Chapter 16
Sophia stared at the blue velvet jewelry box on the coffee table, her face twisted with rage.]
Inside lay a diamond necklace sparkling coldly under the lights.
This was Jaxon’s birthday gift to her.[]
“That’s IT?” She looked up in disbelief, screaming, “Last year you threw me a yacht party with a huge fireworks show, and this year it’s just a necklace?!“]
Jaxon lounged on the couch, responding carelessly: “I’ve been swamped with school lately. Didn’t have time to plan all that stuff.”
“Swamped?” Sophia laughed bitterly, “Swamped thinking about Riley, you mean?“]
Jaxon’s face instantly darkened.
For the past two weeks, Sophia had been throwing bigger and bigger tantrums, and every fight somehow dragged Riley into it.]
He stood up, clearly annoyed: “Gift’s delivered. I’ve got stuff to do.“]
“DON’T YOU DARE LEAVE!” Sophia grabbed the jewelry box and hurled it at the wall. The diamond necklace crashed to the floor. “Are you having second thoughts? Regretting dumping that bookworm?”
Jaxon stopped in his tracks.]
“Let me tell you something–she’s doing just FINE with that Harvard nerd now!” Sophia whipped out her phone, showing him photos that were trending on Harvard’s forum, “Look at them all lovey–dovey! She’s completely forgotten about you!“]
“ENOUGH!” Jaxon snatched the phone and smashed it to the ground, the screen shattering instantly, “Sophia, we’re DONE.“|]] He turned and walked out, leaving behind Sophia’s hysterical screaming and the sound of breaking china.]]
At the bar, Derek poured Jaxon a drink: “Finally dumped her?“[]
Jaxon downed it in one gulp without answering.]
“About time. I’m exhausted just watching you deal with her drama,” Derek shook his head, “Sophia used to be pretty sweet, but damn… what happened to her?”
He sighed and continued: “Remember Riley’s birthday last year? You just gave her a box of chocolates, and she was over the moon–posted about it three times on Instagram.”
Jaxon froze, his heart going cold.[]
Of course he remembered…]]
Riley had worn that silly birthday hat, clutching those cheap chocolates and grinning from ear to ear, even sneakily feeding him the first piece.]
Bed Warner? Harvard Goddess! His Pleasure My Payback!
Chapter 16
“She never asked for gifts,” Derek said thoughtfully, “Remember that time you tried to give her a necklace? She refused to take it no matter what. You had to basically force it on her.“[]
The glass in Jaxon’s hand made an ominous cracking sound.[]
He suddenly realized–Riley had never demanded anything from him, but the more he gave Sophia, the greedier she became.]
“Why do you think…” Jaxon’s voice was hoarse, “she didn’t want it?“[]
Derek shrugged: “Probably thought she wasn’t worth it. Girls like her always think they’re not good enough.“[]
Those words hit Jaxon like a dull blade straight to the heart.[]
He thought about Riley’s constant careful behavior, her resigned expression when bullied, her silent preparation of late–night snacks even after he’d ignored her…]
Jaxon didn’t say another word. He just silently covered his face and let out a deep sigh.[]
Meanwhile, Riley was in the library cramming when she opened her phone to see over a dozen missed calls from her dad.]]
Her hands trembled slightly as she called back.
Her father’s voice was choked with tears: “Your mom’s condition flared up again… it’s pretty bad this time…“[]
“You okay?”
A tissue appeared in front of her.
Riley looked up to see Ethan’s concerned gaze.
A
Only then did she realize tears were streaming down her face.]
“My mom’s in the hospital,” she said through her sobs, “I need to go back.“[]
Ethan didn’t ask any questions, just nodded gently: “I’ll come with you.”
