Masks Off

Skylar's POV

The red flags were there all along, but I completely ignored them.

Jace stood behind Ava, my cousin, his hands gripping her hips firmly as he thrust slowly into her.

My legs refused to move. He was so lost in her that he didn't notice me standing at the door.

Ava's eyes found mine, and the corner of her lips lifted. She didn't even flinch, like she had been expecting me all along.

I pressed my lips together, fighting the tightness in my chest. "J-Jace."

His head jerked up. He cursed under his breath and pulled up his trousers. Ava let out a hiss as she adjusted her gown

He grabbed his belt resting beside the sink and fastened it around his waist without taking his eyes off me. "Don't try to make a scene over something every man does, Skylar."

"You don't even feel sorry?"

"Men aren't meant to stay with just one woman." He ran a hand through his hair. "I'll still marry you and keep Ava, okay? If you're smart enough, you'll accept what every woman eventually comes to understand. You don't own a man, Skylar."

A dry laugh escaped me, my shoulders shaking violently. "With my own cousin? If one woman isn't enough for you, then I'm clearly too much for you." I blinked away the sting in my eyes. "We're over, Jace."

"This is the problem with you, Skylar." His Jaw tightened. "You never listen. Is it because you've got more money than I do? Ava understands me, okay? She doesn't question every decision I make or try to tell me how to live my own life." He shook his head, taking a step forward. "You just can't stand not being in control!"

"So this is my fault now?" My voice cracked. "If I hadn't walked in today, would you have ever told me?"

His eyes flickered for a moment before he looked away.

"Isn't it time for the fiancee to yank off the mistress's hair?" Ava faked a yawn, completely unbothered. "It's starting to get boring. Come hit me, bitch."

"I won't waste my precious time with you." I turned away from them and took a sharp exhale to calm the anger boiling inside me.

"Don't go around telling anybody any shit. Jace and I have been dating for months. Even your friend can attest to it."

My head turned sharply.

Jace turned away, smoothing his shirt.

Ava rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Come on. Mia has worked in my office long enough to know about us." She walked closer to me. With only a few inches between us, she raised a finger, poking my shoulder lightly. "Stupid Skylar, how does it feel to have your man stolen from you?"

I stared at her finger still resting on my shoulder before meeting her gaze. "Why? Do you think I'm gonna cry or what? You can have him, sweetie."

Without sparing them a glance, I turned away.

My steps were firm, but my vision blurred for a second. Don't, Skylar.

My throat burned as I swallowed hard.

Don't let those tears fall. Don't give those bastards the privilege of seeing you down.

Mia knows about us.

The words kept ringing in my head. Ava was probably trying to get under my skin. Mia could have at least told me if she knew.

The moment I walked into the living room, it was already packed with guests. I scanned the room until my eyes landed on a particular table with Mia and Joan.

My legs moved on their own accord toward their table.

Joan looked up at me, and the smile on her face disappeared instantly.

"Why is your face like that?" she asked, worry obvious in her eyes.

I wiped away the tear that was threatening to fall. "J-Jace... that bastard was screwing Ava in the restroom."

Joan shot up so fast her chair nearly fell. "What?"

"Oh my goodness," Mia exclaimed, pulling me into a hug. Joan followed suit, their arms wrapping around me tightly.

I held the table, my knuckles almost turning white. "It's fine."

"You don't even look that sad..." Mia drawled, tilting her head slightly. "Don't get me wrong, I like it. You're not bawling your eyes out."

"We'll never cry over stupid men here," Joan hissed, taking a seat.

Before I could stop my self, my palm met Mia's cheek. She staggered backward, stumbling into the table and almost knocking down the food on it.

"What the heck, Skylar?" Joan screamed, stepping forward.

"This girl," I pointed a finger at Mia, "knew about it. She knew all this while and was probably laughing behind my back."

"What the—" Joan's eyes shifted to Mia, who didn't look the least bit shocked. "Since when? And don't think of lying."

