Chapter 484 Have You Remembered?

Chapter 484: Chapter 484 Have You Remembered?

The room was packed, and with everyone gathering for the cake cutting, the lights had already been dimmed.

Rose thought she caught a glimpse of pale-yellow fabric slipping behind the curtain.

But when she turned to look, the figure had vanished without a trace, leaving her wondering whether she’d imagined it.

"Rose, what are you doing over here?"

Diana pushed through the crowd, found her, and immediately took her hand, pulling her toward the cake.

"You have to be the first one to get a slice! Come on."

"Oh, nothing."

Rose shook her head and let Diana lead her away, quickly forgetting about what she’d seen.

By the time they reached the cake, Liam was already standing beside it.

The moment he spotted Diana rushing toward him, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. Leaning down, he caught a faint whiff of alcohol on her breath and narrowed his eyes.

"Have you been drinking again?"

Diana’s expression turned guilty. She put a hand against his face and gently pushed him away.

"Just a little."

Liam frowned and pinched her cheek.

"Diana, did you forget you’re still taking medication to get your health back on track?"

"I know, I know. You’re such a nag."

She pouted, looking thoroughly unrepentant.

Over the past few years, Diana had pushed herself far too hard, barely giving herself time to rest. Add her fondness for alcohol to the mix, and her health had taken a serious hit. Her periods had become so irregular that sometimes she went six months without one.

Rose had offered to help her get things under control, but Diana hated taking medicine and had refused.

Liam, on the other hand, had been beside himself with worry.

He’d even consulted the Robinson family’s private physician to find a proper treatment plan and help her recover. Since then, he’d practically appointed himself her personal health supervisor, keeping an eagle eye on her medication and doing everything he could to get her to cut back on drinking.

Liam spoiled Diana in almost every other respect. When it came to her health, however, he refused to give in.

Naturally, she felt a little guilty.

"We’ll talk about this when we get home tonight," Liam warned through clenched teeth.

Diana pretended not to hear him.

Instead, she grabbed the cake knife and shoved it into his hand.

"Hurry up and cut the cake."

Liam gave her a helpless look. There really was no reasoning with this woman.

Watching them, Rose couldn’t help laughing.

Liam was probably the only person who could handle Diana’s free-spirited, mischievous nature while indulging her at the same time. After everything she’d endured with her parents, she deserved to be loved like this.

"Come on, make your wish!" Diana urged.

Liam’s lips finally curved into a small smile.

"I already did."

"What did you wish for?"

"If I tell you, it won’t come true."

"Then whisper it to me."

Diana leaned closer, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Liam pinched her ear and gave her earlobe a gentle tug. Seeing how eagerly she was waiting, he raised an eyebrow and whispered into her ear.

"In this life, the next one, and every life after that, I want you to marry me again. I want us to have a son and a daughter, too. And next time, we’ll have to put a little more effort into making that happen."

Diana’s cheeks turned bright red.

"Okay, shut up!"

Liam laughed softly and wrapped his arms around her before she could escape.

Rose watched them with a quiet smile.

Diana was genuinely happy. That much was obvious.

Rose was glad she had someone who loved her so openly.

She turned back toward her seat and poured herself another glass of wine.

Everyone had their own troubles.

And right now, she was hopelessly outmatched by Ryan Knight.

Apparently, she’d reached the point where she, too, needed a drink to forget her problems.

By the time Ryan arrived, Rose was already drunk.

Diana stood beside her, and the moment she spotted Ryan approaching, she folded her arms and fixed him with a serious look.

"She’s drunk. When you get home, make sure she takes something for the hangover. Help her change into something comfortable, too. She hates sleeping in socks, so don’t forget to take those off. And make sure you remove her makeup properly and do her skincare routine, including her eye cream."

You have got to be kidding me.

Diana couldn’t pass up the opportunity to give the mighty Mr. Knight a list of orders. It wasn’t every day she got to boss him around.

Ryan glanced at her.

"Got it."

Diana’s mouth fell open.

That was it?

Just two words?

He certainly didn’t act this indifferent when Rose was around!

Ryan paid no attention to her reaction. He picked up Rose’s bag, bent down, and carefully lifted Rose, who was slumped against the bar.

"I’m taking her home."

Rose stirred at the movement and sleepily opened her eyes.

Ryan bent his head and brushed his lips against her forehead.

"Go back to sleep."

She obediently closed her eyes again.

Diana watched them, her teasing expression slowly fading.

For once, she had nothing to say.

Ryan carried Rose out of the venue and settled her into the car.

