Chapter 124: End Game

The drive home felt like a long drop on a broken ride. My chest tightened, loosened, then tightened again. My thoughts bounced between years of fighting with Julian and the strange stretch of time after my death when I wasn’t alive, not gone either, just drifting, unseen, unheard.When the car finally stopped, I didn’t move.

My hands stayed locked around the steering wheel. My body refused to listen.

For a moment, I didn’t even know who I was.

Was I Elena the woman who had been betrayed and shattered?

Was I nothing more than a lingering shadow?

Or was I Riley the woman who had been given another chance and had learned how to stand again?

The door suddenly opened. Cold air rushed in, sharp and biting. Snow slipped into the car, spinning softly. Then a familiar voice followed.

"Why are you still sitting there?" Lena asked gently. "I’ve been watching you from the porch."

I lifted my head. She stood beside the car, worry written all over her face. My thoughts were scattered. My eyes probably looked empty.

She reached out and pressed her hand lightly against my forehead. "You’re not burning up. Are you feeling unwell?"

Her warmth cut straight through the fog in my mind.

That’s right.

I wasn’t that woman anymore.

I had been pulled back. Given breath. Given a place again.

I leaned into her and exhaled. "I’m fine. I just got lost in my head for a second."

She wrapped her arms around me without hesitation.

She wasn’t Vivian the woman who had always kept her distance. Lena was soft. Kind. She held me like I mattered.

"You haven’t looked like this in years," she said, brushing my hair back. "It reminds me of when you were small."

I smiled faintly. "I’ll always be your little girl, Mom."

"As long as I’m here," she replied, "you’ll always belong in my arms."

Something inside me settled.

"Mom," I said, pulling back, "I brought you something."

I opened the trunk and lifted out the bags I had chosen carefully. Dresses. Shoes. Jewelry.

"These are for you. Try them later."

Her eyes lit up instantly.

"You picked all of this for me?" she said, almost shyly. "My daughter really has grown up."

"You have a great figure," I teased. "But you hide it behind plain clothes."

She laughed softly. "I’m not young anymore."

"Not young?" I raised a brow. "If we walked out together, people would think we’re sisters."

She laughed properly this time. "Since when did you become so charming? And where’s Lewis? Didn’t he come with you?"

There was worry in her voice.

"He’s busy," I said. "He’ll come by later."

Her shoulders relaxed. "That’s good."

She held my hand as we went inside. The house was warm, clean, steady. A place that still felt lived in.

"Does Dad come around much?" I asked lightly.

Her expression dimmed. "It’s better if he doesn’t."

While she tried on one of the dresses, I asked quietly, "Mom... have you ever thought about ending your bond with him?"

Her hands froze.

I stepped closer and rested my hands on her shoulders. "Look at yourself. You’re strong. You’re beautiful. You still have so much time left. Do you really want to spend it carrying the same pain?"

I understood her too well.

"...Is that even something I can choose?" she whispered.

I guided her to the vanity. Fixed her brows. Added color to her lips. She didn’t need much. She never had.

"Look," I said softly. "You’ve always been beautiful. Letting yourself fade for someone like Grant that’s the real tragedy."

Her voice trembled. "But the Wilchers are struggling. Your uncle can’t manage things alone. If I leave... everything falls apart. No one would support me."

"And Grant knows that," I replied. "That’s why he treats you the way he does."

I paused. "Lewis said he would help you if you ever wanted to leave. He’d make sure your family is protected."

She frowned. "You just mated with him. That’s too much to ask."

She always put herself last.

"Forget everyone else," I said gently. "Just answer me this. Do you want to leave?"

She stared at her reflection, silent for a long time.

"I..."

The door opened.

Grant walked in, dressed neatly, his presence filling the room without warmth. "I’m home. Oh, Riley’s here already?"

The courage drained from her face.

"Is dinner ready?" he asked. "Lewis is here too."

At Lewis’s name, Lena hurried away.

Grant’s gaze followed her not with care, but ownership.

Then he turned to me.

"Riley," he said coolly, "don’t interfere between your mother and me. You think you’re helping, but you’re only hurting her. Do you want her cast out because of your foolish ideas?"

I met his stare without blinking.

Julian. Yenik. Grant.

Different faces. Same core.

Men like them always believed the world bent to their will simply because it always had.

I stepped closer to Grant and looked him straight in the eye. My voice stayed calm.

"Tell me something, Mr. Ashbourne. Who taught you that a woman can’t live a full life unless a man claims her?"

I didn’t stop walking.

"Don’t worry. This bond you’re clinging to? It’s ending soon. And I’ll say this now Mom will be happier without you."

His face darkened. Power rolled off him in sharp waves.

"Riley," he snapped. "I’m your father. Who gave you the right to speak to me like this?"

I laughed softly.

"Because you contributed DNA?" I tilted my head. "Is that all it takes for you to think you own my respect? Sorry. That’s not how it works. And I’ll say it again this bond is over."

His control snapped.

He grabbed one of Mom’s expensive perfume bottles and hurled it across the room. Glass shattered. The scent spread sharp and bitter through the air.

I didn’t flinch.

"You cheat," I said flatly. "You explode over nothing. And now you throw things when you don’t get your way. Tell me why should any woman stay bound to a man like that?"

I didn’t wait for an answer.

I turned and walked downstairs.

Lewis was already there, seated in the living room, reading through a file. The moment he saw me, he set it aside. His gaze met mine steady, grounded, unshaken.

Where others made noise, he brought calm.

"Riley."

Just hearing his voice settled something deep inside me.

"You just arrived?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yeah."

Lena came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of fruit. Her face brightened when she saw him.

"Lewis, thank you for coming," she said warmly. "I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I prepared a few things."

"I’m not picky," he replied easily. "I’m sure it’s perfect."

"Please eat something while we wait. Dinner won’t take long."

Watching them together, I could tell she already trusted him. The way her shoulders eased. The way her eyes softened.

"Mom, I’ll help in the kitchen," I said, rolling up my sleeves.

Lewis reached out and gently pulled me back.

"No need," he said. "Theo’s good with his hands. I’ll have him assist."

"I can help "

He shook his head, firm but gentle. "You’ve done enough today. Rest."

Theo was already moving, no questions asked.

Lewis didn’t just say he cared. He showed it.

He took my hand. "Sit. Let someone else handle it."

I smiled. "Then I’ll peel grapes for you."

"I’d like that."

Lena watched us quietly, her eyes shining.

Then Grant tried to copy the moment.

He picked up a slice of kiwi and held it toward her with a forced smile. "Here, sweetheart."

She stared at it. "I hate kiwi."

The silence that followed was sharp.

Grant cleared his throat. "Then tell me what you "

The front door opened.

"Lena! We haven’t visited since you moved in. You don’t mind company, do you?"

Of course.

Monica walked in like she owned the place, Lincy trailing behind her, both dressed as if they were stepping onto a runway.

I stood up immediately. "You’re not welcome. Leave."

Lincy pouted and turned to Grant. "Dad, look how rude Riley is."

Grant smiled indulgently and placed a hand on her back. "We’re family. You girls should get along."

The word family cut deep.

Without saying a word, Lena slipped back into the kitchen.

Lincy glanced at Monica, then strolled toward the fruit tray. Without asking, she picked up a grape and turned to Lewis with a coy smile.

"Lewis, do you like grapes? I can peel one for you."

There it was.

They weren’t subtle. They never were.

Stealing attention. Crossing lines. Testing boundaries.

Honestly, it was starting to feel less like attraction and more like obsession.

And I wasn’t in the mood to tolerate it.