Chapter 4
The day River was supposed to come back finally arrived. I was at the airport, scanning the crowd for him.
Suddenly Mason and Bree appeared out of nowhere, blocking my view.
“Wasn’t someone all high and mighty a few days ago saying you wouldn’t apologize or cook?“[]
“Finally came to your senses? Well. When we get home, you’re gonna grovel to Bree and promise not to be a total bitch once she moves in.“]
I was about to tell them where they could shove their demands when River emerged from the terminal, pulling his suitcase behind him.]
He spotted Mason and paused for a second, then walked straight over to me and naturally took my hand.
“Babe, what are you doing here? This is a nice surprise.”
“Wanted to surprise my husband.“[]
Mason’s face went from smug to ghostly pale in about two seconds flat. His eyes locked onto our matching wedding rings.
That’s when it hit him that everything I’d said was actually true.[]
You…
… you two…”
…”
Mason pointed at me, shaking with rage. “Hazel, you went behind my back and married some other dude!“]]
I let out a cold laugh.]]
“Behind your back? Are you fucking kidding me right now? You stood me up seven times. Seven! If you’d bothered to show up for even one of our courthouse appointments, I wouldn’t have had to find someone else.”
“You’ve got some serious balls acting like I’m the one who screwed you over!”
Mason’s mouth hung open like a fish, but nothing came out.]
I walked away with River, leaving Mason and Bree standing there looking like they’d been hit by a truck.]
On the way to the hospital, I was a complete mess, going over with River how to handle any curveballs Mom might throw at
Since Mason had been practically living at our place for years, Mom already thought of him as her son–in–law.
I was scared shitless she’d smell something fishy about the sudden switcheroo.]
But when Mom found out I’d married River instead of Mason, she didn’t even blink.
If anything, she and River were like two peas in a pod from minute one.[]
As we were getting ready to leave, she grabbed my hand, not wanting to let go.
“Honey, I don’t know what went down with you and Mason, but River’s a way better catch.“]
- us.
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“I always had this feeling Mason didn’t give a damn about you, but you kept going on about how amazing he was, so I bit my tongue.“[]
“After chatting with River today… sure, he’s been overseas for a while, but I know this kid inside and out. Watched him grow up right next door. Having you with River? That gives me real peace of mind.“]]
“When I’m not around anymore, don’t let anyone walk all over you, okay sweetheart?”
The way Mom was talking, like she was giving me her final blessing, completely wrecked me, I threw my arms around her and just lost it, sobbing like a baby.
After finding out I was married, it was like Mom finally let herself stop fighting. Over the next few days, she was awake less and less, fading fast.
That’s when the hospital called. Mom was slipping away, and I needed to haul ass over there to say goodbye.
I was practically running through the hospital lobby when Mason came out of nowhere and grabbed my arm.]
“Hazel, where the hell have you been? You’re ghosting my calls, never home… are you still pissed at me?“]
“Look, I totally cut Bree off. Like, completely. I swear on my life I’ll never talk to her again. Can we please just move past this?“]
“My mom is literally dying right now. Whatever drama you’re trying to start can wait. Move!“]
“Nah, Im not budging until you tell me we’re cool”
No matter how hard I tried to push past him, Mason planted himself like a damn tree. He was banking on me caving like I always did if he fust wore me doua
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Then my phone rang. The hospital.]
“Ms. Parker, I’m very sorry to inform you that your mother has just passed away.“[]
I completely snapped. I hung up and started pounding on Mason’s chest with everything I had.]
When he’d picked Bree over me repeatedly, I didn’t hate him. When Bree played victim and he made me out to be the villain, I didn’t hate him
But because of his selfish ass, I’d missed saying goodbye to my mom. Right now, I wanted to tear him apart with my hare hands.[]
Maybe the pure fury in my eyes spooked him, he shoved me hard enough to send me sprawling across the floor, mumbled something about “catching up later,” and bolted.
River found me crumpled on the ground and helped me up. When we got to Mom’s room, she was already gone.[]
The doctor shook his head at me.]
“I’m sorry, Ms. Parker. Your mother passed just a few minutes ago. She went peacefully, no suffering. My deepest condolences.“[]
I couldn’t process what he was saying. I just grabbed Mom’s hand, still warm, calling her name over and over like some kind of broken record, praying for a miracle that
was never gonna come.
River wrapped his arms around me, not saying anything, just being there.[]
Once I’d cried myself empty, he flagged down a nurse to patch up the scrapes and bruises from when Mason had knocked me down.[]
