Out of Control: Into Your Everything-Chapter 146: Who Misses Who

Ryan Ford remembers that he once asked Julian Ford why Freya Pierce would do such a thing to him.

How could a mother ever want to kill her own son?

But Julian Ford, as if he were a bystander, replied with extreme calm, "She thought she was loving me."

Ryan was taken aback then, blurting out rudely, "You call that love? Maybe she’s got an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex?"

Julian glanced at him indifferently.

Ryan realized his slip, quickly apologized, and wisely shut his mouth.

Regarding what Freya Pierce did to Julian, Ryan admits, with his own way of thinking, there’s just no way he could ever understand it.

Moreover, though Julian Ford’s face betrayed no emotion, Ryan had considered, if he were in the same situation—hadn’t he raised hell in the past over lesser things, forcing everyone to thank him for his ’mercy’? Julian saying nothing didn’t mean he wasn’t hurting inside.

Out of concern for Julian’s feelings, Ryan hadn’t mentioned it again.

But now, when recalling the timing of two incidents, Ryan increasingly believed, perhaps Julian got hurt precisely because he helped him.

Scarlett Shaw watched Ryan Ford’s face grow more uneasy and pale, a sense of unease rising in her chest. She furrowed her brow, "The Ford family wouldn’t what?"

"Nothing."

Ryan instinctively deflected, about to get up and immediately go find Julian for answers.

Scarlett sensed something was wrong, grabbing his sleeve, "Don’t dodge. Tell me clearly."

Ryan’s eyes flickered, and he quickly joked, "I really don’t have anything to say, just focus on dating my brother, don’t let him down, I can’t wait for you to officially be my sister-in-law!"

Scarlett: "??"

Julian Ford had just walked from the cable car stop to the camping area, and the sight that greeted him was Scarlett clutching Ryan’s sleeve, her beautiful apricot eyes burning with anger, while Ryan flashed that unruly grin—reckless, but sincere.

Just like when they were children, and he watched them from afar.

Back then, Ryan noticed Serena Ford wearing Nina Shawcross’s cherished Jade Pendant, so he approached Scarlett to fish for information.

But after all, they were still just kids. Or maybe it was Scarlett’s genuine kindness that rubbed off on him.

Probing for answers led to roughhousing, two little kids tumbling about in mischief.

And he was always the outsider.

That Julian Ford from back then felt little fluctuation in his heart; he was used to being alone, used to quietly watching others find happiness.

But now, different time, same faces, similar scenes.

This time, he felt his heart sinking, slow and heavy.

The pain wasn’t overwhelming, but it lingered—constant, densely woven.

Julian Ford was standing rather far from Scarlett.

But perhaps it was all the time spent together, or simply because it was her.

It was almost telepathic—Scarlett suddenly turned, her gaze finding him easily, unobstructed.

The anger that had still flashed in her eyes for Ryan just seconds before was instantly replaced with a gentle light, as if warmth had melted into the brilliant mountain sunlight.

It was still afternoon, the sun intensely bright.

But when she looked into his eyes, it was more moving than the stars themselves.

Almost as if she remembered she was supposed to be faking anger, Scarlett quickly composed herself, looked away as if she’d seen nothing.

But Julian kept his eyes on her, walking closer.

He carried a cold and distant air, dark eyes locked on her; Scarlett could never stand that look from him, forcing herself to sound fierce: "Why are you staring at me? Don’t tell me you missed me so much after just a short walk?"

Julian raised an eyebrow, "Who’s missing who, exactly?"

Scarlett snorted, "Anyway, I’m not missing you."

Julian glanced at her, then suddenly said, "But I did miss you."

Scarlett froze, instinctively lifting her gaze to him.

Julian: "I was thinking about how you purposely changed your alias in my WhatsApp to ’World’s Cutest,’ and made it the only pinned chat."

Scarlett: "..."

When she’d set it, it was just to claim territory, carve out a place in his mind—make him think of her constantly.

But hearing him say it out loud now, she felt unbearably embarrassed and awkward.

"So what if I changed it? Are you trying to change it back?" she glared at him, irritated.

"I won’t."

Julian lowered his gaze to meet her eyes.

"That name suits you perfectly. Why would I change it?"

Some people try to express affection in ways that are cringeworthy, greasy, and insincere—it never sounds true.

But Julian Ford’s words, without even mentioning ’love,’ and even though he remained so reserved and unwavering, still made Scarlett’s heart thump wildly.

The breeze swept by.

Face to face, Scarlett and Julian, the air between them softly tinged with romance.

And off to the side, having been forcibly fed a dose of ’couple vibes’—by his own ex-girlfriend and brother, no less—Ryan just couldn’t take it anymore, protesting:

"Can’t you guys spare a thought for my feelings? I’m half a heartbroken man over here!"

Scarlett shot him a sidelong look, half smiling, half sneering, "True, the other half of you is still flirting, though."

Ryan rubbed his nose, but accepted it with shameless confidence.

He glanced at Julian, pulled him away so they were far from Scarlett, and asked, "Bro, be honest with me—was that thing with your mom hurting you because you helped me?"

Julian’s eyes lifted slightly, giving him a look. "Why are you asking this suddenly?"

"Was just chatting with Scarlett and it came to mind."

Julian frowned.

Ryan hurriedly added, "Don’t worry—I’d never spill your secrets to her."

Scars aren’t something to show off for pity; the deeper someone is hurt, even if the wound has scabbed, it will always ache.

Especially for someone like Julian Ford, whose self-restraint ran so deep he barely showed any emotion even to himself.

Julian considered for a moment, not answering directly, but instead asked, "You tell me first—were you involved in Benjamin Shaw’s death?"

"Absolutely not."

Ryan raised a hand, swearing to the heavens.

"Bro, you know me—I wanted nothing more than to ruin Serena Ford back then, but I’d never go after someone unrelated. And besides, Serena had already run off; seeking revenge on Benjamin Shaw wouldn’t have meant anything."

Julian: "Did you ever look into Benjamin Shaw’s cause of death?"

Ryan: "Didn’t the police officially rule it a suicide? Drowned by debt, couldn’t handle it, took his own life."

"Your mother’s case was closed as a suicide, too."

Julian spoke so plainly and sharply that Ryan was left dumbfounded.