All Chapters of The Forbidden Ties : Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

HAPPINESS'S POVThe rest of the morning passed in a blur of lectures and half-hearted attempts to focus. Despite Maria and Ash’s company, I could feel the weight of the stares, the hushed whispers that followed me wherever I went.By lunchtime, I was exhausted.Maria, ever the sensible one, suggested we eat in the quieter outdoor seating area instead of the packed cafeteria. We found a shaded bench near the fountain, where the sound of running water helped drown out the chaos of campus life.Ash took a sip of her iced coffee before smirking. "So, are you and Mason planning a press conference or just letting the internet do its thing?"I sighed. "We’re not planning anything. The less attention we give it, the faster it dies down. They'll move on to someone else soon."Maria hummed in agreement. "That’s probably for the best. But still, you should prepare yourself. This won’t just disappear overnight."She was right, of course. I knew this wouldn’t be over just because I ignored it. The

HAPPINESS'S POVThe scent of buttery popcorn filled the air as I curled up on the couch, my legs tucked beneath me. Ash sat cross-legged on the floor, scrolling through her phone, while Maria had claimed the other end of the couch, flipping through TV channels with little interest."Are we actually watching something, or is this just background noise?" Ash asked, tossing a kernel of popcorn into her mouth.Maria sighed, still flipping. "Honestly, nothing looks interesting. Why do they even make this many channels if they all suck?""Capitalism," Ash replied dryly.I chuckled. "You're just upset because you finished your series and now you don't know what to do with yourself."Ash pointed a dramatic finger at me. "Exactly. That show had me in a chokehold, and now I feel abandoned."Maria snorted. "Try reading a book."Ash gasped. "I'm offended. Do I look like someone who has the patience to sit through pages of tiny words?"I shook my head, amused. "You're ridiculous.""But you love me

HAPPINESS’S POVThe air in the ballroom was thick with expensive perfume, and laughter when I got back inside. The clinking of glasses as servers weaved through the crowd with trays of champagne.Mason’s hand rested against my back, firm and reassuring. Yet, despite his presence, the unease in my chest refused to fade.He leaned down slightly, his voice a low murmur against my ear. "You okay?"I nodded quickly, forcing a small smile. "Of course."His gaze lingered on me for a second longer, as if he didn’t fully believe me, but before he could push further, a deep voice called his name."Ah, Mason! Finally!"A tall man in a sleek black suit approached, exuding effortless confidence.“James,” Mason greeted, shaking his hand firmly. “Didn’t think I’d see you here.”“Couldn’t miss it. Besides, your Dad wouldn’t let me.” James chuckled before his eyes flicked to me. "And you must be Happiness."I nodded politely. "It’s nice to meet you."“Likewise,” he said, though I could tell his intere

MASON’S POVThe house was quiet when I got back. Too quiet.Happiness’s shoes were by the door, so I knew she was home, but I didn’t hear anything. There was no movement, no humming from the kitchen, nothing.I set my keys down, shrugging off my jacket as I walked further inside. The living room lights were dim, casting soft shadows across the walls. Then I saw her.She was curled up on the couch, knees pulled to her chest, staring at her phone screen with a look I couldn’t quite place. She didn’t notice me at first.I took a slow breath.James was right. Pushing her wouldn’t work. If I wanted her to talk, to trust me with whatever was weighing on her, I had to show her that she didn’t have to do this alone.So, I moved carefully.“Hey,” I murmured, settling down beside her.She blinked, startled, before quickly locking her phone and forcing a small smile. “Hey.”That smile didn’t reach her eyes.I didn’t say anything at first, just reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind

HAPPINESS’S POVThe silence in the car was heavier than it should have been. Mason’s hands gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles tight, his jaw clenched as he focused on the road ahead. He hadn’t said much since his mother’s call, but I could feel the tension radiating off him.“She won’t do anything to hurt you,” he finally said, breaking the silence.I swallowed, watching the trees blur past the window. “I know.”But that wasn’t the real concern, was it? It wasn’t about outright harm. It was about the unspoken words, the careful, measured tone that could cut just as deeply.Mason sighed, running a hand through his hair. “If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to.”I turned to him, searching his expression. “And what would that say about me?”His lips pressed into a thin line. “That you don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”Maybe he believed that. Maybe he wanted to. But we both knew this was something I couldn’t avoid forever. If I was going to be in his life, I had to face t