*No, I’ll just take care of it myself.”
Julian frowned, a hint of impatience in his voice. “I’m already incredibly busy and tired. Don’t keep testing if I still love you. It’s really
9:20 AM
<
Riley let out a bitter laugh.
A woman’s intuition is rarely wrong.
Ever since they got married, she had constantly doubted whether he truly loved her.
So, she would often test him.
But now she understood: if she doubted, it meant he didn’t love her.
Riley said, “Don’t worry, I won’t do these pointless tests anymore.”
Julian’s expression finally softened. “Good. Just remember that. Don’t keep bothering me.”
I will remember.
Because in seven days, I’ll be gone from your world forever. L
You don’t need to cook up some massive debt to drive me a leave on my own. I won’t cling to you.
8
“Julian, tomorrow’s the weekend. Will you come shopping with
with me? I want to buy my father a birthday gift.
Julian frowned irritably. “No time. I have to work overtime.”
“Chloe will be there too.”
As expected, at the mention of Chloe’s name, Julian conceded. “Since it’s for make an appearance.”
Saturday morning, she and Julian went to the department store.
my
her–in–law’s gift, then as a son–in–law, I suppose I should
Chloe waved at them from a distance. “Sister, brother–in–law, we’re over here-!”
Julian immediately turned his back, not letting Chloe or their parents see his face.
He whispered to Riley, “You go ahead and shop. I’m going to the restroom.”
Then he hurried away.
Chloe quickly ran over, affectionately linking her arm through Riley’s. “Sister, why did brother–in–law run off again? Since you two got married, Mom and Dad and I still haven’t seen what he looks like.”
Riley offered a faint smile and said, “You’ll see him eventually.”
When I’m gone, he’ll definitely take you by force, bring you home, and lock you up.
Then, even if you don’t want to see him, he’ll force you to.
As for these in–laws, he’ll probably be eager to claim them as his own.
Chloe linked her arm through their father’s, coaxing, “Dad, what gift do you want? I’ll buy it for you! I’ve been making money tutoring lately!”
Their mother quickly interjected, “You’re still in school, where would you get the money? Your thoughtfulness is enough. Let your sister buy it.”
After that, her mother specifically turned to Riley. “Your sister has been tutoring lately and her little face has gotten so thin from exhaustion. As the older sister, you should feel for her. The money for your father’s gift should come from you.”
Riley actually wanted to ask.
If Chloe was tired from tutoring, was she not tired from working as a delivery driver?
And she was only born one minute before her sister. Did that mean she had to tolerate and support everything about her sister? Why?
9:20 AM
<
Her father saw that she didn’t immediately answer and instantly rebuked her. “It’s just a bit of your money, and you’re acting so unwilling. How much did I spend raising you? You can’t even bear to buy a gift. You’re truly selfish, a heartless ingrate!”
Chloe feigned concern, crying, “Oh, Mom and Dad, don’t talk about Sister like that. Sister didn’t say she wouldn’t buy it. Come on, let’s go pick out a gift! Sister is the most filial. As long as Dad likes it, she’ll definitely buy it, right, Sister?”
Her father glared fiercely at Riley, but when he turned to Chloe, his expression immediately softened into a doting smile. “Our Chloe is the most filial and sensible one.”
“Dad, when I start working, I’ll buy you anything you want!”
“Oh, my sweet girl, Dad doesn’t need you to buy gifts. As long as you’re healthy and happy, that’s enough. Just buy things for yourself with your money.”
Her father, mother, and Chloe walked ahead, browsing and picking things out, like a happy family of three.
Riley walked behind them, ignored by everyone, spoken to by no one, as if she were merely an attendant responsible for paying today.
Her father picked out a watch and gestured to her. “Riley, I think this one’s good.”
Riley glanced at the price. A Tudor watch. While not an excessively luxurious brand, even the lowest–end model cost at least twenty to thirty
thousand.
Almost all her money had gone towards buying the plane ticket; she didn’t have much cash left.
She said, “Dad, why don’t you look at something else? There are plenty of other stores ahead…”
“Just say you don’t want to buy it! What kind of excuse is that? I like this one. Are you buying it or not?!”
Chloe started to tear up. “Dad, maybe I can get another part–time job and save up to buy it for you…”
Just then, the manager of the watch store walked out with a beaming smile. “You must be Miss Chloe, correct?”
Chloe nodded. “Yes, but how do you know me?”
The manager was overly flattering. “Your friend just instructed us that anything in our mall today, anything you and your family like, you can take with you. He’ll take care of the bill! Sir, you like this watch, right? I’ll have someone wrap it up for you immediately!”
**Chapter 3**
Her parents‘ eyes lit up with surprise. “Chloe, when did you get such a rich friend?”
Chloe’s face flushed. “I… I don’t know either.”
Just then, a commotion erupted downstairs.
It turned out the mall’s entire security team had been deployed, clearing the entire place in moments.
The entire mall was now serving only the Miller family.
