Chapter 11
The soft glow of the living room lights cast a warm hur across the space as Mason came in from the garage, carrying the gift box in his hands. His fingers paused for a moment on the rich blue velvet, gently brushing the unopened wrapping paper.[]
He could not tell what was inside just by feeling it, which piqued his curiosity, Celia usually handled him gifts straight up. She wouldn’t wrap it fancily. This was the first time she had put in that kind of effort.
Just as he was about to start unwrapping it, his phone suddenly vibrated on the coffee table. The name “Brooklyn Davis” lit up the screen like a sharp pin bursting a bubble, slicing through the cory, amber light in the room.
Mason, where did you go?” came a drowsy, slightly slurred voice from the other end. It sounded like she had not fully sobered up yet
I’m home. What’s wrong?” Mason stopped unwrapping the box when he heard Brooklyn’s voice, and his tone automatically softened.]
“I don’t feel so good. Why aren’t you here with mer
At the sound of her sw
sweet, sleepy voice, Mason dropped the box, grabbed his coat with one hand and his car keys with the other, and headed straight for the door. “I’m coming now, just hang on for me, alright? |
By the time Mason arrived at Brooklyn’s place, the sky had already started to brighten with the first light of dawn. He spent the whole morning taking care of her until she finally fell asleep, and then, too exhausted to drive back, he crashed right there on her couch with his coat still on.
When he finally woke up, it was already afternoon. Brooklyn had just stepped out of the bathroom in her pajamas and caught him sitting upright on the couch. Inoking slightly dazed.]
She plopped down beside him and handed him the towel in her hand. “Mason, help me dry my hair.”
Snapping out of his fog. Mason took the towel and began gently patting her hair dry. Once he was done, he got up.
- p. went to the bathroom, and returned with a blow dryer to finish the job.|||
“Brooklyn, about what you said at the party last night–Mason finally spoke up after her hair was dry, but she cut him off before he could finish.
“My confession wasn’t just a spur of the moment thing. Mason. So now, I’m officially your girlfriend. Is there anything you would like to do to your girlfriend right now?” Brooklyn murmured as she snuggled seductively into his arms|||
“No. That’s not what I was going to ask. I’m just wondering, when did I divorce Cella? I haven’t even been able to reach her.
“Mason, I thought you’d be too busy being happy about us finally being together. Celia was just a stand–in, but we weren’t. I’m yours now. Why are you still worried about someone who doesn’t matter?” Brooklyn’s voice had a sharp edge to it.]]
Mason was unsure why, but something about that did not sit right with him.||
Brooklyn continued, “She told me that you guys were divorced and even showed me the divorce cenificate. She said you couldn’t wait to be with me, and that’s why you ended things with her. I mean, she didn’t even show up to your birthday yesterday, and you’re still thinking about her?
“Divorce certificate? I’m divorced?”
Mason was stunned to learn that not only was he suddenly divorced, but tells had also claimed he was the one who had ended things[]
It was not like he didn’t have any feelings for Cella. After all, through all the times Brooklyn shut him down or ignored him, it was Celia who stuck around
He had just wanted to be there for Brooklyn more since she had just moved back from abroad and did not know many people yet. He wondered if Celia had ended their marriage over that
Noticing the change in his expression, Brooklyn did not hesitate to pin all the blame on Celia. “She threatened me, you know. She said that if I dalist lle, shed spread rumors in our old college group that I was a homewrecker and ruin my reputation“]
“She really said that?” Mason found it hard to believe. Cella had always been calm, soft spoken, and respectful. She never struck hins as someone who would pull something like that
“what, you don’t believe me?” Brooklyn snapped, shooting him a glance before turning away with a pout
Mason stared at her sulking silhouette and tried to se escalate the situation. “No, I believe you. I just didn’t think that shed treat you like that. Weren’t yuu wa rollege roommates and close friends?”
With a straight face. Brooklyn lied and said. “Celia was never my friend. She was always jealous of me. If the hadn’t told me that she liked you, I wouldn’t have introduced you to her in the first place. I only dated Flynn because she pushed me to f
Well, she introduced you to Flynn?” Mason, now fully distracted, fell into Brooklyn’s trap without realizing it||
When Brooklyn sensed that he had taken the bait, she continued trashing Cella without skipping a beat. She knew Mason had been with Celia for years. Even though he had always chased after her, there was no way he did not have lingering feelings for the woman who had stuck by his side.
After all, why else would Mason still cling to Celia after the divorce, even after she had confessed her feelings?]
Brooklyn absolutely wouldn’t allow this.
Yeah, it was her idea. She set me up with Flynn and forced me to introduce you to her.
you to her. She even threatened to break Flynn and me up if I didn’t make it happen. I was manipulated by her back then. I couldn’t even see how I really felt.“]
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