Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Adrian insisted on confronting his mother at the Chase estate.
When she saw the check, she exchanged a quick glance with me before laughing lightly. “What’s wrong? Can’t I give Riley some appreciation for taking care of you all these years?”
Adrian’s expression softened slightly, but his eyes still held disappointment when they met mine.
I quickly tucked the check away, mentally planning my trip to the bank.
The tension held until we were back in his Aston Martin.
“You planned this, didn’t you, Riley?” His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Letting me find that check, making me think you’re leaving. Trying to manipulate me into caring.”
I almost laughed at the irony. If I’d wanted to play games, I wouldn’t have worked so hard to explain it away. But I was too tired for arguments, so I borrowed his favorite phrase: “Think what you want. I can’t control that.”
His head snapped toward me, jaw clenched. “What’s that supposed to mean? First you attack Sophia, then you disappear all night, ignore my calls, and now this check business?”
“This behavior won’t make me care more, Riley. It’s just pushing me away. Why can’t you be more like Sophia, she understands how…”
I cut him off, too drained for his accusations. “Fine. I’ll stay at Kate’s until after Monaco. That way you won’t have to see me, won’t have to worry about me ‘affecting your performance.‘ Feel free to have Sophia over.”
Adrian’s face darkened further. I didn’t understand – I was giving him exactly what he claimed to want. Why was he angry now?
I reached for the door handle, but his grip locked around my wrist. “Are you breaking up with me?” His voice was steel, but his eyes betrayed him, rimmed with red.
I was done playing emotional caretaker. “If that’s what you want, fine by me.”
I yanked my hand free and headed inside to pack.
Five days or now–what difference did it make when I left?
The finish line was still the same.
15:42