Mia stood up and straightened her dress. She raised her hand to hit me, but I caught her wrist before it could land on me.

"Since..." she chuckled, struggling to free her wrist from my grip. "I don't know... maybe when you started treating me like trash. You didn't even care about my feelings and just bossed me around like I was some sort of puppet!"

My head spun for a moment.

Bossy? This wasn't the first time I'd heard it today.

"Wow."

She rolled her eyes, freeing her wrist from my grip, then turned away.

For a moment, I just stared at her retreating figure. All those years. All those conversations.

"Do you know the most painful part?"

She stopped and turned to face me.

"Jace cheating? No. He isn't a trophy I can't live without. Ava? We don't even get along. But you, Mia." I let out a broken laugh. "You sat with me. Ate with me. Smiled in my face. Comforted me while knowing everything. You knew all this while and didn't even try to tell me."

She folded her arms but didn't say anything.

"I'm very thankful I got to know your true colors because you would have poisoned me without batting an eye."

"Drama queen," she scoffed. "Work on your attitude."

That one stung more than it should have. I watched as she walked away. She didn't even look back. She wasn't remorseful at all.

I sat down immediately, burying my face in the table.

Joan patted my back gently. "It's okay," she whispered.

My head shot up, realizing a big mistake I had made. "I bought a car under Jace's name."

Joan's eyes widened. "You must be joking, right?"

I had initially planned on gifting him a car after our wedding for his birthday, and Mia had suggested I buy him one. Stupid me had listened to her.

Those three must have had a field day, laughing at how foolish I was.

"Jace isn't aware, though, but I'm taking it back."

Without waiting for a response from her, I stood up and brushed past the crowd to place a call.

I had to confirm something first. I quickly typed a text to Mia.

I'm contacting my lawyer. I'm getting my car back.

It turned to Read, but no reply followed.

A strange feeling made me spin around. Like I was being watched.

My eyes darted around, searching for anything suspicious, but there were just a few people going in and out.

My heart pounded for a moment.

Probably just my imagination.

"Skylar, what do you mean you're taking back the car? You got it for me as a gift!" Jace came rushing in, blocking my path.

Damn you, Mia.

"You should be ashamed, bastard." I walked past him, balling my fist behind my back.

He grabbed my wrist, his fingers digging painfully into my skin.

"Call that stupid lawyer and tell him to cancel whatever bullshit you told him already," he said, his eyes narrowing in irritation.

"You're hurting me, Jace," I gritted my teeth, trying to pull away.

Instead of letting go, he reached for my phone.

My grip on the phone tightened. "Leave me alone!"

"No."

The next few seconds happened so fast. He yanked it from my grip.

I pulled back, losing my balance in the process and crashing hard onto the floor.

"Ouch."

The phone ended up in his hand. He looked down at me, guilt flashing across his face.

"I'm sorry," he muttered, squatting down and stretching his hand toward me.

I stared at his hand, then slapped it away and sprang to my feet. "Give me back my phone!"

"Let's talk this out."

"Talk? You were literally inside a restroom with another woman less than an hour ago."

He scratched his head. "See, listen."

I stepped closer to him. "Hand it over."

He took a step back, making me move forward. "Do you want me to raise my voice?" I asked, keeping my voice low. "Because I will. And trust me, everybody would love to hear this."

I reached for the phone, but he pulled it away again. "You must be—"

"Ah!" Jace winced.

My hand froze midair.

His arms were twisted awkwardly behind his back.

I blinked.

A man stood behind him. I hadn't even seen where he came from. Jace tried pulling away, but the man's grip only tightened.

"Fighting with a woman," the stranger said calmly. "Coward."

Jace hissed, struggling against his grip. The stranger snatched the phone from his hand and held it out to me.

"Thanks," I murmured, raising my hand to take it.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over me.

I cleared my throat, staring into his eyes. "The phone..."

He placed the phone into my hand. His fingers brushed against mine, sending a shiver through me.