Chapter 476 The Daughter He Didn’t Remember

Chapter 476: Chapter 476 The Daughter He Didn’t Remember

Ryan’s eyes were still clouded with confusion, but there was something else in them that Rose couldn’t quite explain.

Possessiveness.

It was so faint that she wondered if she was imagining it.

Her gaze dropped to their hands.

Ryan was still holding hers.

Not loosely, either.

His fingers were wrapped around hers with quiet determination, as though he had no intention of letting her pull away.

"She was just teasing you."

Rose ultimately couldn’t bring herself to be harsh with him.

Ryan was still a patient. His condition was fragile, and whatever he was feeling had to be taken into consideration.

She deliberately said nothing about Trevor.

That seemed to ease him somewhat.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Rose gently guided him back toward the bed.

"Now lie down. Your vision isn’t good yet. I don’t want you walking around and bumping into something."

She was remarkably patient with him.

Ryan allowed her to settle him against the pillows.

Then, after a moment, he said quietly, "I didn’t sleep last night. Will you stay with me for a while?"

His grip loosened slightly.

His voice had an almost pleading quality to it.

Rose hesitated.

Then she nodded.

"Okay. I’ll finish some work here. You can get some rest."

"Okay."

The instant she agreed, his fingers tightened around hers again.

Rose stared at their joined hands.

So much for letting go.

He had clearly only loosened his grip temporarily.

She almost told him that he had been holding her hand the entire time, and she could hardly work with one hand occupied.

But when the words reached the tip of her tongue, she couldn’t bring herself to say them.

Not to someone who had just survived brain surgery.

So, she simply picked up her laptop with her free hand.

Ryan didn’t close his eyes.

He had noticed her concession.

He had noticed her patience.

While Rose focused on the screen, Ryan quietly watched her profile.

There was still vulnerability in his expression.

But beneath it, something darker slowly surfaced.

She said her friend had only been teasing him.

Fine.

But she hadn’t answered the question completely.

That meant one thing.

That man really did exist.

And Ryan intended to find out who he was.

*****

Rose couldn’t stay in Germany much longer.

She had responsibilities at NYU, and G.S. Pharmaceuticals was waiting for her as well.

Keeping her away indefinitely would be irresponsible.

Ryan’s condition had at least stabilized. The immediate danger had passed, and the focus had shifted to rehabilitation, restoring as much of his memory and cognitive function as possible, and treating the damage to his vision.

Diana and Liam planned to remain in Germany for another two days.

They had originally intended Germany to be one of the main stops on their honeymoon, and Diana refused to admit that a medical emergency had completely ruined their plans.

Charlotte, Oliver, James, Rose, and Ryan, however, returned to the United States.

Because Rose was still concerned about Ryan’s condition, she chartered a private aircraft and had it equipped with the medical equipment and personnel necessary to handle an emergency during the flight.

Once they were settled aboard, James pulled Rose aside.

"Are you sure he’s not faking this?"

Rose looked at him.

James lowered his voice.

"I know Ryan. He’s not exactly the kind of man you can afford to underestimate."

He paused.

"Isn’t it possible he’s using the memory loss as an excuse to stay close to you?"

Rose shook her head.

"No. He’s been evaluated repeatedly. There are genuine postoperative changes that could explain the memory and recognition problems. He doesn’t recognize anyone."

She looked toward the cabin where Ryan was resting.

"I can’t just leave him like this."

James sighed.

"Then what are you planning to do?"

Rose was silent.

James studied her expression.

"Have you thought about what happens if he doesn’t remember?"

She didn’t answer.

"What if he never gets his old memories back?" James asked. "And what if he stays like this—completely dependent on you?"

Rose’s fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her sleeve.

James continued carefully.

"Are you going to reconcile with him?"

Rose froze.

She had expected herself to reject the idea immediately.

She had expected a firm no.

But the answer didn’t come.

Not this time.

Perhaps it was because of everything she had learned recently.

Perhaps it was because Ryan’s actions had forced her to confront feelings she had buried for years.

Or perhaps she simply hadn’t figured out what she wanted anymore.

James let out a quiet sigh.

"I’m only worried that you’ll get hurt again."

His expression became more serious.

"If he never gets his memories back, he may never understand what happened between you. He may never understand what he did to you or why you were hurt."

