Chapter 3: Replaced at Home and at Work

From the comment feed, I found out Mason brought Eli back to our penthouse that night. No way was I running into them, so I moved in with Jamie. Lucky break—he’d just dumped his boyfriend, so there was space for me.

We sat on his couch, eating leftover pizza, drinking cheap beer. Not glamorous, but it felt safe. For once, I could breathe.

“So, what are you gonna do now?”

Jamie asked softly, like he was afraid of the answer. I had no idea what to say.

I zoned out on the couch. According to the script, Mason and Eli should be getting closer right now. I wondered if Mason was as rough with Eli as he was with me. The comments said all his gentleness was reserved for Eli—he probably couldn’t bear to hurt him. My heart twisted, sour and sharp.

I tried not to picture them together, but my brain wouldn’t let me off the hook. Was Eli the type to make little noises? Did Mason kiss his tears away, act all gentle like everyone said? The jealousy was bitter, sharp, and I hated every second of it.

“What else can I do? Just keep going.”

I shrugged, like it didn’t matter. But it did. Way more than I wanted to admit.

“But you work at his company. You’ll see him every day. You sure you’re up for that?”

Jamie’s concern was written all over his face. “Can you really handle that?”

“Don’t worry, I’m a pro at work. Not about to mess with my paycheck.”

I forced a smile, trying to sound tougher than I felt. Money’s money—I wasn’t letting a broken heart screw up my career.

I’d worked my butt off to land that job. No way was I giving up a high-paying gig over some relationship drama.

I’d busted my ass in college, took internships that paid peanuts, all to get into Carter Holdings. I wasn’t throwing that away now.

But I never expected Mason would bring Eli to the company and have him sit at my desk.

It was like he wanted to rub it in—show everyone I’d been replaced at home and at work. I wanted to scream.

[Mason wants to see our Eli every day, so now he brings him everywhere. Got him working as his assistant, too.]

[Office romance incoming!]

[The side character should just quit and let them have their happy ending.]

The gossip mill was running overtime. Every time I walked by, I could feel the whispers. It was like high school all over again.

“Mason asked me to start working here today. If you’re not comfortable, I can move.”

Eli’s voice was soft, almost apologetic. For a split second, I almost felt bad for him. Almost.

He’d replaced me in Mason’s life. Now he wanted to push me out at work, too.

I gripped the edge of my desk, biting back the urge to say something I’d regret. I was better than this. Or I wanted to be.

Eli was pretty, delicate—had that obedient look. So that’s why Mason liked me, huh? We were the same type.

It was like staring into a funhouse mirror—just different enough to sting. I wondered if Mason even noticed, or if he just liked collecting matching trophies.

“No need, you can have the seat.”

I stood up, making it clear I was done fighting. He could have Mason. And the desk, too.

While I was at it, I handed over all the tasks that needed to be coordinated with Mason. The files, the calendar, everything. Let them have their happy ending.

They say my jealousy just helps them? Fine. I’ll cut out the middleman and help them get together myself.

If I was gonna be cast as the villain, I might as well own it. At least then I’d be in control of something.

I watched Mason sit beside Eli as Eli took meeting notes. I pulled out my phone, put on my headphones, and started gaming. Petty? Maybe. But I needed the distraction. The game was loud, the colors neon-bright. For a few minutes, I could pretend I was anywhere else.

My coworker elbowed me.

I ignored him, laser-focused on the screen. I was finally winning—nobody was taking that from me.

“Hang on, let me finish this round.”

He elbowed me again, harder this time.

I shot him a glare. He just looked panicked, eyes darting to the door.

I’ll go when I’m done. Let me finish this match.

I was so close—just a few more points and I’d win.

Then he yanked off my headphones, voice shaky. “The boss wants you!”

I looked up, annoyed, and saw the whole office staring. Mason’s eyes were cold—totally unreadable.

“Everyone out!”

The second he spoke, the office cleared out like a fire drill.

People scrambled, grabbing their stuff, sneaking glances at me. The room emptied in seconds.

Suddenly, the conference room felt like a prison cell.

The silence was thick, pressing in from all sides. I tried to look chill, but my heart was thumping in my chest.

“Chris, you’re just openly slacking off at work now?”

His voice was sharp, all business—none of the warmth I used to know. I met his gaze, refusing to blink.

"Mr. Carter, if I said I opened the game by accident, would you believe me?"

I braced myself, lying through my teeth.

I tried to keep my voice steady, but it trembled. I hated that he could still get under my skin.

In the past, Mason would’ve let it slide, told me not to get caught next time. But today? Today was different.

He was all business, no mercy. I wondered if Eli was watching from the hallway.

“So you’re saying dumping all your work on Eli was an accident, too?”

His tone was cold, almost mocking. My cheeks burned.

“He’s doing your job while you sit here gaming. He’s so busy he hasn’t even had time for a sip of water.”

The guilt hit, but I shoved it down. He’d never cared about my workload before.

"You’re suspended for three days without pay. Finish your own work. And don’t dump on the new guy!"

With that, Mason left the office. Didn’t even look back.

He didn’t give me a second glance, didn’t let me explain. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving me alone with my humiliation.

I laughed. So now my so-called help was bullying?

The sound was bitter, hollow. Did he even realize how much he was hurting me?

All those tasks Eli was doing—I’d done them the same way myself.

I remembered the late nights, the endless emails, the way Mason would give me a quick smile and nothing more. But now? Now he cared.