Chapter 280: A Trap Set in Daylight
Chapter 280 of "Mated To The Crippled Alpha" starts with thrilling twists: Riley walked ahead of us with easy confidence, her steps light but proud. The night... Continue the story!
Riley walked ahead of us with easy confidence, her steps light but proud. The night air in Jaford carried salt and flowers, and for a moment, everything felt far away from blood and schemes.She slipped into the front passenger seat and looked back at us with a teasing smirk. "If it werenât for your bad leg, Iâd make you sit in the back."
Lewisâs throat moved as he swallowed, but his voice stayed calm. "I can carry her."
Riley lifted a brow. "Oh? Then pull over."
The car slowed again, and Harlan rushed up, his steps sharp and restless. His scent hit the air first frustration, longing, wounded pride.
"I knew it," he said, staring at Riley. "You came back. That means we can forget the past."
Riley rolled her eyes. "Youâre insane."
She slammed the door harder this time and climbed into the back, squeezing in beside me. I instinctively leaned into Lewis. His arm came around my waist at once, firm and protective, like he was claiming space around us without saying a word.
Riley clicked her tongue. "Honestly, I canât even look at you two. Itâs only been a few months and youâre already this sweet? Do you really like him that much?"
Heat rushed to my face. I buried it deeper into Lewisâs chest, inhaling his familiar scent that calmed my instincts instantly.
"Mm-hmm," I admitted softly. "I like him a lot. Weâre... very happy."
Riley tilted her head, studying us. "Lewis, shouldnât you thank me? Iâm the one who pushed you two together."
"Thank you," he replied simply.
She blinked, surprised. "Thatâs it? I heard youâre ruthless in business. Cold. A devil among Alphas. I even heard about your leg. I expected someone twisted. But youâre... surprisingly agreeable."
Lewisâs hold on me tightened slightly. His eyes sharpened as he studied her more closely. He had already figured out who she really was beneath that borrowed body.
"Iâm grateful," he said quietly, "that you sent her back to me. Without you, she wouldnât have had another chance."
Riley waved a hand. "Stop. Youâre making it sound like I died in some heroic pack battle."
I laughed softly. "Riley, how have you really been?"
I never thought Iâd see her again. Not like this. Not alive.
She looked out the window for a moment before answering. "Starting over... itâs not so bad. Sometimes you just have to let everything go."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Our timelines are different," she explained. "I came back about a month ago. I woke up in Janiceâs body. She loved Harlan, but as you saw, that Nina girl his so-called childhood sweetheart never stopped circling him."
She let out a dry laugh.
"The marriage was arranged by Harlanâs grandfather. He resented it. For three years, he barely looked at Janice. He defended Nina every time. One day, after another fight, Janice jumped into the lake."
Her voice softened.
"The day I woke up, I opened my eyes underwater. There was this huge black fish staring at me. I almost died again from shock. Good thing I can swim."
Despite myself, I laughed.
"After dealing with trash like Yenick in my last life," she continued, "I figured I wouldnât beg anyone anymore. If Harlan hates me, fine. We divorce."
I reached for her hand. "Iâm just glad youâre safe. When I saw how angry he looked earlier, I was worried he might hurt you."
"He wouldnât," Lewis said calmly. "Harlan has a temper, but he wouldnât cross that line."
I shot him a look. "Of course youâd defend him."
He wisely stayed silent.
Riley watched us with something like relief in her eyes. "I used to worry about you," she admitted. "Back then, I left you with such a mess. Marriage isnât a game. I was scared I ruined your life."
"You didnât," I said firmly. "I handled it."
She smiled faintly. "I know. I looked you up. Your painting livestreams. Your violin performance. The photos with Grant. Youâve done well."
At the mention of Grant, her smile turned fragile.
"He knows the truth now," I said gently. "He regrets everything. Why havenât you reached out to Mom? Sheâd be so happy to know youâre alive."
Riley lowered her head. "I donât deserve to be her daughter. When I ended my life, I didnât even think about her feelings. Youâre strong. Youâre enough for her. Her daughter shouldnât be someone who ran away."
I sighed. "They both love you."
"Donât tell them yet," she whispered. "When Iâve built something of my own. When I can shine too. Then Iâll go see her."
I hesitated, then added softly, "Mom is pregnant."
Her eyes widened. "She is?"
The rest of the ride was full of laughter. For a little while, we were just girls again. No enemies. No graves. No revenge.
Lewis stayed quiet, letting us talk. His hand remained on my waist the entire time, steady and warm.
When the car stopped, the gates of Hale Estate opened slowly. Hydrangeas in every color lined the path under soft lights.
My favorite flowers.
He planted them for me.
Theo pushed Lewis forward, smiling. "Iâve known Mrs. Riley for years. Iâve never seen her this happy."
Lewis looked at me with quiet warmth. "Yeah. Itâs nice."
Riley spun around suddenly. "Lewis, Iâm stealing Elena tonight. Sheâs sleeping with me."
He blinked once, clearly not prepared for that.
"Please?" I added quickly, giving him my most innocent look. "I have so much to talk about."
He sighed in defeat. "Fine. But donât stay up too late."
"Promise!"
Inside, Riley grabbed my arm. "Youâre younger, so call me sister."
I laughed. "Excuse me? Iâm twenty. Youâre in my body. That makes you the younger one."
"I lived in that body for twenty years!" she argued. "Iâm twenty-five!"
Lewis cut in smoothly, "Iâm older than Harlan. That makes Elena your sister-in-law."
"It doesnât count!" Riley protested. "Weâre getting divorced!"
The debate went on until I gave up, laughing. "Call me whatever you want."
She beamed. "Younger sister!"
She dragged me inside.
The house felt warm, filled with Lewisâs careful touches. Every corner carried his scent home.
Riley picked a guest room and insisted we bathe together.
I hesitated at first, but she grinned wickedly. "Relax. I lived in this body for twenty years. Thereâs nothing I havenât seen."
We soaked in the large tub, steam rising around us as we talked like teenagers.
Then her eyes drifted to my chest, and she smirked. "Looks bigger now. Did Lewis massage them for you?"
I splashed water at her. "You little brat! When did you become this shameless?"
"Iâm your elder sister," she said proudly.
I shook my head, laughing. "Fine. So what do you want to hear?"
"Everything. Start with Lincy. She was still in your class, right? Did she bother you?"
The laughter faded from my face.
I looked at her quietly and said, "Lincy is dead."
Riley froze.
"What?"
I took a slow breath. "A lot happened after you left. Let me tell you everything."