Turns out, my injuries were mostly superficial. After a bit of patching up and a few days of rest, I’d be fine..
My parents showed up at the hospital, both looking like they were ready to explode.
They had already heard what happened on their way here.
Right there in the hospital hallway, my dad announced, “Micah is out of our company. Effective immediately. I want a full audit on him. If he embezzled a single cent, we’re pressing charges.” Asher stepped forward, calm and confident. “Don’t worry, sir. I’ve already blacklisted him from every industry that matters.”
“I’ll make sure he doesn’t even qualify for scraps. He’ll be lucky if a homeless shelter takes him in.”
My parents looked at him with obvious relief.
“We always liked you best,” my dad said. “Too bad Riley had a poor taste on men”
“Luckily, fate brought you two back together,” he added.
Asher smiled. “Guess I just wasn’t good enough back then to be her first choice.”
My mom raised an eyebrow. “Not good enough? Oh, please. You’re the best man around, Asher And fairly, I want adopt you as my son.”
“I’d be honored,” Asher replied smoothly. “But if you do that, it might get a little awkward when try to marry Riley.”
She actually looked disappointed. “You’ve got a point there.”
Then Asher grinned and turned to them with a mischievous glint in his eye. “Or, you could go ahead and make me your son–just disown Riley. That way, we can get married without any problems.”
I stared at them as they paused–like they were genuinely considering it.
“Seriously? Who’s your real kid here?” I grumbled.
During my hospital stay, Asher charmed the life out of them. I’d never seen my mom so giddy.
Even while I was still stuck in a hospital bed, they started planning the wedding. Set the date, booked the venue–everything.
When I was finally discharged, I walked out holding a giant bouquet of flowers, feeling like the luckiest girl alive.
And then I saw her–Micah’s mom–waiting by the hospital entrance.
She looked like she hadn’t slept in days.
As soon as she spotted me, she ran over.
Asher immediately stepped in front of me protectively, eyes cold and watchful.
Micah’s mother’s lips trembled. Then, without warning, she dropped to her knees.
It was a hospital entrance, so naturally people were coming and going. And naturally, they couldn’t help but stare. But she didn’t care. She clasped her hands over her chest and begged,
valna prsaking
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11:24 pm G D D D
voice cracking.
“Riley, please,” she cried. “Can’t you stop fighting with Micah? Go back to how things used to be The police came and arrested him. They said he embezzled money from your company. You pressed charges. Can’t you just drop them? Please? For me? You loved him so much… can you really watch someone you loved go to prison?”
I didn’t even break stride. I walked right past her like she wasn’t there.
But she stumbled after me and grabbed at my mom.
“Please, talk to your daughter. We already agreed to the engagement–how can she just back out now?”
“I did some digging,” she added desperately. “I know this new guy is richer than Micah, but we’re not supposed to let wealth get between them, do we?”
My mom shot her disgusted look.
By now, some of the people nearby had caught on to what was happening and started whispering. The whole scene was beginning to make us look like the ones who were shallow family, dumping the poor son–in–law for a wealthier match.
That’s when Asher let out a sharp laugh and said loud enough for everyone to hear, “Ma’am, your son’s already married. He’s got the marriage certificate to prove it. And here you are, trying to help him propose to my wife? In this country, that’s called bigamy. It’s a felony.”
Micah’s mom panicked and blurted out, “That marriage was just for show! They can divorce anytime!”
Asher raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so your family thinks marriage is just a formality? Something you can pick up and drop whenever it’s convenient?”
11:24 pm GD
