Chapter 2
“My heart… was given to you?”
Riley’s voice trembled violently.
Despite the ninety degree heat, she felt ice cold, her hand gripping the car door dripping with cold sweat.
“That’s right!” Nora playfully stuck out her tongue. “If it weren’t for your heart, I couldn’t have returned to the orchestra as first violin…”
Asher’s knuckles turned white on the steering wheel as he snapped: “Shut up!”
“Riley, this is just a coincidence! If I’d known your heart would go to her, I never would have agreed!”
Vivian nodded quickly: “That’s right, Riley! We’re on your side. We just happened to run into her and offered her a ride. It’s nothing more.”
Asher pushed Nora out of the seat: “Get in the back! Only Riley sits in my passenger seat! She trusts me completely, so stop saying nonsense.”
Because Riley always trusted him unconditionally, he felt entitled to deceive her?
Looking around the car, Riley noticed a hot pink plush mat on the passenger floor–Nora’s favorite color. In the side pocket was a nearly empty box of condoms and a torn piece of lace underwear.
Some “coincidental ride” this was?
Glancing sideways, she caught Asher exchanging a flirtatious look with Nora in the rearview mirror.
Riley’s nails dug into her palm as bitterness flooded her throat. Why did it have to be her?
In the orchestra, Nora had led a three–year bullying campaign against Riley–she’d stolen Riley’s position, orchestrated her social isolation, sabotaged her violin before competitions, and spread vicious rumors… all of which Riley had silently endured.
The final incident occurred after Riley defeated Nora in an audition for an overseas performance. Nora and her gang cornered Riley in the bathroom, cut her hair, and methodically sliced open all ten of her fingers.
When Asher and Vivian saw her condition at the police station, they went berserk.
Vivian grabbed Nora’s hair and slapped her repeatedly: “Riley is my best friend, you bitch! How dare you do this to her?!”
Asher’s eyes were murderously dark as he pulled out a knife: “You touch her, you’re asking to die!”
They hired the best lawyer and sent Nora to prison for six months.
After her release, they continued to torment her–forcing her resignation from the orchestra, vandalizing her property, and leaving dead rats at her door…
Nora had nearly gone mad: “I’ve served my time! Can’t we just move past this?”
Riley still remembered Asher’s look of hatred and pain: “Never! As long as I’m alive, you’ll never know peace.”
They’d sworn vengeance for Riley, yet now Asher was sleeping with Nora? And her bestie had conspired to steal Riley’s heart.
21:57
Two Chances, One Bullet: How His “Next Life” Promise Failed
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Chapter 2
Asher noticed Riley’s reddened eyes and chuckled softly, taking her hand: “Riley, what are you thinking about? With your money, I’ve started a new business venture. The Cullinan is just rented for a business meeting–don’t overthink things.”
His gaze was still as tender as ever. But Riley would never believe it again.
“Nothing…” Before she could finish, a dog darted into the road. Asher swerved sharply, and the car crashed into a bridge
support.
“Ahhh!”
The door crumpled, puncturing deep into Riley’s thigh.
Asher didn’t even glance at her, rushing out to scoop up the startled dog: “Nora, look! This dog looks just like your old one that died! Didn’t you say you wanted to find one just like it? Thank goodness I didn’t hit it.”
Riley’s vision went black as she passed out.
21:57
