Chapter 3

The streets were nearly empty in the dead of night, and I sped up.

Following Mason's instructions, I dropped Serena off first.

In a blink, only two of us remained in the car.

I glanced at the steering wheel.

"Let's talk."

Mason pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice impatient.

"What's so urgent that we have to talk now?"

"I've been on a plane for over ten hours. Can't you let me rest?"

Unlike before, I didn't show any sympathy. I simply refused.

"No, some things are better cleared up now."

Mason scoffed. "What could you possibly want to talk about with me? It's just that wedding stuff, isn't it…?"

Mason's sarcastic remark was cut short by his phone ringing.

He picked up, his expression changing.

"Okay, wait for me!"

Mason hung up and, without a word, moved to get out of the car.

I called out to him.

"We haven't finished talking about us."

Mason looked at me incredulously, as if I were some cold-blooded monster.

"Serena fell in the bathroom! This is a matter of life and death! I have to go see her!"

I let out a breath.

"If she fell, she should call a doctor. Wait for the doctor to arrive. If it's serious, and she's broken a bone, do you really think you'll be more… professional than…"

"Enough!"

Mason roared impatiently, "You're just jealous, aren't you? You're just afraid I'll leave you! Fine, I'm saying it now: we're breaking up! I, Mason, don't want you anymore! Is that good enough?!"

Mason finished speaking, then turned and ran towards the entrance of a nearby apartment complex.

I silently watched his retreating back, forming words without a sound.

"Yes, it is."

Perhaps it was losing out in love, but gaining in career.

Two days later, I received news from my boss, Mr. Davies.

I had been recommended to a new company to expand their market, with a significant increase in salary. It was a promotion.

I didn't think twice before accepting.

I booked a flight for the next day.

That evening, some close colleagues organized a farewell party for me.

The venue was a well-known restaurant in the city.

I walked in with the crowd.

I saw Mason's figure disappear into a private room nearby.

I calmly looked away, treating him like a stranger.

But later, passing by the room on my way to the restroom.

I heard Mason's arrogant voice from inside.

"Marriage? When did I ever say I wanted to get married?"

"I'm academically successful, with a promising future. Would I ever look twice at a woman who has no looks, no culture, and no family background?"

Someone, egging him on, spoke up.

"But Mason, weren't you with Audrey for ten years? If you break up, won't she make a scene?"

Mason was silent for a moment, then laughed twice.

"That's easy, just string her along. She's been with me so long, she's practically used goods. She's not getting any younger, so she'll do whatever I say."

"Like for her birthday this year, she was practically begging me for a lipstick. I chewed her out for it, and she didn't dare say a single peep. But later, on her birthday, I still got her a lipstick—a $7.99 knockoff of a high-end brand. She treasured it like it was something priceless, hahahaha."

Laughter and shouts of encouragement erupted from the room.

The emotions I thought I'd smoothed over felt like freshly torn wounds.

The pain spread, relentless.

I clenched my fists tightly and turned back.

After the dinner.

I contacted Sarah, a colleague who had a lawyer in her family.

I handed the ten years of expense records to the lawyer.

She glanced at them, raised an eyebrow, and promised she'd help me get every penny back.

The next morning.

I boarded the plane to City B.

When I landed and turned on my phone, I received a call from Mason.

His accusatory voice was more urgent than ever before.

"Audrey, what's going on? You forgot to pay for my mom's treatment! How could you forget something so important? You almost killed my mom!"

"And you haven't visited my mom this week, have you? Is that how a daughter-in-law acts? I'm giving you one more chance: renew the payment within three minutes, or we're done!"

Listening to the grating voice on the other end.

At this moment, all I wanted to do was laugh out loud.

It was his mother lying in that hospital bed.

If he truly cared, why would he need anyone else to remind him?

If he were a truly filial son, he would have paid the bill himself long ago. Why wait for me?

I flagged down a taxi, taking one last look at the call screen.

"Then, as you wish. We're done."