Chapter 4

Riley's POV

"BANG! BANG! BANG!"

The mechanical wrench hammered against metal in the garage. I put all my strength into dismantling this piece-of-shit engine. Sweat mixed with motor oil dripped down my cheeks, but I didn't stop.

Only here, in this cramped space reeking of machinery, could I temporarily forget those damn online comments.

Three days. Since the awards ceremony video went viral, I'd been hiding in this rented garage like a wounded animal licking its wounds. My phone had been off—I couldn't stand seeing those vicious comments anymore.

"Click."

The garage door opened.

I didn't look up, thinking it was the landlord coming for rent. "I told you, by month's end I'll definitely..."

"Riley?"

I froze instantly, slowly turning to see Madison Parker standing elegantly in the doorway.

"How did you find this place?"

"There's nowhere in Texas I can't find." She clicked in on high heels, looking around with disgust. "God, you actually work in a place like this? How pathetic."

I gripped the wrench tighter. "What do you want?"

"To check on my future sister-in-law, of course." Madison smiled. "After all, you're having such... difficulties."

"I don't need your concern."

"Oh, but I really AM concerned." She surveyed the cramped space, shaking her head in fake sympathy. "From the Brennan garage to this... what should I call it, junkyard? Such a fall from grace."

"What's your point?"

Madison gracefully sat on an oil drum. "I know you have special feelings for Colt, but those are just little-girl fantasies. Time to wake up."

"I'm wide awake."

"Really?" She tilted her head. "Then why are you still clinging to him? Why don't you exit gracefully?"

"I'm not clinging to anyone."

"Please, Riley." Madison laughed as she stood. "We're adults here—no need to play dumb. You think I don't know what's happened between you two?"

Blood rushed to my head. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," her voice turned sharp, "ten years of 'charitable care' can definitely create illusions. But the game's over now. Time to return to reality."

I stared at her, knuckles white. "Say what you came to say and GET OUT."

"Don't be hasty." Madison pulled out a checkbook from her purse. "I came to help you."

"Help me?"

"Yes." She tore out a check and filled it in with neat handwriting. "If you're really talented, help me customize this car."

She pointed to the brand-new Ferrari 488 parked outside the garage. Its crimson paint gleamed bloodred in the sunlight.

"I don't take your orders."

"Oh, but you might be interested in this price." Madison held up the check. "One hundred thousand dollars. Do a good job, and this is your breakup fee."

"Are you INSANE?" I could barely believe my ears. "What breakup fee?"

"Please, stop acting innocent." Madison's smile turned vicious. "Ten years of freeloading should get some compensation. This hundred grand is Colt paying for your 'services.'"

Services?

Fuck, she was treating me like a WHORE?

"Get out."

"Oh my, getting angry? I'm just stating facts. A homeless orphan gets taken in by kind people, then uses her body to repay the favor... it's such a common story."

"SHUT UP!"

"Facts are facts, Riley." She elegantly smoothed her hair. "Did you think you were Cinderella? That the prince would marry you? Wake up—you'll always just be a cheap..."

I couldn't take it anymore.

The wrench flew from my hand, whooshing past Madison's cheek and slamming into the wall behind her.

"AHHH!" Madison screamed and fell to the ground.

"GET OFF MY TURF!" I roared, charging at her. "GET OUT NOW!"

"You're CRAZY! You tried to KILL me!" Madison shrieked hysterically. "HELP! Someone's trying to murder me!"

"Riley!"

An angry voice boomed from the doorway.

My blood turned to ice.

Colt stormed into the garage, fury blazing in his eyes. He swept Madison up, frantically checking if she was hurt.

"Are you okay? Did she hurt you anywhere?"

"I'm fine... just terrified..." Madison clung to him pitifully. "She threw a wrench at me, Colt. She wanted to kill me..."

"What?" Colt looked at me in shock. "Riley, how could you do this?"

I opened my mouth to explain, but the words stuck in my throat.

He wouldn't believe me anyway.

"I want you to apologize to Madison." His voice was stern. "Right now."

"Apologize?" I stared at him in disbelief. "You won't even ask what happened—just demand I apologize?"

"I saw enough." He held Madison tight. "How could you attack a defenseless woman?"

Defenseless? I almost laughed out loud. That bitch's tongue was deadlier than any weapon.

"I won't apologize."

"What?" Colt's face darkened instantly. "Riley, you WILL apologize. Madison is my fiancée—you can't treat her this way."

Fiancée.

That word cut into my heart like a blade.

"If you don't apologize," Colt's voice turned threatening, "I'll revoke this garage's lease. You know this building belongs to Brennan Industries."

Of course.

Of course this place belonged to him too.

I looked around this cramped space—my only sanctuary.

Now he was taking away this last thing too.

"Colt, I'm fine..." Madison said with fake magnanimity. "She's just emotional... I understand..."

"Apologize, Riley." Colt commanded again. "This is your last chance."

I looked at him quietly, strange calm washing over me.

The one who saved him on that Afghanistan battlefield—that wasn't me.

The one who deserved gratitude—that wasn't me either.

The one who owed him everything—definitely not me.

I was just a scapegoat, carrying his twisted guilt over my dead father.

"Colt Brennan." I laughed coldly. "Your charity ends here."

"What?"

"I don't want this garage anymore." I ripped off my greasy work shirt and threw it on the ground. "I'd rather sleep on the streets than apologize to HER. NEVER!"