When Mason Reed’s crashed and burned, everyone who’d ever kissed his ass suddenly couldn’t wait to kick him
while he was down.
His precious first love, Elise–the woman he’d always put on a pedestal–made him get on his knees and bark like a dog just for a measly hundred bucks.
His so–called best friend promised to help with his parents‘ hospital bills, but only if Mason crawled between his legs first.
When everyone else thought he couldn’t sink any lower, I was the one who pulled him from the depths of hell.
I used every penny of my savings to clear his debts. I lived with him in a roach–infested basement apartment while he rebuilt his life from scratch. I even spent days and nights at the hospital caring for his parents until I was so exhausted that I miscarried our baby.
But three years after his successful comeback, Mason brought Elise back to our home, parading her around like a trophy.
“Elise is pregnant,” he announced casually. “Her husband’s abusive, so she’ll be staying with us from now on.”
“You’re good at taking care of people. From now on, you’ll be looking after Elise. I don’t trust anyone else.”
Tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them.
His response? Irritation.
‘It’s just babysitting. Stop acting like a princess when you clearly aren’t one.”
‘I’m not cheating on you. Don’t be so damn petty about this.”
What I didn’t tell him was that I’d overheard his mother in the bedroom days earlier, instructing Elise to take good care of herself and her precious grandson.
The entire family was playing me for a fool.
But I was done being their fool.
And the baby growing inside me? I didn’t want it anymore either.
was packing my bags to leave when Mason erupted in rage. He shoved me hard, sending me crashing to the floor.
A sharp pain shot through my knees, yet my first thought was for the baby. Mason didn’t know I was pregnant.
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Nine Years Wasted–Now I’m Marrying Your Rival
12.5%
Chapter 1
Feeling my abdomen carefully, relieved there was no pain there, I finally let myself breathe.
“Are you done with this tantrum, Riley?” Mason loomed over me. “You can take care of me but not Elise?”
The housekeepers stood in the doorway, enjoying the spectacle. One held a bowl of blueberries that Mason had specifically requested for Elise.
Not only were the staff watching me like I was some circus act, but I felt like one too.
“What exactly am I to you, Mason?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Was I just a free lay who gave you money when you were broke?
Or a caretaker who looked after your parents better than you ever did?
Even or the woman who miscarried your child while running herself ragged for your business?
Mason frowned, clearly not understanding my question. His face twisted with impatience.
“It’s just for three months, okay? Elise’s pregnancy is high–risk during the first trimester. It’s only three
months–what’s the big deal?”
I looked at the man I had loved so deeply and laughed bitterly.
Was it really just about three months of playing nurse?
Last week at the office, in front of all employees, you made me apologize to Elise for not picking the stems from her vegetables properly, you made me clean her shoes and beg for her forgiveness.
You said it was just one apology. But then came a second, a third… countless more.
Mason, compromising my dignity feels terrible.
“This house has plenty of maids,” I said, still sprawled on the floor, exhausted. “Once I’m gone, you can hire as many is you want to serve your precious Elise.”
All I wanted was to quietly slip away with my baby safe inside me.
ust then, Elise appeared at the door, one hand supporting her back. The staff parted respectfully for her, treating
er like the real hostess of the house.
Mason, how could you let Riley sit on the floor like that? What if she catches a chill?”
Her voice was playfully scolding. Mason immediately rushed to help Elise to the bed, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
He didn’t even glance in my direction. It was as if Elise had been the one by his side during those three difficult
years, not me.
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Nine Years Wanted. Now Powe
Chapter 1
“Don’t worry about her,” Mason said dismissively. “Riley’s tough. You’re the one who’s pregnant–we need to make sure you don’t catch cold with all these open windows.”
His words cut through me like a knife, and I fought to hold back tears that threatened to spill down my cheeks.
Mason had forgotten that after I miscarried while working overtime to pay off his debts and taking care of his parents, I became extremely sensitive to cold. Even in the scorching summer, I never wore revealing clothes.
I could hear the maids whispering, their expressions telling me everything I needed to know about what they said about me behind my back.
I pushed myself up and silently continued packing my bags.
