The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 376

Riley sat up in bed and answered the call. Her brother's bright, casual voice came through. "Hey! I heard you're back in Riverport. Are you free for lunch? Let's grab a bite!"

"Who told you I was back?"

"My brother-in-law, obviously."

Riley instantly knew he meant Pierce. Frowning, she said, "Ross, I divorced him. If you keep calling him that, don't bother calling me your sister anymore."

"Fine, fine. Mr. Landon. Happy? Anyway, remember when I said that once I made some money, I'd treat you to a massive feast at The Gilded Palate? Well, I've got the money now."

Back when Ross used to visit Riley at school, he had seen her eating plain steamed buns and had teared up on the spot. He had pounded his chest and sworn that once he made real money, he would take her to Riverport's most famous restaurant, The Gilded Palate, for a feast.

She hadn't expected him to actually remember that.

It really had been a long time since she had seen him. "Sure. What time?"

"I get off work at eleven. Let's meet at The Gilded Palate at eleven-thirty."

"Okay."

Seeing that it was already past nine and she was fully awake, Riley decided to just get up.

Quinn had left breakfast for her on the dining table—tea eggs, fried dough sticks, and soy milk.

Riley heated the soy milk in the microwave. After eating, noticing she still had plenty of time, she started cleaning up Quinn's apartment.

As she was mopping the floor, her phone buzzed on the coffee table with a notification.

Riley walked over and picked it up. It was a push notification from the online hospital portal, reminding her that a patient was waiting for a reply and prompting her to log in.

Normally, she only logged into the platform during her scheduled online shifts. The portal displayed her availability, and patients rarely booked outside those hours—unless it was a returning patient.

Riley set the mop aside, sat down on the sofa, and logged into her physician dashboard on her phone. A red urgent task notification popped up immediately.

She clicked on it. It was from the anonymous mistress she had counseled before.

[Doctor, even though he got divorced, he refuses to marry me. I feel so depressed, like my life has no meaning anymore. I don't want to live.]

[But if I die, what happens to my son? Doctor, please, help me!]

Reading the two messages, Riley's expression turned grim. The patient's condition had clearly deteriorated severely if she was actively having suicidal thoughts. She typed a rapid reply: [Don't do anything reckless. I understand your disappointment and helplessness, but please remember—do not make any decisions to harm yourself when your emotions are crashing. Your child needs you.]

The patient replied almost instantly: [You told me before to seek in-person therapy, but I don't trust anyone else. I only trust you. Can I book an in-person appointment with you?]

Given how unstable the patient currently was, she desperately needed immediate in-person intervention. But Riley was currently out of town; she couldn't help her.

After a moment's thought, Riley replied: [I'm currently on leave and not at the hospital. Booking with another doctor will give you the same level of care. Rest assured, doctors strictly protect patient confidentiality.]

[No, I don't trust anyone else. I only trust you. I'm in Riverport right now. Where are you? Can we meet privately?]

"It's very serious. I... I have to go save a life. You make sure to stay safe too."

"Okay, I will." Riley hung up the phone.

Immediately after the call ended, Ross dialed Pierce. "Mr. Landon, my sister had an emergency and isn't coming to lunch."

"What emergency?"

"She said a patient was suicidal and she had to go check on them."

Remembering how Riley had been injured trying to save Jenna Joyce previously, Pierce felt an instant surge of anxiety. "Text your sister right now. Tell her you're worried and ask her exactly where she's going."

"Got it."

Pierce hung up and stormed out of his office.

Meanwhile, Riley arrived at Riverside Gardens. After registering at the gate, she entered the complex and found her way to Room 901 in Building 3. Just as she was about to knock, she noticed the door was slightly ajar. She pushed it open slightly. "Hello? I'm the therapist. Is anyone home?"

No answer.

Remembering the patient's threat about jumping, panic gripped Riley's chest. Had she already jumped?

She rushed inside, but after only a few steps, she sensed movement beside her. She turned her head, but before she could even register the person's face, a heavy blow struck the back of her neck. A dull, sickening pain exploded through her skull. She stumbled, her vision blacking out, before collapsing completely to the floor.