A Dish Served Cold

When Riley saw the look in my eyes change, he pulled me tightly into his arms.

"It's my fault. I fell asleep and missed your calls. I'm sorry, Anna. Please don't cry. It breaks my heart to see you like this."

He was still lying. He had been with Nelly in the car, and he had surely seen my calls. If he hadn't cheated, my parents wouldn't have died.

Riley, I can't take your love anymore.

The floor was icy cold that night. Riley helped me onto a bench and said he was going to get me a cup of water. As soon as he left, the doctor came to find me for the hospital bills.

On my way to the payment window, I caught sight of two familiar figures by the emergency exit. Through the gaps in the doors, I saw Nelly with her arms around Riley's waist. "Riley, I just found out I'm pregnant."

"Didn't I tell you to take the medicine? You need to get rid of it. You can't keep this baby," Riley said.

Nelly's eyes filled with tears. "I know it's impossible for us to be together. After you get married, we'll have to cut off all contact. But the baby is innocent. I know Anna can't get pregnant… This is your only child. I hope you'll accept this baby. When I give birth, let Anna be his mother, and he can stay with you in my place."

Hearing how meek Nelly was acting, Riley's harsh tone softened. "If you really mean it, I'll take responsibility for the baby. But Anna will be the baby's only mother. I'll give you money to make it up to you."

"I don't want money. I simply love you too much," Nelly said, tiptoeing to press her lips to his. They held each other tightly.

Watching them, I felt completely numb inside.

When I came back from paying the bills, Riley was wandering the hallway with a cup of water, looking for me. "Anna, where did you go?"

Noticing me staring at his mouth, Riley wiped his lips, leaving a smudge of red on his hand. He quickly tried to explain, "I ate some pomegranate just now and forgot to wipe my mouth."

What a bad lie. But I didn't call him out this time. "I'm tired. I just want to be alone tonight. I'm going back to my parents' place."

I called a taxi by myself.

Riley didn't try to stop me. He still had to clean up all the traces in his own car. However, he did tail me all the way home.

He watched me go inside before sending me a message. "Anna, I'll be downstairs all night. Call me if you need anything."

I didn't leave the apartment for three days.

Riley stayed downstairs the whole time.

On the day of my parents' funeral, Riley handled everything as their future son-in-law. He knelt in front of their headstones. "Dad, Mom, I promise I'll take care of Anna. I swear I'll be good to her for the rest of my life. Don't worry, I'll always be by her side."

I stood behind him, watching coldly.

But Riley, what could you use as a guarantee for your promise?

You are the reason my parents are dead.

That afternoon, I got another alert from the security camera. At the same time, Riley's phone chimed with a message.

I opened the camera feed.

In the video, Nelly was lying on my bed in my pajamas, posing seductively for the camera.

I looked up at Riley.

He was swiping his phone with his right hand, gulping in saliva as his whole body tensed up. He loosened his tie with his left hand.

Riley put his phone down and looked at me. "Anna, you haven't eaten all day. I'll go buy you something."

Without waiting for my answer, he hurried out.

Moments later, I saw him on the camera feed. "Are you crazy?! Anna's parents just died. I need to be with her. I'm not in the mood to see you."

Nelly pouted but still pressed herself against him with a pitiful look on her face as she said, "I'm doing this because I like you. You must be tired recently. I just want you to have some proper rest…"

But Riley suddenly shoved her away.

Nelly wasn't prepared and fell off the side of the bed, knocking over a pot of plants on the table. The red light of the camera caught their attention.

Riley suddenly raised his voice as he yelled, "When did this camera get turned back on?!"