Two Chances,One Bullet: How His "Next Life" Promise Failed Novel

Chapter 4 Riley stared hard into Asher's eyes . She felt like she'd never truly known the man she'd loved for seven years . Nora blinked innocently . " Riley , don't forget - to get revenge on me , your wonderful boyfriend and best friend drove me out of the orchestra and blacklisted me throughout the industry . I've finally managed to join a new orchestra through my own efforts , but I haven't received my first paycheck yet , so Asher has to take care of my living expenses for now !

" Her explanation came with an unmistakable smile of triumph . That snake - like smile had been Riley's nightmare for three years . The artificial heart began to alarm due to her emotional turmoil . Riley struggled to control herself : " Get out ! This is my room , and I don't want to see you ! " " Riley ! " Asher rubbed his temples wearily . " Stop this ! Let bygones be bygones . Nora has already paid for her mistakes - why can't you just forgive her ?

" She forgives Nora , but who will forgive her ? The raised scars on her fingertips made it impossible to properly press violin strings - she could never again stand on stage with a violin . Yet what had she done wrong ? Asher realized his tone had been too harsh and quickly softened . Seeing Riley's reddened eyes as she lowered her head , guilt overwhelmed him . He gently pulled her head to his chest , his voice hoarse : " I'm sorry , Riley . I shouldn't have spoken to you like that .

" " Nora's friend introduced me to a business opportunity , I've earned enough to rent a small apartment - we don't have to live in the basement anymore . " Asher kissed the top of her head : " Do this for me - just let it go , okay ? Once Nora gets her paycheck and leaves , we'll have plenty of time together , just us . " Riley said quietly : " All right . " But she knew they had no future . That night , Riley returned to the apartment with Asher .

Her wound hadn't healed , so she spent most of her time resting in bed . While Asher cooked in the kitchen , Vivian and Nora huddled together on the living room sofa , giggling and gossiping . Before Riley could leave the bedroom , Vivian brought in a tray : " Just eat in here . " Riley smiled bitterly : " Vivian , my leg works fine - 1 can eat with you all … " Vivian dismissed her concern : " Don't be difficult ! If your wound gets infected , we'll just have to spend more money . Be good !

" 21:57 C Two Chances , One Bullet : How His " Next Life " Promise Failed 58.7 % Chapter 4 A lump formed in Riley's throat as she lowered her head . Was Vivian truly concerned about her wound ? Or did she just not want an outsider disrupting their happy trio ? Waves of laughter continued to drift in from outside , falling on Riley's cars like needles . That happiness and warmth had once belonged to her . Riley couldn't sleep that night .

She heard the puppy whimpering incessantly in the living room . When she limped out to check , she saw Asher and Nora entangled on the downstairs sofa . His eyes were clouded with passion she'd never seen before : " Nora , you've been through so much these past few days . Let me … make it up to you properly . " Nora pushed against his chest , deliberately playing hard to get : " Asher , I've always wondered - when you lied to Riley about your family's bankruptcy , we weren't together yet .

Why did you lie to her ? " Asher lowered his head to take her fingers between his lips , his voice husky : " If the act wasn't convincing enough , how would Riley ever willingly sell her heart ? " 2177 C