinking it was ideal at the time.

    But this time, he couldn''t let Delyth accuse Arwen unjustly—at least not without proof.

    Delyth''s fingers clenched the bed sheets as she voiced her frustration through gritted teeth. "Ryan, do you really think I would wrongly accuse Arwen? Is that what you think of me? Don''t you know whose sister I am? I am Zeke''s sister and I am just like him. Like him I would sacrifice my life for a stranger rather than hurt them.

    I have suffered, yet you are siding with her. Is this how you are going to be from now? Are you leaving my side when I am at my lowest, when I have lost the only thing that mattered to me?"

    "Del!" Ryan sighed deeply. Zeke was someone he couldn''t ignore, even though he was no longer with them. Ryan would always remember him, until his last breath. "I am not leaving you. I promised your brother I would always be there for you whenever you would need me. There is no way I would leave you now, especially when you need me most" he said, kneeling beside her, his gaze full of reassurance.

    She was right. The moment Ryan heard those words, his expression hardened. His hands curled into fists. "Del, you know I will never fall for her. The thought alone is unbearable. But I am fair—I can''t stand by while someone gets wrongly blamed, even if it''s her.

    If Arwen really is behind your suffering, I promise you, I will help you punish her. She will face the consequence."

    Though Delyth was not fully satisfied, seeing Ryan''s hatred for Arwen was enough to ease some of her frustration. She reached out and gently caressed his hand, soothing his anger. "I am sorry for being so desperate, Ryan. I shouldn''t have said that. But I believe you. I will wait until you help me prove it."

    "I will prove it, Del. Don''t worry. You just rest," Ryan said.

    Delyth nodded. But just as Ryan was about to pull his hand away, she tugged him, nearly causing him to fall onto her.

    Ryan stiffened again, but Delyth acted innocently. She gazed into his eyes and spoke softly, "After Zeke, I have no one else, Ryan. I had my dance, but now even that''s been taken from me. Promise me, you won''t leave me. Promise me, you will always be there, for whatever I need. Promise me you will never let me feel alone."

    "Del..." Ryan hesitated, but Delyth urged his desperately.

    "Please Ryan, promise me. If you don''t, I will drown in my sorrows today. I won''t survive."

    Ryan had promised Zeke, he would always take care of his sister as if she were his own. He wouldn''t let anything happen to her. Nodding, he agreed, "Fine, I promise you. You will always have me."

    And the moment he did, Delyth pulled him flush against her, embracing him tightly.

    "Thank you, Ryan. Now I know I can survive. Thank you for being the ray of hope in my abyss of darkness."