Chapter 11: Please Don’t Break Up With Me
did I say you could leave?”
Jake, grim–faced, grabbed Riley’s arm.“Riley, did Riley frowned, shaking him off.“Let go,”
Jake sneered.“What, are you afraid your new boyfriend will see? Riley, you don’t even know who he is and you’re throwing yourself at him. Peter is not an idiot. He’s not gonna give you money,”
his
Riley glanced at him, her expression unchanged.“Is that any of your concern?” “Of course it is! I’m your ex–boyfriend,”
Riley was surprised by his audacity. She almost laughed.
“Ex–boyfriend? When were you ever my boyfriend?”
Jake paused, remembering what he had said before. He felt a twinge of guilt, but it was fleeting.
“Riley, Peter isn’t someone you can mess with. Leave him.”
Riley watched him. It was strange. Before, she’d thought they were alike, but now she found they weren’t. Especially with Liam’s return, the resemblance was gone.
“Jake, we’re over. You said it yourself. You’re tired of me.”
Jake stiffened, his eyes flashing with panic, but he forced a defiant tone.“I was joking. You know I didn’t mean it.”
Before Riley could speak, Anna approached.
“Jake.”
Jake thought for a while and then pulled Anna close.
“Let me introduce you. Anna Flower, my new girlfriend.” His gaze was locked on Riley, searching for a crack in her composure. There was none. Her expression remained unchanged “Jake, you’re disgusting.”
Jake’s breath hitched, a sudden feeling of panic rising. He tried to explain, but Riley turned and left.
Frustrated, Jake released Anna.“That’s all for today. I won’t walk you home. Anna’s face fell.“What about the movie tomorrow?”
“I don’t know. I’m leaving.” He walked towards his car, ignoring her.
In his car, Jake replayed Riley’s words. Disgusting? How could she say that? Did she really not care? His chest tightened. He slammed his hand on the steering wheel, the car horn blaring. His phone rang. It was Ava.
He answered. Ava’s voice was choked with tears.“Jake, I know I was wrong. Please don’t break up with me.”
Jake sighed, his voice distant.“Ava, you really messed up.”
“I know. I won’t do it again. Jake, I love you so much. I don’t want to lose you.” Her voice was soft and pleading, like a feather tickling Jake’s heart. Riley had never spoken to him like that. She was always calm and composed.
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Chapter 11 Please Dont Break Up W
The thought of Riley frustrated him.
Will
you be good?”
“Yes, I’ll be very good.” Her voice was still teary,
“Okay, stop crying. We’re not breaking up.”
“I don’t want to cry, but I can’t control myself. Jake, I miss you.”
“I’m bus. I’ll see you at school when I’m free, okay? Be good.”
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Jake patiently coaxed her. What was the point of being mad at her? She was just a spoiled young girl,
Ava, smiling through her tears, said, “Okay, I know. Don’t work too hard, or I’ll worry.” “Okay, I have a meeting. I’ll call you later. Bye.” He hung up and drove towards the office. Second–floor window,
Liam, watching below, spoke to Peter.
“Do
you
know the relationship between Jake and Riley?”
Peter hesitated.“Liam, don’t get mad when I tell you this.” Liam took a sip of his drink.“Tell me.”
think Riley and Jake are dating…”
“I just realized something was off. I think
Before Peter finished, Liam slammed his glass on the table, blood seeping from a cut. Peter yelled, “Whoa! What the hell are you doing?!”
Liam calmly wiped his hand with a napkin.“Continue.”
Peter gulped.“You’re crazy! I’m out of here.”
He wouldn’t continue. He knew Liam’s temper. Any further words, and the glass would be in his face.
At the door, Peter remembered something.“I have plans this weekend, so I won’t be visiting your grandma. See you later.”
After Peter left, Liam called someone.
“I need you to look into someone…” Liam’s gaze fell on Riley, who was waiting at the bus stop across the street. He watched until she boarded the bus.
Riley went to visit her father in the hospital. She saw a group of people wheeling a stretcher out of the ward.
Riley stopped them.“What are you doing? Where are you taking my dad?”
The leading man paused upon seeing her.“Miss Aldrin, we’re transferring Mr. Aldrin to Angel Nursing Home.”
It was Mike Morris, her mother’s assistant.
Riley was incredulous. “My dad’s fine here! Why a nursing home?” The nursing home’s facilities and care were far inferior to the hospital. She’d heard it was a place where people went to die. “This is per Mrs. Jane Aldrin’s instructions. Contact her if
you have
any questions.” Kiley stiffened, realizing her mother’s ruthlessness. This was the woman she’d lived with for two
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decades. Her father, who’d enjoyed a successful life, now lay silently on a stretcher, his fate in others‘ hands.
Seeing the man who’d cared for her for years like this, Riley felt a deep sadness. This was her father, and even if there was no hope, she couldn’t give him up.
She left the hospital and headed straight for her mother’s.
She rang the doorbell, getting no answer. She entered the code – incorrect. She hadn’t been back *since a huge fight with her mother six years ago. The code had been changed. A maid carrying groceries saw her and asked
cautiously, “Miss Aldrin?”
Riley nodded slightly.“Yes, I haven’t been back in a long time. I forgot the code.” The maid opened the door. Riley saw no one inside. The maid said, “Your mom is out with your brother.”
Kiley nodded.“Thank you.” The maid looked at her with pity.
Riley sat on the sofa.“I’ll wait for her.”
The maid went to the kitchen, occasionally glancing at her, sighing softly. Finally, she said, “Miss Aldrin, will you be living here from now on?”
Before Riley could answer, she heard the sound of the door unlocking.
