All Chapters of Splendor Gone Too Soon: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

After learning the truth, Riley Nolan did two things.First, she went to the hospital to terminate her pregnancy at five months.Her baby had already started kicking inside her. Riley made it through the procedure without shedding a tear, gritting her teeth as she lay on the operating table. But when a nurse asked if she wanted to see the baby, she broke down and shook her head.The second thing she did was have divorce papers drawn up.Then she called Yale Sullivan.He used to answer the moment she called, greeting her in that gentle voice she'd come to love. "What's wrong, baby?"This time, it took twenty-three calls before someone finally picked up.Noise spilled through the receiver, followed by the teasing voice of one of Yale's friends."You want to know just how much power a first love has over a man? Selise comes back to the country, and Yale goes straight off to see her, leaving his little wife at home five months pregnant.""Well, she's only a substitute. You remember how cra

Yale had barely left when the doorbell rang.Riley opened the door to find a woman standing outside, holding an elegantly packaged box of pastries."Hi, I'm Selise Lane. The Selise who's been messaging you."Her smile was sweet, but there was a challenge behind it. "Yale's been taking such good care of me lately that I made him some pastries to say thank you. You wouldn't turn away a guest, would you?"Before Riley could answer, Selise let herself in and began wandering around the house, taking her time looking at everything.She stopped when they reached the garden."These roses are my favorite variety. I can't believe Yale's still growing them."Riley's fingers trembled. Every morning, Yale tended those roses himself, never allowing anyone else to do it. She'd always thought gardening was simply something he enjoyed.Near the pond, several turtles were basking lazily in the sun."Oh my God, they're still alive!" Selise exclaimed in delight. "I raised these when I was little. I stoppe

For a moment, Yale's fingers tightened until his knuckles turned white. Then, just as quickly, he relaxed and gave Riley a gentle smile."I got over her a long time ago. We cut all contact after the breakup, and I have no intention of ever seeing her again."A bitter taste filled Riley's mouth. He'd become so practiced at lying that he could do it without so much as a flicker of hesitation.When he reached for her face, she instinctively turned away, drawing a slight frown from him. He'd lost count of how many times she'd rejected his touch lately."Who's been telling you these things?" His tone grew serious. "Is that why you've been so upset recently?"Before Riley could answer, his phone rang, the shrill sound cutting through their conversation.Yale glanced at the caller ID and hesitated for several seconds before finally answering."Yale!" Selise's tearful voice came through the phone. "There are some guys following me, and I'm scared..."His expression changed instantly."Send me

Over the next few days, Yale was unusually busy. Riley watched him leave early and come home late, his phone never leaving his side and the light in his study often burning well past midnight.She knew exactly what he was doing. He was carefully planning his grand gesture of crashing Selise's wedding.On the morning their mandatory divorce waiting period ended, Riley left the house early to collect her finalized divorce certificate from her lawyer. The division of their assets had already been settled, and apart from that, she was taking only her personal belongings.When she returned home, Yale was standing in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting his tie. He wore a brand-new navy suit, its cuff links gleaming coldly in the morning light. Riley had never seen him wear it before. He must have bought it especially for today."Back from your walk?" He caught her reflection in the mirror and smiled warmly. "Baby, I've got something to take care of today. Stay home and get some rest,

Riley used to wait for Yale on the couch every evening. The moment she heard him come through the front door, she'd hurry over to greet him.Tonight, the house was completely silent. Not a single light was on.A terrible feeling began creeping over Yale. He hastily set the cake aside, switched on the lights, and started searching the house room by room."Baby? Where are you? Please don't scare me. I know I was wrong today."When no one answered, he tried again, his voice echoing through the empty rooms."Baby, something really important came up today. Just come out, okay? I'll explain everything."Growing increasingly frantic, Yale pulled out his phone and called Riley. An automated message picked up."Sorry. The number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later."He tried several more times, refusing to give up, but every call ended with the same message.Eventually, he returned to the living room, where a box sitting on the coffee table caught his attention. He