Chapter 6%
The music was already humming low, glasses lined on the bar, and lights dimmed into soft golds and silvers. The mansion was glowing. every inch tailored for his birthday. Yet River wasn’t smiling.
He stood near the window, hands behind his back, eyes flicking to the door every few seconds.
“Where is Allison?” he finally muttered under his breath. “What’s taking her so long?”
A staff member walked by carrying a tray of wine, and River raised a hand. “Hey. Go check if Allison’s ready. Tell her the guests are
waiting.”
The staff nodded quickly and left. River turned back to the room full of expensive people in expensive clothes. Laughter floated in the air like nothing was wrong. But it was.
Because she wasn’t here.
Minutes passed. The staff came back, slightly breathless. “Sir. we haven’t seen Ma’am Allison since earlier. She’s not in her room, Housekeepers said her luggage was missing too.”
River’s jaw clenched. The music seemed louder now–unbearably so
She left? Without a word?
That wasn’t like her.
Birthdays–his birthdays–Allison never missed them. Not even once. She was always the first to arrive, standing there with some cheap but thoughtful gift, her hair tucked behind her ears, smiling like the whole damn world belonged to them.
He shouldn’t care. He shouldn’t.
But he did.
Before he could speak, Candice sidled up beside him. Her dress shimmered like champagne in the light. “Come on,” she whispered, wrapping an arm around his. “She’s probably being dramatic, trying to get your attention. You know her.“%
River didn’t answer. He stared past her!
Candice’s tone tumed coaxing. “Let her sulk, baby. Why let her ruin your day? Tonight’s about you. You and me
His friends laughed nearby. “Candice is right, man,” one of them said. “Forget Allison. She never fit here anyway.”
“Yeah,” another chimed in. “Don’t let her make everything about her. Again..
River opened his mouth to say no–to defend Allison, maybe–but Candice tugged on him tighter and murmured, “You wouldn’t let her ruin this night, would you? Now that we’re together…”
That word. Together
He didn’t remember agreeing to it. Not really. It just… happened. Just like everything else with Candice.
He forced a nod, just to keep the peace. “Fine,” he said. “Start the damn party”
Applause. Toasts. Music that grew louder, Laughter that felt hollow!
River stood stiffly, wine glass in hand, people around him praising his success, his looks, his future. Candice clung to his arm like a trophy. She kissed his cheek, his lips. People cheered.
And still….
His mind wouldn’t stop replaying the image of Allison standing alone at last year’s party with that clumsy, heartfelt gift. Her eyes bright. Her laugh softl
Where are you?!
He pulled out his phone, ready to call her. His fingers froze when he saw the message notification from hours ago. His phone had been
on silent.
He opened it
Sorry, I can’t come to the birthday party. I’m going to have an affair!
For a second, River blinked E
Then the message hit him like a slap across the face.
The wine glass slipped from his hand and crashed onto the marble floor, shattering loud enough to hush the room.
Everyone turned Candice gasped. “River? What’s happening?!”
But River didn’t hear her. All he could hear was the blood pounding in his ears. That message echoed in his head again and again.!
Going to have an affairs
Allair
His chest tightened like a vise. His ego twisted in rage.
She left him? For someone else?¿
He saved her. He married her He gave her everything–his name, his protection, his world. And this is how she repaid him?
The room was spinning. His breath came in uneven bursts.!
Candice touched his arm again. “Baby, what’s wrong–1
He shoved her away–not violently, but enough to make the room gasp
11:17 AM
He saved her. He married her. He gave her everything–his name, his protection, his world. And this is how she repaid him?
The room was spinning. His breath came in uneven bursts.
Candice touched his arm again. “Baby, what’s wrong-”
He shoved her away–not violently, but enough to make the room gasp.
18
“Don’t touch me,” he growled. “No one stops me. No one.”
“River” Candice called after him as he stormed out the hall.
But he didn’t turn back.
He tore through the crowd, down the steps, and into his car. His driver rushed toward him, but River waved him off and slid behind the wheel himself.
He slammed the door and floored the gas pedal, the tires screeching against the driveway.
His hands clenched the steering wheel as his mind spiraled.8
Affair!
She had no right. She was his wife. She had his ring. How dare she leave like this? How dare she throw away everything?
And for who?2
Denver?
He didn’t know who–but someone was out there thinking they could take her from him. Someone was touching what belonged to him. He’d find him.
And when he did–God help him–he’d make him pay.
She had no right
Not after everything.
The city lights blurred as he drove too fast through streets that looked like rage. And behind all that fury… was the ghost of Allison’s smile. The one that used to be only for him.
And now, it wasn’t his anymore.
