Chapter 212

It was the hottest August of the year.

479

55 vouchers

Rebecca wished she could go back in time and ask him, ‘Wasn’t the rooftop burning up in August? Why didn’t you wait for us?‘

‘Even just five more minutes would’ve been enough, she thought.

“After that happened, Jeffrey stopped smiling so much, and he wasn’t nearly as arrogant anymore,” Riley said, a wave of nostalgia washing over her as she remembered those happy days with the four of them. “He used to be so into himself, always getting into it with Stanley over who looked better.”

Rebecca felt her chest tighten even more.

They were just sixteen or seventeen, right in the middle of their teenage years.

For most people, that’s the time they remember most vividly in their whole lives.

Going through something like that at that age, it was the kind of thing you could never really forget or get

over.

“Back then, Stanley and I were both afraid he’d be messed up for good after what happened,” Riley said. “He barely spoke or smiled anymore, and the way he handled things got colder and more ruthless every time.

Things didn’t start to change until we saw him with you.

He finally started to warm up again, and that’s when we felt safe to go and focus on our own lives.”

Rebecca remembered her first real encounter with Jeffrey was at a big banquet.

Her parents were off handling business, and she’d tucked herself away in a quiet corner–only to have a well- connected guy start pestering her. Jeffrey stepped in and got her out of trouble.

Back then, just like Riley had said, he hardly ever cracked a smile and gave off this icy, distant vibe. Rebecca always figured he’d be hard to deal with–not someone you wanted to cross–so she instinctively steered clear of him.

From then on,

they kept running into each other–always crossing paths again and again.

And later, when they finally got married, Jeffrey told her he’d made sure those “coincidences” happened on

purpose.

“Rebecca,” Riley called, pulling her back from her wandering thoughts.

Rebecca blinked, coming back to herself.

Riley’s eyes softened with warmth. “Thank you for dragging that guy back–he’s as stubborn as an ox. We

10:46 Fri, Oct 3

Chapter 212

875

65 vouchers

done it

didn’t really bring him back,” Rebecca muttered, her mind flashing to that time with the knife. The more she thought about it, the more it felt like he was even more messed up

not too bad,” Riley replied,

stared at

to

care?‘ Rebecca

it. It never really felt

her, a lot of the things he did just seemed…

up on Rebecca’s shift in mood but

hesitated. “What

off, and he goes straight for self–harm…

couldn’t help but start guessing what

thoughts are just going in circles,‘ Rebecca

him and help him finally let go

all over you, don’t cave to his threats or demands,” Riley said, her tone firm. “Let him taste

for

I thought she’d ask,‘ Rebecca thought, feeling kind of

her. “Well? What do you

a wave of shame

been so kind, and yet I doubted her for

Riley blinked, confused. “Huh?”

she refusing?‘ Riley wondered,

feeling a

10:46 Fri, Oct 3

Chapter 212

2200

replied, totally unfazed. She knew what she’d just said could easily be taken that way. “If he was just a kid, maybe I’d want

seeing Riley in

until now, Riley had only ever been Jeffrey’s friend to her. But right then, Rebecca found herself genuinely wanting

just such a good person, Rebecca thought, the

I said,” Riley

silent for a moment before finally saying,

was lunchtime. Amelia texted that she wouldn’t

finished eating, Rebecca’s phone buzzed with a message from

filled Riley in on

do is make himself suffer, but never all the way,” Riley said, sounding completely unbothered. “His goal is just to get you back. Even when he acts crazy, he never pushes himself all the

he always this intense?”

his cool on other people,” Riley recalled, her voice steady. “Especially

complicated relationship, but stopped herself –she knew the more details

now, she needed to stay strong

over at

looking pretty pale in his hospital gown. Still, the first thing

said, gripping his phone a little

just scoffed quietly, keeping his mouth

in the room was thick

a sharp look–even laid up

10:46 Fri, Oct 3

Chapter 212

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255