Ava’s POV

Mason.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice curious as soon as the door clicked shut behind him. He didn’t respond, but only walked further into the room.

“I was just about to call you, but…” My words trailed off as I took in his appearance. He was still wearing the same turtleneck and coat I’d seen him in yesterday. In the middle of summer.

I frowned. "Mason, it’s sweltering outside. Why are you still dressed like this? You could at least lose the coat. I know this is a corporate setting, but I would never question you even if you didn’t dress so formally.”

Mason smirked faintly, brushing off my comment, but before he could respond, Orion spoke, his voice laced with suspicion and accusation. “Why are you wearing so many layers in this weather?”

He stepped forward, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey.

“Orion,” I warned, my tone firm. “That’s enough.”

Mason’s smirk twisted into a sneer as he locked eyes with Orion. “You don’t have the right to question me. If anyone should be asking questions, it’s me.” His gaze snapped to me, sharp and accusing. “What is he still doing here, Ava?”

“Of course he’s here,” I shot back, narrowing my eyes. “He’s my husband. What are you talking about?”

“Is he? Really?” Mason’s tone turned mocking as he crossed his arms. “You haven’t told her yet, Orion? Or should I do the honors?”

My stomach dropped as the room seemed to shrink around me. “Told me what?” I demanded, my voice rising as neither man moved to answer.

“That he got his mistress pregnant,” Mason spat, his words venomous. “And then had her kidnapped to cover it up.”

The air left the room. For a brief, agonizing moment, the world around me went silent. I couldn’t hear Mason’s voice anymore, or Rose’s frantic whispers. All I could focus on were the shards of his words piercing through my chest.

Orion moved toward me as I staggered back, but I held up a trembling hand to stop him. “Don’t touch me,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

“Ava, listen to me. Look at me,” Orion pleaded, his voice cracking. “Just forget what he said and look at me. We trust each other, right? You know me better.”

Mason shoved him aside, stepping in front of me. “He’s lying to you, Ava. Look.” He pulled a crumpled folder from his coat and held it out to me.

My hands shook as I opened it, my heart pounding in my ears. Chloe’s medical records and a paternity test stared back at me, glaring proof of Orion’s betrayal.

“This… this can’t be real,” I stammered, my voice breaking. “Where did you even get this?”

“A friend in the police department,” Mason said grimly. “When I found out about Chloe, I went to see her myself. She told me everything.”

Orion’s voice cut in, sharp and desperate. “And you believed her? Ava, this is insane—”

“She said your monster of a husband tried to beat the baby out of her,” Mason snarled, his voice shaking with rage. “She only survived because he ran when he heard the police coming. That’s who you’re defending, Ava.”

“Why didn’t she report him? Why isn’t he in jail? When did this even happen?” Rose demanded eyeing Mason cautiously, her voice cold as she clung to the edge of my desk.

“Because she said she deserved it,” Mason snapped. “She said it happened three days ago, and the baby—”

“Three days ago,” I whispered, my blood running cold. My gaze shot to Orion, who stood frozen, his face pale and stricken.

“Ava, please, let me explain—”

“Get out,” I said, my voice trembling.

“Ava, don’t do this,” Orion pleaded, stepping closer.

Before I could respond, Mason delivered a swift punch to his face, sending him reeling. “She said get out!” Mason roared.

Orion lunged at him, his fists swinging wildly. Mason shrugged off his coat, as the two collided in a violent clash, fists flying as Rose screamed for them to stop.

“Enough!” I screamed, my voice cutting through the chaos. “I said, get out!”

Both men froze, panting heavily. Orion looked at me, blood dripping from his split lip. “Ava, please—”

“I am not talking to you,” I hissed, my voice like ice. My gaze locked onto Mason, sharp and unforgiving. “I mean you, Mason Brown. Or is that even your real name?”

Mason’s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening. “Ava, I—”

“Save it,” I snapped, “Just leave.”

The room fell into a heavy silence, the tension thick and suffocating. Mason’s jaw tightened, his eyes darting between me and Orion.

“You’re making a mistake,” he said finally, his voice low and dangerous.

“Get out,” I repeated, my tone leaving no room for argument.

Mason hesitated for a moment before turning on his heel and storming out, slamming the door behind him.

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the sound of my ragged breathing.

Orion took a cautious step toward me, his voice soft but desperate. “Hey,” he whispered.

How could he do this? What kind of person would do this? I thought to myself.

My knees buckled. The room blurred as I felt myself falling, but before I hit the ground, strong arms caught me. Orion’s scent surrounded me, familiar and comforting despite the chaos.

“Ava, are you okay?” He sounded as though he was frightened as he held me steady, his hands trembling as he cupped my face. “What happened? Talk to me.”

I blinked up at him, my vision swimming. My lips parted, the words barely audible as they escaped. “I saw it.”

His brow furrowed in confusion. “Saw what?”

The room spun again, and darkness crept at the edges of my vision. “The mark,” I whispered before the world went black.