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Bouquet Of Deception 69
69 RileyFlashing red and blue lights cut through the night as the wail of sirens grew deafening. The ambulance screeched to a stop, tires skidding slightly on the asphalt. The doors burst open, and two paramedics rushed toward us, their movements quick and efficient.One of them, a woman with dark hair pulled into a ponytail, knelt beside Ethan while the other, a tall man with a sharp gaze, turned to me. “What happened?” His voice was firm, but not unkind.I opened my mouth, but my brain felt sluggish, fogged by the crash, by the weight of everything that had just happened. “There was… a car. Headlights. It came out of nowhere,” I stammered. My hands trembled violently as I gestured toward Ethan. “He hit his head. He—he was unconscious for a minute, but I found a pulse. He’s breathing, but it’s weak.”The female paramedic was already checking Ethan’s vitals, pressing fingers to his neck, then gently lifting his eyelids to check his pupils. “Pulse is thready,” she muttered. “Possible
Last Updated : 2025-03-31Bouquet Of Deception 70
70RileyFear gripped me like a vice, squeezing the breath from my lungs. What if he died? The thought sent another wave of panic crashing over me, sharp and suffocating. I had been so cruel to him—pushing him away, refusing to let him in—and now? Now he was lying unconscious in some sterile hospital room, and I might never get the chance to fix it.Fuck.I barely registered the wetness on my cheeks until a stray drop hit my lips. Tears? Was I really crying? For fuck’s sake. I scrubbed a hand over my face, but the panic only clawed deeper, making it impossible to sit still. I needed to do something. I needed to get out of here.My hands fumbled as I pulled out my phone, fingers shaking as I scrolled through my contacts. Ella and Ron. Ethan’s parents. I hesitated for half a second before pressing the call button.It rang once. Twice.Then, finally—“Riley?” Ella’s voice was surprised, confused. “Did you forget something? You just left.”God. She had no idea.I sucked in a breath, tryin
Last Updated : 2025-03-31Bouquet Of Deception 71
71 RileyI didn’t realize I had moved until my feet were following them, trailing just behind Ella and Ron as they walked stiffly toward the doctor. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, drowning out the beeping of monitors and the distant murmur of nurses’ voices. The air smelled of antiseptic and something metallic—blood, maybe. Ethan’s blood.Ella was shaking. Her hands were clenched together so tightly her knuckles were bone-white. Her breaths were uneven, quick and shallow, like she was trying to stop herself from breaking apart.Ron, on the other hand, was too still. His jaw was locked, his breathing harsh and uneven. His fury had momentarily cooled, but I could still feel it radiating off him in waves. He didn’t want me here.But I couldn’t leave.Not when Ethan was still behind those doors. Not when I still didn’t know if I had already lost him.The doctor led us down a sterile hallway, his white coat swishing slightly as he walked. His silence made my stomach twist with dread.
Last Updated : 2025-03-31Bouquet Of Deception 72
72 EthanI stared at him, my eyes blurry with tears I couldn’t hold back anymore. His face, pale and still, lay motionless beneath the harsh fluorescent lights, and for the first time, I realized how fragile he looked. A sharp pang of guilt twisted inside me, deep and painful.I had pushed him away. I had let him go when he was only trying to hold on. And now, here he was, fighting for his life—and I couldn’t do anything to help him.I brushed my fingers across his forehead, careful not to disturb the bandages. I didn’t want to hurt him more, even though the pain inside me was unbearable.“Please,” I whispered again, my voice shaking. “I need you to wake up.”The room was silent except for the steady beeping of the heart monitor, the rhythm of it almost mocking me, reminding me of how powerless I was.I thought about the words Ron had said—This is your fault. The anger in his voice had felt like a slap, each word hitting me harder than the last. I couldn’t argue with him. Not really.
