We let it go for a few days. But we were still
a little worried.
I tried to reach out to Tiffany, but got nothing.
Looking at Ethan making dinner, I said, “What
<
happened to Tiffany? I can’t seem to reach
her?”
Ethan put his head out of the kitchen, “Just
leave her. I have your food ready.”
“Okay!”
I tasted the meat, it was incredible.
“You are a natural at cooking!”
The doorbell rang. “Do you hear that?” I
asked.
He turned off the stove. “Yeah. I’ll go check
it.”
I ate some more while he answered the door.
<
Riley, it s many!
I walked into the hall. It was her.
She had her head covered, and I could see a
bruise on her neck.
“Why aren’t you answering your phone?”
She sat on the couch and clutched her glass
of water.
“Chad has my phone, and he took my money!
He doesn’t let me leave!”
“What do you need to tell me? What are your
conditions?” I asked. I knew she needed
something.
“I need money and a plane ticket out of the
L
“No problem, tell me.
She told me that Heather was trying to have
me killed.
“She hired me to kill you, but I didn’t do it, so
she ditched me.”
It looks like I need to make another trip to the
hospital.
15
Dad was still in his hospital bed.
He looked even worse than the last time.
The cocky look had gone.
“Riley, you are here! You finally came!”
Г
He was acting like I was the best thing.
I looked at him coldly.
I didn’t want to spend money to get him
better. But I needed to.
Heather was sending all her debts to his
name.
“Riley, the debt collectors are here everyday!
I’m going crazy!”
“Isn’t that what your favorite daughter
wanted? Why don’t you go to her?”
“She is awful! Riley, help your dad! She’s only
giving me limited treatment. I’m dying!”
<
I saw the man I once called dad.
He was never a father to me.
I pressed the call button.
“Doctor, use the best surgery for him. I’ll pay.”
My dad got excited. “You are the best
daughter!”
“Just call me Riley, I am not your daughter!”
Heather was so clever, she had taken all the
debt and given it to her father, and I was on
the hook for it.
I contacted a lawyer and asked for advice.
“Once you get better, get a divorce.”
く
“Once you get better, get a divorce.”
My father didn’t hesitate.
“Even if you didn’t say anything, I would
divorce that heartless woman!”
I wanted him to keep his word. But it didn’t
matter.
I would make Heather pay.
16
It was gloomy outside, looking like it was
going to rain.
Ben had booked a coffee shop for the
meeting with the lawyer.
<
“Hi, Mr. Liu, I’m Riley.”
Mr. Liu laughed. “Riley, it’s been a while.
Don’t you recognize me?”
I stared at the lawyer. I didn’t know who he
was.
