Chapter 2
I didn’t go home that night. Instead, I checked into a hotel.
Mason bombarded me with messages and countless calls throughout the night. I ignored them all.
The next morning, I arrived at the office early to prepare my resignation letter. This branch company, I now realized, was just one small piece of his Luxe Enterprises empire. And I was merely an ordinary accountant.
Five years ago, I met Mason when we both supposedly started new jobs here. After we fell in love, I introduced him to my mother. She approved of our marriage and was planning the wedding celebration when Mason dropped his bombshell–he claimed he was drowning in massive debt and had just been fired.
To help pay off his “debts,” I took on multiple side gigs. Seeing me working so hard every day, my nother decided to join the workforce to help ease my burden, and her already weathered face grew ncreasingly haggard.
never suspected that this unassuming little branch company was actually under the umbrella of Luxe Enterprises.
laughed bitterly at myself as Mason walked through the door. I pulled out my pre–printed esignation form without acknowledging him.
He stepped to me, watching silently as I calmly signed my name on the document.
All done?” he asked, his voice gentle.
All done,” I replied emotionlessly.
Mason bit his lip slightly, apparently not noticing the change in me. He cleared his throat and said ormally, “Rowan, would you please come with me for a moment?”
The second Mason led me away, my coworkers erupted into gossip.
Oh my God, did you see the news? Mason Knox is the CEO of Luxe Enterprises. He is actually our big boss!”
‘So Rowan’s about to become the CEO’s wife! But did you see her expression…?”
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Run from Your Killing Lies, Leave You to Suffer Forever
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Chapter 2
“You don’t get it–they’re just having a lovers‘ quarrel. They’ll make up in no time…”
Everyone assumed I was the soon–to–be CEO’s wife. They had no idea I only wanted to disappear
from his life forever.
In his office, Mason reached for my hand, but I stepped back.
“Mr. Knox,” I said formally.
Mason frowned. “Why didn’t you come home last night? Are you still angry with me?”
I shook my head. “I went to see my mother.”
The truth was I couldn’t bear to go back to that apartment.
If Mom had just received proper treatment, she might still be alive. Instead, she chose to end things so she wouldn’t be a burden on our supposed “debt repayment.”
Mason seemed to sense something was off. After a moment of silence, he said, “Let’s visit your mom
together tonight.”
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he hesitated before pulling out a card and offering it
to me.
“There’s a hundred thousand in this account. You can buy some new things for your mom, just as a…”
I stared at the bank card but didn’t take it. What he owed us couldn’t be repaid with money.
Seeing my silence, a flash of panic crossed Mason’s eyes. Just as he was about to speak, his phone
rang.
He glanced at the screen, then at me, hesitated briefly, and stepped away to take the call.
I understood then. This had all been some kind of test–testing my sincerity, seeing if I was after his money. But I no longer cared.
Later that day, I submitted my resignation papers.
Facing my sudden departure, the VP of Operations hardly seemed surprised.
“Rowan, are you leaving because Mr. Knox has other plans for you?” he asked knowingly.
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Run from Your Killing Lies Leave You to Suffer Forever
Chapter 2
I bit my lip, finding the whole situation absurd. Everyone thought I was about to become Mrs. Knox, ascending to high society and envied my “luck.”
None of them knew this “luck” had cost me my mother forever.
If I could choose again, I would never have met Mason Knox.
As I was leaving the building, I ran into Mason with Piper Reynolds, his childhood sweetheart. Catching my gaze, Mason instinctively started to explain:
“This is Piper, she’s my…”
Before he could finish, Piper slipped her arm through his and declared, “Fiancée.”
I remained silent as Piper spoke again: “Excuse us.”
A challenging glint flashed in her eyes as I wordlessly stepped aside to let them pass. Mason looked at me, hesitation in his eyes like he wanted to say something, but Piper ultimately pulled him away.
That evening, I went to the chapel alone and stayed until the pastor finished the prayers for my mother.
Mason never showed up. Never even asked.
I didn’t care anymore.
Whether he knew about my mother’s death didn’t matter now.
I imagined Mom’s spirit, if she knew the truth, wouldn’t want to see him either.
Five years of misplaced trust ended right there.
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