He called her the "one" for a night? My dice made sure he paid with his life

Crushed But Goodbye by Austen 13 Summary In Chapter 4 of "Crushed But Goodbye," the protagonist, Riley, eagerly anticipates her birthday celebration, which has been meticulously planned by her father. The atmosphere is lively, filled with laughter and chatter, but Riley feels a sense of anxiety as she searches for her friend Dex, who she desperately wants by her side during this pivotal moment. When she finally reaches him over the phone, his response is laced with disbelief and vulnerability, revealing the emotional complexity of their relationship.

Despite his initial reluctance, he agrees to come, providing Riley with a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos of her impending engagement announcement. As the party unfolds, Kieran, the man Riley is supposed to marry, arrives with another woman, Mara, causing a wave of judgment and pity to ripple through the guests. Tension escalates when Bryce, Riley's brother, confronts Kieran about his inappropriate behavior at her birthday party. Kieran's disdainful declaration that he does not love Riley and will not marry her sends shockwaves through the crowd, shattering the jovial atmosphere.

His refusal to accept the engagement and his intent to sever ties with the Cortez family leave Riley feeling humiliated and crushed, as she grapples with the reality of being publicly rejected. The situation spirals further out of control as Kieran's defiance stirs concern among Riley's brothers, who attempt to persuade him to reconsider. Yet, Kieran remains steadfast in his decision, revealing his true feelings and further alienating Riley. Amidst this turmoil, Mara revels in her perceived victory, further deepening Riley's sense of betrayal and bitterness.

Just as the party teeters on the brink of chaos, Dex arrives, his presence a stark contrast to the tension in the room, hinting at his importance in Riley's life. The climax of the chapter arrives as Riley's father takes the stage to announce a shocking twist: Dex will not only manage the Cortez family but will also marry Riley. This unexpected revelation leaves the guests in stunned silence, with Kieran's shocked reaction highlighting the dramatic shift in the narrative.

Riley's emotions are a whirlwind of confusion, betrayal, and a flicker of hope as she faces a new reality that could redefine her future. The chapter encapsulates a tumultuous mix of celebration, heartbreak, and unforeseen alliances, setting the stage for Riley's journey ahead. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below **Chapter 4** The day of my birthday celebration arrived, and Dad had gone all out, organizing an extravagant party that filled the grand ballroom to the brim. The air buzzed with laughter and chatter, a cacophony of voices mingling together in a festive symphony.

I stood amidst the crowd, my heart racing as I scanned the sea of familiar faces, searching for one in particular-Dex. He was supposed to be here today. I needed him here. With a flicker of anxiety gnawing at my stomach, I pulled out my phone and dialed his number. The phone rang just once before he answered, his voice a soothing balm amidst the chaos around me. "Where are you?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light, but the urgency seeped through. A soft chuckle escaped him, laced with a hint of disbelief. "What?

You really want me there to watch Dad announce you're marrying Kieran?" His words hung in the air, heavy and loaded. After a brief silence, his voice shifted, tinged with an unexpected vulnerability. "Riley, that's pretty cruel." The complexity of his emotions wrapped around me like a thick fog, leaving me momentarily speechless. I tightened my grip on the phone, my voice firm and resolute. "Yes, I want you there." "Are you coming or not?" I pressed, desperation creeping into my tone. The line fell silent for what felt like an eternity, each second stretching painfully long.

Finally, he relented. "Fine, I'll be there." Just then, a sudden stir at the entrance drew my attention. Kieran made his grand entrance, his arm draped possessively around Mara, the two of them exuding a sense of intimacy that made my stomach churn. A wave of whispers swept through the guests, their eyes darting between the three of us, filled with curiosity and judgment. I could almost feel the pity radiating from some of them, as if they were silently mourning the fate of a woman already destined to be heartbroken. Bryce, my second brother, was the first to break the uneasy silence.

