Page 30 of My Ruthless Neighbor

I nod.

“Then it’s settled. We are going out to feast on delicious food until our stomachs hurt.”

I chuckle at that. “Sounds like a plan.”

Chapter Eight

Ilean back against the chair and sigh. I ate a bit too much. “I am about to burst. I don’t think I can eat more.” I stare longingly at the butter chicken, naan, and shrimp pulao that’s still on the dark wood table, tempting me.

After convincing me to go with her, River drove us to a high-end Indian restaurant. I am not a picky eater. Sleeping on an empty stomach most of my childhood and teen life made me appreciate and value food. So I agreed to it. And I am so glad that I did.

It was love at first bite. The moment I tasted the first morsel of the chicken bathed in the spicy tomato-rich curry—which I now know is Butter chicken—I fell in love. Head over heels.

Generous with butter and cream, I devoured the sweet-savory flavored dish. I tasted the other dishes but this one had my heart. I thank the stars for my superpower of not gaining weight despite eating like a horse.

River chuckles. “You can. One look at the vanilla bean ice cream kheer and you will change your mind.”

“Give me a few minutes,” I grumble.

She watches me with amused eyes. “What for?”

“To make room for the dessert you just mentioned.” I deadpan and she burst out laughing.

I smile as she continues to laugh. Just as fast as it started, her mirth dies down.

“Is it about your husband?” The words are out before I can stop them. She pales, her gaze widening fractionally.

I curse myself internally. Why can’t I keep my mouth shut?

Like earlier, she tries to mask it. Her feelings. Her long lashes brush down her cheeks as she cuts eye contact. Keeping her face blank, she runs her gaze across the room.

“I’m sorry—”

“Yes,” She mutters finally. “Itisabout my husband.”

I stare at her side profile guiltily. I ruined the good mood. There’s a somber note in her voice when she speaks again. “He is the love of my life. My first everything.”

I don’t move a muscle. I remain mute as she continues, her eyes glued to the floor-to-ceiling window. “Do you believe in fairy tales, Summer?”

“Fairy tales?”

She turns her head to me. “Yeah. Do you believe in them?”

“I don’t.” Because I have seen the ugly side of this world early on.

“I did.” She confesses softly. “I believed in fairy tales. He made my dreams come true.” She shakes her head. “No.Hewas my dream.”

River’s eyes fill with tears and I get to my feet. Circling the table, I move my seat beside her. Sitting down, I take her hand in mine. “We don’t have to talk about it.”

She blinks the tears away. “Today’s our first wedding anniversary.”

“River—”

“And he is in Ireland on a business trip.”

“What an asshole.” I hiss.

She laughs, then sniffles. “Tell me about it.”

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