- 14.
Mason started coming to my house so often that my mom began to tease him.
“He’s here every day except when he’s sleeping. Mason, why don’t you just move in already?”
Mason, never one to back down from a joke, actually did it.
The next day, he showed up with a suitcase and claimed the room next to mine
own.
as his
Despite his busy work schedule, Mason always found time to bring me little surprises after work.
Sometimes it was a toy dragonfly that spun in the air; other times, it was a candy figurine shaped like a flower.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s with all these gifts? Do you think I’m a kid or something?”
Mason just grinned and said, “If treating you like a kid means I can keep you smiling for the rest of your life, I’ll gladly do it forever.”
I’d be lying if I said my heart didn’t flutter a little.
So when Mason leaned in to kiss me one evening, I didn’t pull away.
It was soft, barely a brush of his lips against mine, the kind of kiss that could’ve been mistaken for a dream.
But the moment was too much for me, and I panicked, pushing him away.
My heart was pounding so hard I could barely think straight.
The very next afternoon, I left for Eastbridge.
Not because I was running away–but because Z, my old boss, had called.
Jan 10 G GU
The company was overwhelmed preparing for their annual gala, and she asked if I could
come back to help.
She even offered me triple pay for the trouble.
Z was my first boss when I joined the company. Back when people were spreading nasty rumors about me and Liam, she was the one who stood up for me and shut it all down.
I owed her a lot. A favor like this wasn’t something I could say no to.
So, I went back to the company and worked for three days straight.
On the night of the gala, Nina showed up arm–in–arm with Liam.
It had been a while since I’d seen them, but their relationship seemed closer than ever.
I couldn’t help but notice the massive diamond ring on Nina’s finger.
When someone asked about it, she smiled and made the announcement loud enough for the whole room to hear.
“Liam and I are engaged. The wedding is next month. We’d love for you all to come!”
Her eyes locked onto mine, and though her voice was sweet, her gaze was full of hostility.
“Emma,” she said, smiling that fake smile of hers. “You’ll come too, won’t you?”
“No,” I replied instinctively. “It’s too far.”
The words came out sharper than I intended, so I quickly added, “But I’ll send a gift, of
course.”
Nina’s smile didn’t falter. She nodded graciously, but I could feel Liam’s eyes on me.
I avoided his gaze, and he, as always, said nothing.
The gala began, and I thought I’d made it through the worst of the night.
But as luck–or fate–would have it, I ended up seated right next to Liam and Nina.
The two of them whispered to each other like no one else was around, their private jokes
and murmured words impossible to ignore.
I tried to block it all out.
I was numb.
Until the stage collapsed.
It happened so fast–a loud crack, a shout of alarm, and suddenly, the massive stage was crumbling down toward our table.
I barely had time to react.
But Liam did.
In an instant, he was on his feet, throwing himself between me and the falling debris.
When the dust settled, I was completely unharmed.
Nina wasn’t so lucky. A piece of the scaffolding had struck her shoulder, and she was clutching it in pain as people crowded around her, asking if she was okay.
But Liam wasn’t with her.
He was still in front of me, his hands on my arms, his voice full of worry.
“Emma, are you hurt? Are you okay?”
I pushed him away, my voice cold and firm.
“Thanks for your concern, Liam. But right now, you should be more worried about your
fiancée.”
Liam froze, his eyes flickering toward Nina.
22:22 Fri, Jan 10 Gu
<
For a moment, she just stared at him, her face pale with pain.
Then, without a word, she pulled off the engagement ring, dropped it on the floor, and walked out of the room.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Everyone was staring at me.
I felt like the entire world was pressing down on my chest, and all I wanted to do was disappear.
I turned to leave, but Liam grabbed my hand.
“Emma,” he said, his voice low and raw.
“I made a mistake.”
He looked at me, his eyes pleading.
“Come back to me.”