He strode over, his brow furrowed in a mix of confusion and anger. "Kieran, what the hell are you doing?" His voice was low, but the warning was unmistakable. "Today is Riley's birthday party. Dad's about to announce your engagement to her, and you're still all over Mara?" Kieran's lips twisted into a mocking sneer at Bryce's words, and instead of stepping away from Mara, he pulled her even closer, as if to stake his claim for all to see. "Engagement?" he scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain.

"I came here today to tell Dad that I don't love Riley Cortez at all!" His gaze shot toward me like a piercing arrow, filled with a mix of disgust and fierce determination. "I will never marry her!" The room erupted into a frenzy of gasps and murmurs, shockwaves rippling through the crowd. Dad's expression froze, his jovial demeanor shattering as he shot daggers at Kieran with his eyes. Kieran wasn't finished. He raised his voice, clear and defiant.

"After Dad makes his announcement, I'm cutting all ties with the Cortez family!" At this, our brothers surged forward, their concern palpable as they tried to reason with him, urging him not to act impulsively. But Kieran remained unmoved, his face set in stone. "Don't bother trying to convince me. I could never marry someone like Riley, based solely on appearances. I'd rather die!" Mara nestled into Kieran's embrace, a triumphant smirk plastered across her face, as if to say, "See? I won. Kieran chose me in the end." I let out a cold, humorless laugh, a bitter taste in my mouth.

Kieran, you certainly didn't "disappoint" me. For Mara, you'd go to any lengths. Just as the party was on the brink of chaos, Dex finally made his entrance, arriving fashionably late. His face bore the telltale signs of a night spent drinking, yet his eyes sparkled with an unusual clarity, as if he were fully aware of the storm brewing around us. As the lights dimmed, Dad took to the stage, his demeanor shifting from jovial host to serious patriarch. "Thank you all so much for coming to my daughter's birthday party.

I also have an important announcement to make today regarding her marriage." A hush fell over the room, anticipation thick in the air. "I hereby announce that after I step down, the Cortez family will be managed jointly by my tenth son, Dex North, and my daughter. He will also become my daughter Riley Cortez's husband!" The proclamation echoed through the ballroom, leaving everyone in stunned silence. No one had seen this coming. After what felt like an eternity, Kieran's shocked voice broke through the stillness.

"What?!" Conclusion In the aftermath of the shocking announcement, a whirlwind of emotions engulfed me. The weight of Kieran's rejection hung heavily in the air, yet there was an unexpected spark of hope ignited by my father's decision. As the chaos of the party swirled around me, I felt a strange sense of liberation. No longer tethered to Kieran's disdainful claims, I found myself standing at the precipice of a new beginning. Dex's presence, though unexpected, felt like a lifeline amidst the turmoil, a reminder that not all paths are predetermined.

The laughter and whispers of the guests faded into a distant hum as I processed the reality of my situation-this was my chance to reclaim my narrative and explore the possibilities that lay ahead. As the night unfolded, I caught Dex's eye across the room, and for the first time, I felt a glimmer of excitement about the future. The laughter and chatter resumed, but I was no longer the girl crushed by the weight of expectations and heartbreak. Instead, I was Riley Cortez, standing tall in the face of uncertainty, ready to forge my own path.

With Dex now positioned as both Riley's husband-to-be and a co-manager of the Cortez family, the dynamics of their relationships will shift dramatically. How will Riley navigate her feelings for Dex, especially after the painful confrontation with Kieran? The emotional stakes are set to rise as Riley grapples with her past, her present, and the uncertain future ahead. As the dust settles from the bombshell announcement, the chapter will delve deeper into the fallout among the family members and guests.

Expect heated confrontations, whispered alliances, and perhaps even unexpected support from those Riley least expects. With Kieran's fury and betrayal still fresh, will he attempt to reclaim his position in Riley's life, or will Dex's arrival change the game entirely? The stage is set for a dramatic clash of wills, and readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how Riley will assert her own desires amidst the chaos of family expectations and romantic entanglements.

Dex Morgan Dex Morgan works to elevate each story with clean writing, emotional balance, and thoughtful flow for readers.