The Rejected Luna (Avery and Kaden) novel Chapter 78

78 /135

**Between Then and Now by Mark Twain**

**Chapter 22**

Ryan’s gaze was locked onto the photograph cradled in his hands, his heart heavy as he took in the sight of Tessa. She was beaming, her smile a radiant beacon of grace and unfiltered joy that seemed to illuminate the very air around her. Yet, despite the familiarity of her features, something felt amiss.

It was as if he were looking at a ghost of the girl he once knew, a girl whose laughter had once echoed in his life. Time had a way of altering things, and it had been far too long since he had last witnessed that smile, that light.

His thoughts drifted, and his attention was drawn reluctantly to the man standing in the background of the photo. An unfamiliar wave of darkness washed over him, tightening his chest as he considered the implications. That man, with his easy demeanor and confident stance, seemed to be the source of Tessa’s happiness, and with that realization came a surge of anger that bubbled just beneath the surface. Ryan felt helpless, trapped in a storm of emotions, knowing he had no right to interfere in her life.

He turned to Nick, his voice steady yet laced with urgency, demanding the exact location of the cruise. The knowledge that Tessa was thriving without him stung, but the desire to see her again was a flame that refused to be extinguished. He longed to bring her back into the fold, to reclaim what they had lost.

Just as he was wrestling with his thoughts, his phone buzzed with an unexpected call from Audrey. In his haste, he blurted out his intentions to travel abroad in search of Tessa.

When Audrey heard the name “Naples,” her reaction was immediate and overwhelming. “Wait for me for ten minutes! I’m coming too!” she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of excitement and disbelief.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Audrey grabbed only her passport and credit card, her heart racing with the thrill of hope as she hurriedly booked a flight to Naples. She was determined to see her daughter again, her spirit buoyed by the prospect of a reunion.

The flight was a quiet affair, filled with an air of tension that hung heavily between them. Ryan sat beside her, both of them fidgeting in their seats, the nervous energy palpable. How could they not feel anxious? They were on the brink of confronting the ghosts of their past—the people they had once hurt deeply.

As they soared through the sky, Ryan’s mind drifted back to Tessa’s dreams of visiting Naples. He remembered how often she had spoken of the city’s vibrant streets and rich history, yet he had always dismissed her enthusiasm with a wave of indifference. Now, he found himself grappling with regret, wishing he had taken her desires more seriously.

Upon landing in Naples, they barely had a moment to drop off their luggage before they were on their way to the location Nick had provided. However, when they arrived, their hearts sank as they discovered that the ships had just departed.