Chapter 9: Riley's Decision
Chapter 9: Riley's Decision
Claire's mother, Mara Monet, visited her daughter in the hospital.
Brian had left them to take care of company matters. While he was away, Claire took the opportunity to discuss Brian's divorce.
Mara, a mirror image of Claire, questioned, "Claire, are you certain? Has that woman truly signed the divorce papers?"
"Yes, Ma! Brian will surely marry me," Claire exclaimed.
Mara's eyes gleamed. She said, "This is our chance to marry into the rich! I can imagine us living in a mansion soon, having luxury cars, bags, and shoes."
"I'm already enrolled in a private school!" Carrie, Claire's sister, pointed out.
"Life is going to be so much better for us now," Mara remarked.
"Yes, Ma. Brian will take care of us because he loves me. I feel so lucky to have met him," Claire nodded. Then, out of nowhere, she remembered something. She muttered, "How I wish Brian had not given her money for the divorce."
"He gave his ex-wife money for the divorce?" Mara inquired in shock.
"Yes, Ma. He gave her around five million dollars!" Claire revealed.
"Wow." Mara's eyes widened in astonishment. "Does she deserve it? Didn't you say she tried to harm your baby? She shouldn't get anything!"
Claire choked on her words. Her face flushed at her mother's suggestion. Only she knew the absolute truth. She shrugged and answered, "Brian said it was for the best. Because if Riley goes
after all her rights, the divorce would be too difficult and lengthy."
Mara's face turned glum. She bitterly said, "I have an idea. Didn't you say her mother is in the same hospital?"
"Yes, Ma. What are you planning to do?" Claire asked.
Smirking, Mara described, "Well, since she tried to harm your child, why don't I threaten her to give us money!"
"I want to go out and get some fresh air," Mara claimed before searching for Riley's mother. She went to the ICU and used all her dramatics to get the needed information.
Mara felt like she could scheme to get money from Riley, so when she spotted Riley, she charged with everything she got! After all, she had to be convincing.
However, she did not expect that Riley's mother would have a heart attack. So, when all the medical staff were working on Riley's mother, the latter confronted Mara angrily.
"You! You did this to my mother!" Riley yelled while marching in Mara's direction. "You want to sue me? Then sue me! I'll sue your daughter back! While the divorce is not finalized, I can counter it and get half of Brian's assets! I will sue for adultery, and I will not stop until your precious daughter is locked up for having an affair with a married man!"
Mara gasped. The people around her began to stare at her, and she felt humiliated. She miscalculated how this Riley woman would react!
"I - I don't know what you are talking about!" Mara took a step back and briskly walked to the lift.
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"Mom, please. Please stay with me, no matter what," Riley begged as she held Renee's hand. Her eyes were puffed once more.
She had not bathed or left her mother's side in the last twenty-four hours. She did not answer her phone or eat a single bite of food. Since Renee's heart attack, she has been put back into the ICU for cardiac monitoring.
Doctor Wilson happened to drop by. He said to Riley, "Don't worry, Miss Allen. Your mom is stable now, but she needs a lot of rest, and we will do several tests on her heart too -"
"I want to move her to the King's Medical Center now," Riley said firmly. "We can't stay here any longer! I don't want to see my husband's mistress and any of his family!"
Doctor Wilson was taken aback, but his silence gave it away. Clearly, the doctor knew what was going on between Riley and Brian. He said, "Your mother is not yet in the condition to move facilities -"
"My mother will die here if we keep bumping into those people!" Riley angrily said.
"But if that is what you wish, I'm sure The King's Medical Center has a high-end ambulance that can transport patients on a cardiac monitor. You'll need to sign a waiver," The doctor said.
"Please," Riley asserted. "I want to leave as soon as possible."
Following that conversation with Doctor Wilson, Riley contacted Clint and informed him of the situation. He was more than eager to facilitate the move for her mother. Clint assured Riley, "Don't worry, Miss Allen, the boss will ensure your mother's recovery."
In the next two hours, everything was ready. Renee was moved to the King's Medical Center using the hospital's most advanced medical transport. Seeing how efficient the staff was, Riley regretted
pushing back her mother's transfer. As Doctor Wilson suggested, Riley waited until her mother regained strength, but Claire's mother unexpectedly worsened Renee's condition.
With her mother's current state, Riley's hatred towards Brian and Claire amplified. She was planning to just let it go. Her moving on and future success was her vengeance, but after what happened, she knew she had to settle the score.
It no longer surprised Riley that Adrian visited her in the evening. Riley did not know why, but she felt like she could be herself around him. Immediately, Riley cried when Adrian entered her mother's ICU space.
Adrian moved closer to her and pulled her into his arms. She did not even realize how she ended up sitting on his lap, her arms wrapped around his neck.
Riley broke down completely and said, "Please help me, Adrian. I have no one else to ask but you."
"You didn't have to ask," Adrian responded; his voice was deep and soothing. "I have already asked the resident to contact the best cardiologist and surgeon. The hospital will take care of your mother."
Riley pulled away, a mix of anger and sadness filling her chest. She sat back in her chair and stared at her sleeping mother for some time. After taking deep breaths, she glanced back at Adrian and declared, "About your proposition, I agree."
"What?" Adrian inquired.
"I agree to marry you," Riley responded.
As a reaction, Adrian leaned back in his wheelchair. For the first time, Riley saw how he was caught by surprise. His mouth parted for seconds before he finally answered, "I assure you, you won't regret it."