Chapter 1
One week before my wedding, my little brother Matt was arrested for molesting my best friend.
After the story broke. I was completely buried under a tsunami of online hate.
Matt had always been well-behaved-I firmly believed he would never commit such a crime.
But just as I was gathering evidence to fight this in court, Matt jumped to his death.
I was devastated and ready to follow him, but Adrian Cross appeared just in time to save me.
He made a solemn promise:” Riley, leave Matt’s case to me. As a lawyer, I swear I’ll clear his name!”
I believed his words and handed the entire case over to him.
3ut the day before the trial, he suddenly told me he hadn’t found any evidence in Matt’s favor.
Matt ended up carrying the stigma of being a rapist.
was consumed with grief, drowning my sorrows late into the night.
When I came home drunk, I overheard his conversation with a colleague.
Mr. Cross, couldn’t all that evidence have cleared the deceased’s name? You worked so hard to find it-why did you destroy it?”
This is the only case you’ve lost in eight years as a lawyer. Are you really throwing away your career for Miss Sophie?”
drian let out a cold, mocking laugh.
Between my career and Sophie, of course I choose her. If I can’t protect her, this lawyer title means nothing to me.”
Don’t forget how Matt really died. Mention this case again, and I’ll make sure you shut up permanently!”
ears suddenly streamed down my face, my nails piercing my palms.
t turned out that what I thought was my salvation had always been just another abyss.
ince he’s in love with someone else, I guess I’ll just have to “do them a favor.”
n the study just one door away, Adrian was stroking the only photo he had of Sophie, his gaze tender and lovesick.
Sophie’s always been so fragile. Without me protecting her, I can’t even imagine how she’d handle something like this alone.”
Riley’s completely insane. Since she can’t control her own brother, I had to teach him a lesson myself!”
His colleague David stared at him in shock.
‘Insane? Adrian, Riley’s your fiancée. If you don’t like her, why did you pursue her in the first place?”
‘Sophie told me six months ago that Matt had harassed her multiple times. To collect evidence without tipping him off, I had to use this strategy.”
David immediately panicked.
“Are you out of your mind? I get why you’d want to gather evidence, but you killed her brother and made it look like suicide-that’s straight-up murder! If anyone finds out, your career is over!”
“She’s just some woman, and she doesn’t even love you back. Is this really worth it?”
Adrian lit a cigarette, his voice laced with self-mockery.
“Whether it’s worth it is up to my heart to decide.”
“If I can’t protect Sophie, then there’s no point in being a lawyer.”
“Don’t worry, I cleaned up the scene perfectly. Even if the cops investigate, they won’t find anything suspicious.”
David had met me a few times and felt bad for me.
“You started collecting evidence for justice, but now you’ve killed Riley’s brother. You’ll never be free of her. If she finds out, you…”
Adrian crushed his cigarette violently, his expression turning ice cold.
“Enough! She raised a brother who’s a rapist. Even if she finds out, does she have the balls to confront me?”
“She should be grateful Matt didn’t succeed at the last second, or one life wouldn’t have been enough to pay for it.”
“Get out. Don’t make me say it twice!”
I heard footsteps and quickly hid downstairs.
But I missed a step and tumbled down the entire staircase.
David passed by and kindly helped me up, his eyes full of sympathy.
The door slammed shut, and I was soaked in cold sweat from the pain.
or a moment, I couldn’t tell what hurt more-my body or my heart.
Adrian heard the noise and came out, instantly switching to a concerned expression.
Why weren’t you watching where you were going?”
Does it hurt? Should I take you to the hospital?”
Let’s get you X-rayed. I won’t feel right until we do.”
shook my head, caught between wanting to cry and laugh, not knowing how to face him anymore. Turns out concern and love can both be perfectly faked.
No need. It’s not serious.”
I’m so exhausted, Adrian. Could you have a drink with me tonight?”
