"If it isn't the great Mason Adler and his bitch. Howdy folks" "Walk away Lauder. Or I'll make you" Alden hissed from beside him. "You really do go above and beyond for your bestie. Don't you Greaves?" Mason kept his eyes on her. Observing her every move and reaction. He couldn't believe she was high or that she'd come out like that. Since when did Eva start using drugs? He'd never seen her do it when they were together and if she has, he would have noticed. He wasn't that blind. What happened to her after she'd left? Where had she gone and most importantly why would she marry this asshole? Shit, it was none of his business what she did or didn't do. They weren't together anymore. If something was wrong with her, Lauder should be the one to worry. Without a second thought, he spun around and went to the bathroom. He could be civil with business rivals, even have a drink or two with them but never with Remington Lauder. Mason couldn't stand being in his presence and he didn't mind
"Mason? Hi. Uh... Come in" Sabrina stammered, shocked that he had gone to visit them. Surely, he had to know that Eva had gotten married. Whatever happened to them? Hadn't Eva said he was the one? "Thank you and I'm sorry for showing up unannounced" "No, no, no, it's fine. You're welcome here anytime. What can I get you? Tea? Coffee? Something stronger?" "Coffee's fine. Thank you" "Okay, make yourself comfortable," She said heading to the kitchen "It's been a while. How are you?" "Fine. I've just been busy with work" Why was he there? Could it be about Eva or something else? They were all shocked by her revelation but there was nothing they could do. Last they heard from her, she'd given them the same excuse she always gave them whenever she didn't want to see them. She was busy with a new project. Sometimes it was true, other times, it was a lie. She hadn't told anyone she was engaged or married. As usual, Lincoln had been pissed but it was too late. He couldn't change any
⚠️ Trigger warning⚠️ Mentions of suicidal thoughts. "You can go without them today" Eva told the reflection in the vanity mirror. She wasn't some drug junkie. She could do it. And she would. Picking up the lipstick, she spread it over her lips and smacked them together. Telling herself she was beautiful "Smile. You're beautiful when you smile. Smile Evangeline" but it was so damn hard. How much longer could she hold the smile this time? She was exhausted and all she wanted to do was get back in bed and close her eyes. For a long time. Minus the nightmares. But Remington expected her to go down for breakfast. It would be fine if it was just the two of them since they wouldn't even bother talking to each other. He could say everything he wanted and all she needed to do was just ignore him. But with Florence there, not only did she have to keep up a lovely conversation with her so called husband, but she also had to let him touch her. With his hands and lips.
He sat in the dimly lit restaurant, waiting patiently. He'd booked the entire place so he could punch anyone if he felt like it. There were five more minutes left and if that bastard so much as showed up a minute late, he wouldn't spare him. They'd met in university and since Alden was a social butterfly, he'd tried to befriend him. Claiming that they needed a third member in their little circle so they could be the three musketeers. Remington looked like he could fit right in. He was fun, outgoing, and loud. Just what Alden was looking for. At least that's what he thought back then. A month into their friendship, he started noticing a pattern. All the girls Alden supposedly distracted so they would shift their attention from him, somehow ended up as Remington's girlfriends. Mason didn't think much of it. He thought maybe they were his type and if they willingly went out with him then there was no problem. But then when they went out, he would try to get them drunk. And when that did
She slept like a baby or was it an angel? He'd been watching her for the last hour as his fingers traced circles on the smooth skin of her face. After tearing into him about the honeymoon suite, she'd finally taken a shower and he'd coaxed her to eat a few more bites before she fell asleep. Now that her makeup was off, he could see the dark circles under her eyes, indicating that he'd been right about her being tired. He thought about the ceremony that was two days later and how she'd feel when she found out about his plans. Mason knew she was going to hate him but there was nothing he could do. Curing her was more important than how she felt toward him. Sighing, he picked up her phone and used her fingerprint to unlock it. Then he went to her P*******t and clicked on the wedding board, trying to see if he could find something close to her dream wedding dress. He took a screenshot, sent it to himself then put Jack to work. Aside from him, no one else knew about his plans. His parents
He could have forced her. In fact, his original plan had been to get her drunk then drag her to the chapel and get married. No one would think anything of it because they were in Vegas. It was the norm for people to get married while they were intoxicated. But he'd wanted to give her a choice. Although, technically, she didn't have one. He would marry her whether she liked it or not. A small part of him thought she might yes if he asked her so he did just that. While they were out, the staff set up the room like they had when they arrived. He didn't want to ask her in public in case she didn't like it and stormed off and he'd been right. When they went back, he pulled on her hand, stopping at the door. She raised peculiar eyes to his. "What? Don't tell me you're already addicted to gambling" she asked. He pulled her into him and kissed her. The first since she got divorced. Since she left. Eva was stiff for a few seconds and Mason inwardly prayed she wouldn'
Love? What a load of crap. She should have known he was just getting her divorced for his own benefit. For a moment there, she'd believed he loved her and regretted leaving. She'd thought that if he wasn't angry, they could rekindle their relationship, and maybe, she could learn to trust him. After all, everyone made mistakes. How wrong she'd been? That bastard dared blackmail her? Was there a difference between him and Remington? Unlike the first time, she wasn't going to sit around and let herself be forced into another unwanted marriage. Eva stopped outside the hotel, to calm herself down. She couldn't go anywhere if she was blinded by anger. Then again, where could she go? It was almost six in the morning. She'd pretended to sleep so Mason would let his guard down but she'd accidentally slept for real. Luckily, she woke up before he did. Think, Eva. Think... Rossy. Of course. Why hadn't she thought of that? He would never be able to tell who is who. Even Jordan had a hard tim
They'd explored the magical lakes and waterfalls that had felt out of this world. The waters so clear one could see all through to the bottom. Eva thought she could listen to the sound of waterfalls for the rest of eternity and never get bored. For a moment, she'd considered moving there before she remembered that she was now married. Although, everything hadn't turned out the way she thought it would. Mason didn't push her to do anything she didn't want. A week had already passed and aside from holding her hand when they were outside, he hadn't touched her again. She should feel better about it. He was a man who understood boundaries. She'd told him they would never get back together and he'd accepted it. Just like that. Which was what she wanted. Right? Right. He'd betrayed her trust and forced her to marry him. She would never forgive him. But she also wasn't blind. Wherever they went, women devoured him with their eyes. Some even had the audacity to openl