08
A flash of anger crossed his eyes as he turned to Arnold. “Take care of your own dog and make sure it doesn’t
bite anyone.”
Both Arnold and Kayla’s faces darkened.
Christian noticed my foot and hurriedly helped me sit down, completely ignoring the others around us as he gently checked to see if I had any burns.
“Is that why you’re protecting Riley so much? You’ve been together all along, haven’t you?” Kayla gasped.
Christian’s expression darkened even further, his anger reaching its peak.
“Get out.”
Kayla had never been humiliated like this before. She was furious.
“Fine, Christian. You really think no one will find out about your affair? Wait until your fiancée hears about this. Let’s see how cocky you’ll be then.”
Christian froze for a moment, his hand still holding the medicine as he applied it to my foot.
I couldn’t take it anymore. Without even putting my shoes back on, I stood up and slapped her across the face.
She stared at me in disbelief.
“Kayla, I couldn’t be bothered to deal with you, but you just had to run your mouth about my fiance.”
3:53 AM 6
Hooked at them mockingly and as they stood there stunned, I spoke slowly.
“Listen closely, I am Riley Pena. I am a part of the very Pena Family who owned the Pena Enterprises!” Soon after I was done, the security guards arrived and threw the still–dazed pair out of the building. Christian picked up his phone and sent a message to his assistant.
[From now on, ban those two from entering the company. End all business dealings with Arnold’s company.] twas exhausted, slumping back on the sofa.
Christian subtly leaned toward me, signaling that I could rest my head on his shoulder. “Did I scare you just now?” He gently patted my head
I shook my head. “No, you look so cool!”
His ears turned red, a stark contrast to his usual composed self in front of others. “Riley, you can always rely on me. No one will ever bully you.”
Since that day, Christian had further strengthened the company’s security, fearing I might run into Arnold and Kayla again.
Thad two peaceful days, but Arnold, like a persistent parasite, kept calling me.
“Riley, please don’t hang up, let me say a few words. I’m begging you.”
“I miss you so much, I’m missing you more every day.”
“You were never a substitute You’ve always been the only one in my heart. I just woke up too late. Please, give me another chance. Riley, I’m so miserable without you.”
On the other end of the line, Arnold was crying uncontrollably.
After all the times he hurt me, I had long since let go of any lingering feelings of love for Arnold.
If this had happened before that, I might have been moved by Arnold’s appearance. I felt no such thing by now. Once you’ve met someone better, who in the right mind would want to go back with those who’ve treated me worse?
“Arnold,” I said, “we’ve never been from the same world. I was willing to give up everything for you, even my dignity, when I loved you. But now, I don’t love you anymore. In my eyes, you’re just an ordinary person, a stranger.” “You forgave me when there were so many other women around me. Can we really never try again?” Arnold pleaded desperately
He had once taken advantage of my love for him and acted as he pleased. Now, I could care less about what he said.
“I’m getting married tomorrow. Stop pestering me,” I said, then hung up the phone.
I didn’t want him to affect my mood any longer, so I decided to buy a new SIM card.
With the wedding day approaching, Christian had already arranged things at the company and over the past couple of days, he’d been visiting me at home.
So we left together.