Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Adrian finished his cold speech and just walked out of the basement.
Riley listened to his footsteps fade away before she finally used the wall to pull herself up.
For the next three days, she basically locked herself in her room and didn’t come out.
The servants brought food–she’d take a couple bites and that was it. Even when the sun was gorgeous outside, she never stepped foot out of that room.
She couldn’t give Elena any more chances to set her up.
At least Adrian kept his word. He spent all three days with Elena and didn’t even come home.
Riley kept seeing them all over the gossip sites, looking like the perfect couple.
Elena hanging on Adrian’s arm with this perfect smile, and when he looked down at her, his eyes were so soft they could melt butter.
The day before the wedding, she sat at her desk carefully writing down all of Adrian’s likes and dislikes:
“Hates cilantro, can’t handle spicy food; only drinks black coffee, no sugar; shirts need to be perfectly pressed; needs complete darkness to sleep…”
When she finished, she folded the note and called over one of the maids, Maria.
“Here, take this.” Her voice was quiet. “Give it back to me after the wedding’s over.”
Maria looked totally confused. “Ma’am, what’s this for…”
“Just in case I forget stuff.” Riley gave her a small smile. “You know how my memory’s been lately.”
Maria thought it was weird but took the note anyway. “Don’t worry, ma’am. I’ll keep it safe.”
After Peach left, Riley dragged a packed suitcase out from the back of her closet.
She took one last look around the room she’d lived in for three years, her eyes stopping on that wedding portrait on the wall.
ww
In the photo, Adrian looked perfect in his tux–like some kind of god. And there she was in that million–dollar gown, smiling that sweet, warm smile.
She gently took down the frame, flipped it face–down on the desk, and walked out without looking back.
At the airport, her mom was already there waiting.
She shoved a bank card and plane ticket at Riley. “Thirty million, just like we agreed. After this, you and the Wells family are done. Forever.”
Riley grabbed the card with trembling fingers.
She looked up at her mother, who wouldn’t even make eye contact.
“Thanks,” she said quietly.
Her mom’s voice was brutal. “You did good these three years. Didn’t screw up the business deal.”
She paused. “Now get out of here. Go live whatever pathetic life you want.”
Riley nodded and walked toward security.
Right before she turned the corner, she looked back one more time. Her mother was already walking away, like she’d never had a second daughter at
23:01
HL
3 Years as Your Backup Wife, 1 Text to Crash Your World: ‘Guess Which Twin Left?‘
Chapter 8
all.
But Riley wasn’t even upset. She clutched that ticket tight, her eyes getting watery.
Finally–she could live for herself.
She walked to her gate without looking back, completely done with all of it.
Meanwhile, back at the Kane house…
A woman who looked almost exactly like her–but with eyes that held ZERO softness, just PURE arrogance and pride–was putting on a wedding dress,
quietly waiting for tomorrow’s ceremony.
Ivy Wells was back!
♡ (0)
23.01
1
(0)
