Chapter 7
Riley stared at him in shock.
In Asher’s mind, protecting his lie about being poor was more important than her violin?
She pointed at Nora, her entire body trembling: “You actually believe she has a congenital heart condition? Asher, she’s lying to your”
What did you say?” Asher froze.
Avha
Suddenly, Nora clutched her chest and collapsed into Asher’s arms: “Asher, I can’t breathe… my heart hurts so much. Help me!”
Asher’s expression changed instantly. He scooped her up and rushed toward the hospital.
Riley’s blood pooled on the floor, forming a small river. Asher stepped right through it without even glancing down.
Like a knight rescuing his princess, he carried Nora to the door, barely turning his head, his eyes frighteningly cold: “Riley, I know you don’t like Nora, but you didn’t need to falsely accuse her of lying about her condition just for a broken violin! Now she’s collapsed!”
Riley’s eyes burned, but she was in too much pain to shed tears.
She whispered hoarsely: “You know how important that violin is to me…”
“No matter how valuable a violin is, is it worth more than a human life? Riley, I always thought you were kind. You weren’t…
like this before.”
With that, Asher left without looking back.
Beyond his sight, Nora opened her eyes and mouthed triumphantly: “You lose!”
Riley stared blankly at Asher’s retreating figure, opening her mouth but unable to utter a single word.
But Asher, you weren’t like this before either…
After Nora had bullied her, at a gathering with friends, someone suggested “it takes two to tango” and that Riley must have
done something wrong too.
Asher immediately flipped the table. He pinned that friend against the wall and slapped him across the face, livid: “I know Riley better than anyone! I believe in her! Listen–does one hand clapping make a sound?!”
After winning the case, he spent a small fortune to display the court documents on screens across the city, just to tell everyone: He believed in Riley. Riley was innocent.
But their seven years of love and trust had just been destroyed in an instant.
Riley realized that someone you’ve loved for seven years can stop loving you in a single moment.
Asher drove Nora to the hospital first.
Vivian, waiting in the garage, rushed up to pack everything Nora needed for her hospital stay.
The siblings were remarkably similar–neither spared Riley even a glance.
21:57 C
Two Chances, One Bullet: How His “Next Life” Promise Failed
61.29
Coupler
Tuley braced herself against the floor, slowly struggling to her feet.
“Kiley? Vivian suddenly called out.
Riley thought Vivian had noticed her wound and wanted to help.
Before she could answer that she was fine. Vivian cut her off coldly: “Remember to feed Nora’s dog! And clean up all this blood when you get a chance–it’s disgusting! Don’t let the puppy step in it; Nora adores that dog and would be upset.”
With a bang, the door closed, the draft blowing Riley’s hair.
he stood stunned for a long while as memories flashed through her mind–Asher whispering sweet nothings in her ear, Vivian pulling her along for adventures and laughter.
Riley suddenly laughed, but as she laughed, tears began to fall.
Even the dog had someone who cherished it. But she didn’t.
Just two more days until she could leave, but Riley wished time would pass faster and faster, racing to her departure day.
Her scarred heart couldn’t bear any more wounds.
21:58
