Chapter 9
Preston definitely moved fast.
He transferred all his properties to my name and gave me half of his family’s company shares.
Said it was to give me security.
Honestly, compared to so-called eternal love, I preferred assets that would never betray me.
After we saw our last ocean together, Preston proposed.
He bought an entire island and named it after me.
Even brought some legendary retired designer out of hiding to create a one-of-a-kind wedding dress just for me.
The whole thing was so over-the-top-like he wanted the entire world to know Preston Sterling had found his precious bride.
We didn’t invite Damien to the wedding. But I never expected him to crash it.
light as I walked into the venue, he came barging in.
Riley, you can’t marry him!”
turned around to see Damien looking totally panicked, sweat beading on his forehead.
All these years of ruling the business world, always keeping his cool-even when dozens of rival companies ganged up on him, he’d never looked this lesperate.
Damien had figured out I was alive a while ago.
Apparently when he threw Vivian to those fighting dogs, she had a heart attack from terror. When they rushed her to the hospital, that’s when he
ound out she had an artificial heart.
Which meant I was still breathing.
After going totally nuts with joy, Damien started hunting for me across the globe.
But the Sterling family had too much pull-they kept him from getting even a hint about where I was.
he wedding was the only thing Preston went public with. He didn’t bother hiding who I was.
gave Damien this ice-cold stare: “Who the hell I marry is none of your business.”
You’re still my wife!”
Damien’s eyes were bloodshot as he tried to get to me, but security jumped him and slammed him face-first into the floor.
flashed him this nasty smile.
The Riley who married you croaked on that operating table. I’m Mrs. Sterling now.”
The word “croaked” totally broke something in Damien’s brain. He looked completely unhinged as he started screaming:
‘No way! Riley’s not dead! She’s NOT DEAD!”
Preston wrapped up schmoozing with guests and strolled over when he heard all the yelling.
He looked down at Damien like he was a bug and straight-up stepped on his fingers.
“Hey gorgeous, what’s going on over here?”
He slipped his arm around my waist and started massaging my shoulders.
I laughed and pointed at Damien sprawled on the floor like roadkill. “Some jackass thinks he can crash my wedding.”
“Oh really?”
Preston raised an eyebrow and waved his hand.
“Toss his ass out. And don’t let him back in.”
The security team got the message. One of them kicked Damien in the gut and started dragging him away.
“Wait!”
Damien’s voice cracked with desperation. He stared at me with those intense eyes. “Riley, I’ve got something to show you! It’s about your mom! Once you see it, you’ll forgive me!”
My whole body went rigid. I stared at him in disbelief.
‘reston started freaking out, grabbing my hand.
patted his arm reassuringly and whispered: “I’m just gonna check it out. Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere with him.”
f it had anything to do with Mom, I had to know.
dragged Damien to a corner of the venue.
His hands shook as he pulled out this yellowed piece of paper.
The elegant handwriting on it was definitely my mom’s.
All those old memories came flooding back.
Damien and I were childhood sweethearts. He’d had a crush on me since we were kids, but I was such a cute little thing that boys were always warming around me.
)amien got super insecure about it and cried until my mom wrote down that she agreed to let me marry him someday.
ince Mom and Mrs. Cross were tight, she treated Damien like her own son.
‘lus I really did like Damien back then, so it was like playing house-Mom and Mrs. Cross even threw us this tiny pretend wedding.
Seeing tears welling up in my eyes, Damien’s face lit up with hope.
Riley, you remember, don’t you? Your mom wanted us to be together forever. We promised each other!”
A single tear rolled down my cheek.
But it wasn’t for Damien-it was for Mom.
Back then, she probably never imagined she’d die because of the kid she loved most.
carefully tucked the note away, and when I looked back at Damien, pure hatred filled my eyes.
‘You’ve got some nerve bringing up my mom. She was so good to you, and you had your people dump her in the pouring rain for Vivian.”
That day, Mom went into complications from her high fever. I held her lifeless body outside the hospital, begging doctors to save her.
Only to find out Damien had pulled away all the best medical resources just to treat Vivian’s injuries.
How fucking twisted was that?
“If my mom knew what a monster you’d become, she never would’ve agreed to let me marry you.”
Damien went ghost-white, his eyes filled with agony and regret.
He stumbled backward and collapsed on the floor.
Yeah, how could he forget? He’s the one who killed Mom.
Preston had followed us over and saw me crying. He frantically wiped my tears, then whipped around and kicked Damien hard.
“If you mess with Riley again, I’ll fucking kill you!”
I grabbed his sleeve and shook my head.
No matter what. Damien was still Mrs. Cross’s son.
Security threw Damien out.
took Preston’s arm and we headed back to the reception.
tight there in front of everyone, Preston pulled out two things and got down on one knee.
Aten-carat diamond ring.
ind a divorce agreement with his signature already on it.
Riley, this is my promise to you. If I ever screw up or treat you like shit, just walk away. I’ll give you everything and leave with nothing.”
lis voice was rock-solid, even though I could see his hands shaking a little.
>own in the crowd, Paisley was already crying her eyes out, hands over her mouth.
felt this incredible rush of love. Tears started flowing as I pulled Preston close and kissed him hard.
n my free hand, I was still gripping Mom’s old note.
Mom, you don’t have to worry anymore. I’m finally happy.
.
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.