Chapter 8
Sophia’s eyes immediately filled with tears: “Jaxon… I dont know why Riley suddenly pushed
Riley’s pupils dilated as she struggled through the pain to explain: “I didn’t push her! She fell on her own and dragged me downr“]
“ENOUGH!” Jaxon cut her off coldly, his eyes dark as he glared at Riley, “You’re not just bullying Sophia now, you’re gonna lie about it 100? Riley, when did you become such a bitch?“||
Riley opened her mouth but found her throat completely blocked–she couldn’t get a single word out.]]
Jaxon had already scooped Sophia into his arms and was walking away without looking back, only throwing out: “Nobody help her. Let her learn her lesson“]
With Jaxon’s orders, nobody dared come near her.
Riley could only grit her teeth and drag her injured leg as she painfully made her way out.[]
The night wind stung her wounds, making her shiver uncontrollably.
She flagged down a cab and went straight to the nearest hospital.
“Where’s the doctor?” she asked, leaning against the wall, cold sweat pouring down from the pain.]
The nurse looked at her apologetically: “Sorry, the hospital isn’t taking patients today. All our doctors were called in by Mr. Steele for Ms. Rain’s consultation…”
Riley stood in the empty ER, barely able to stay upright from the pain
She laughed bitterly, but as she laughed, tears started flowing uncontrollably.
After what felt like forever, she turned and left the hospital. She dragged her lojured leg for two blocks before finding a pharmacy that was still open.
“Hi, I need some antiseptic and bandages.”
Back at the apartment, Riley curled up on the couch, biting a towel as she cleaned her wounds.
The moment the alcohol touched her cuts, the searing pain made her vision go black and tears stream down her face.
Just like her feelings for Jaxon.
Letting go was agony–heart–wrenching, soul–crushing agony
But once the wounds healed, there would definitely be brighter days ahead.
Three days later, when the scabs had formed on her knee, Riley went to the mall. She had to buy some heavy winter stuff before going to Harvard
She’d just walked into a store when she heard familiar laughter.||
“Jaxon, does this look good?” Sophin was holding up a beige dress, spinning in front of the mirror.
Jaxon leaned against a clothing rack with a lazy smile: “Looks great.”
He looked up and caught Riley’s eyes, almost reflexively moving to shield Sophia: “What’re you doing here?“]
“Shopping for clothes.” Riley answered calmly, casually picking up a long down coat.
Sophia glanced at Riley’s shopping bags and pretended to be surprised: “Wait, doesn’t our school have perfect weather all year? What’s with all the winter gear?”
Riley didn’t respond. She didn’t want to tell them she hadn’t even applied to that college.
At the register, Jaxon reached for her receipt: “I’ll pay.“]
Riley stepped aside to avoid him: “No thanks.“[]
“What’re you trying to prove?” Jaxon’s face darkened, “Like I can’t afford this?“]
Riley swiped her card directly: “No need, I won’t be spending your money anymore.”
Jaxon frowned deeper, about to say something when Sophia suddenly interrupted: “Jaxon, we need to hurry! Our flight’s gonna take off‘]
He took a long look at Riley before finally saying: “Don’t pull this again.“]
Riley’s mouth curved slightly, but she didn’t respond
Outside the mall, Jaxon got in the car with Sophia. Only then did he seem to remember something and casually told Riley: “I’ve been helping Sophia pack the last few days–forgot to tell you, she wants to check out the campus early, so we grabbed a flight today. You can just come for regular orientation. I’ll send Marcus to get you.“]
“Okay,” Riley said flatly
Jaxon got in the car and said offhandedly: “See you at orientation.“]
Riley watched the taillights disappear and whispered: “See you never.“]
-J
On orientation day, Riley finished packing her last suitcase.
The apartment was completely cleared of anything that belonged to her–not even a strand of hair left behind.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Jaxon: [Riley, it’s orientation day. I sent Marcus to pick you up for the airport.]]]
The doorbell rang right on schedule.[]
“Ms. Thompson, the car’s ready.” Marcus stood outside respectfully.]
Riley handed him an envelope: “Please give this to jaxon”
Marcus looked confused: “What does this mean? You’re not going to school?”
“I never planned on going to that school.”
The envelope contained just one line:]
[Jaxon, we’re breaking up. I know you used me as practice, but I used you as a vibrator too. Pretty good experience. Let’s never see each other again.]]]
With that, she got in a cab without looking back.]
In the car. Riley pulled out her phone.]
Photos of his cocky smile, voice messages with his lazy drawl, that special contact she’d kept pinned at the top.. she deleted everything.
Finally, she broke her old SIM card in half and threw it out the window without hesitation.]
The cab headed toward the airport, morning sunlight streaming through the windows, warm and bright.]
New city, new school, new life]
Everything would be a fresh start.
