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, or…?]
Red Warner? Natward Coulless Mis Measure. My Farback!
064
Chapter 2
The old Riley had always been completely dependent on him, would pout 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 voice 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.[]
14
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.
♡ (1)
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Half an hour later, the car pulled up at the escape room place.[]
As soon as Riley got out, she saw Sophia and her friends already waiting at the entrance.]]
“Well, well, if it isn’t our little scholar,” said a girl with a ponytail, dramatically covering her mouth, “Taking a break from studying today?”
“She’s Jaxon’s girlfriend now,” another girl said with fake sweetness, “Of course she can’t be a bookworm anymore. What if Jaxon dumps her?“]
Riley gripped her backpack straps tighter and walked past them without a word.[]
Ever since she’d started dating Jaxon, she’d heard this kind of mockery constantly. Everyone thought only someone like Sophia Rain–the popular queen bee–deserved Jaxon. What right did some nerdy girl with thick glasses have?]
The staff gave everyone blindfolds and led them into the escape room.
The moment darkness fell, Riley’s heart started racing and her fingers unconsciously clenched her clothes.]
“Remove your blindfolds,” came the instruction through the intercom.]
Riley took off her blindfold to complete darkness.]
“Ahh!” Sophia suddenly screamed and threw herself into Jaxon’s arms: “It’s so dark! I’m scared!“]]
Jaxon chuckled and held her tight: “Don’t worry, I’m here.“[]
Riley stood there alone, feeling like an invisible hand was squeezing her heart.[]
She was scared too, but she knew that even if she was afraid, no one would protect her.[]
In the darkness, a disheveled actor suddenly lunged from the shadows. Before Riley could react, someone behind her gave her a hard shove.]
She stumbled and fell to the ground, her knee hitting the hard floor with a sharp pain that made her gasp.]
“Riley? You okay?” Jaxon’s voice came from far away.[]
Just as Riley was about to answer, Sophia’s friends immediately interrupted:[]
“She’s fine!”
“Yeah, don’t worry about her, let’s keep going!“]
“Sophia’s really scared, we should get out of here!“]
Footsteps gradually faded away, and Riley realized everyone had left her behind.[]
Mad Wariwa? Harvard Goddess! Mrs Fraser My Payback!
