Chapter 15 In the upscale restaurant , violin music played softly . [ ] Ethan raised his glass and gently clinked it against Riley's : " Congratulations on our project passing the mid - term review . " ] ] " Thanks to your help , " Riley sipped her red wine , the corners of her mouth turning up . For the first time in months , she felt the pure joy that academics could bring . [] Her phone suddenly buzzed with a message . ] A high school classmate who'd bullied her had somehow gotten her contact info and maliciously sent a screenshot . ] Sophia's latest Instagram post : an intimate photo of her and Jaxon kissing , captioned " We'll be together forever . " [ ] The comments were full of congratulations . ] [ You spent all those years silently following Jaxon around like a lovesick puppy , giving him everything , and look how pathetically it ended . I almost feel sorry for you . ] ] Riley stared at Jaxon's familiar profile in the photo . Her heart still clenched with pain uncontrollably . But she truly didn't care anymore and didn't want to argue with this so - called classmate . She just replied : ] [ None of my business . ] ] Then she blocked the contact without hesitation . [ ] " Everything okay ? " Ethan noticed her expression change . ] " Nothing , " Riley put away her phone and smiled , " just spam . " Ethan didn't pry , just thoughtfully added more salad to her plate : " Try this , it's pretty good . " [ ] After dinner , they walked along the riverside park . ] The night breeze was cool , starlight scattered across the water like broken silver . ] " When I was little , Jused to watch stars alone a lot , " Riley looked up at the night sky , her voice soft , " I thought they were like friends who'd never betray you . " [ ] Ethan stopped walking , his gaze falling on her profile : " What about now ? "] " Now … " she turned to smile at him , " I've found people on earth worth trusting . " ] Ethan's Adam's apple bobbed , his eyes behind the glasses deep and gentle . [ ] Bed Warmer ? Harvard Goddess ! Is Pleasure . My Payback Chapter 15 They sat side by side on a bench , neither speaking , but it was more peaceful than any moment before . ] ] After they finished eating , Ethan walked Riley back to her dorm , the night breeze stirring her hair . [] " See you tomorrow , " she said softly . But Ethan didn't leave immediately . Instead , he pulled out a small box from his pocket : " For you . " [ ] Riley opened it curiously to find an elegant bookmark with an engraved line : [ ] [ Stars guide the right people to find each other . ] ] " Project commemoration , " he said , pushing up his glasses , his ears slightly red . ] ] Riley gripped the bookmark , warmth flooding her chest . [ ] she was about to thank him when her phone suddenly rang - an unknown number . [] She hesitated before answering . ] " Riley … " Jaxon's voice was hoarse beyond recognition , " I was wrong . " ] The night breeze suddenly felt very cold . Riley stood there feeling like time had stopped . ] ] " Can we meet ? Just once ? " Jaxon's voice was almost pleading . ] Ethan noticed her distress and looked over with concern . Riley took a deep breath and said calmly into the phone : [ ] " No need . " ] Then she hung up decisively and turned off her phone . [ ] " You okay ? " Ethan asked gently . Riley shook her head , carefully putting away the bookmark , and looked up at him with a genuine smile : " Thank you , I love it . " This time , she chose to look forward instead of back . ] ( 0 )