Chapter 3
Three hours later, I stood on a hillside on the outskirts of Riverside City, the sun casting its warmth over a freshly dug grave in the earth.
It was out in the middle of nowhere, but somehow, with the sunlight pouring down, the earth felt gentle and almost welcoming.
"This is land from my hometown," the handyman said with a shrug. "Round here, it's all about the traditional burial. Just dig a pit, lay you to rest, and cover you up. Simple as that."
"So, what do you think? It's not exactly fancy, but it's easy on the wallet," he said.
"How much?" I asked.
"600 bucks. Sound good?" he replied.
I sent him ten grand, but only if he promised to come back and cover me up himself when the time came.
He agreed without hesitation.
Day by day, I tore another page off the calendar, watching it get thinner and thinner.
I glanced at the money left on my card, then grabbed a cab and headed straight for the bar.
My parents passed away early, but they left me a fat inheritance.
I booked a big private room and called in six male escorts, all with hot figures.
Hell, I was dying, and nobody cared about me, so why not enjoy myself a little?
I had no idea when the door to our private room had opened. It must've happened while we were busy playing games.
Landen was just standing there in the doorway, taking it all in.
One glance at him, and half the booze in my system sobered up in an instant.
I took a closer look.
It really was him.
He gave me a cold smirk, arching an eyebrow.
His assistant stood behind him, recording the whole thing.
Finally, he didn't bother holding back anymore.
"Ms. Lane, having fun, huh?" Landen drawled.
"Or is this just the real you?" he sneered.
My chest ached. He always kept me at arm's length, always mocking me.
He actually seemed to get a kick out of seeing me hurt.
What the hell was I doing?
I was really still letting his icy attitude mess with my head. How pathetic was that?
I was hopeless.
I forced myself to act all chill.
"Yeah, it's pretty fun. Mr. Harrington, want to join us?" I said.
Landen shot me a look like I'd just dropped something obscene.
"No thanks. Not my scene. Enjoy yourself, Ms. Lane," he said, his tone icy.
With that, he turned and strode away.
I overheard Landen telling his assistant.
"Send this to my mom. Let her see for herself. So this is the perfect, sweet daughter-in-law she was always bragging about?" he said.
I just couldn't keep playing anymore.
I sent everyone packing and left just one guy behind to wait for me in the room.
The lights were dim.
I sat there in the dark, not even sure what was running through my head.
I sneezed.
The AC was freezing, so I hugged myself tighter, curling up against the chill.
No one else could see it, but tears were streaming down my face.
He hated me to his core.
But I still couldn't get him out of my heart.
I walked out of the bar with the young man.
We ran right into Landen and his crew, who were still hanging around.
The laughter cut off in an instant, and everyone turned to stare at us.
Landen, standing front and center, was the last to look over, his expression unreadable.
"You're taking him home?" Landen snarked.
I held my head high and squeezed the young man's hand even tighter.
"Yeah, he's just my type," I said.
I figured he'd hit me with another sarcastic "sure" or "good for you".
But instead, he just stared at me, silent.
I took a deep breath, led the young man to the car, and drove off without looking back.