Unexpectedly, something got into the director the following day. He insisted on sending us to an island to complete our mission, even putting Peyton and me on the same team. We wouldn’t have lunch if we couldn’t find the corresponding cards.
I didn’t want things to be too awkward, so I decided to tell Peyton the truth later. I didn’t expect my bad luck to strike again, though.
We were making our way up a mountain to search for the cards when I saw one on the slope. I was reaching out for it when Peyton suddenly ran to me anxiously and cried, “Don’t move, Riley!”
This startled me, making me lose my balance. Thankfully, Peyton caught me before I could fall. We rolled down the slope together.
I cursed my bad luck and shut my eyes, my heart almost leaping out of my throat. Peyton pressed my head against his chest, shielding me from harm. His scent enveloped me as the world spun around us. I couldn’t help savoring the moment.
I only returned to my senses after we landed. Then, I paled. “Peyton!”
He lay there, his face ashen. He’d always been a regal man, but he now lay on the dirty ground, silent and unmoving.
I carefully felt his breathing before checking his head. My tears started streaming when I found an open wound on the back of his head. It was bleeding profusely.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry…”
I wanted to call for help, but our cameramen were missing. I could only call Peyton’s name to try and wake him up. I didn’t dare move his body—I didn’t want to aggravate his injuries.
He’d done his best to protect me as he’d done ten years ago when helping me chase those hooligans away. I knew his protection would disappear once I told him the truth, but it didn’t matter. I only wanted him to wake up. He could love whoever he wanted after this and chase after his happiness.
Soon, the production crew and director came running. They immediately took Peyton to the hospital.
I fumbled over my words as I tried to explain what had happened. When I was done, Rita stormed over and slapped me hard, her eyes red. It rang out crisply, and everyone was taken aback.
“Why are you unscathed when Peyton is hurt, Riley? You can’t drag others down with you, no matter how careless you are, right? Do you know a head injury can be fatal?” she screamed.
Shane pulled me behind him, looking grim. “Riley didn’t want something like this to happen—it was an accident. What right do you have to push all the blame on her?”
The director stepped forward to ease the tension. We couldn’t continue filming under the circumstances.
I heard people sighing around me and Rita’s sobs. I also heard the director instructing everyone on the next steps.
I was the one who’d caused all of this. If only I hadn’t tried to get that card…
I was suddenly reminded of how bad things kept happening whenever I was involved. Everyone called me a jinx, so I was always alone. I didn’t have any deskmates or friends.
That was when Peyton had appeared in my life. He hadn’t scorned me for being plain, and he hadn’t cared about the rumors people had spread about me.
He’d always brought me good luck, yet all I brought him was harm.
Perhaps it would be better for me to never appear in his life again.
Chapter &
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The Internet was abuzz when the production crew made an announcement about filming being halted. Fans of the show didn’t blame Rita despite knowing she’d slapped me. In fact, they criticized and insulted me all over the Internet.
Some even got mad at me for not visiting Peyton since the accident and said they were blind for shipping us together.
I agreed with them, so I texted him with my earlier deduction.
“I don’t come from a good family, nor am I particularly good at anything. I’ve never helped you with anything, nor will I ever be as outstanding as you. You probably have the wrong person–there’s nothing about me that’s worthy of your admiration.
“You and Rita are a perfect match. She’s been very worried about you since your accident. So, be brave in telling her how you feel. Don’t wait until the last moment to give the person you like a love letter if you’ve already written it. I wish you all the happiness in the world, Mr. Grant!”
Then, I deleted his number, which I’d gotten after making an excuse. I figured my encouragement would probably be enough to get him going.
After that, I made up my mind to quit the Internet and silently support Peyton from afar. To my surprise, the first thing he did after waking up was post a tweet.
“Everything about you is worthy of my admiration. I will go to you since you told me to be brave, Ri.”
His fans tearfully celebrated his discharge and waited for him and Rita to make things official. Meanwhile, he came knocking on my door.
I was scared out of my wits when I saw him standing there without disguising himself. I hurriedly pulled him inside. “Aren’t you afraid of getting caught when so many paparazzi are stalking you?” I asked.
Peyton calmly handed me a letter. “You weren’t coming to me, so I had to come to you. This is a love letter for you, Ri. I’ve cer to you as you encouraged me to do.”
I widened my eyes in disbelief.
Chapter f
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Chapter 9
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
