Live with a system) Chapter 24
For several days, Riley didn’t hear from Alex or Brenda, and she didn’t see any news about lim online, which cased her anxieties somewhat. On this particular day, Riley was heading to work as usual, giving Evelyn a ride since Evelyn was too tired to drive herself. Inside the car, Evelyn let out a massive yawn.
“I’m so envious of you young people, you have endless energy,” Evelyn commented, half–jokingly,
Wiley glanced at her, responding without hesitation, “But you looked so energetic when you were
inking”
at
Evelyn playfully tugged Riley’s cheek. “Little girl,
girl, you’re getting sassy.”
Riley laughed, countering with a playful jab.“See? We’re partners and I can’t judge you.” “Oh, I didn’t mean that at all,” Evelyn responded, her tone shifting suddenly as if this had just occurred to her.“You didn’t tell me why you left work early the other day.” That caught Riley off guard, causing her to pause for a moment. Before she could formulate a response, however, Evelyn was drawn to a sleek, black Maybach parked outside their studio. “Your friend’s been here for days, but he doesn’t seem to dare to go to you.”
Riley chuckled softly, a hint of mockery in her voice.“If he dares show up, I’ll break his spine.” With that, she drove into the parking lot, her gaze unwavering. Since the confrontation with Chloe, both Ethan and Chase had become frequent visitors. They even took turns as if they were on some sort of silent vigil.
She didn’t see them but they’d been transferring money to her studio. Riley promptly returned, for fear of potential legal repercussions from Chloe, who could easily accuse the studio of illegal fundraising or something. Soon after, the transfers were amended with notes indicating “voluntary donation.” With this, Riley accepted the funds on behalf of the studio. It was only fair; she deserved this.
Chloe’s activities and news remained relentless, with the promotion of her latest show dominating headlines.
Upon arriving at the office, Riley saw a bouquet of roses on her desk. It was a familiar unwelcome offering. Riley didn’t even bother checking; she tossed them directly into the trash. It was a cheap tactic. She smirked. Money was more practical, right?
Recently, Riley was counseling a couple. They met each other during their early struggles and had been married for sixteen years. The woman had willingly given up her career to become a stay–at–home–wife while the man’s career was ascending. After years of self–sacrifice and suppressing her own desires, the woman’s resentment finally boiled over, leaving her feeling insecure and desperate to cling to the few things she possessed. This grip, however, added immense pressure to their marriage.
The man loved his wife deeply and continuously provided her with love and security. Nobody was at fault; their issues stemmed from the deep differences in their perspectives. Riley saw a reflection of the struggles faced by many traditional housewives. As she watched them leave, hand–in–hand, a sense of hope settled over her. The willingness to change was the best beginning. Riley closed her eyes, allowing herself a brief moment of respite before she was jolted awake by a phone call.
“Riley, come help me move,” Alex said.
15:17
