Chapter 42 We may not know her.

Meanwhile, it took some time for Daniel to realize what had happened. Everything had occurred so quickly that even he couldn't act fast. But he saw someone else had. And the way he did it, baffled him. Staking oneself to protect another requires both for courage and reason. And that person seemed to carry both. The way he enveloped Arwen, putting himself as a shield evidenced his courage, while the fire in his eyes to burn the world for her, conveyed his strong reason. Yes, he had seen those eyes. Though the man's face remained hidden, his eyes were on full display. What surprised Daniel even more was Arwen's reaction to his presence. Knowing her for almost a decade, he was very sure of one thing —she never let anyone cross a certain boundary. And if someone dared to, the discomfort was always evident in her stance and expression. But earlier, she looked so relaxed that it almost seemed like the proximity she shared with the man comforted her in a way no one else ever had. At that moment, Daniel was reminded of her declaration — her break up with Ryan. Daniel didn't want to think about it, but the scene he witnessed sparked the possibilities that he couldn't ignore. After all, feelings never stay constant forever, especially those that aren't reciprocated. As her friend, Daniel would be happy if this new possibility were true. It meant Arwen had finally set herself free from someone who didn't value her. But thinking about Ryan, he couldn't help but lament the loss of his best friend. "Where is Arwen?" Ryan asked breathlessly as he appeared, running out of the elevator. Daniel, not expecting him to show up suddenly, turned to look at him with a slight furrow in his brows. "Why are you looking for her now, Ryan?" "Daniel, not now," Ryan warned, his eyes scanning the area in desperation for someone. "I heard some people attacked someone here. Was it Arwen?" he asked with a voice laced with worry. "Do you mean to ask if Arwen attacked someone?" Daniel retorted sarcastically. "I thought I knew her, Ryan. But after seeing the change in her today, I think there's a lot we don't know about her. Like the intensity of her stubbornness and her firmness over her decisions." "She is stubborn, which is why I know she will come back tomorrow," Ryan repeated his old narrative like a broken recorder, unwilling to accept anything else. At this moment, Daniel felt that even Ryan wasn't entirely sure of it, but he was forcing himself to believe what he wanted to believe. "If that's happening tomorrow, let's wait for tomorrow. As for today, I have got better plans for you?" Seeing Ryan's confusion, Daniel smiled and gestured towards the elevator to say, "How about going back to your precious Delyth to see if she needs your care and attention? I am sure she would be in dire need of it. After all, it's for your attention that she goes to such lengths." "What do you mean?" Ryan asked, his brows furrowed. And Daniel raised his brows. "You still don't get it? Ryan, everything is so obvious, but you keep pretending to be blind? Is it fun? Or are you just used to it?" "Daniel, speak clearly." "What's there to tell? If you haven't figured it out by now, I doubt you ever will," Daniel scoffed before pointing toward the dissipating mob. "The people who attacked Arwen earlier were Delyth's fans. They have been standing outside, waiting for her. Why do you think they suddenly decided to attack Arwen as if ready to take her life? I am sure Arwen didn't provoke them or confess to sins she didn't commit against Delyth." "Delyth, wouldn't do that," Ryan said confidently, and Daniel couldn't believe his friend. "Really, Ryan? You trust her that much that now, even the clearest glass has become blurry for you." Ryan shook his head, firm in his belief. "Daniel, you know what the doctors have said about Delyth. She is suffering. There is no way she would do something like that to Arwen. She is too innocent for such a villainous ploy" "Innocent? Fine, I will believe it, but before that, you explain to me something. Why do you think Arwen broke up with you?" Daniel asked, determined to make Ryan face the truth he was so adamantly ignoring.