Chapter 4
Riley stared hard into Asher’s eyes.
She felt like she’d never truly known the man she’d loved for seven years.
Nora blinked innocently. “Riley, don’t forget–to get revenge on me, your wonderful boyfriend and best friend drove me out of the orchestra and blacklisted me throughout the industry. I’ve finally managed to join a new orchestra through my own efforts, but I haven’t received my first paycheck yet, so Asher has to take care of my living expenses for now!”
Her explanation came with an unmistakable smile of triumph. That snake–like smile had been Riley’s nightmare for three
years.
The artificial heart began to alarm due to her emotional turmoil. Riley struggled to control herself: “Get out! This is my room, and I don’t want to see you!”
“Riley!” Asher rubbed his temples wearily. “Stop this! Let bygones be bygones. Nora has already paid for her mistakes–why can’t you just forgive her?”
She forgives Nora, but who will forgive her?
The raised scars on her fingertips made it impossible to properly press violin strings–she could never again stand on stage
with a violin.
Yet what had she done wrong?
Asher realized his tone had been too harsh and quickly softened.
Seeing Riley’s reddened eyes as she lowered her head, guilt overwhelmed him.
He gently pulled her head to his chest, his voice hoarse: “I’m sorry, Riley. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.”
“Nora’s friend introduced me to a business opportunity, I’ve earned enough to rent a small apartment–we don’t have to live in the basement anymore.”
Asher kissed the top of her head: “Do this for me–just let it go, okay? Once Nora gets her paycheck and leaves, we’ll have plenty of time together, just us.”
Riley said quietly: “All right.”
But she knew they had no future.
That night, Riley returned to the apartment with Asher.
Her wound hadn’t healed, so she spent most of her time resting in bed.
While Asher cooked in the kitchen, Vivian and Nora huddled together on the living room sofa, giggling and gossiping.
Before Riley could leave the bedroom, Vivian brought in a tray: “Just eat in here.”
Riley smiled bitterly: “Vivian, my leg works fine–1 can eat with you all…”
Vivian dismissed her concern: “Don’t be difficult! If your wound gets infected, we’ll just have to spend more money. Be good!”
21:57 C
Two Chances, One Bullet: How His “Next Life” Promise Failed
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Chapter 4
A lump formed in Riley’s throat as she lowered her head.
Was Vivian truly concerned about her wound? Or did she just not want an outsider disrupting their happy trio?
Waves of laughter continued to drift in from outside, falling on Riley’s cars like needles.
That happiness and warmth had once belonged to her.
Riley couldn’t sleep that night.
She heard the puppy whimpering incessantly in the living room.
When she limped out to check, she saw Asher and Nora entangled on the downstairs sofa.
His eyes were clouded with passion she’d never seen before: “Nora, you’ve been through so much these past few days. Let me… make it up to you properly.”
Nora pushed against his chest, deliberately playing hard to get: “Asher, I’ve always wondered–when you lied to Riley about your family’s bankruptcy, we weren’t together yet. Why did you lie to her?”
Asher lowered his head to take her fingers between his lips, his voice husky: “If the act wasn’t convincing enough, how would Riley ever willingly sell her heart?”
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