Last Updated : 2025-03-31Bouquet Of Deception 73
73 RileyI don’t know how long I stood there, staring at the door. Time had lost all meaning. The sterile scent of the hospital, the steady hum of machines, the distant murmur of doctors and nurses—it all blurred together, a numbing backdrop to the chaos inside my head.I should go back in. I should sit by his side and refuse to move until he woke up. But Ron’s words echoed in my mind, sharp and unforgiving.“This is your fault.”I pressed my hands against my temples, trying to block out the guilt clawing at my insides. Maybe if I had done things differently—if I had just let Ethan in instead of pushing him away—he wouldn’t have been in that car. Maybe he wouldn’t have been lying in that hospital bed, slipping further away with every second.A soft voice broke through my thoughts.“Riley?”I turned to see Ella standing in the doorway, her face blotchy from crying, her eyes rimmed with exhaustion. She looked small, fragile, like she could collapse at any moment.“He’s the same,” she m
Last Updated : 2025-03-31Bouquet Of Deception 74
74 RileyI don’t even remember how I got back home.One minute, I was in the hospital, sitting beside Ethan, begging him to wake up. The next, I was standing in front of my apartment door, my whole body numb.I turned my head, and there it was—Ethan’s apartment.The door was closed, just like always. His name still on the small metal plate next to the number. Everything looked the same. But it wasn’t.He wasn’t inside, making his stupid protein shakes that smelled awful. He wasn’t blasting music way too early in the morning. He wasn’t there to throw open his door, grinning at me like I was the best part of his day.I choked on a sob.Fuck.Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled forward, pressing my hand against his door like maybe—maybe—I could feel something. Some warmth. Some trace of him.I felt nothing but cold wood.I hated this. I hated how weak I felt.I hated that I was crying.Had I become a girl now? Some pathetic, lovesick idiot who only realized what she wanted when it was
Last Updated : 2025-03-31Bouquet Of Deception 75
75 RileyI don’t even remember how I got back home.One minute, I was in the hospital, sitting beside Ethan, begging him to wake up. The next, I was standing in front of my apartment door, my whole body numb.I turned my head, and there it was—Ethan’s apartment.The door was closed, just like always. His name still on the small metal plate next to the number. Everything looked the same. But it wasn’t.He wasn’t inside, making his stupid protein shakes that smelled awful. He wasn’t blasting music way too early in the morning. He wasn’t there to throw open his door, grinning at me like I was the best part of his day.I choked on a sob.Fuck.Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled forward, pressing my hand against his door like maybe—maybe—I could feel something. Some warmth. Some trace of him.I felt nothing but cold wood.I hated this. I hated how weak I felt.I hated that I was crying.Had I become a girl now? Some pathetic, lovesick idiot who only realized what she wanted when it was
Last Updated : 2025-03-31Bouquet Of Deception 76
7666 59 Ethan I left the kitchen before Riley could see just how much his words affected me. I shouldn’t care that he was still here. I shouldn’t want him to stay. But I did. I stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind me with a deep breath. Focus, Ethan. I needed to get my head straight before work, not stand around analyzing every little thing Riley said or did. I turned on the shower, stepping under the hot spray with a sigh. The warmth eased some of the soreness in my muscles, but it did nothing to clear my mind. I kept thinking about him. About last night. About the way he touched me—like he wasn’t just claiming my body but something more. I shook my head, pushing the thought away. Riley wasn’t like that. This was nothing. Just a one-time thing. Even if he had stayed. Even if he was making pancakes in my kitchen. Even if— I groaned, tilting my head back under the water. I was losing it. After washing up, I turned off the shower and wrapp
Last Updated : 2025-03-31
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Bouquet Of Deception 103
Chapter 7: Memories in FocusRiley’s POVI parked my beaten-down car in the lot outside the studio, killing the engine with a sigh of relief. The sun had risen fully now, the sky painted in soft shades of gold and blue. It was one of those perfect mornings—too perfect for the dark thoughts still lingering at the edge of my mind.“Focus, Riley,” I muttered as I grabbed my camera bag and stepped out, the early city hum filling the air. Work was my escape, the only thing that made sense when nothing else did.The studio was quiet when I walked in, the faint smell of coffee and printer ink lingering in the air. I waved to Marcy, the front desk assistant, who gave me her usual bright smile.“Morning, Riley! Big day ahead?”“Just another day in paradise,” I replied, forcing a smirk.“Don’t forget there’s coffee in the break room,” she added with a wink. “You look like you need it.”I nodded in thanks and headed to my small workspace in the back. The room was cozy, cluttered with camera lens
Bouquet Of Deception 102
Chapter 76 Riley Speedy had never been quiet before. My wolf had always been restless—always pushing, always growling, always demanding to be heard. But ever since Ethan’s accident, he’d been worse. A constant storm in my chest, pacing, snarling, berating me for what I’d done. You hurt him, Speedy spat, every second of every day. You pushed him away. You let him get hurt. This is your fault. It was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to bury myself in work, no matter how hard I trained or how many distractions I shoved in my face, he was always there. Pounding against my skull. Reminding me. And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong. Ethan was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I hadn’t even gone to see him. Because I was a coward. Because I couldn’t face the reality of what I’d done. Because I knew the second I saw him lying there—pale, motionless, barely breathing—I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. But ignoring it didn’t change the truth. It on
Bouquet Of Deception 101
