Chapter One Hundred and Seventy Three
I couldn’t explain it all to my mother. She wouldn’t understand; no one but Nick would; he understood what it felt like.
The thought of hurting her saddened me.
“Riley, are you alright?” she asked. This was the third time she had asked that question.
“Yes, mom, I am alright,” I answered, trying to put on a smile, but I couldn’t fake that, not with her.
“Okay, tell me what’s going on.” she asked, taking a seat on the cushion opposite me.
I inhaled deeply. “We all have to take risks to get what we want, you know that, right?”
“I do, but not all risks are worth taking,” she said; it was almost like she could read me. Something is wrong, I can tell. Does this have to do with… Nick, did he say something to you?”
“Yes…No”
“What did he do?” she asked, her expression turning grave.
“Nothing”
“Don’t lie to me; what is the risk you speak about?”
“I and Nick are getting married.“, This was only a part of the truth, but I knew I wasn’t going to get past my mother’s curiosity so I had to tell her something.
For a moment she stared at me, shocked by my words. “Married?, but you said you didn’t like him in that way.”
“I know, but I feel like this would be good for me”
She smiled wide. “Though this is really quick- faster than I expected, but I always knew you both have some chemistry and he is a decent man
I wasn’t going to pretend this time. “I don’t love him, but I… I don’t know what I was thinking; I just needed to try something new.
“Had he been the one who offered the marriage proposal?” she asked.
“Yes”
“Then he does feel something for you.”
“Mom, it doesn’t matter if he feels anything; I am going to get married to him, but it all ends. there; we would have our own separate room, and… I won’t go to bed with him.
1
“Then why are you getting married to him?” she asked, and before I could speak, she continued, “You are doing this because of him, right?”
1/2
Chapter One Hundred and Seventy Thre
We both knew who she was referring to, Thane. She knew why, but she didn’t know there were more to that reason.
“Maybe,” I said genuinely, for some reason the look she gave me made me feel guilty. I hadn’t done anything wrong and Nick had agreed to my proposal.
“You don’t have to do anything because of him. Nick is a good man; he deserves better.”
“He seemed okay with my proposal.”
“It’s a marriage and not a proposal. He might have agreed to that, simply because he hopes that you will change your mind as the years passes by.”
“Mom, all need now is your support so could you please be happy for me?”
“I am happy for you,” she said truthfully, because of course she saw Nick as a good man. I didn’t think he was a bad person, but I didn’t think he was good either, he was driven by his goals and so he made practical decisions.
“I love you, mom. I just want you to know that. Thank you for not turning your back on me, even if I deserved it.”
“I would never do that, but you weren’t the only one wrong; I was too, and you forgave me.”
That night, I dreamt about Thane once more.
His eyes held disappointment as he stared down at me, and then he faded away. I tried to hold onto him, but it was too late; he was gone, and once again I was alone.
I woke up with a start, my eyes wet with tears.
There was a knock on my door. It was far too early in the morning for anyone to visit, so this must either be very important or an emergency.
I walked to the door. “Who is there?” I called out, refusing to open the door till I knew who was behind it.
“It’s Gabriel. Some people are here to see you.”
People here to see me?
My heart slammed in my chest. Could it be… Thane?
