The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 496

It was Ross.

Riley answered the call.

"Hey! Guess where I am right now?"

Wasn't it obvious? "At home with Mom and Dad for the holidays."

"Wrong! I'm in Statenbury. Just got off the plane. I'm coming to spend New Year's Eve with you and Alora. Surprised?"

Riley was genuinely stunned. "You flew all the way here on New Year's Eve? Did Mom and Dad actually agree to that?"

"I told them I was taking a holiday trip with some coworkers. We've spent every New Year's Eve together, and it just felt wrong doing it without you this year. Plus, it's Alora's first New Year. As her uncle, I can't exactly miss it, right?"

A profound warmth flooded Riley's chest.

She glanced around the grand living room. By now, Montgomery, Barnaby, and their respective children had arrived. Victoria had also come downstairs. They were all gathered around Eleanor, laughing and chatting in a picture-perfect display of familial harmony.

Watching them, the memory of Elaine Vance's brutal extortion attempt surfaced, leaving a bitter, melancholic ache in her heart.

New Year's Eve was meant for families, yet here she was, fundamentally alone in the world.

Hearing Ross's voice in this exact moment was overwhelmingly moving. She did have family who cared about her. But she had also promised Eleanor she would stay for the holiday. Leaving now would definitely upset her.

But Ross had flown across the country just for her. She couldn't abandon him at the airport.

After a brief internal struggle, Riley said, "I'm actually not at my apartment right now. Check into a hotel nearby, and I'll come meet you a bit later."

"You're not home for the holidays?"

"I didn't know you were coming."

"I wanted it to be a surprise." Ross's voice dropped, clearly disappointed.