The Love I Never Owed

Riley's POV

"The winner of this year's Best Custom Build Award—Ms. Riley Santos!"

Thunderous applause erupted as camera flashes exploded around me. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. Ten years. I'd finally made it to the spotlight at Austin Convention Center.

The sea of faces below belonged to the motorcycle industry's elite—money and power written across every expression. And tonight, this orphan girl with nothing was about to become one of them.

My custom Harley Davidson gleamed under the stage lights, every welding mark a testament to those late nights in the Brennan family garage. From that rainy night at sixteen when they took me in, to twenty-six and winning the industry's highest honor—this bike carried all my dreams.

"Let's welcome Mr. Colt Brennan, heir to Brennan Oil, to present the award!"

My heart skipped a beat.

He was presenting MY award?

The crowd erupted in even louder applause. I watched that familiar figure rise from the VIP section—black custom suit, blonde hair catching the lights, still the same face that kept me awake ten years ago.

This was our moment.

Maybe tonight those secret kisses could finally see daylight. Maybe he was ready to tell the world that Riley Santos wasn't just some charity case, but his woman.

"Riley." Colt approached me, extending the crystal trophy. "Congratulations."

I searched his eyes, looking for the tender man from last night.

Nothing. Blank.

He looked at me like a stranger, lips pressed tight, not even bothering with a fake smile.

"Thank you." My voice came out small. The moment our fingers touched, he immediately pulled his hand away.

Media swarmed around us, cameras pointed like weapons.

"Mr. Brennan, how do you rate this award-winning piece?"

Colt glanced at my motorcycle and shook his head dismissively. "This kid's always liked playing with these little toys. It's fine as a hobby, but you can't make a real career out of it."

Little toys?

Blood rushed to my head, my cheeks burning. This was his assessment of ten years of my life's work?

"And Ms. Santos," another reporter excitedly pressed, "are you Mr. Brennan's girlfriend or adopted daughter? Everyone's curious about your relationship!"

I opened my mouth to speak, but my throat felt stuffed with cotton.

Girlfriend? Adopted daughter?

"Neither." Colt answered calmly. "Riley is an orphan our family took in. My father cared for her out of charity for ten years. She's very talented, and we're proud of her."

Every word cut like a blade.

Charity? Took in?

I stared at him, waiting for him to say it was a joke. But he wouldn't even look at me.

All those nights tangled together, all those whispered promises—in his mouth, just "charitable care"?

"Everyone might not know, but Colt and I are already ENGAGED!"

A sickeningly sweet voice suddenly interrupted.

Every camera instantly turned—a blonde, blue-eyed girl appeared on stage, white Chanel suit, pearl necklace sparkling.

What killed me was the ring on her left hand. Five carats, at least, stabbing my eyes under the lights.

She linked her arm through Colt's.

"Madison?" Colt raised an eyebrow, looking surprised, but quickly composed himself and wrapped his arm around her tiny waist.

Wrapped around HER waist.

Just like he'd wrapped around mine last night.

"Surprise!" Madison stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek, then turned to the cameras with a brilliant smile. "I'm Madison Parker, Colt's fiancée. Just flew back from Paris for our engagement party."

Engagement party?

The floor cracked beneath my feet. The world spun.

"Riley's like our little sister," Madison looked at me warmly. "She'll be my maid of honor! Right, Riley?"

"Is this true, Mr. Brennan?" Reporters pressed excitedly, all cameras trained on Colt.

I stared at Colt, waiting for him to deny it, to explain.

He just held Madison tighter and declared,

"That's right. Madison is my fiancée. We'll be married soon."

Congratulations flooded from the crowd. I couldn't hear anything except the sound of my heart shattering, piece by piece, terrifyingly clear.

"Riley, as maid of honor, what would you like to say?" a reporter shouted at me.

What did I want to say?

That the man I'd loved for ten years had been playing me? That what I thought was love was just charity? That this "taken-in orphan" had actually dreamed of becoming the Brennan family matriarch?

No.

I grabbed the host's microphone. The crowd went silent instantly.

Everyone stared at me, waiting to see how this farce would end.

"Congratulations!" I flashed my brightest smile. "Thank you, Mr. Colt Brennan, for ten years of 'charitable care.' From today forward, I, Riley Santos, no longer need ANYONE's charity!"

I raised the crystal trophy high and hurled it to the ground with all my strength.

"CRASH!"

Crystal shards scattered everywhere. Chaos erupted below. I strode to my Harley and fired up the engine.

The roar drowned out every other sound.

"Riley! Wait!" Colt shouted behind me.

I turned back for one last look.

"Goodbye, Mr. Brennan. Thank you for your charitable work."

Engine thundering, I roared out of the hall without looking back.