Villain Retirement

Chapter 1187: Living an Illusion

"Riley! I've been calling you for like a minute, I got us something to eat in the kitchen!"

Meanwhile, while Aerith was talking to the interdimensional traveler, Riley's name echoed through the entire Ross' residence as Hannah called for him. Riley, however, was just seated on the sofa and completely focused on the TV that was still showing footage of the mysterious spaceship.

[What you are seeing now is live footage of Megawoman's encounter with the interdimensional ship. For those who are not aware, interdimensional ships are—]

Hannah quickly rushed to get the remote and switched the TV off as soon as she heard what was being broadcast on the news. She then stood in front of Riley, placing her finger on his forehead.

"I don't know what kind of fuck up shit is happening here. Something like that clearly is not supposed to happen," Hannah whispered, "But please, don't ruin this for us. Mom's already in the kitchen, let's just join her and get through this day without you having to stick your nose in everything… please."

Riley didn't respond immediately and just stared at her, and after a few seconds, he nodded his head and stood up.

The entire dinner was casual, but no one really focused on the food. Instead, Diana was asking Riley all sorts of questions about himself.

"So, where… did the two of you meet?" Diana asked, "I mean, I would know if my daughter had a friend like you. And the two of you are dating?"

"Yes, Ms. Diana," Riley nodded, "I have known Hannah for a very long time now."

"How old are you? You look… young."

"Physically, I do not remember. But mentally, I am billions of years old, Ms. Diana."

Diana's eyes widened at her words. She then slowly turned to look at Hannah, and after a few seconds of staring at each other, a loud chuckle escaped her lips.

"I like him already," she said. She then narrowed her eyes at how close the two were sitting together, "How long have the two of you been dating? Because I can feel something different between the two of you—you seem very… tight."

"Mom, enough…" Hannah sighed, "...We're together, case closed. There's no need to investigate anything. Anyway, where's Dad?"

"Oh, he's on his way here with Ada," Diana shrugged, "I told her you brought home a guy and that we're having dinner. They should be here any minute now."

"Ada…eze?" Hannah whispered. She was going to ask why he was with her, but she stopped herself so as not to make Diana suspicious. Still, she couldn't help but narrow her eyes at the thought.

In the most perfect universe, Bernard and Diana didn't stay together. That's… something.

"Why… is your face like that?" Diana raised an eyebrow, "Don't tell me you still haven't forgiven your Dad? It's been years, Hannah. And we divorced amicably like civil people."

"No, it's just… I thought it would just be us," Hannah shrugged. It felt weird—she was technically several times older than the version of Bernard here, and they weren't really her real parents… and yet she still felt a bit sad about it.

Diana continued to ask Riley several questions. But finally, after a few more minutes of this, Bernard and Adaeze arrived.

"Finally! At this point, I thought you were going to be a lesbian!" Bernard didn't even say hi or greet her, he immediately rolled his fists in victory as soon as he saw Riley, "And a good-looking guy at that."

As for Riley, he only nodded respectfully as he looked at Bernard and Adaeze.

Just… how many of them had he killed in the multiverse?

Riley, of course, immediately pushed these thoughts down as they once again gathered around the table. And once again, Riley was asked questions.

"So… what do you do, Riley?" And this time, it was Adaeze, "Are you also working as a superhero like Hannah?"

"No, Ma'am," Riley shook his head, "Not at this moment. I—"

"Who are you?"

And before Riley could fully answer her question, Bernard suddenly cut in, leaning over the table as he looked at Riley.

"I checked you on several databases, you are not coming up in any of them." Bernard narrowed his eyes at him, "It's like you don't exist. What's your full name?"

"Dad…" Hannah only sighed as she glared at Bernard. She then glanced at Diana, who only shrugged and motioned to her to let Bernard be, "...You don't have to answer that, Riley."

"It is fine, Hannah," Riley sighed, "My name is Riley Lane, Mr. Bernard. And the reason why you can not find me in any of the databases is because I am a very private person."

"Huh…" Bernard narrowed his eyes even further at him. But after a few moments, a small smile suddenly crept on his face, "...I like this one! And don't worry, we all have things we try to hide. And even if you do anything wrong, then… all I could tell you is good luck—you won't survive my daughter."

"I have experienced that several times already, Mr. Bernard."

"Ha!"

The dinner went along nicely after that. They still asked Riley some questions, but it became more casual as the night went on. And soon, Bernard and Adaeze left just like that.

Everything was just… so casual.

"I… can get used to this," Hannah whispered as she stood by the door, watchingBernard and Adaeze leave on a jet. She rested her head on Riley's shoulder, sighing as she closed her eyes, "Our life could have been like this."

"No," Riley shook his head, "It never would have been because of me."

"Stop being so fucking edgy and let me have a moment," Hannah clicked her tongue and pushed herself away from Riley. She then turned to her mother, who was preparing to clean the kitchen, and called for her.

"You live here all alone, huh? You—"

And before Hannah could finish her words, Diana suddenly rushed toward them and pushed them out of the house.

"No, woman," she said while vehemently shaking her head, "You are not going to sleep here. Go back to your apartment. I don't want to hear you and Riley making noises at night."

"Mom! That's disgusting! You—"

And once again, before she could finish her words, Diana cut her off.

"Riley, it was very nice meeting you." She smiled at Riley, "Please take care of my daughter. As you can see, I tried and failed."

"What do you mean by—"

And once again, she was cut off by her mother as she slammed the door closed on them.

"Did… did she actually just slam the door on us?" Hannah blinked in disbelief as she looked at Riley.

"It would seem so, Hannah," Riley shrugged, "Should we return to our own universe now?"

"What? No!" Hannah scoffed, pulling Riley away from the door and dragging him to the sidewalk, "We just got here. I told you, we have a few years until this thing collapses from your very presence—and just ignore that fucking interdimensional traveler dude. Let's just… pretend to be normal, at least just for a few years."

"Then what are you proposing we do, Hannah?" Riley tilted his head.

"I don't know… I've had enough of superheroing, fuck that," Hannah rolled her eyes, "Let's just… find my apartment for now or something."

"If you have not thought of anything, then can I propose something?"

"Hmm?"

"One of my clones got to live his life, and he seemed very happy," Riley muttered, "I want to do what he did."

"...And that is?"

"A farm. Let us take care of land and animals together, Hannah."