Chapter 11
After Riley’s parents‘ funeral, Nathaniel had found her a therapist and regularly checked on her.
Sometimes Scarlett would question him: “Why are you so busy lately? It’s always either emergency surgery or being on call.“[]
His footsteps would pause at the door: “The hospital’s busy. In a couple of days, I need to go out of town.”
n.“|
Scarlett would nod: “Okay, remember to bring me back something special.“[]
“Aren’t you going to ask how long I’ll be gone? What if I’m meeting someone else?“]
Scarlett would wrap her arms around his waist, resting her forehead on his shoulder: “I trust my Dr. Blackwell completely. You’d never lie to me.” “I
Nathaniel would hold Scarlett stiffly, looking at the top of her head, his eyes growing hot: “What if one day I
Scarlett would bite his shoulder hard: “Then I’d make sure you never saw me again.“]
He said: “Okay.”
did lie to you?”
But he did lie to her. That day, the police were making a move and, fearing further retaliation, asked him to accompany Riley out of the country.
They flew to Switzerland together. At that bar, Riley got drunk and cried at the counter: “Nathaniel, I really want to hate you.“]
Nathaniel draped his coat over her shoulders: “I’m sorry.“[]
“I don’t want to hear ‘sorry!”
Riley grabbed his collar in her drunken state, but noticed the faint bruise on his shoulder. She paused.]
Nathaniel asked: “What do you want?“]]
Riley looked at him and slowly released his collar: “Will you give me anything I ask for?”
Nathaniel said: “As long as it’s within my power.“[]
Riley hesitated, her eyes welling with tears. She looked up at Nathaniel, then suddenly hooked her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Nathaniel froze, instinctively wanting to push her away.
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But when he looked down into Riley’s eyes, those tear–filled eyes identical to her mother’s as she died before him, his hands suddenly lost all strength.
Riley pointed to his heart and asked: “What about this? Will you give me this too?”
In his pocket, his phone vibrated constantly. He knew it was Scarlett calling.
But, Scarlett, my life no longer belongs to me.
He heard himself say: “Yes. Let’s be together.”
That time, he didn’t bring Scarlett any souvenirs. In the following days, he settled all his affairs back home.
Then, on that rainy day, he broke up with Scarlett.[]
She stood in the rain all night. He stood behind her, drenched in the same downpour.
The day after arriving in Switzerland, he developed a high fever. In his delirium, he saw only Scarlett–wanting to reach for her but unable to touch her
He realized then that he and Scarlett were truly over, that his future life would be filled only with atonement.]
He thought that was how it would be. He truly believed that was how it would be. But when he saw Scarlett again, he discovered he couldn’t fully atone, nor could he be with someone else after her death
The car sped along the deserted Swiss streets. His phone rang incessantly–all calls from Riley
My Ex Placord Fin Wedding On My Death Day
Chapter 11
Nathaniel stared at the screen for a long time before answering.
Riley sobbed: “We won’t get married today. Nate, please come back.“]
Nathaniel gazed at the road ahead, his voice terrifyingly calm: “All my money is in the safe. The code is your birthday. It’s enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life without ever working.”
Riley froze: “What do you mean?“]
“Riley, there’s another way to atone and repay debts.”
Nathaniel looked at the sea visible just ahead, his gaze peaceful. He pressed hard on the accelerator.[]
BOOM-
With a deafening crash, the car smashed through the guardrail and plunged into the sea.
Seawater instantly engulfed the vehicle. Riley’s screams came through the phone, muffled by the water filling his
Scarlett was dead. His life had lost all meaning.
With her death, his bonds were broken. He would no longer be trapped by chains for the rest of his life.[]
Nathaniel slowly closed his eyes. Suddenly, a voice pierced his consciousness.
“Nathaniel! Nathaniel!“]
The suffocating pressure in his chest abruptly vanished. Nathaniel’s eyes flew open to find himself in a hospital.[]
Riley sat beside the bed, red–eyed and tearful.[]
But Nathaniel stared straight past her.
There, a translucent Scarlett floated in the air.[]
ears.
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