Chapter 2
For the next few days. Jaxon didn’t come back.
But Riley could see him in Sophia’s Instagram posts every day-
Pictures of him helping Sophia walk down the hospital hallway, his profile as he sat by her bed peeling an apple, his gentle expression as he listened to her talk…]
Each photo was like a knife cutting into Riley’s heart.
She started packing up her things.[]
The sexy lingerie Jaxon had bought her, the jewelry he’d given her, the lighter he’d casually left on the nightstand… everything went into trash bags.]
The last item was the necklace he’d given her for her birthday.
“Little scholar,” he’d put it on her himself that day, grinning wickedly. “From now on, you only wear what I give you.”
Riley walked out of the apartment with the box and was about to throw it in the dumpster when she crashed into someone
“What are you throwing away? You look so serious about it.“[]
That familiar lazy voice came from above her head
Riley’s whole body tensed. She slowly looked up and met Jaxon’s dark, amused eyes.]
He had one hand in his pocket, the other holding a cigarette, smoke curling around that devastatingly handsome face that still made hearts race. But Riley just felt her throat tighten, like something was blocking it.
“Nothing important. Just some stuff I don’t need anymore,” she said, looking away.[]
Jaxon glanced at the dumpster and frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed.[]
He reached out to ruffle her hair: “Mad at me?”
Riley dodged away.
Jaxon’s hand froze in mid–air, a flash of annoyance crossing his eyes before he suppressed it: “Last time was my fault. Sophia had a sudden stomach attack, and our families have history–I had to go.”
He paused, softening his tone: “I was in such a rush, I forgot to uncuff you.“]]
“How did you get free? Did you hurt yourself?” He tried to grab her wrist, but Riley jerked her hand away: “I’m fine.“]
Jaxon’s frown deepened.
Was it just him, ar…?]
The old Riley had always been completely dependent on him, would pont and complain with tears in her eyes, would act cute and demand he make it up to her. But now… she was actually avoiding him?||
Just as he was about to say something, his phone rang
“Jaxon! Where are you? I’ve been waiting forever!” Sophia’s pouty volce came through the speaker.]
After hanging up, he looked at Riley casually: “Sophia’s sick of being stuck in the hospital, so she’s getting discharged today. She’s dying to hit up that new escape room. More people, more fun–wanna come?”
Riley wanted to refuse, but Jaxon didn’t give her a chance. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her along: “SATs are over, stop studying all the time. You need to relax.“[]
She was forced into the car. Looking up, she saw Sophia sitting in the passenger seat, giving her a fake smile: “Sorry, I get carsick, so you’ll have to sit in the back.“]
Riley said nothing and quietly got in the back seat.]
As the car started up. Jaxon had just gotten his license recently. Sophia kept teasing him the whole drive: “Drive carefully, Mr. Steele. I don’t want to die young with you
Jaxon chuckled: “Don’t worry, I’d die before I’d let anything happen to you.“]
Sophia batted her eyes: “Then I’m putting my life in your hands-“]
With that, she pulled out snacks from the glove compartment. Not only did Jaxon not stop her, he even thoughtfully handed her water.[]
Riley watched this scene, feeling like her heart was being pricked with tiny needles.[]
She remembered the last time she’d eaten crackers in his car, Jaxon had thrown them all away: “Babe, I hate messes in my car.“]
Apparently… when it came to Sophia Rain, all his rules went out the window.
