Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Emma
I wiped the tears from my face as I made my way toward Graham’s house. I wanted to chase after Mason, beg him to understand that I really was going to tell him after the gala. However, I knew that it wouldn’t do either of us any good to keep pushing. He was angry, and I knew that he needed a minute to get himself together…
The slip up couldn’t have happened at a worse time.
“Where’s Mason?” Graham asked me as I entered their luxurious entryway, breathing in the scent of fresh food and whatever else was in the air. It wasn’t unwelcoming, but after everything, it made me feel nauseous.
“He’ll be here in a moment. He had a phone call,” I lied, not wanting to talk about anything that happened out there—especially not with Graham.
“Ah, I see. And how’re you going this evening?” he asked me, his eyes lingering on my tear-stained cheeks. I didn’t know if that was just my head playing with me, or if he really could tell that I had been crying—or maybe he had seen the whole thing. I had no idea.
“I’m doing well. You have such a lovely house,” I said, forcing a pleasant smile as I peered around him, taking in a sea of unfamiliar faces.
“Thank you,” he chimed, standing up a little taller in his tuxedo. “I happen to know that you’ve been here before.”
Oh, good to know.
“I have, but I didn’t come inside,” I clarified, maintaining a nonchalant tone. “I only saw the back of the house, which happens to be just as charming as the inside.”
“Hmm, charming?” He made a strange face. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard that word used in reference to my house. What an interesting adjective.”
“Yes, well, sometimes elegant and charming can go together.” I kept my posture relaxed, even though I hated the vibes I was getting from Graham. He felt… threatening for some reason, though I couldn’t put my finger on why.
“Well, anyway, enjoy your evening,” he beamed. “I’m sure you’ll have quite a time here tonight.” He shot me a wink that made my stomach flip, but I ignored it, giving him a nod and moving on.
I didn’t want to wander too far from the door, hoping that Mason would show up and keep me company. I suddenly felt like I was in a den of vipers, not a gala supporting people in need. I glanced around the absurdly large entry area, complete with a grand staircase—roped off to keep people from wandering. The flooring was marble, and the walls were covered in strange, black-and-white abstract art.
The house was very out of place in the small town.
“Well, you came,” Brittany beamed, her voice like nails on a chalkboard behind me. “I’m so surprised that you showed up. Where’s Mason?”
I turned to see her head tilted, her hair pinned up in an elegant updo, her eyes focused on me. “He’ll be coming in any moment,” I said to her, wishing he would hurry the hell up. I knew that he was reeling…
But I did not wanna do this without him.
“Are you okay?” Brittany studied my face in the same way that Graham had. “You look like you’re upset—no offense of course.” There was a surprising edge of sympathy and concern in her tone. “I know how Mason can be, you know.”
I blinked a few times—what did she mean by that? “It was nothing,” I forced out, instead of prying. She was not on the top list of people to trust… But I couldn’t deny my curiosity.
“It doesn’t look like it was nothing,” she pointed out, her face softening. “Do you need to take a minute? You can come with me to the kitchen? I need to make sure the caterers are setting up.”
I hesitated, glancing back toward the door. Where is he?
I knew he wouldn’t just leave me here, but honestly, it felt like a real possibility at the moment. “Um, I guess I could go with you.” I was incredibly unsure of my choice, but I followed her anyway, hoping that she wouldn’t confront me about the proposal once we were in private—not that I couldn’t handle her.
I was fairly certain I could.
“So, has Mason told you about his accident?” Brittany asked me as I followed her away from the group, slipping off into an empty kitchen. It was a commercial setup, and I assumed it was because they either hired a chef, or maybe they just entertained people all the time .
“Lily told me that he was in one, but she didn’t go into details,” I admitted, hovering awkwardly by the door. The vacancy of the room had me on edge, though I couldn’t put my finger on why. It didn’t make any sense. I mean, sure, these people were rich, greedy, and maybe a little shady, but Mason wasn’t far away.
I’m fine.
“Well, she should’ve gone into details,” Brittany said matter of factly, opening up the fridge door and grabbing a couple of bottles of champagne. “It’s kind of a big deal in my opinion. He struggles with migraines and weird headaches now. The doctor told him that he can’t take another hit to the head or it might kill him—or really just an accident in general. It messed his spine up something terrible.”
“Oh, wow,” I said, my heart sinking as I thought of the gravity. I had seen the migraine medication on his nightstand but hadn’t thought much of it. My mom had gotten horrible headaches and had taken the same thing. “Thanks for telling me.”
