Chapter 4: Walk to Her
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Over the next few days, Jake’s pursuit of the new campus sweetheart spread like wildfire. Everyone knew the dance girl was seeing the Perry heir. Jake was showering her with designer bags, money, gifts and lavish dinners – he did everything he could. Everyone was envious of Ava and at the same time, subtly teasing Riley.
Riley ignored them, carrying on as usual. But the news eventually reached her mother.
Riley was on a street when her mother called.
“Hello, Mom…”
Before she could finish, a torrent of accusations erupted.
“What’s going on with you and Jake? Let me tell you, if our partnership with the Perrys falls apart, I’ll
ll make you pay.”
We broke up.”
Riley took
a deep breath.“Mom, Jake’s dating someone else. We
“Haven’t you said that before? Go and patch things up with him.”
Riley’s grip on the phone tightened, a bitter lump forming in her throat. She sighed, whispering, “Mom, it’s different this time. We’re really over.”
“Loser, you can’t even hold onto one man. I don’t care what you do, get him back…”
Riley’s heart ached. She interrupted,“Mom, I’m planning to go to Washington…”
Before she finished, her mother shouted sharply.“To get rid of us? Stop dreaming! You can’t go anywhere. You’ll never escape this family. You owe…”
Riley hung up. She knew what her mother would say. Since what she did had left her father a vegetable, she owed the family a lifetime of servitude.
“Riley, what’s going on with you and Jake? He and Ava have been showing off their love all over campus,” her roommate and friend, Chloe Parker, asked while applying eyeliner. Riley put away her phone.“We broke up.”
Chloe scoffed.“So, when will you come back to him?”
Riley was taken aback. Chloe knew everything about her tumultuous relationship with Jake. An first, Chloe had tried to convince her to leave him, but eventually she gave up.
“It’s serious. I really don’t want to be with him anymore.”
Chloe shrugged, grabbing her bag and shoes.“Okay, I have several interviews today. I’m out of here.”
On Saturday, Riley’s mother called again, ordering her to attend a party held by the Perrys that afternoon. Riley knew it was her mother’s last attempt to get her to reconcile with Jake. Riley arrived at the Perry mansion and saw Ava there. This was serious – Ava was meeting his family.
Riley planned to greet Jake’s parents and leave, but Jake, with Ava on his arm, blocked her path. “Didn’t you say you were leaving New York? What are you doing here?” He looked at her with disgust.
Before Riley could speak, Ava warmly grabbed her hand.“Riley, you don’t mind me dating Jake, do
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Chapter 4 Walk to Her
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you?”
Ignoring Ava’s saccharine tone, Riley looked at Jake. She smiled. Congratulations” Jake’s face darkened. Why wasn’t this going as planned? Why wasn’t Riley showing any distress? Shouldn’t she be begging him to dump Ava? Why was she so calm?
He grew agitated.“She has no right to mind anything. She’s not even my ex. Just seeing her makes
me sick.”
He tried to pull Ava away,
Ava said sweetly, “Honey, can you give me a minute with her?”
Jake impatiently left. The moment he was gone, Ava’s smile vanished.“See? Jake sent this to me.”
Riley’s eyes fell on the sparkling diamond necklace on Ava’s wrist. After a moment, she smiled.“It’s beautiful.”
“Yeah, I love it. It’s custom–made. I hear you were with him for years, and he never bought you anything. Is that so?”
Riley remained silent. Ava was right. For the past three years, Jake had never spent a díme on her. She was glad that she didn’t owe him anything.
Ava, thinking Riley was upset, smirked.“As you can see, Jake loves me. Stay away from him.” Riley looked at her and nodded gently.
Ava leaned closer. “I’m kind of insecure, could you do me a favor?”
Riley watched the girl calmly.“What?”
Ava gestured towards the pool behind Riley.“What if Jake saw you push me in? He knows I can’t swim…”
Before Ava finished, Riley kicked her into the pool, making a splash. Ava screamed like crazy. “Help! I… I can’t swim!”
Riley stood calmly by the pool, looking down at the struggling girl.“Better this way than be framed. You’re welcome.” Someone had once told her not to allow herself to suffer injustice. People rushed over. Riley saw Jake dive into the pool. He pulled Ava out, draped his jacket over her, and glared at Riley. His face was dark.
“Riley, why are you so vicious? Ava can’t swim!”
Riley looked at him impassively. “She asked me to push her so we could break up completely.as just helping her.”
Jake was stunned. Ava, in his arms, started sobbing.“No, I didn’t!”
Jake glared at Riley.“Apologize, to my girlfriend.”
The atmosphere was tense. Ava, looking pitiful, whispered, “Jake, it’s okay. She didn’t mean to
hurt me.”
Jake scoffed.“Ava, you’re too kind.”
He looked back at Riley.“Apologize now. Or don’t blame me for what happens next.”
His
Jis gaze was glacial. Riley met his gaze unflinchingly.“I said she asked me to push her. Why should I apologize?”
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Chapter 4 Walk to Mer
He roared, “I said apologize! Are deaf?!*
you
A man’s amused voice cut through the crowd.
“Whoa, what’s the occasion? Why is everybody here?
Riley gasped, her pupils dilating. That voice…
She turned mechanically and saw a man walking toward her against the light. The light was too strong, obscuring his features. She heard people whispering
“Isn’t he the ninth son of Mr.Fowler? He’s back?”
“Probably to take over his father’s company.”
“Yeah. I heard Mr. Fowler wanted his youngest son to carry on the family business.” Riley… the As the murmurs
grew louder,
walked steadily towards man