As she shifted into a more comfortable position, she opened her eyes halfway. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of someone in pale yellow passing by.

Her mind suddenly sharpened.

She stared in that direction, trying to get a better look.

But the figure had already disappeared into the crowd.

"What’s wrong?" Ryan asked.

Rose searched the crowd, but there was no sign of the person she’d seen.

Her brows drew together.

"...Nothing."

Maybe she’d imagined it.

She’d certainly had more to drink than she should have tonight.

By the time they arrived back at the Taylor residence, the alcohol had hit her hard. She could barely stand without help.

All she wanted was a shower and a bed.

Sitting on the edge of the mattress, she began fumbling with her clothes, barely registering Ryan’s presence.

She felt awful, and getting cleaned up was the only thing on her mind.

When she reached behind her back to unclasp her bra, Ryan’s gaze froze. He swallowed hard before quickly catching her hand.

"Let me help you. Don’t move."

Rose stopped resisting.

She was too dizzy to argue, and her thoughts were a complete mess.

Ryan took a slow breath, scooped her into his arms, and carried her into the bathroom.

There was no way she could safely manage a shower in her condition, so he settled her down and used a warm, damp washcloth to clean her up instead, taking care to keep her comfortable and covered.

Rose rested her head against his shoulder and looked up at him through heavy eyelids.

"Why don’t you take your clothes off and shower with me?"

Ryan’s hand paused against her back.

"You can barely sit upright. You’ll end up choking on the water."

Besides, he wasn’t sure how much more temptation he could take.

"Oh."

Rose nodded sleepily, apparently satisfied with that explanation.

Ryan glanced at her.

She really was drunk.

And, for once, she was being unusually cooperative.

Even with her clothes mostly on, looking after her was testing every ounce of his self-control. He had to clean her carefully, change her into fresh pajamas, and make sure she was comfortable without taking advantage of her helpless state.

By the time he finished, a thin sheen of sweat covered his forehead. His muscles were taut, and his patience was hanging by a thread.

Rose, meanwhile, seemed entirely unaware of the effect she was having on him.

Ryan pressed his lips together, finished changing her, and carried her back to bed.

Remembering Diana’s instructions, he gathered Rose’s skincare products from the bathroom counter. He glanced at the labels, trying to figure out what went where, then gently steadied her face with one hand as he applied the products one by one.

When he finally finished, he sat on the edge of the bed and gave her cheek a light pinch.

"You have no idea how lucky you are that you’re drunk."

Otherwise, he wasn’t sure he’d have been able to keep his distance.

Ryan got up and took a cold shower, staying under the water long after he’d finished washing.

When he returned to the bedroom, Rose was curled up on her side, fast asleep.

The sight made something ache deep in his chest.

It was a strange, uncomfortable feeling, like an old wound he’d thought had healed suddenly opening again.

Insecurity.

That was what it was.

Ryan slipped into bed, drew Rose into his arms, and kissed the top of her head. Closing his eyes, he gently patted her back over and over, as though reassuring himself as much as her.

"Go to sleep."

*****

Late in the night, Rose stirred awake.

An irritating tickle against her neck made her instinctively lift a hand to brush it away.

Her fingers met warm skin.

Her eyes flew open.

Still groggy from the previous night’s drinking, it took her a moment to realize Ryan was lying beside her.

He caught both her hands, preventing her from pushing him away, then lowered his head and kissed her chin before claiming her lips.

The tenderness of the first kiss quickly gave way to an intensity that left Rose breathless.

His restraint seemed to have snapped. He held her as though he were terrified she’d disappear the moment he let go, his desire and desperation tangled together until she could barely recognize the man in front of her.

"Ryan..."

Rose’s hands moved instinctively to push against him, but he caught them and held them beside her pillow.

He was acting like a completely different person. The patience he’d shown her the night before was gone, replaced by the intensity of a man who’d spent too long holding himself back.

His fingers found the buttons of her pajama top, but his voice faltered slightly when he spoke.

"I want you. I don’t want to wait anymore."

Rose’s remaining sleepiness vanished.

Panic seized her as she struggled to make sense of what was happening.

"Ryan, what’s gotten into you? I haven’t even given you an answer yet!"

"RoRo..."

He lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to the sensitive skin of her neck, his voice barely more than a whisper.

But just then, Rose’s expression changed.

She stopped struggling.

The panic in her eyes disappeared, replaced by sudden, startling clarity.

She looked straight at him, her voice calm and firm.

"Ryan, you’ve remembered everything, haven’t you?"