Chapter 2
Chapter 2
In her post, Victoria smugly claimed that the man who once despised her was now repeatedly abandoning his “true love” just
to be with her.
This plot twist was so far fetched that few readers believed it. Most commenters accused her of being a fiction writer seeking attention and abandoned the thread. Those who did believe called her disgusting and shameless.
Riley couldn’t pinpoint exactly how the posts made her feel, but she found herself compulsively checking for updates. Sure enough, Victoria had posted again today:
[I mentioned wanting some roasted chestnuts, and he left his precious girlfriend to run across three neighborhoods just to get them for me.]
The comments were filled with mockery, telling Victoria she was either delusional or should become a screenwriter.
Riley stared at the screen for a long moment before forcing herself to close the app. While Nathaniel was away, she opened her nightstand drawer and took a handful of sleeping pills.
Since becoming disabled six months ago, her life had been destroyed. Depression had taken over, leaving her with endless sleepless nights and crushing despair. Her only lifeline was Nathaniel.
When Nathaniel returned around dusk, he was carrying a bag of steaming hot roasted chestnuts.
Riley’s face drained of color.
“Why… why did you suddenly think to buy these?” she asked shakily.
Nathaniel, seeming not to notice her distress, peeled one and gently offered it to her. “I saw them and thought of you. Remember how much you loved these in high school?”
The memory came flooding back. During their junior year when they both lived in dorms, she would always crave these treats. Nathaniel would sneak out past curfew to buy them for her.
After she’d finish eating, he would kiss her, teasing: “I deserve some interest for all my hard work, don’t I?”
Riley would blush crimson, nervously clutching her uniform as he kissed her. Their kisses always tasted sweet, like chestnuts.
Pulling herself from the memory, Riley accepted the chestnut, then finally asked the question weighing on her mind: “How’s Victoria doing? Are you ever going to let her go?”
Nathaniel’s expression remained neutral. “Her crime was unforgivable. She won’t be getting off easily. I’ll make sure she suffers for what she did to you.”
Before Riley could press further, Nathaniel changed the subject, pulling her into an embrace.
“Our wedding is coming up soon. Want to try on wedding dresses tomorrow?”
They had originally planned to marry six months ago, before the accident forced them to postpone.
Lish I con
2.6%
Chapter 2
Riley glanced down at her legs, sadness washing over her face. “Nathaniel, I’m not the same person I was before.”
Nathaniel frowned, holding her tighter. “Don’t say that.”
“It’s true,” she looked up at him. “If you don’t love me anymore, please just tell me. I won’t blame you.”
Just don’t lie to me, she thought.
But Nathaniel’s devotion seemed unchanged. “Riley, I don’t want anyone but you. If you ever leave me, I might as well die.”
His determination was so intense, it seemed like he might throw himself off a building if she rejected him.
Riley studied his face for a long moment before finally letting her tears fall, resting her head on his shoulder.
The next day, they went to try on wedding dresses as planned.
Riley sat in her wheelchair, which Nathaniel personally pushed into the bridal shop. Perhaps traumatized by her recent fall, he had arranged for the entire store to be cleared of other customers. He was surrounded by his staff, keeping a constant eye on her as though terrified another accident might occur.
His protective behavior, like he wanted to tie her to him permanently, made even the boutique owner envious.
The store had hundreds of dresses for her to choose from, and Nathaniel patiently waited through the entire process without a hint of impatience.
“Miss Morgan, you’re so fortunate,” the shop owner commented. “It’s rare to see a man so patient during wedding dress fittings.”
Riley smiled softly and selected her favorite design.
When Nathaniel tried to follow her into the changing room, she stopped him. “I can manage on my own.”
Despite his concern, he respected her wishes.
Inside the changing room, Riley carefully stood up from her wheelchair. After six months of rehabilitation, she could actually walk on her own, albeit slowly. But she couldn’t bear the way people looked at her when she walked, so she continued using the wheelchair.
She changed slowly, but didn’t return to her wheelchair afterward. She wanted him to see her in her wedding dress, standing like anyone else would.
Riley emerged from the changing room with careful, difficult steps. As she opened the door, everyone’s eyes turned toward her.
♡ (0)
0(0)
3.8%
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
