Chapter 7 Mara clung intimately to his arm and gently placed the invitation on our table. "Dex, Riley, Kieran and I are getting married in three days. You absolutely must come." I didn't even pick up the invitation, just glanced at it coolly with a distant tone: "Sorry, I'm afraid we'll be busy. Dex and I are going on a trip then-we've already booked our tickets." Hearing my words, Kieran let out a sharp laugh as if he was certain I was still lying. "Riley, I knew you were still throwing a tantrum!" "You don't even dare attend my wedding-are you afraid you won't be able to control yourself and make a scene?" He stepped closer, his burning gaze boring into me as if trying to see right through me. "I'm telling you, you two aren't even engaged yet. It's not too late. You can still change your mind." His words were like an invisible thorn, piercing both my heart and Dex's. could feel Dex's hand on my shoulder suddenly tighten. A surge of anger rose within me. What gave this man the right to always act so certain that I couldn't live without him? took a deep breath and squeezed Dex's hand in return. Meeting Kieran's blazing eyes, my tone was calm but carried unshakeable resolve: "Thanks for your 'concern,' Kieran. But I, Riley Cortez, never make ecisions I'll regret." paused and turned slightly to look at Dex beside me. Besides, spending these past few days with Dex, I've discovered..." I think I'm falling for him more and more." Every word I spoke was like a slap across Kieran's face. But I was also saying it for Dex to hear. Kieran's face instantly turned ashen, looking as disgusted as if he'd swallowed a fly. Falling for him?" He acted like he'd heard the world's biggest joke, his voice full of mockery and disdain. "Riley, you're quite the actress." Let's see how long you can keep up this performance!" He spat out these harsh words, unable to stay any longer. With a violent gesture, he grabbed the stiffly smiling Mara and stormed off. After he left, I looked at the somewhat quiet Dex and suddenly spoke. Everything I just said was true." Dex looked at me, his eyes seeming to light up with starlight. I continued: "I've discovered that I've already fallen for you. Choosing you in the beginning wasn't the result of a tantrum either-it was something I hought through carefully." "So don't take anything Kieran said to heart." Chapter 7 After I finished speaking. Dex could no longer contain his excitement and pulled me into his arms: "I understand. I believe you." I smiled softly, sweetness spreading through my heart. Three days later, I cancelled our travel tickets and went with Dex to attend Kieran's wedding. Not for any other reason, but to show him that I had truly moved on from Kieran and to give Dex complete security. At the wedding, Mara's face wore a triumphant smile, but Kieran looked grim, his eyes fixed on where Dex and I were sitting. His expression was dark, and he didn't even hear what the officiant was saying. Because he had just watched Dex kiss me, and I had shyly pushed against his shoulder with a blush on my face. A bad feeling crept into Kieran's heart-maybe Riley really had fallen for Dex. But wasn't this exactly what he had always wanted? So what was this unwillingness in his heart about?