Chapter 203 A Prodigal
Facing Sarah's gaze, Ryder felt both angry and touched. He was angry at the villain behind the scenes who had framed Sarah. He had made her feel this way. But he was also touched because Sarah was still thinking about him at this critical moment and was worried about him getting involved.
There was no way Ryder would divorce her and leave her high and dry when she was in trouble. As a result, he squatted down and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of Sarah's eyes with his hand. Softly, he said, "I'm sorry. I’ll do anything else, but I can't grant your request for a divorce."
Sarah bit her lip, choking and staring at him. "Why? Aren't you afraid of getting involved? Aren't you afraid that, when you step out, people will point at your back and say your wife is an immoral woman? That a bunch of people have cuckolded you? Any man would care about those things."
Ryder shook his head firmly and said, "Do you remember our wedding vows from three years ago? I remember them very clearly. I was willing to have you as my wife. From now on, through prosperity or adversity, poverty or wealth, sickness or health, we will love and cherish each other until death do us part."
"You..." Sarah looked at Ryder, dazed.
For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
Ryder continued, "I understand that when we made those vows, we didn't have any previous connection, and it wasn't love that brought us together. For you, it was more of an escape from love, a temporary choice. But after these three years of being together day and night, I can tell you right now that I can fulfill those vows we made three years ago, and I’m willing to do so. I’m willing to do anything for you."
As Ryder finished speaking, Sarah's tears fell once again.
She choked out a question. "What... what did I do to deserve this?"
Ryder's pupils slightly constricted when he heard that.
At first glance, that question seemed harmless.
But upon careful consideration, one would realize that it was actually a trap.
If he answered that it was because of her looks and good temperament, she might question if he found her lacking in substance.
If he answered that it was because of her good character and kind heart, she might question if he found her unattractive.
There was no way around it. This was just how women were. They liked to overthink things.
So Ryder thought for only a few seconds before immediately giving his answer. "Everything about you is worth it. I can't bear to have anything missing from you."
His statement was incredibly powerful.
Sarah couldn't control her emotions anymore and completely broke down in tears.
She suddenly hugged Ryder and sobbed. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned divorce.
"I... I was just too scared. I was scared of losing you. I don't know why, but recently, I've realized that you've become even more exceptional than before. I used to be aloof, proud, and confident in front of you, but that had all become insignificant.
"It's not that I don't like this feeling; after all, every girl wants strong support. But... when that support appeared, I started to overthink. I was afraid of losing it, and I was worried that I wouldn’t be worthy of you anymore."
Ryder took a deep breath as he listened to Sarah sobbing in his arms.
He understood Sarah's personality. She was stubborn, strong-willed, and was never willing to give up.
An ordinary girl would easily be satisfied and enjoy a certain amount of wealth.
But Sarah was just the opposite. She wanted to gain recognition through her own efforts and abilities, relying on herself to create material wealth.
After all, she held herself to incredibly high standards.
Ryder stroked Sarah's back gently.
Softly, he said, "Sarah. Just remember, no matter what happens, I’ll never abandon you. Don't ever say the word 'divorce' because of those unnecessary worries. Do you understand?"
"I... I understand. I'm sorry, I... I won't mention divorce ever again. If you're angry, you can scold or hit me." Sarah choked out her reply.
"Silly girl. How could I bear to harm my beloved?" Ryder rubbed Sarah's head.
For some reason, Ryder treated her very gently. The more he treated her like this, the more Sarah felt wronged for Ryder. And then she would feel like crying.
She finally realized what had happened. She realized that she had actually fallen in love with Ryder. It was a love that came from the bottom of her heart. It was completely different from how she had liked Henry back in college, whom she only agreed to date after he relentlessly pursued her.
Ryder spent over twenty minutes comforting Sarah by the riverbank. Ryder's legs were getting numb from squatting when Sarah finally stopped sobbing.
Looking at Sarah's swollen eyes, Ryder felt distressed and said, "Get up quickly; go back, and get some rest. If you stay up like this, your eyes might get hurt."
Sarah nodded obediently. She took her feet out of the river and stood up. Her black-stockinged feet left behind two wet footprints on the concrete ground.
Ryder suggested, "Why don't you take off the stockings? You might catch a cold if you keep them on."
Sarah lowered her head and looked at her feet. She pursed her lips and nodded, "Hmm. Help me take them off..."
"What?" Ryder was taken aback. He was surprised by Sarah's request.
Sarah pouted in anger and asked, "What's wrong? Do you think I'm dirty and don't want to take them off anymore?"
"Of course not," Ryder quickly responded. This was a gift; how could he reject it?
So, with one hand supporting Sarah and the other clumsily helping her take off the stockings, Ryder did as she asked. Only the two of them were near the riverbank at this moment. They didn't have to worry about anyone else seeing them.
A faint, warm smile appeared on Sarah's lips as she saw Ryder's clumsy yet careful movements,.
Soon, the black stockings were successfully removed.
"The stockings are a little dirty; let's throw them away." Sarah wanted to throw the black stockings into a nearby trash can, but Ryder quickly darted his hand into his pocket and pretended to be angry, saying, "They're just dirty, not torn. This cost ten dollars."
Sarah blushed and felt a bit embarrassed. She stuck out her tongue timidly.
Following that, she saw Ryder suddenly turning his back to her and squatting down.
Curiously, she asked, "What are you doing?"
Ryder smiled and replied, "Please get on my back. I’ll carry you home."
Sarah chuckled and felt a warmth in her heart.
She obediently climbed onto Ryder's back.
She held a high-heeled shoe in each hand, wrapping both hands around Ryder's neck.
Pouting, she said, "Hmph. I'm not going home. I’m going to book a hotel room. An expensive one."
Ryder lifted Sarah's slender and beautiful legs in his hands.
Respectfully, he replied, "Alright then. Let's go to the Pint House. We’ll get the luxurious room, for some extravagance."
After saying that, he ran toward the Pint House, leaving behind laughter and joy along the way.
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