Chapter 7 The Eviction.

Riley's POV

I trudged up the stairs, a paper bag of groceries pressed against my chest, my feet sore and my head pounding from a day that had already drained every ounce of strength in me.

The moment I reached my door, something stiff brushed against my knuckles.

I blinked.

A paper.

Folded and taped to my door.

I let the grocery bag drop to the floor with a soft thud and pulled the paper free.

At first, the words didn't register. My eyes scanned the first few lines again. Then again.

NOTICE OF EVICTION

Effective immediately. You have seven days to leave the premises.

Due to change of property ownership and re-evaluation of tenant eligibility...

I didn't read the rest.

My knees buckled.

"Seven days? My heart skipped a beat."

I stumbled back leaning against the wall, clutching the paper as if squeezing it would change the words printed on it. My vision blurred. My breath hitched.

"No, no, no..." I whispered, sliding down the wall until I was sitting on the hallway floor, the cold seeping through my jeans.

How? Why?

This apartment was all I had left. My job was gone. Eric... God, Eric had shattered me. And now this?

Tears pricked my eyes, burning their way down my cheeks before I could stop them.

I had savings, yes, but not enough to find a new place in this city within a week. Not when I was "Still jobless. Still humiliated. Still clawing through the ruins of my so-called life."

The hallway was quiet.

Too quiet.

It made the sound of my soft sobs feel louder than they should have been.

I was tired of being strong. I was fed up with smiling and pretending to be fine. Tired of everything crashing down all at once like the universe had decided I was its favorite punching bag.

And then, as if on cue, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

A name lit up the screen I hadn't expected.

"Michael Gray."

My hand hovered.

How he got my number, I cannot tell, but I guess it's not a big deal for a billionaire to get.

But right now?

Right now, I was falling.

And he just might be the only one offering a net.

I didn't call him.

Even though his name flashed on my phone for hours, mocking me like a cruel invitation, I didn't press dial.

Not once.

Because pride is a funny thing. It will starve with you. Cry with you. Shiver in the cold beside you. And still whisper, Don't you dare.

So I clung to it like a drowning girl clings to driftwood.

***The Next Day****

I sat on the edge of my couch, the eviction notice still clutched tightly in my hand. My chest rose and fell rapidly as panic threatened to spill over.

I reached for my phone and dialed Aria, needing her calm, her reason, anything to anchor me to reality.

"Riley?" Aria's voice came through, concerned. "Hey babe, what's up?"

"I got an eviction notice," I said quietly, my voice raw. "Aria... it says I have five days to leave."

"What?!" Aria's tone spiked. "Are you serious right now?"

"I don't understand. Rent is not even due yet, I have never missed a payment," my voice broke, and I inhaled shakily. "It doesn't make sense."

"Okay. Okay, deep breaths. I'm on my way."

"No, wait," I said, wiping my eyes. "That's not all."

"What else?" Aria asked, already sounding like she was grabbing her keys.

"Michael Gray called," I whispered. "Twice."

Aria went silent.

"I didn't pick up," I continued, "I don't know why he's calling. I mean... I tore his check, threw it in his face. Why would he-?"

"Because he's Michael freaking Gray," Aria said dryly. "Powerful men don't like being told no."

"I'm scared, Aria," I admitted.

"Don't be. He's a man, not a god. You have faced worse."

I gave a bitter laugh. "Like walking in on my boyfriend screwing our boss?"

Aria hissed. "Too soon, babe."

I nodded slowly, staring at my phone screen. "Should I call him back?"

"I think you should hear him out. Just... be smart, okay? Don't let him corner you."

I nodded. "Yeah. Okay."

"Good. Now, I'm still coming over. You shouldn't be alone."

I smiled faintly. "Thanks, best."

A short while later, Aria stepped inside, arms open. I collapsed into her hug.

We talked for a bit, ranted more than we reasoned, and cried in moments of silence.

Eventually, Aria stood to leave.

"You will be fine, Riles. Just breathe. Call me if anything weird happens, okay?"

"I will. Thanks," I said softly. "Love you."

"Love you more." Aria shut the door behind her.

I sighed, rubbing my temple as I sat back on the couch. My phone was still on the table, silent now. I reached for it, stared at Michael's missed call, then dropped it back on the cushion.

Knock. Knock.

My head jerked up.

I frowned.

That was fast, Aria must have forgotten something.

I walked to the door, pulled it open-

And froze.

My breath caught.

It wasn't Aria.

It wasn't anyone I expected.

It was the last person I wanted to see standing on the edge of my unraveling.