Perfect Mistake ✓

Thirty-Five.......One Month Away

Flashback.......Third Person Narrative

Ansel was in the car with him, Mr Colson, Riley's father. The two of them were on their way to the restaurant to convince Brayden, Riley's boyfriend, to leave the city so Riley would think Brayden simply left her and it would be easier to marry Ansel.

Ansel initially never liked the idea. He had liked Riley from the start, to him it was like love at first sight. But then Theresa, her stepmum had brought up the idea.

She had met Ansel at a party and Ansel had opened up to her later on that he needed a wife. Initially, she had told him that Riley was her stepdaughter who was single. But later on, Ansel found out she wasn't. But it was too late, he was already in love with her.

Ansel had got to know of their financial problems and was willing to help, not at any price though. But Mr Colson would only feel embarrassed so he asked Ansel if there was anything.

Ansel tried to dismiss the issue but Theresa had told Mr Colson of Ansel's feelings towards Riley. And soon the alliance was set. They also talked to Riley about it.

At first, she admitted she was pissed and stormed off, but after some convincing from her dad, she showed a little interest. Theresa was the one who thought of sending Brayden away.

Her reason was that Brayden might not be able to live with the fact that Riley was marrying someone else so what better way than to send him away for some time, with some money of course so he would at least live a much better life.

So they went ahead and spoke to Brayden but things didn't end the way he hoped. Mr Colson had told Brayden that this was what Riley wanted whereas Riley didn't know what they were doing.

Now they were heading back home and Mr Colson had a thoughtful expression. But Ansel felt he had to bring it up.

"Mr Colson, Riley doesn't know what we're doing so why'd you tell Brayden she wanted him gone?", Ansel asked. He couldn't think of any better way to put it.

"I know what I've done is wrong, but you have to believe me when I say I don't know how I'll live with this and even the embarrassing fact of what I'm doing but I'm just trying the brighter side of all this.", he paused.

Then he continued looking deeply into Ansel's eyes, "Riley cannot find out about this. I know this might be taking things too far but if you may, make sure Brayden stays wherever he goes and that he's safe of course but that he doesn't come back. Will you be able to do that my son?", Mr Colson asked.

It had been years since anyone had addressed him as their son. And that was why, even as his brain screamed no, he accepted this and decided to go along with the lie.

He kept telling himself that when the time was right he would let her know, he even made a promise that no matter what Riley must hear of this from him and only him. That was why he made sure that Brayden didn't leave the city he travelled to.

He, himself had to tell Riley.

Present Day

RILEY'S POV

It had been a month since I left. Things have been pretty quiet for me and I liked it that way. I now had a little bump and sometimes I would be talking to the little one inside me. Sadly, my mind would also wander to Ansel.