Filed to story: I Got Married Without You
He had always been this way, only being gentler when facing Rosalyn and Eva. With women he wasn’t very familiar with, he remained distant and disinterested.
Otherwise, when he met Andrew in the wedding, how could he have warned Andrew not to use cold violence against Rosalyn? It’s because he and Andrew were the same kind of person, using his own experience to remind him to cherish her and not miss out.
Edith, who was only there to do charity work, didn’t care about his temperament and directly addressed the topic, “I wanted to ask you, if I had a way to help you overcome depression, would you cooperate with me?”
Ryan blinked indifferently, “I understand my symptoms myself, you can’t help me overcome them, and I don’t want to either.”
If he were to overcome it, it would mean letting go of Rosalyn.
He had let her go once before, and they missed out on a lifetime with each other. Letting go of her a second time was absolutely impossible.
Edith, who seemed to understand what he was thinking, became serious, “I know you don’t want to let go of Rosalyn, but have you considered her feelings?”
Ryan frowned, “My issues have nothing to do with her.”
Edith sat up straight, looking at the stubborn man, “But your leg and your depression are related to her. Rosalyn always blames herself for causing them. She carries guilt and remorse towards you, even when mentioning you, she is filled with self-blame. If you don’t overcome it and start your own life again, she will carry this guilt for the rest of her life.!” As these words were spoken, Ryan’s cold face gradually stiffened, “My disabilities were caused by myself, and I developed depression on my own. It’s not her concern. I will go and explain it to her…”
Seeing him about to turn around in his wheelchair, Edith extended her high heel shoe and blocked his wheel. Ryan turned back, looking at Edith who raised her chin and raised an eyebrow at him, “You…”
After Edith stopped him from leaving, she crossed her arms and coldly said to Ryan, “Mr. Collins, no matter how much you say it’s not her concern, she will take it upon herself because you have given her so much. To the point where she can never repay it in this lifetime, she can only live with this guilt. You are an insurmountable obstacle in Rosalyn’s heart. Only when you let go can Rosalyn truly relieve herself of the burden.”
Ryan understood and weakly raised the corners of his pale lips. “It’s my fault for dragging her down.”
Edith shook her head. “That’s not what I mean. What I mean is if you really care about her, then live well for her sake. Your legs and depression are the things that make her feel guilty.
If you heal your leg, stand up again, and overcome your depression, once you recover, she will be able to let go…”
Ryan turned his head and looked through the living room. corridor at Rosalyn sitting on the sofa, obediently drinking coffee. Soft light streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow on her.
It was like the first time he saw her and felt his heart skip a beat. She was always sweet and quiet, like a clear stream flowing in his heart…
From childhood to adulthood, she was gentle and kind to everyone, sometimes overly obedient. To what extent? As long as someone liked her, she would like them back, and she would even give everything for that liking.
She lacked love, but she knew how to be grateful. If it weren’t for her sense of duty and compassion, how could she forgive Just that he came too late, otherwise, with her kindness, he could still have her again.
How could such a gentle person not feel self-blame for him? Even if his disabilities and depression were not caused by her, she would still shoulder everything because of their past friendship. It was his insistence on delving into the past that kept her living in guilt.
Ryan’s gaze slowly lowered to his own legs. It was because of her guilt that she had asked Andrew to find an expert to treat his legs, but he didn’t want to be treated because of his depression. Did that mean she wouldn’t find peace until he stood up?
Edith didn’t know what he was thinking. She let go of the high-heeled shoe that was blocking the wheel and sat up straight. “Mr. Collins, we come to this world to experience the ups and downs of life, love and hate, and there’s no obstacle we can’t overcome. Just think of yourself as someone on a quest.”
“If you reach the success, and when you met again in the future, you can smile at each other. If you fail, then Rosalyn will have to be trapped with you in your past, one in pain and one in guilt, living like that forever. So, which one will you choose? If you choose the former, I’ll stay and help you. If you choose the latter, I’ll leave now. Which one do you choose?”
Edith handed the decision over to Ryan, but what she didn’t know was that he had already chosen the former for Rosalyn’s sake. “You’re not an expert on depression, nor a therapist, and definitely not a doctor for legs. What can you do if you stay?”
Edith saw signs of him loosening up, and once again pulled out her rehabilitation therapist qualification certificate, as well as a bunch of other certificates, and handed them to Ryan, “I’ve helped people with paralyzed legs stand up again before, and I believe that if you’re willing to cooperate, I can help you too. But just one thing, we almost got married before, so I hope you won’t feel too awkward when we’re together.”
If she hadn’t mentioned it, Ryan wouldn’t have remembered this at all. “That was a decision made by our elders, it has nothing to do with me.”
He would never get married in his lifetime. Even if he cured his legs and depression, he would only stay in the capital city and occasionally pay attention to Rosalyn. That would be enough for his whole life.
Edith didn’t care who he would marry or not marry. “Since you’ve agreed, remember to call me when you’re ready to treat your legs.”
She took out a business card and handed it to Ryan.
Ryan originally didn’t want to get treatment. After all, he had gotten used to it. But Edith was right. If he cared about Rosalyn, he shouldn’t let her feel guilty for his disabled legs and depression. “I need surgery, but it might not happen so soon.”
Edith waved her hand nonchalantly. “Call me when you’re ready. Goodbye.”
Ryan stopped her. “How much will it cost?”
Edith had wanted to say it was pro bono, just a favor, no need for payment. But she was afraid he wouldn’t accept, so she changed her tune. “One million, can Mr. Collins afford it?”
Other rehabilitation therapists would charge at most a few hundred thousand. Edith deliberately raised the price so that Ryan would more easily accept her help without guilt.
Not understanding Edith’s intentions, Ryan found the number one million to be highly ironic. His face turned pale. “I can afford it.”
Nowadays, of course he could afford it.
Seeing that he agreed, Edith turned around directly.
After staying in place for a while, Ryan turned his wheelchair back to the living room. He probably wanted to say hello to him. Rosalyn hadn’t left yet.
“Ryan, we’ll go back today and come see you another day.”
After nodding, Ryan’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“Rosalyn, I’m going to have surgery abroad next, so I won’t be in the capital city for the next few months. You don’t have to come see me.”
Zoey, who was waiting nearby, looked at Ryan thoughtfully.
The experts clearly said that the surgery could be done domestically, but he insisted on going abroad. What does that mean?
“That’s what the experts said, that leg surgery needs to be done abroad?”
“Yes.”
Ryan’s fingers on his lap tightened slightly, clasping into his palm.
“The experts suggest that I go abroad for surgery,” he said, glancing at Edith standing nearby.
“After I finish the surgery, I will ask Miss Evans to assist me with rehabilitation therapy.”
Edith seemed to understand Ryan’s thoughts and nodded at Rosalyn.
“Mr. Collins and I have already discussed it. When he returns from surgery, I will be the one to assist him.”
Rosalyn’s gaze lingered on Ryan’s leg for a moment before shifting away.
“When and where will you have the surgery? Eva and I will visit you.”
The expression in Ryan’s eyes revealed darkness and uncertainty.
“It’s just a minor surgery. You don’t need to visit, and besides, if you and Eva come, I will be distracted taking care of you. Let’s wait until I come back, and then we can all be together as a family.”
The term “family” drew a clear boundary, like going back to childhood, where siblings relied on each other and enjoyed each other’s company. But as they grew up, they each went their separate ways, maintaining a distance while still caring for each other. They occasionally met when they had the time, and that’s what family meant.
Ryan’s unspoken words made Rosalyn, who had been keeping her distance, feel a bit guilty. Perhaps he refused her visit because he sensed her dilemma.
