Chapter 18: Who Saved Me?
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“Ri, is this hospital safe?” Renee asked while Riley was sketching another jewelry design.
Riley raised a brow and asked, “Of course, Mom. Why did you ask?”
Renee frowned and said, “I – I.” She leaned back in her hospital bed and resumed, “Don’t want another heart attack.”
Riley’s mother spoke better now, but her voice was still weak. Hearing her mother’s concern, she sat on the bed next to Renee and reassured, “We are in a new hospital, Mom. It’s a safe and secure environment. No one from Brian’s mistress will disturb us. And you have Miranda and Loraine, who are always here for you.”
Miranda and Loraine were Renee’s caregivers. They took turns tending to Renee, especially when Riley was not around.
“No one can enter?” Renee asked.
“Yes, mom. Adr – I mean, I had given them specific instructions not to let anyone else enter your room,” Riley revealed. “Rest assured, the hospital has stringent security measures in place. Only the necessary medical staff are allowed to see you.”
Renee nodded and sighed. She said, “Good.”
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. A lady walked in, saying, “Good afternoon, Miss Allen. Let’s have some simple physical therapy today.”
Miranda, the caregiver, walked in with the therapist, and that was Riley’s cue to leave. She kissed her mother’s forehead and said, “Mom, I’m leaving early today because I need to collect my things from the office, but I’ll be here early tomorrow.”
“I love you, Riley,” Renee said.
Riley’s heart warmed at her mother’s words. She replied, “I love you too, Mom.”
Riley arrived at Brey Jewelry & Apparel Co. at four in the afternoon. She went straight to her office and packed up her things. As she did, she could not help but be woeful. This had been her life for the past four years, but she had to give it up.
“Fuck you, Brian,” Riley muttered as she stuffed the last of her belongings in a box.
The employees watched her from the glass windows of her office the entire time. Now and then, she noticed them whispering to each other. Riley could only imagine what was going on in their minds. ‘Poor Mrs. Martin had now been replaced by a younger woman.’
Riley had two boxes to carry, so she decided to have Max, the driver, help her take her things. Before she could make the call, Brian’s assistant knocked on the open door. The assistant said, “Mister Martin would like to speak with you.”
“I don’t have anything to -” Riley paused. Did she really have nothing to ask or say to Brian? Actually, she did. So, she agreed. “Okay, I’ll go.”
She followed the assistant to Brian’s office, and after she was alone in front of the man who had crushed her heart into a million pieces, she asked, “What is it?”
Brian was clearly waiting for her. He wasn’t busy with anything and already had his arms crossed against his chest. Brian’s blue eyes, which Riley used to think were gorgeous, now look boring in her view.
“I have another contract for you to sign,” Brian disclosed before pushing a folder toward Riley. “Read it.”
Riley frowned and grabbed the document. Brian was going to give her their marital home provided that she would not file any legal actions against him and Claire, more specifically, adultery.
“Claire’s mother told me.” Brian got up and said, “Apparently, you are cooking something up. You want to contest the divorce? You want more money? You want to sue me and Claire? Won’t you ever let this go, Riley?”
“You can have the house and consider it as an added settlement,” Brian proposed. Each of his words was strongly emphasized.
“I said that to your lover’s mother
because she blasted me in front of
my mother! I asked her nicely to leave, but Claire’s mother was stubborn Riley retorted. She explained everything that happened that day, “My mother ended up having a heart attack! I had to move my mother immediately to another hospital so that she could be safe from the likes of you and Claire’s family!” Content belongs to NovelDrama.Org
“What?” Brian was stunned, but he quickly recovered and blamed Riley. “Mara would not have been mad if you did not push Claire -“
“I did not push your goddamn
woman! I don’t know how many
times I have to tell you that! Do you not know me at all, Brian? Weren’t we together for four years? You should know what kind of person I am?” Riley shot back. “How could you simply believe a woman you just met for a few months over me,
Brian?” Content belongs to
NovelDrama.Org
“I don’t know, Riley. People change because of jealousy,” Brian pointed out. “And you are very jealous of Claire.”
“Jealous?” Riley could not believe her ears. She was appalled by Brian’s suggestion!
“You know what? I’m done trying to
net
prove my innocence to you. I don’t ever want to see you again, so -” Riley signed the documents and crushed the part where she could have the house. She counter-signed it and said, “And I don’t fucking want that house! The thought of me staying in a house that we lived in makes me sick!” Content belongs to NovelDrama.Org
Riley marched back to the door. She was about to leave, but she suddenly remembered something. She turned to Brian and asked, “There is something that I want to know.”
“What is it?” Brian questioned.
“Seven years ago, remember I told you that I fell into the water at the beach? You said you were the one who saved me, but was it really you?” Riley finally raised.
Brian’s mouth rounded. His brows met, and suddenly, beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He replied, “That was a long time ago, Riley. Why does it matter -“
“It matters to me!” Riley angrily said. “Were you the one who saved me? Yes or no?”
When Brian did not answer, Riley raised her voice and asked again, “Did you save me seven years ago on that beach, Brian? Yes or no?”
“Look, when you caught me putting a box of chocolates on your desk, you immediately assumed it was me,” Brian declared. “I never really owned up to saving you. I just never corrected you -“
“What?!” Riley snapped. “How could you, Brian?”
“What does it matter anyway, Riley? That was a long time ago!” Brian said.
“It matters to me, Brian!” Riley repeated loudly. She took a full turn before asking in irritation, “Why did you even put another box of chocolate in my desk if -“
Brian’s mouth fell open. He clenched his jaws before finally admitting, “Adrian, he – he asked me to-“
Then, Brian’s phone rang. He answered the call and said, “Claire, I’ll be there.”
After ending the call with his lover, he said to Riley, “I need to go.”
***
For the past three days, Riley had fallen asleep before Adrian arrived home, but not today. No. She would not let that evening pass without asking
him.
The second Adrian entered the villa, Riley walked towards him and asked, “Adrian, seven years ago, I fell into the water by the beach’s jetty. Were you the one who saved me?”
