Chapter 2 For the next few days , Jaxon didn't come back . [ ] But Riley could see him in Sophia's Instagram posts every day- [ ] Pictures of him helping Sophia walk down the hospital hallway , his profile as he sat by her bed peeling an apple , his gentle expression as he listened to her talk … ] Each photo was like a knife cutting into Riley's heart . ] ] She started packing up her things . The sexy lingerie Jaxon had bought her , the jewelry he'd given her , the lighter he'd casually left on the nightstand … everything went into trash bags . The last item was the necklace he'd given her for her birthday . ] " Little scholar , " he'd put it on her himself that day , grinning wickedly , " From now on , you only wear what I give you . " ] Riley walked out of the apartment with the box and was about to throw it in the dumpster when she crashed into someone . [] " What are you throwing away ? You look so serious about it . " That familiar lazy voice came from above her head . [ ] Riley's whole body tensed . She slowly looked up and met Jaxon's dark , amused eyes . [ ] He had one hand in his pocket , the other holding a cigarette , smoke curling around that devastatingly handsome face that still made hearts race . But Riley just felt her throat tighten , like something was blocking it . [ ] " Nothing important . Just some stuff I don't need anymore , " she said , looking away . Jaxon glanced at the dumpster and frowned slightly , but quickly relaxed . [ ] He reached out to ruffle her hair : " Mad at me ?" ] Riley dodged away . Jaxon's hand froze in mid - air , a flash of annoyance crossing his eyes before he suppressed it : " Last time was my fault . Sophia had a sudden stomach attack , and our families have history - I had to go . " [ ] He paused , softening his tone : " I was in such a rush , I forgot to uncuff you . " ] " How did you get free ? Did you hurt yourself ? " He tried to grab her wrist , but Riley jerked her hand away : " I'm fine . " [ ] Jaxon's frown deepened . [ ] Was it just him , or … ? ] Red Warner ? Natward Coulless Mis Measure . My Farback ! 064 Chapter 2 The old Riley had always been completely dependent on him , would pout and complain with tears in her eyes , would act cute and demand he make it up to her . But now … she was actually avoiding him ? ] Just as he was about to say something , his phone rang . ]] " Jaxon ! Where are you ? I've been waiting forever ! " Sophia's pouty voice came through the speaker . [ ] After hanging up , he looked at Riley casually : " Sophia's sick of being stuck in the hospital , so she's getting discharged today . She's dying to hit up that new escape room . More people , more fun - wanna come ? " Riley wanted to refuse , but Jaxon didn't give her a chance . He grabbed her wrist and pulled her along : " SATs are over , stop studying all the time . You need to relax . " [ ] She was forced into the car . Looking up , she saw Sophia sitting in the passenger seat , giving her a fake smile : " Sorry , I get carsick , so you'll have to sit in the back . " ] Riley said nothing and quietly got in the back seat . [ ] As the car started up , Jaxon had just gotten his license recently . Sophia kept teasing him the whole drive : " Drive carefully , Mr. Steele . I don't want to die young with you . " [ ] Jaxon chuckled : " Don't worry , I'd die before I'd let anything happen to you . " ] Sophia batted her eyes : " Then I'm putting my life in your hands ~ " ] With that , she pulled out snacks from the glove compartment . Not only did Jaxon not stop her , he even thoughtfully handed her water . Riley watched this scene , feeling like her heart was being pricked with tiny needles . [ ] 14 She remembered the last time she'd eaten crackers in his car , Jaxon had thrown them all away : " Babe , I hate messes in my car . " [ ] Apparently … when it came to Sophia Rain , all his rules went out the window . ♡ ( 1 ) Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Half an hour later , the car pulled up at the escape room place . [ ] As soon as Riley got out , she saw Sophia and her friends already waiting at the entrance . ] ] " Well , well , if it isn't our little scholar , " said a girl with a ponytail , dramatically covering her mouth , " Taking a break from studying today ? " " She's Jaxon's girlfriend now , " another girl said with fake sweetness , " Of course she can't be a bookworm anymore . What if Jaxon dumps her ? " ] Riley gripped her backpack straps tighter and walked past them without a word . [ ] Ever since she'd started dating Jaxon , she'd heard this kind of mockery constantly . Everyone thought only someone like Sophia Rain - the popular queen bee - deserved Jaxon . What right did some nerdy girl with thick glasses have ? ] The staff gave everyone blindfolds and led them into the escape room . The moment darkness fell , Riley's heart started racing and her fingers unconsciously clenched her clothes . ] " Remove your blindfolds , " came the instruction through the intercom . ] Riley took off her blindfold to complete darkness . ] " Ahh ! " Sophia suddenly screamed and threw herself into Jaxon's arms : " It's so dark ! I'm scared ! " ] ] Jaxon chuckled and held her tight : " Don't worry , I'm here . " [ ] Riley stood there alone , feeling like an invisible hand was squeezing her heart . [] She was scared too , but she knew that even if she was afraid , no one would protect her . [ ] In the darkness , a disheveled actor suddenly lunged from the shadows . Before Riley could react , someone behind her gave her a hard shove . ] She stumbled and fell to the ground , her knee hitting the hard floor with a sharp pain that made her gasp . ] " Riley ? You okay ? " Jaxon's voice came from far away . [ ] Just as Riley was about to answer , Sophia's friends immediately interrupted : [ ] " She's fine ! " " Yeah , don't worry about her , let's keep going ! " ] " Sophia's really scared , we should get out of here ! " ] Footsteps gradually faded away , and Riley realized everyone had left her behind . [ ] Mad Wariwa ? Harvard Goddess ! Mrs Fraser My Payback !