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Ryder clasped his cell tightly, his eyes locked onto the contact name as he mustered the bravery to initiate the call. His fingers trembled as they hesitantly tapped the call button. Isobel's voice floated through after merely two rings, "Hi, Ryder."

A hesitant greeting escaped him, "Hi, Isobel." He coughed gently to clear his throat, masking his nervousness. "How are you?"

"I'm well. How about you? You sound...off."

"I am—it's just..." Ryder inhaled deeply, seeking serenity in his breath. "Do you have any plans for today?"

"Just prepping for a ride with Rose. We might head to the lake for the fireworks. Why? What's up?"

"Got it," Ryder responded with a hint of disappointment.

Isobel's voice warmed with concern, "Ryder, what's weighing on your mind?"

"There's something we need to discuss. It's crucial," Ryder stressed.

"If it's that serious, then I can swing by now. Our ride can wait."

"That would mean a lot," Ryder replied, relief coloring his voice.

"Then I'll see you shortly."

As soon force prodded him to peep out the window for signs of her arrival continuously, Ryder paced restlessly. The moment he spied her car drawing near, he hastened outdoors and lingered on the porch in anticipation.

Ascending the porch steps, Isobel could instantly detect Ryder's concern etched over his features. "Ryder, what's troubling you?"

"Could we," he gestured towards the seats nearby and led her by hand," sit here for a bit?"

Poised at the chair's edge, his arms found refuge atop his knees.

Isobel probed gently, "You know you can speak to me."

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He pivoted towards her earnestly. "This is difficult to express." He swallowed thickly against an unrelenting lump in his throat.

"I'm listening," she encouraged softly.

Drawing a deep breath for courage, Ryder began. However, his voice betrayed him as it cracked; his hands could not disguise their tremble as he confronted his confession.

"What happened last time at the rodeo...after our argument..."

She urged him onward with an expectant tone tinged now with impatience, "Yes...?"

With a heart racing like wild horses and emotions at the brink of flooding out, he stammered out painfully, "I...I made a mistake—the night of that rodeo incident, well, I slept with one of the girls there..."

Isobel perched on the edge of her seat, her lips sealed. Ryder extended a hand towards her, seeking solace in touch, but she recoiled.

"Isobel, my apologies run deep. Back then, you were a stranger to me, and I was lost in my own mess. I truly regret it."

She held her silence, a valiant fight against the welling tears.

"Can you speak to me, Isobel?"

"Ryder..." Her voice brimmed with fury, "I need a moment, just give me that." Her breath quickened, each inhalation heavier as she processed his confession.

Ryder settled into the quiet, granting her the space she sought.

After an agonizing pause, words finally broke through. "So you're saying," she began sharply, "that after calling you out on your history with other women, you lash out by leaping into bed with yet another? Is this what you're confessing?"

"I’m filled with remorse, Isobel. It was never my intention to cause you pain."

"And yet the pain is here," Isobel retorted with a sting in her words.

They lingered in a heavy hush. Isobel dabbed at her tear-streaked face and shook her head in disbelief.

Breaking the stillness once more, she asked somberly, "Have you ever been tested for STDs?"

Ryder met her gaze. "Yes," he affirmed.

"Recently?"

"I underwent testing again last week; the results should be coming soon."

Studying Ryder intently now. "Last week? Did you think this confession would sweep me off my feet? Make me grateful for your honesty? Hope it would lead me back to your bedroom?"

"That wasn’t my intent at all—I swear it wasn't," Ryder protested. He almost touched her hand but hesitated. “I want us to have a clean slate, Isobel. No more secrets.”

"I should go home now," Isobel declared and made towards the stairs.

"Wait, please." Ryder followed swiftly, catching her arm gently to face him. The sight of anguish in her gaze and tears trailing down her cheeks halted his words. "Isobel...my heart aches for hurting you. If this is where we part ways forever..."

She interjected softly but firmly, "I need some time—just time."

"I’ll wait however long it takes,” he conceded. “My only hope is that someday you might find it within yourself to forgive me.” Letting go of her arm with a small retreat.

Isobel responded with a final "Goodbye," strode to her car without looking back, and melted into the night as she drove off.