Return, My Love: Wooing the Neglected Ex-Wife

Chapter 896:

In no time, the car carrying Ryland rolled away from the ranch. As they arrived at the airport, the butler moved ahead to handle the travel arrangements. When he looked back to check on Ryland, the boy had vanished.

“Where’s Mr. Potter?”

The bodyguards, equally shocked, exchanged confused glances, unable to comprehend how Ryland could have eluded them so swiftly.

Recalling Ryland’s earlier words, the butler exclaimed, “Oh no, we need to get back!”

But Ryland, only thirteen, had not returned to Usheujan Paradise Ranch. Instead, he sought refuge in a nearby shed, where he spent most of the day secluded, with only his backpack for company. As darkness enveloped the area, the sounds of the day receded into a hushed silence.

Ryland received a text message informing him that the butler had been unable to locate him and had already escorted everyone back to report to Wade.

Ryland cautiously stepped out from his hiding place in the shed. Bathed in moonlight, the villa loomed silently.noveldrama

From his earliest memories, Ryland had been a nomad, endlessly shifting from one place to another. People around him explained it as an opportunity to immerse himself in the customs and cultures of various countries.

However, each time he began to feel settled, he was abruptly transplanted to a new location. Friendships were a luxury he could never afford—it was less about cultural exploration and more about constant evasion.

With deliberate steps, Ryland approached the villa, planning to wait inside and discover whom Wade had been so determined to keep him from meeting.

For three days straight, Ryland positioned himself by a window on the second floor, his gaze fixed on the world outside. Sustaining himself on bits of bread and sips of cold water, he waited.

On the fourth day, curiosity overcame him, and he cautiously parted the curtains.

A car rolled to a stop at the entrance, and a family of four disembarked. Ryland turned around and dove into the nearest wardrobe to hide. As the family stepped inside, Ryland caught the man’s voice asking, “Did they escape again?”

Joelle, scanning the desolate interior, sighed. “Yes. We’re always just a step behind.”

Walking close behind Joelle, Aurora said, “Mom, don’t lose heart. We’ll find my brother eventually.”

Molly, undeterred, expressed her desire to continue the search. Inside the wardrobe, Ryland listened intently, his heart pounding as he peered through the narrow gap at Molly’s silhouette scanning the room.

“Molly!” Aurora’s voice called from outside the room.

Molly paused, her eyes briefly sweeping towards the wardrobe. “Yes?”

“We need to move on. We’re going to ask around the neighborhood with Mom and Dad,” Aurora urged.

“Okay then!”

As the hum of the car engine echoed outside, Ryland allowed himself a moment of relief, his breaths deep and shaky, a testament to his rattled nerves.

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