Chapter 19
He watched as the man placed his hand at the small of Allison’s back, guiding her gently across the snowy pavement. They moved in sync, laughing, smiling-like a couple who had known each other for years.
Rage built in River’s chest.
That kiss… Was this him? The man she had been cheating on him with all along? Was this the reason she left so easily, so coldly?
He told himself to calm down. To think logically. But logic was a fading echo in the storm of emotions flooding him.
No. He wouldn’t jump to conclusions.
He clenched his jaw and began to follow them.
If Allison was truly with someone else, he needed to know when. How. If she had betrayed him while they were still married, he had every right to confront her.
They walked for a while, the man occasionally brushing hair from Allison’s face, making her augh in that soft, quiet way River remembered all too well. That laugh used to be his. Eventually, they entered a cozy-looking café tucked at the corner of a cobbled street. Rivel waited across the street, pacing back and forth until finally, his patience shattered.
Through the window, he saw them leaning close, heads touching. The man reached over to wipe cream from her lip, then pressed another kiss to her mouth. It was tender.
ntimate.
And River snapped.
The door to the café slammed open as he stormed in, the little bell above it jingling violently
‘rom the force.
Allison barely had time to look up before River was there, grabbing her arm and yanking her out
of her seat.
‘What the hell is the meaning of this, Allison?” he growled, fury radiating from every part of him. His eyes flared as he pointed at the man. “Is he? Is he the one you cheated on me with?”
Allison stared at him, her eyes wide, her body rigid in shock. “River?!”
‘Answer me!” His voice was a thunderclap across the café.
And then, slowly, her shock melted into anger.
“Yes,” she snapped. Although, not real, she decided it would be for the best. “Yes, he is.”
River’s heart dropped.
“What the hell does that have to do with you, anyway?” she said bitterly. “You don’t get to ruin my life twice.”
“What does it have to do with me?” he barked. “I’m your husband!”
“No,” she hissed, yanking her arm free. “We’re divorced. I already filed it and left it at your house.”
“We’re not done!” River shouted. “I never agreed to that divorce. You were sold to me-to pay for your family’s debt. I own you, Allison!”
That did it.
The man, Joseph, stood up, placing himself between River and Allison, jaw clenched. “No. You don’t own her. She’s my girlfriend now. And if you’re so worried about the debt-I’ll pay it all. Every damn cent.”
River’s fists curled at his sides, chest heaving.
“So that’s it?” he asked, turning his gaze to Allison. “You’re just going to waste everything we nad? Throw away our marriage like it meant nothing?”
Allison laughed, a sound laced with bitterness and pain.
You think I wasted it?” Her voice trembled, but not from fear. From fury. “You are the one who destroyed our marriage the moment you chose Candice over me. I heard you, River. I heard everything.”
What are you talking about?” he asked, confused.
She swallowed hard. “That night… I heard you tell her I was just convenient. That I was part of a usiness deal, a debt to be paid. That you were going to dispose of me soon. And Candice? She nade it easy for you, didn’t she? She told me to leave-and I did.”
iver’s eyes widened. “No… Allison-”
You wanted her,” Allison said, her voice rising, her chest heaving now. “You chose her. And ave you exactly what you wanted.”
I didn’t mean it,” River whispered. “I was angry. Confused. I didn’t mean any of it.”
But Allison stepped back. “That’s not my problem anymore.”
‘hen she turned away.
No,” River breathed. “Please…”
he didn’t stop.
Please.”
She froze at the tremble in his voice. Slowly, she turned back.
And there he was.
River-once the feared, cold-blooded man who commanded rooms and armies-was on his
nees.
n the middle of a café. In front of her.
The gasps from surrounding tables echoed in the silence that fell like a shroud. Joseph stepped forward, but Allison raised a hand, stopping him.
River looked up, eyes glassy.
‘I’m sorry,” he said, voice raw. “I know I don’t deserve you. I know I broke everything. But I came here for you. Not because you owe me… but because I love you. And I’m not too proud to beg.”
