“Cecil doesn’t have the kind of power and influence that can help you! He can’t go up against the Schmidts and the Lynches. If you got together with him, all you’re going to get from him is his love and nothing else. He can’t protect Ella! “Then, he’ll find himself in deep sorrow. He’ll regret that he chose to study medicine instead of garnering more power and influence for himself!”“You need to fight fire with fire, Zoe!”…Zoe was trembling all over. She didn’t want to believe him, but she knew clearly that he didn’t have to lie to her. She was also afraid that something else might happen to Ella and she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if it did. He could see what she was wrestling with and smiled lightly. He even leaned over and opened the car door for her and asked her politely, “Are you going to call a cab or should I give you a ride?”“I’ll take the cab!” She stumbled a little when she got out of the car. She was so exhausted.He didn’t offer her help. Sitting in
Zoe knew what Mason wanted to talk about in this phone call! She didn’t want to let Mia know about it, so she excused herself before she answered it outside.Even the tightly closed window couldn’t hold off the bitter coldness of the night. The chilling wind seeped in through the crack of the window at the end of the hallway and hit her squarely in the face.With that said, it was nothing compared to her conversation with Mason. Over the phone, his voice was soft yet heavy with intention. “You should know what the Schmidts’ next move is! I’m the only one who can help you now, Zoe! Ella has to become one of the Lockwoods if you want Langston to back off!”Numb, Zoe asked, “Can you please help me?”After a brief moment of silence, his voice sounded significantly deeper than earlier when he said, “I told you. I’m not a charitable man! I think you know that I won’t intervene in Leslie and Ella’s matters if you’re not in the picture.”Of course, she knew that. She had been married
All of a sudden, Mason’s words rang in her mind. He said Cecil would live in regret if she ended up being with him. He’d regret the day he took up medicine instead of fighting for more power and influence.That wasn’t what she wanted!She didn’t want Cecil to change the way he lived his life because of her.It was exhausting trying to live your life for another person’s sake. She lived through that and she didn’t wish it on Cecil. A healthy relationship requires sacrifices from both of them, and not just one.The truth was, she had nothing she could give to him. All she would be was become his burden. Like what Mason said, she’d make him regret his previous choices that led him to his current career path.About five minutes later, someone opened the ward door.She didn’t turn back. Instead, she continued to look out the window. A decision had been made. She wasn’t going to cushion the blow for Cedric, just like she wasn’t going to give herself a chance to regret her decision.Sh
Zoe stared at him for a long time. She didn’t turn around until her eyes hurt from the crying.The moment she turned around, she donned her identity as Mason’s wife. Walking into the resplendent lobby, she made her way to the elevator. She didn’t turn back and see what was behind her, afraid that she’d regret her decision once she did.The reception hall was wide enough to seat a hundred guests. It was filled with people from high society. Leslie wasn’t here, but Langston and his parents were here to pay respect on his behalf. Nellie wasn’t happy about it, but she put a smile on her face and drank with everyone. At that moment, the door to the reception hall opened and they could the loud, crisp voice of a heel clicking on the floor.Everyone directed their gaze at the door. Wearing a dress fashioned after the revenge dress of Diana, the Princess of Wales, she took slow steps toward Langston’s table and shoved any waiters who tried to stop her.A moment later, she was standin
Langston had no intention of offending Mason. The Schmidts and the Lynches could join forces and they still wouldn’t be a match for him. He was a prodigy in the business world and was known for being ruthless in Brookesville!He had no choice but to say to Zoe, “Name your terms!”Zoe was no fool herself. She knew this was the best she could get. All she could fight for Ella was some compensation!She said gently, “There are two terms!”“Firstly, the Schmidts must assign a team of medical professionals to treat Ella and clear her name to the general public. Tell everyone that she was pregnant with Leslie’s baby and that she was no mistress. Instead, she had a legitimate relationship with him!“Secondly, I want you to financially compensate Ella again!”Leslie’s mother was not happy with this. “Didn’t she already get fifty million dollars? What more do you want?”Zoe retorted, “If you lost your baby and your hearing for good, and I offered you fifty million dollars as compensation
Lowering her gaze, she saw that she was in a compromising pose. Their bodies were tightly pressed against each other. Beneath her silk skirt, her legs were hanging by his sides. Mason’s deep-colored long pants cast a stark contrast against her fair skin. It was an erotic sight.Her eyelids fluttered. “I’m not in the mood.” Then, she begged him a little, “How about another day?”Leaning back on the seat lazily, he looked at her intently. She leaned backward a little as he touched her face and asked, “Are you scared?”Before she could answer, he held the back of her neck and pushed her toward him. She thought he was going for a kiss, so she parted her lips and decided to let him do it.Little did she know he’d exert more pressure on his hand. She was perplexed and raised her eyes to look at him. His eyes were so deep and there was a hint of dominance in his eyes. Truth be told, he looked sexy when he was like this. She believed that if he asked for it, a lot of ladies would do anyt
Both of them were quiet when they were done having sex. Perhaps it was because they were no longer married or because it had been a long time since they last did it. Either way, they didn’t feel at ease with each other.Putting on her clothes, she said softly, “I feel a little sticky. I need to take a shower.” That made things a little more awkward.Mason was so eager earlier that he forgot to wear a condom. Of course, it felt good, but it also meant she was going to need a longer time to clean it up. Coughing lightly, he said, “I’ll wait for you outside.” Then, he went out. The cleaner will clean up the bed and the place. He was a man, so he didn’t care about that. However, she couldn’t bear to leave it like that. She changed a new bedsheet and stuffed the previous one into a bag, labeling it so Ava would send it to the laundromat. After that, she hopped in the shower.The warm water cascading on her slender figure reminded her of the sex earlier. He was much gentler than he
Ella was still lying motionless on her bed when dawn came.Burying her face into Ella’s hands, Zoe murmured, “Wake up, Ella! No one’s going to be mean to you ever again. You can live a good life. There’s no need to worry about people finding out about your past and looking down on you! You can even have your own babies if you want.“Wake up, please? I beg you! Wake up and show me that my sacrifices are worth it!”Waiting endlessly without knowing if things would get better was a soul-crushing experience.It was morning when the doctor officially said the situation was looking bleak. If Ella didn’t wake up in the next four hours, then she might be in a persistent vegetative state and never wake up from it.She might never wake up…The thought of it was too much. Zoe felt immense pain in her heart and she was having trouble breathing. Dashing to the restroom, she held the sink as she dry-heaved, spitting bile. Then, she slumped onto the restroom floor.Curling up, she covered her