Chapter 20
“What did you say?!”
Vivian cried out first: “You must have the wrong information! Riley’s only been gone four months–how could she possibly be engaged?!”
Asher’s expression hardened, his voice taking on a reprimanding tone: “You’ve worked for me all these years–how could you make such a basic mistake? Riley would never…”
The moment he saw the photo, Asher’s words caught in his throat.
In the image, Riley wore a soft yellow dress, nestled in the arms of a golden–haired, blue–eyed man. The man had his arm around her waist, while Riley stood on tiptoe to kiss him.
A gentle breeze lifted Riley’s hair–and in that instant, it chilled Asher’s heart to the core.
“Mr. Blackwell, after leaving Washington, Miss Hawthorne went to Paris.”
“She rejoined an orchestra. This mixed–race man appears to be a fellow musician…”
“Miss Hawthorne’s engagement is scheduled for three days from now. Would you like to…”
Before he could finish, Asher abruptly stood up: “I’m going! I must go!”
The usually dignified and aloof Asher now resembled a headless fly, disheveling his hair, pacing back and forth, trying to light a cigarette with hands too shaky to manage the flame.
“This must be fake–just Riley’s little trick to scare me.”
“She promised she’d never marry anyone but me. How could she get engaged to someone else? Some blond guy–how could he possibly treat her better than I did? She must have been deceived!”
“I have to go, and you need to come too, Vivian. You’re her best friend–you must help me bring her back.”
Vivian patted his shoulder: “Brother, don’t panic. Riley always listened to me most. She cares about us so much–she’ll definitely come back with us.”
She believed it.
He believed it too.
Meanwhile, in Paris.
Outside Riley’s engagement party, her mother adjusted her makeup in the car, then paused with a worried expression: “Sweetheart, even though you’ve decided to commit yourself to him, I want you to know that if you’re not willing, you can always refuse. You don’t have to marry anyone if you don’t want to! Mom can support you forever!”
Riley covered her mother’s hand, smiling: “What are you saying, Mom? I’m marrying him because I love him, of course.”
“Then what about Asher? You were together for seven years–can you really forget him just like that?”
At the mention of that familiar yet now strange name, Riley’s smile froze momentarily.
21:59
Two Chances, One Bullet: How His “Next Life” Promise Failed
71.9%
Chapter 20
“…I don’t love him anymore. Someday, I’ll forget him completely.”
Her mother pressed her lips together, sighing softly: “Mom just wants you to be sure. Don’t throw away your happiness on impulse or spite.”
Riley tucked a strand of her mother’s hair behind her ear: “I won’t, Mom. Trust me–I’ve grown up.”
Everyone was already waiting in the ballroom.
As the bells chimed, Riley walked into the hall wearing a dazzling gown, step by step toward her happiness–Julian Rivers.
is light brown eyes sparkled brighter than the stars, holding a hint of a smile: “Riley, you look stunning.”
Then he took her hand and placed a gentle kiss upon it.
Just as Julian was about to slide the ring onto her finger, the ballroom doors burst open.
Asher stood in the doorway, his forehead beaded with sweat.
He walked toward Riley step by step, his eyes pleading: “Riley, no… don’t wear his ring.”
21:59
