In that moment. Asher felt all rationality crumble.
He wanted to ask Riley if she was doing this deliberately, was she marrying just anyone to get revenge on him?
How could she do this to him?! How could she be so cruel?!
But before he could voice these thoughts, security guards escorted him out.
(
As the doors closed, the ballroom returned to calm.
Riley smiled, giving Julian a reassuring look: “Let’s continue our ceremony.”
Three hours later, after the engagement party ended and all guests had departed, Riley was surprised to find Asher still waiting outside.
In the ninety–degree Paris heat, he stood like an idiot under the scorching sun. Sweat trickled down his temples, his eyes red–whether from crying or sweat blurring his vision, she couldn’t tell,
Seeing Riley, he hurried forward, his voice impossibly gentle: “Riley.“.
“Do you still need something?” After he’d ruined her engagement party, Riley had no patience left.
Asher forced himself to smile: “We were so good together. No more games–come back with me, okay?”
“No,” Riley turned away, refusing to look at him.
“Why?”
Asher’s eyes were filled with confusion. He couldn’t understand how they had reached this point. He had only scolded her a few times at Nora’s birthday party.
How had it… escalated to this?
But ultimately, it’s his fault. He pretended to be lighthearted as he coaxed: “Don’t be angry anymore. I’ve really made Nora pay for what she did!”
He took out his phone, showing her bloody photos: “I investigated her background thoroughly. To punish her, I gave up thirty million in profits to marry her off to a brutal, ugly man. I made her cut open her own fingers, to experience exactly what you went through! Riley, considering everything I’ve done for you, can’t you stop being angry? I was just momentarily confused and deceived by her act–I misjudged her!”
His self–righteous atonement seemed utterly ridiculous to Riley.
He could have investigated earlier, but he chose to believe Nora’s tears without checking facts.
Was it really a momentary confusion, or was he willingly deceived?
Nora cutting her fingers might compensate for that specific injury, but what about the fear and trauma she caused Riley?
The wounds Asher had inflicted on Riley’s heart would never heal.
But it didn’t matter anymore. Brave people don’t remain trapped in the past.
21:59
Two Chances, One Bullet: How His “Next Life” Promise Failed
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Chapter 22
Riley smiled faintly, said “excuse me,” and took Julian’s arm to their waiting car.
Asher pounded on the window: “Riley!”
As the car pulled away, he chased after it, shouting: “Riley! Don’t go! Give me one more chance, please! I’m begging you!”
Riley didn’t even glance his way. As Asher’s figure grew smaller in the rearview mirror, she bit her lip: “Sorry you had to see that spectacle.”
Julian shook his head, pulling her into his embrace, hiding the pain in his eyes: “Don’t apologize. That wasn’t your fault.”
hat night, when Riley was alone at home, someone knocked on her door.
It was Vivian. She wore an apologetic smile identical to Asher’s: “Riley, I heard about what happened at the engagement party. Can we… talk?”
Riley noticed Asher waiting behind her and instantly understood–Vivian had come as his advocate.
Knowing the siblings‘ temperament, Riley realized they wouldn’t leave until they’d said their piece.
She lowered her eyes: “Let him in too.”
21:59
