A Dish Served Cold

I looked up to see the receptionist placing a huge bouquet of May Bells on my desk.

Just then, a message from Riley popped up on my phone. "Anna, do you like the flowers? Wait for me, and I'll pick you up after work."

A mocking smile spread on my lips.

This wasn't a gift. This was just compensation for the guilt he was feeling after betraying me. I had been moved by his surprises so many times, but now, I wondered how much of it was genuine and how much of it was him making up for a guilty conscience after he had cheated on me with another woman.

After work, Riley was waiting in his car for me.

When he saw me come out, he got out immediately, opened the door for me, shielded my head as I got in, and then leaned in to buckle my seatbelt. My coworkers whistled and teased at the doorway, joking that Riley and I were living out a romance drama every day.

Riley waved at them, then got in and started the car. "Anna, the wedding dress I designed myself has arrived. Let's stop by the bridal shop today so you can try it on. If anything doesn't fit, we still have time to fix it."

I nodded.

Before I could get Riley out of my life, I had to keep pretending nothing was wrong. I had to play my role until the finale.

As we entered the bridal shop, Riley suddenly froze in place.

I followed his gaze.

Nelly was wearing a satin off-the-shoulder wedding dress, the neckline covered in white May Bells, and a thin veil on her head. Riley's face instantly darkened. "Why is the wedding dress I ordered on her?"

A nervous shop assistant quickly explained, "Sir, this lady gave your name at the counter, so we thought she was the bride and let her try on the dress."

I looked at Nelly.

"Do you think wearing a wedding dress means you can marry whoever you want?" A hint of guilt flashed through Riley's eyes as he snapped at Nelly, "Hurry up and take it off. Who do you think you are to wear Anna's wedding dress?"

"I was just trying it on for Anna, it doesn't mean anything…" Nelly's eyes reddened as she ran into the changing room in tears.

When we finally got the dress, the stitching at the waist was torn open, and the neckline was smeared with bright lipstick. Riley tried to comfort me as he said, "The dress is ruined now. I'll design a new one for you."

I was about to tell him not to bother when my boss called. There was a project that needed to be rushed.

Riley drove me back to the office.

Late that night, just as I finished my work, my phone rang suddenly.

It was the emergency center at the hospital. "Hello, are you a family member of Mr. Dennis Hart and Madam Melinda Smith? They were in a serious car accident and are in the emergency room. Please come as soon as possible."

I hung up, unable to believe what I had just heard. How could my parents be in a car accident in the middle of the night?

Panicking, I opened my ride-hailing app, but our office was so remote that no drivers were available.

I ran out of the building, calling Riley repeatedly for over twenty times, but not a single answer.

I suddenly spotted Riley's car across the street, out on the road.

The car was rocking slightly.

Through the window, I could see Nelly, still wearing my wedding dress, tangled up with Riley, and he looked completely absorbed. My name lit up on his phone screen, but he ignored it.

I could scarcely believe it as I bit my lip, holding back from making any sound as the taste of blood exploded in my mouth.

I didn't know how long I ran along the street before I finally found a cab, but when I reached the hospital, it was already too late. My parents were gone. I never got to see them one last time.

The medical staff handed me their phones.

When I unlocked one, the screen paused on a text message. Through the cracked screen, I tapped a video inside the message.

It was a video of Riley and Nelly sleeping together.

Nelly had sent it to my mom out of revenge for what had happened at the bridal shop.

As it turned out, my parents had gone out that night to confront Riley for me. When Riley finally arrived at the hospital, I was just sitting blankly in the hallway.

I had already cried myself numb, and my mind was empty. My ears couldn't hear anything.

Riley's lips moved in front of me. It was a long time before his voice reached me. "Anna, it's okay. You still have me. I'll always be by your side. I promised your parents to take good care of you."