Chapter 9
We returned from our trip two months later.
During those two months, Dex and I had visited nearly every corner of the world we’d dreamed of seeing.
Dex was an excellent travel companion–thoughtful and considerate, always arranging everything before I even noticed what was needed.
I had almost completely forgotten all the domestic drama, including Kieran, including Mara, including that farcical wedding.
It wasn’t until the plane smoothly landed in the familiar city that I realized we were back.
I was holding onto Dex’s arm, laughing as we discussed which restaurant to go to for dinner.
In the distance, a figure suddenly crashed into my line of sight.
Kieran.
He saw me too, paused in his steps, then rushed toward me like a madman.
“Riley!” Kieran’s voice was terribly hoarse, carrying a kind of desperate madness.
He grabbed my shoulders, with such force it felt like he might crush my bones.
“Riley, I was wrong, I was so wrong!” His eyes were bloodshot, his emotions agitated, his voice trembling.
“Only after leaving you did I realize how much I love you! I can’t live without you!”
“Kieran, let go!” Dex’s voice turned cold as he reached to pry off Kieran’s fingers.
But Kieran acted as if he hadn’t heard, still gripping me tightly.
“Everything before was staged by Mara! She deceived me, she deceived everyone!”
“She arranged the shooting, she planned the disappearance! She’s nothing but a liar!”
“I was really wrong, Riley. Let’s get back together, okay? Come back to me, please!”
Dex shoved Kieran away: “Stay away from my fiancée!”
Kieran seemed stung by Dex’s words. He jerked his head up, his bloodshot eyes glaring at Dex.
“This is between Riley and me–it has nothing to do with you!” he roared, his voice distorting with emotion.
“What are you? What gives you the right to interfere?”
“Dex, Riley loves me! She’s just temporarily deceived by you!”
He turned to me, his tone becoming pleading: “Riley, tell him–you still have feelings for me, don’t you?”
“You’re just angry with me, angry that I didn’t believe you, angry that I chose Mara, right?”
“I understand everything now–it was all Mara’s fault! I’ll make it up to you, I’ll do anything to make amends!”
“Kieran.” I finally spoke, my voice as calm as still water.
“You’re wrong.”
21.20
From Mafia Mistress to Billionaire’s Wife–Same Day, Different Groom
19.1%
Chapter 9
“Your mistake is that even now, you’re still blaming everything on others.”
“Mara was certainly wrong, but the person who chose to believe her and give up on me was you.”
“Your so–called love is too selfish and too cheap.”
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no sound came out.
“Riley…” He struggled to say my name, his voice impossibly hoarse.
I shook my head gently, a faint, almost cruel smile playing at my lips.
“Kieran,” I paused, speaking each word slowly and clearly.
“I stopped loving you long ago.”
Kieran seemed to have all the strength drained from his body, slumping against the pillar behind him.
The light in his eyes was completely extinguished, leaving only endless despair and emptiness.
“No… impossible…” he murmured, as if unable to accept this cruel truth.
“Riley, give me one more chance, okay? Just one…” His voice carried a sob, humble to the point of dust.
Dex squeezed my hand tighter and stepped forward, completely shielding me behind him.
“Kieran, I think Riley’s meaning is quite clear.”
I squeezed his hand back and looked at Kieran: “Absolutely impossible, Kieran. You were reborn too, weren’t you? If you remember what happened in our past life, you know I could never forgive you.”
Kieran’s tall frame swayed, falling into complete despair.
He looked at me deeply, as if trying to etch me into his heart, then turned and left.
After he was gone, I looked at Dex and smiled softly. Kieran’s appearance hadn’t affected us at all.
I said: “Let’s go to that restaurant you mentioned earlier!”
Dex stroked my hand with a gentle smile: “Alright.”
