Riley lies in bed, staring at the ceiling, the room cloaked in darkness. He tosses and turns, the sheets twisting around him like the thoughts he can’t escape.
Every time he closes his eyes, Amanda’s face flashes before him—her laughter, her disappointment, her absence.
It isn't until two or three in the morning that he drifts off to sleep.
The second morning.
Riley pulls up to the gate of the old manor, his heart heavy with hesitation. He rarely came to this manor, only coming here occasionally when his parents needed to hold a party. This manor was on the outskirts of the city, not close to his school and corporation.
His mother had made it perfect. But after she passed, the place became a painful memory. He never returned, thinking it would only remind him of what he had lost.
Yet here he is now, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
He isn’t sure why he feels the urge to visit. Maybe it’s t
Amanda never imagined forever with Riley. She never expected anything. Not even a happy ending.But in every moment she looked at him, she gave him her whole heart.She loved him with everything she had, even when she knew it might not lead anywhere.So no, she doesn’t regret loving Riley.Not because he was rich and handsome. Not because he was capable.But because she was brave. Because she had the experience to love one person with her whole heart.She fought to be near him—got into a top university, studied harder than anyone, threw herself into internships and meetings and all the chaos of corporate life.She built herself up. For him. For love.And now—those things, that strength, that experience—no one can take that away from her.So whatever Riley
Tears slip down his face, catching the light in soft glimmers.Amanda stares at them for a while, her chest hollowing out like the air’s been punched from her lungs. The fatigue crashes in, the kind that comes after running too long, too hard.Years of holding in emotions, all the unsaid things—they finally have a reason to spill.“So you can be scared,” she murmurs. “You can cry... like a normal person.”She exhales, almost a laugh. For the first time tonight, Amanda smiles, genuinely.It’s not wide. But it’s real.“You actually look better like this,” she says. “Way better than that perfect version of you everyone’s scared of.”Something shiny catches her eye.A ring.Her heart stutters.
The wind hit the windshield hard, the fallen leaves drawing slow, tired arcs—tick, tick, tick—like a countdown.Amanda stops breathing for a second.She’s never seen Riley like this before. Not the man with all the answers, all the power. This one is messy. Exposed. Human.“I never forget,” he says, softer now. “When I was eleven, at that party at the manor—I saw you first. You were by the fountain. Blue dress. Alone. Like a painting someone forgot to hang.”Amanda blinks. Her heart trips over itself.“The debate competition, you were the leader,” he says, wiping his face with a shaky hand. “The light from the stained glass windows landed right on you. I was standing in the back, just watching.”His voice turns quiet. Almost fragile. “Looking back... I think that was the moment. I j
Amanda has always known that love is uncontrollable.It’s wild. Unknown. It belongs to someone else as much as it belongs to you. It’s smells and touches and words that don’t always come out right.It’s like a storm you have to walk through to reach the mountain on the other side. You have to step outside of everything you are just to hold on to something that isn’t you.That kind of love takes guts. Real courage.And Amanda wasn’t sure if she had that.What’s more, the difference in status between her and Riley was vast. Amanda often felt as though she were gazing up at a snow-covered mountain, unsure if she could ever truly reach the summit.He was handsome, wealthy, and endlessly charismatic.Could she ever be worthy of someone like him? Could she truly adapt to that kind of life?
Riley lifts his head and sneaks a glance at Amanda.She’s still watching him. Not the window anymore—him. Still stunned, maybe. Still processing.She doesn’t cut him off. Doesn’t snap back. Just listens.Always been a good listener, Amanda.Even when she was angry. Even when she was hurt.She’d listen. Quiet. Calm. Not judging.He lets out a breath, relieved. At least this isn’t turning into a fight.Still, a bitter edge creeps in. He’s known it all along.“But me?” he says, lips pressing into a thin line. “I’m a coward when it comes to love.”He laughs once, dry and small.“I had everything I wanted, and I still couldn’t believe it. You opened your whole heart to me. And I... I stood outside t
Riley knows it deep in his bones—stalling won’t help.Dragging it out won’t change her mind.It’ll just make her hate him more. Bit by bit. Day by day.He sees that now, clearer than anything.“All right,” he says, voice low but steady. “I’ll sign the divorce. But at least… let me say something first. Won’t take long. No need to meet again. We can talk now.”He lifts his eyes to Amanda’s face, bracing himself.She doesn’t look angry. Her shoulders relax, and something soft flickers through her expression.Maybe relief. Maybe just... less tension.She nods.Riley lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.“If you don’t mind,” he adds, “my car&rsqu