Riley pov

I stare at the ceiling tiles for what feels like hours after Brett leaves. The hospital room feels colder without him. Victoria's words echo in my mind like poison I can't shake.

You couldn't even handle a simple job without collapsing.

She's right. I'm barely keeping my head above water. Now I'm supposed to weather the storm of dating Brett Graham? The media scrutiny, the judgment, the constant questions about whether I'm good enough?

I don't think I can bear going through that ...