James looked at her.

"And you shouldn’t have to swallow all of that just because he can’t remember it."

Rose understood what he was trying to say.

He wasn’t trying to control her.

He was trying to protect her.

"I know."

She nodded.

"I’ll be careful."

James didn’t say anything else.

In the past, he hadn’t been there when Rose needed someone.

Now that he was, he wasn’t going to stand by and let her compromise herself again.

*****

The flight back to New York took roughly eight hours.

By the time they landed, it was already after two in the afternoon.

Rose had initially considered going somewhere else so she wouldn’t disturb Grace, but James insisted that she return to the Taylor family home.

"If you’re going to look after him," James said, "I’d rather know where you are."

Rose understood what he meant.

Ryan was still recovering.

He needed supervision, and she didn’t want him left alone.

Ryan himself had no objection.

Where Rose went, he went.

It didn’t seem to matter where they were.

The Taylor estate was impressive enough to make most people stop and stare.

Ryan barely reacted.

He looked at the sprawling grounds, the immaculate gardens, and the enormous house with the same detached expression he might have given an ordinary hotel.

Nothing about it felt familiar.

Rose set down her luggage.

She was about to go looking for Ariel when James remained behind.

He leaned against the doorway and looked at Ryan.

"Whether you’re faking this or not, you’d better stay this way for the rest of your life."

Ryan looked at him.

James’s expression hardened.

"Because if you remember everything and go back to being the man you used to be, you might not get the same treatment you’re getting now."

Ryan regarded him calmly.

"If you were really trying to get rid of me," he said, "and you could convince my wife to send me somewhere else, you wouldn’t need to threaten me privately."

His gaze remained cool.

"So why waste your time?"

James’s face darkened.

"Ryan, you’re unbelievable."

He nearly laughed from sheer frustration.

The man was apparently incapable of being ordinary.

In front of Rose, he looked weak, vulnerable, and almost harmless.

In front of everyone else, that sharp edge was still there.

And he kept calling Rose his wife.

Wasn’t that revealing enough?

James remembered how Ryan had once insisted that he had no intention of rekindling anything with Rose.

Now look at him.

Apparently, memory loss had done absolutely nothing to his nerve.

"What happened?"

Rose returned at that moment.

She looked between the two men.

"Why do you both look like you’re about to start an argument?"

Ryan immediately walked toward her.

As he reached her, he gently hooked his little finger around hers.

Then he looked at her.

"Will having me stay here be a problem?"

Rose turned toward James.

"What did you say to him?"

James stared at her.

Then at Ryan.

Then back at Rose.

He finally let out a disbelieving laugh.

"He’s lost his memory, but apparently he hasn’t lost any of his ability to manipulate people."

Rose frowned.

James pointed toward Ryan.

"He didn’t even have to say anything. Somehow, he managed to make you think I was picking on him."

Ryan remained silent.

His expression was almost innocent.

James shook his head.

"Unbelievable."

Rose sighed.

She had missed Ariel terribly during her time in Germany.

She didn’t want another argument.

"It’s temporary," she said. "Let him recover first. We’ll figure out what happens between us later."

James gave Ryan a cold look.

He wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of knowing that his little performance had worked.

Then he glanced at Rose.

"Looking for Ariel?"

Rose nodded.

"She hasn’t finished school yet, but she’ll be home soon."

He paused.

"Since you’re back, why don’t you pick her up? She’ll be happy to see you."

At the sound of that name, Ryan lifted his head.

Something flickered across his expression.

It was brief.

Almost imperceptible.

But he felt it.

That name mattered.

Someone named Ariel mattered.

"Who is Ariel?"

Rose went quiet.

For a few seconds, she simply looked at him.

Then she answered softly.

"My daughter."

Ryan’s gaze fixed on her.

The answer seemed to trigger something else.

He looked between Rose and James.

"She’s my daughter too, isn’t she?"

Rose didn’t answer immediately.

For a man who supposedly remembered almost nothing, he was still frighteningly perceptive.

She finally nodded.

"Yes."

James smiled.

There was unmistakable amusement in his eyes.

"But don’t get too excited."

Ryan looked at him.

James folded his arms.

"Ariel has never considered you her father."

He paused deliberately.

"In fact, for years, she’s been calling another man ’Dad.’"