Chapter 8
It wasn’t until late that night that Nathaniel returned home, having heard that Victoria was out of danger.
When he got back, he saw Riley’s injuries and heard from the housekeeper what had happened–how she’d been thrown to the
floor.
In their bedroom, Nathaniel held her close, apologizing over and over.
“Riley, I’m so sorry. It was such an emergency, I didn’t see you. Hit me if you want, please?”
Riley kept her eyes tightly shut, saying nothing, her hands and feet ice cold.
No matter how Nathaniel tried to comfort her, all she could see was the image of him carrying Victoria away.
After a long while, long enough that Nathaniel thought she had fallen asleep, he gently laid her on the bed.
Just then, the hospital called again, informing him that Victoria’s condition had suddenly deteriorated.
Even with her eyes closed, Riley could feel Nathaniel’s gaze lingering on her.
Maybe he was torn.
But eventually, that gaze moved away.
Riley heard his footsteps leaving, and even after they disappeared, she didn’t open her eyes.
She just
silently let tears flow from her closed eyelids, burning her chest with pain.
Victoria remained unconscious, and Nathaniel continued leaving early and returning late each day.
On Saturday morning, after breakfast, Riley suddenly spoke up: “They’re setting up the wedding venue. Should we go take a
look?”
Nathaniel, distracted, stood up and put on his jacket. “I’ve got something to handle. We’ll go next time.”
With that, he left the house.
Though he never mentioned it, Riley always knew where he went each day.
She remained silent for a while, then followed him out.
Since losing her legs, the hospital was the last place Riley wanted to visit.
It held her most painful and nightmarish memories, but today, she wheeled herself into the hospital alone, then watched as
Nathaniel walked into Victoria’s room.
The girl on the bed hadn’t woken up. Riley stopped quietly outside the room.
in:-3 11. Prind Now We’re Stuck in This Toxic Rebirth Loop
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Chapter 8
She watched as Nathaniel sat beside the bed, holding Victoria’s hand, begging her to wake up,
“Victoria, didn’t you say you loved me? If you wake up, I’ll give you anything you want.”
“I won’t keep you locked up or hurt you anymore. Whatever you want, I can give you.”
“Just wake up, Victoria. Just wake up.”
Outside the door, Riley listened in silence.
Every inch of her skin felt painfully tight as she watched Nathaniel plead with Victoria.
Pleading with the woman who had destroyed her legs.
After a long while, another hoarse sentence came from the room.
“If you wake up… even if you don’t want me to get married… I’ll agree.”
Riley’s entire body went rigid.
Like a thunderclap.
The last wall in her heart completely collapsed.
Riley’s hands dug into her palms, but she couldn’t stop trembling.
Tíme passed. Eventually, Riley turned and left, her face deathly pale.
Every ounce of strength that had been holding her together disappeared. His words had finally pushed her–already teetering on the edge of collapse–deep into an abyss of despair.
Back at the mansion, Riley looked around at the home they shared, filled with countless objects laden with memories.
The curtains they had chosen together, the vase they had picked out, the mural they had painted together.
How did two people who once loved each other so deeply lose their way?
The man who wanted to marry her since she was sixteen now had a greater wish that no longer involved marrying her at all.
She closed her eyes with a tremor, and seconds later, received a call from the wedding venue.
“Miss Morgan, the venue is all set up. When would you and Mr. Blake like to come take a look?”
The staff member asked politely, but received no answer for a long time.
“Miss Morgan?”
Riley held the phone, finally responding with deliberate, resolute words: “We won’t be coming.”
The staff member was taken aback, unsure if she meant they wouldn’t come to see the venue before the wedding, or if they wouldn’t be coming to the wedding at all.
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