Page 31 of Snatched Up By the Cartel

I squeezed Rylan's hand, my eyes never leaving Ethan's frail form. In his wheelchair, he didn't look like the person Rylan had shown me on his phone. And, yeah, he had many photos together with the guy.

"Go to him," I whispered, my voice soft but insistent. "You should talk to him. I know he probably wants to talk to you. Why else is here?"

Rylan hesitated, his eyes filled with a mixture of emotions. I was already aware it was going to be difficult, which was why I was planning everything else I was going to say.

"I don't know, Mateo," he said meekly. "It's been years and he probably doesn't remember all the shit that happened between us."

I turned to him, my eyes shining with determination. "It doesn't matter if he remembers," I said softly, my hand tightening around his. "What matters is that you do, and today is your chance to close a chapter that has remained open for too long."

Rylan bit his lip, his eyes darting between Ethan and me. He didn't want to do it, but for me, he would do anything. "Are you sure?" He asked softly, his voice shaking slightly. "It might be awkward, and I don't want to ruin Lucas's special day."

I cupped his cheek, my thumb brushing away a stray lock of hair that had fallen across his face. "I'm sure, little omega. There is nothing you can do that can ruin this moment," I said softly, my voice steady. "And Lucas will understand. But, I don't think you need to worry. Lucas is busy with other things."

Rylan searched my eyes, his breath coming in short gasps as he grappled with his emotions. He was probably wondering if there was some way to convince me to drop the subject, but there wasn't. My mind was set on making him do it.

Finally, he nodded, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "Okay," he whispered. "I'll try, for Lucas, for us."

Good. He didn't need much convincing in the end.

With a deep breath, he approached Ethan, his steps hesitant, his eyes never leaving the man who had once been his closest friend. Emotions swirled in his mind. There was a lot to unpack.

Ethan's eyes widened at the sight of Rylan, his frail form straightening in his wheelchair. What was he thinking was going to happen? Did he think Rylan wouldn't notice he was here?

"Rylan," he whispered. "I never thought I'd see you again." Probably the understatement of the century.

Rylan's breath caught in his throat, his eyes searching Ethan's face, seeing the years that had passed, the toll they had taken.

He probably thought he could come here and figure out what to say, but when it actually happened, all his plans vanished.

"I never thought I'd see you either," he whispered. "But here we are." He really looked so much different from his former self.

Ethan nodded, his eyes never leaving Rylan's. "Here we are," he murmured. "And I have something to say, something I should've said a long time ago."

What was that? I couldn't help but wonder.

Rylan's breath hitched, his eyes widening as he realized the significance of the moment. So much was going to be defined now.

"Me too," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I'm sorry about everything that happened. I should have thought better about what I was going to do. I was foolish and rash."

Ethan's eyes were coated with tears, his frail hands tightening on the wheels of his chair. "I know," he murmured. "And I'm sorry, Rylan. I know I overdid it when I took the penthouse."

Rylan's eyes softened, his breath coming in short gasps as he processed Ethan's words. He never thought he would say the things he did.

"I know," he said. "And I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have gone behind your back and sold those company files. I know it hurt you. Maybe I should have asked you to help me." Rylan took a deep breath in. "I didn't think you would help me."

Ethan nodded, his eyes never leaving Rylan's. "Can you ever forgive me, Rylan? I had my reasons, but I still left you without a roof over your head. You and your son could have died because of me," he whispered. "Maybe I don't deserve it, but please, let's put the past behind us. For old times' sake."

Rylan searched Ethan's eyes, seeing the sincerity reflected in their depths. Just like me, Rylan never believed that Ethan would feel any guilt over what happened. We both assumed he always thought he was right and did the right thing.

"I don't think I should be saying this because you only did what you did thanks to my foolishness, but I still forgive you, Ethan," he whispered. "And I'd like to think we can be friends again. I mean, if we can't, that's understandable. "

Ethan's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat as he processed Rylan's words. There was still so much to unpack, but for now, that was good. It went better than I thought it was going to.

"Thank you," he said. "Maybe we can be friends again. We'll have to wait and see"

Rylan took a step forward, his hand reaching out to squeeze Ethan's shoulder gently. It was a lot of progress. I didn't think I was going to be seeing what I was.

"And Rylan," Ethan said softly. "I want you to have the penthouse back. It can be yours again, and I want you to enjoy it. You and your family deserve it."

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