Chapter 76 Riley Speedy had never been quiet before. My wolf had always been restless—always pushing, always growling, always demanding to be heard. But ever since Ethan’s accident, he’d been worse. A constant storm in my chest, pacing, snarling, berating me for what I’d done. You hurt him, Speedy spat, every second of every day. You pushed him away. You let him get hurt. This is your fault. It was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to bury myself in work, no matter how hard I trained or how many distractions I shoved in my face, he was always there. Pounding against my skull. Reminding me. And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong. Ethan was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I hadn’t even gone to see him. Because I was a coward. Because I couldn’t face the reality of what I’d done. Because I knew the second I saw him lying there—pale, motionless, barely breathing—I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. But ignoring it didn’t change the truth. It on
Bouquet Of Deception 100
Chapter 76 Riley Speedy had never been quiet before. My wolf had always been restless—always pushing, always growling, always demanding to be heard. But ever since Ethan’s accident, he’d been worse. A constant storm in my chest, pacing, snarling, berating me for what I’d done. You hurt him, Speedy spat, every second of every day. You pushed him away. You let him get hurt. This is your fault. It was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to bury myself in work, no matter how hard I trained or how many distractions I shoved in my face, he was always there. Pounding against my skull. Reminding me. And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong. Ethan was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I hadn’t even gone to see him. Because I was a coward. Because I couldn’t face the reality of what I’d done. Because I knew the second I saw him lying there—pale, motionless, barely breathing—I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. But ignoring it didn’t change the truth. It on
Bouquet Of Deception 99
Chapter 76 Riley Speedy had never been quiet before. My wolf had always been restless—always pushing, always growling, always demanding to be heard. But ever since Ethan’s accident, he’d been worse. A constant storm in my chest, pacing, snarling, berating me for what I’d done. You hurt him, Speedy spat, every second of every day. You pushed him away. You let him get hurt. This is your fault. It was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to bury myself in work, no matter how hard I trained or how many distractions I shoved in my face, he was always there. Pounding against my skull. Reminding me. And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong. Ethan was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I hadn’t even gone to see him. Because I was a coward. Because I couldn’t face the reality of what I’d done. Because I knew the second I saw him lying there—pale, motionless, barely breathing—I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. But ignoring it didn’t change the truth. It only made it
Bouquet Of Deception 98
EthanI didn’t mean for tonight to go this way. In fact, I’d hoped it would be a quiet, straightforward evening. Just me, Riley, and some practice. But things with Ava never go the way I plan.“Riley’s looking at you again,” Ava remarked, tossing a chip into her mouth as she lounged across the couch, staring at the TV with an intensity that couldn’t possibly be genuine.I shifted uncomfortably, my gaze flicking to Riley, who was sitting across from me in my living room, half watching me and half trying to focus on the game we’d been supposed to practice. His eyes were on me, sure, but it didn’t feel like the casual look of someone who had no other interest. My heart thudded in my chest, and I hated myself for reacting this way. It was just practice. Just a favor.“You know, you should probably stop looking at him like that,” I muttered, hoping Ava wouldn’t catch the undertone in my voice. The last thing I needed was her drawing attention to the tension I was feeling.“What’s wrong?” s
Bouquet Of Deception 96
Ron coughed, blood spattering the wooden floor as Dylan Grenville pressed him hard against the tavern wall. His suit was torn, face swollen from the hits, and the cold steel of Dylan’s gaze was more suffocating than the grip around his collar.“You’re making a mistake,” Ron rasped, spitting blood to the side. “You think I’m the end of the line? You’ve just made an enemy you can’t handle. My boss—he’s Goliath. You hear me? Goliath. The man who eats corpses for breakfast.”That name echoed like a thunderclap.Chairs scraped.A drunk at the bar nearly dropped his mug. “Did… did he say Goliath?”A bald man near the hearth froze mid-laugh. “No damn way. You mean that Goliath?”From the shadows, someone muttered, “The one who blew up an entire casino over a poker insult?”The barmaid behind the counter dropped a glass, shards scattering. “I heard he skinned a man just for calling him ‘big guy.’”A grizzled patron in a tattered coat leaned over his shot. “Burned down three blocks just ‘cause
Bouquet Of Deception 95
EthanI didn’t mean for tonight to go this way. In fact, I’d hoped it would be a quiet, straightforward evening. Just me, Riley, and some practice. But things with Ava never go the way I plan.“Riley’s looking at you again,” Ava remarked, tossing a chip into her mouth as she lounged across the couch, staring at the TV with an intensity that couldn’t possibly be genuine.I shifted uncomfortably, my gaze flicking to Riley, who was sitting across from me in my living room, half watching me and half trying to focus on the game we’d been supposed to practice. His eyes were on me, sure, but it didn’t feel like the casual look of someone who had no other interest. My heart thudded in my chest, and I hated myself for reacting this way. It was just practice. Just a favor.“You know, you should probably stop looking at him like that,” I muttered, hoping Ava wouldn’t catch the undertone in my voice. The last thing I needed was her drawing attention to the tension I was feeling.“What’s wrong?” s
Bouquet Of Deception 94
Chapter 76RileySpeedy had never been quiet before.My wolf had always been restless—always pushing, always growling, always demanding to be heard. But ever since Ethan’s accident, he’d been worse. A constant storm in my chest, pacing, snarling, berating me for what I’d done.You hurt him, Speedy spat, every second of every day. You pushed him away. You let him get hurt. This is your fault.It was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to bury myself in work, no matter how hard I trained or how many distractions I shoved in my face, he was always there.Pounding against my skull.Reminding me.And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong.Ethan was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I hadn’t even gone to see him. Because I was a coward. Because I couldn’t face the reality of what I’d done. Because I knew the second I saw him lying there—pale, motionless, barely breathing—I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together.But ignoring it didn’t change the truth. It only made it worse.I’
