Four hours later, I was wheeled out of the operating room, my face pale.
The only person waiting outside was Dr. Knox. Seeing me emerge, he immediately came forward.
“Riley, how are you feeling? Let me take you back to your room.”
The handsome young doctor spoke gently, with three or four gossiping nurses whispering behind him.
I smiled weakly, deliberately clarifying for his sake:
“Dr. Knox, if you stand any closer, people might think you’re the father of the baby I just got rid of.”
Liam Knox was a senior from my university club. He was also the first familiar face I’d encountered during those three years I spent running around for Mason.
If I hadn’t happened to come to this hospital for the procedure, I would never have known Liam worked here.
Hearing my words, his face immediately flushed with embarrassment.
“Riley, actually, they…”
Liam scratched his head, stumbling over his words.
I assumed he was shocked by my inappropriate joke and spent a few seconds reconsidering before explaining myself.
“Dr. Knox, I’m sorry. I was just trying to protect your reputation with a little joke.”
Liam glanced at the crowd behind him, then his expression cleared up.
‘Oh, so that’s what you meant.”
Strangely, I thought I detected a hint of disappointment in his voice.
With Liam and several accompanying nurses, I returned to my hospital room.
During my two–week stay, Liam visited nearly every day, bringing homemade nutritious soups.
The weight I had gradually lost during my years with the Reeds returned within just one week in the hospital. Even the elderly man in the next bed commented that I looked much healthier.
I was discussing discharge plans with Liam when I received another call from Mason.
The phone rang persistently. In my irritation, I glanced up and accidentally met Liam’s eyes.
15:30 0
Nine Youre Wasted
Chapter 9
I said nothing, but he seemed to understand everything.
With my luggage in hand, Liam’s eyes conveyed nothing but support:
“Riley, go ahead and answer it.”
I walked under a tree and picked up the call, only to be greeted by Mason’s furious voice:
“Riley Harper, you’ve really grown bold, ignoring all my messages without even a single reply?”
“When will this tantrum end? My head’s been killing me for days, and you’re still trying to provoke me. Are you hoping I’ll drop dead at the office?”
The familiar accusations reopened the wound that had seemed to be healing, reminding me of exactly what I had removed from my body.
“Mason, why should I reply to your messages? If your head hurts, see a doctor. Why come to me?”
There was a pause before Mason took a deep breath. After a few seconds, he spoke through gritted teeth:
should understand that I won’t offer you many chances to save face.”
e to be ungrateful, I might consider finding someone else to be Mrs. Reed.”
an’s attitude remained as arrogant as ever, as if making an abusive phone call and sending a few meaningless messages was giving me a way out. And this way out was supposed to be precious and unattainable.
I nearly laughed through my tears.
Riley, how much confidence did you give Mason to make him so certain he could treat you this way?
“Mason, you truly believe from the bottom of your heart that I’m after the position of Mrs. Reed.”
“Do you really think that everything I did for you, your parents, and the entire Reed family over these three years
was to become Mrs. Reed? How much is that title even worth?”
“Think about it–who picked you up when you were bankrupt and trampled in the mud?”
“Every single Reed is cold–blooded and heartless. Whoever marries into your family is cursed with misfortune.”
“Didn’t you say you’d consider finding someone else to be Mrs. Reed? Go ahead and change now. I’m not marrying you. You can marry your precious Elise without worries.”
“A man like you disgusts me!”
15:30
Nine Years Wasted–Now I’m Marrying Your Rival