“Of course,” she flashed a smile, before grabbing a couple of glasses. “Would you like some champagne? I know there’s some out there, but this is way better.”
“Um, no thank you. No drinking for me tonight,” I said carefully, seeing the suspicious look cross her face. She raised an eyebrow, her eyes dropping to my stomach.
Oh no… No, please don’t notice.
“So, you’re expecting?”
Shit.
“Um…”
“Oh, Emma.” She waved me off, acting like we had been best friends for years. “I can tell when a woman is pregnant—and you my dear, are pregnant. You don’t have to be so shy about it. It’s an exciting thing.”
“Well, thank you.” My voice was meek, and I wanted nothing more than to leave that kitchen and find Mason… But somehow my feet just wouldn’t move.
“You know, I was pregnant once,” she glanced down at her hands and then back up at me. “It was Mason’s, too.”
“Oh?” My heart sunk in my chest.
“Yeah, we had just started seeing each other—and you know, we started our relationship by hooking up. He wasn’t one for relationships after his ex-wife left him and Jess cold. Heartless bitch is what she was, and I think she ruined him.”
I swallowed hard, not even knowing what to say. As much as I wanted not to believe what was coming out of her mouth, she really hadn’t given me a reason not to. Maybe I didn’t know Mason as well as I thought I did…
“Anyway, we had slept together a few times, and I had found out I was expecting a few weeks later. It was crazy—but I was excited. I thought, this is it. I finally got the family I’ve always wanted. Jess was a sweet girl, too, you know. There was nothing wrong with her, despite losing her mom. Anyway, he was shocked at first, but on board—like really on board. He wanted to marry me.”
Emotions swelled in my chest—but not the good kind. It was the kind that made me feel as though I might drown right then and there in her kitchen. “I see…” I forced the words out, trying to keep my voice even.
“Yeah, it was great, and then I had a miscarriage at ten weeks.”
“I’m so sorry,” I muttered, feeling a pang of sympathy for her.
“Yeah, but here’s the worst part, he left me when it happened. I think he was only going to stay with me because I was pregnant with his baby. He really needs to learn to use protection when he sleeps with women.”
I nodded, but the comment caught me off guard—he did use protection when we hooked up… But maybe that was why.
“You know what I think, Emma,” Brittany continued, taking a long sip of her champagne. “I think you and your sweet little baby should get the hell out of this town and far, far away from Mason Hewitt. He’s nothing but heartbreak, honey. That’s what he always has been, and what he always will be.”
I hesitated, a little put off by her words, but also feeling way too awkward to argue with her. “I don’t know… I really like the town here, and even if things don’t work out with Mason, we can co-parent. No matter where I go, he’s going to know that I’m pregnant with his child.”
“Yeah, but do you really think he would chase you? He won’t even wander out of the county. You could go live in New York with mom and sister.”
I froze, my heart beginning to hammer in my chest… “How do you know that?”
“Girl, with the internet these days, you can’t keep anything private.” She cackled, her laugh echoing in the kitchen. “But seriously, your kid would get a much better education outside of this town. There’s no way in hell I would let Cody go to school here if he was actually my son.”
“I don’t know,” I said before turning to leave the kitchen. “I should probably get back to the party now though. I bet Mason has come inside.”
She tilted her head at me and pursed her lips. “Hmm, you think so? He might’ve already left by now.”
“Why would he have left?” My voice wavered as I choked out the words. Fear was beginning to creep into my chest as I hovered there.
“Oh, maybe because we told him you did. Poor upset pregnant Emma just couldn’t handle the heat he threw at her…” The mocking tone made it apparent that she was up to something, and I no longer wanted to know what it was. I turned to the doors, pushing against the handle to leave…
But it didn’t budge.
“Oh, I’ll have to unlock them from the outside,” she commented. “Let me go let you out.” With that, she spun on her heels and headed through a side door, slipping out of the kitchen. I raced after her, but the door had closed before I could catch it. I pressed against it—and it was locked, too.
What the hell? Is she going to leave me in here to keep me from the proposal?
My heart thrummed in my ears, but as I turned to try the other door, I was met by two men who had slipped in the room, both in black hoodies and ski masks.
“What… What are you doing?” I stumbled over the words, panic striking me like a bolt of lightning. “Please just let me leave…”
“Can’t let you do that,” one of them laughed, pulling out a gun. “You’re gonna come with us.”