Chapter 4: Rock Bottom, Then the Slap

It was like I’d been erased, replaced by someone who fit his world better.

When someone doesn’t love you, everything you do is wrong.

I bit my lip, fighting back tears. Not here. Not now.

My chest ached. I took a deep breath, forced the bitterness down.

I closed my eyes for a second, counting to ten. When I opened them, I felt a little steadier.

I went back to my old work routine. The work was the same, but my headspace was totally different.

I kept my head down, did my job, and avoided Mason as much as possible. It was just easier that way.

Before, when I reported to Mason, he’d get handsy if he was in a good mood. Now? He couldn’t even be bothered to look at me.

I missed the way he used to touch my arm, the little secret smiles. Now, I was invisible.

Eli sat on the sofa in Mason’s office, sipping coffee, shooting me apologetic looks.

He seemed nervous, glancing at me like he wanted to say something but didn’t know how. I almost felt bad for him. Almost.

"Chris, sorry to bother you. Mason was worried I’d have trouble adjusting, so he wanted me to learn from you."

He looked sincere, but I couldn’t help resenting him. Not his fault, but still.

Learn what? How to wait on him?

I thought about all the things I’d done for Mason—things Eli would never know. Would he last as long as I did?

He didn’t need to—just standing there, he’d already won.

It was like he skipped the whole audition and landed the starring role. I was just the understudy, waiting in the wings.

"We both work for Mr. Carter—maybe we can learn from each other."

I smiled politely, kind of impressed with how composed I was. Not angry, not flustered—just going through the motions for the new guy who took my place.

I wondered if Eli could see through it. If he knew I was barely holding it together.

"Eli, you’re coming with me to dinner with Mr. Chen tonight. Chris, you can head out."

Mason’s voice was brisk, all business. Didn’t even look my way.

“Okay, Mr. Carter.”

Eli’s voice was soft, deferential. I wondered if Mason liked that about him, too.

At this point, nothing he did surprised me.

I grabbed my bag, didn’t look back. Done playing the loyal employee.

As I turned to leave, I heard something crash behind me, Eli’s startled voice: “Mason, don’t—”

There was a sharp crash, a gasp, then silence. I didn’t stick around to find out what happened.

They weren’t even trying to hide it anymore.

I picked up my pace, practically running for the elevator. I didn’t want to see or hear anything else.

I hurried out, afraid if I slowed down, I’d start cursing out this pair of jerks. The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed them. I wasn’t giving them the satisfaction.

Jamie had gotten back with his ex, so I couldn’t crash at his place. I booked a hotel at the last minute.

I scrolled through my phone, looking for a place that didn’t remind me of Mason. Not easy in this city.

When I tried to pay, the front desk said my payment hadn’t gone through. That’s when I realized—I’d used the family card Mason gave me.

The clerk gave me an apologetic smile, but I could feel the people behind me getting impatient. I wanted to disappear.

At some point, he’d removed me from the card!

It stung—more than I wanted to admit. It was official now. I was out of his life, for good.

That moment, I was honestly impressed.

He didn’t waste a second. Cold, efficient, just like always.

We’d been together three years—he handled everything: food, clothes, housing, rides. To return the favor, I spent most of my salary on him. Couldn’t compare to what he gave me, but I didn’t want anyone thinking I was a gold digger.

I kept receipts, tracked every dollar, tried to prove to myself and everyone else I wasn’t just after his money. But none of it mattered in the end.

“Chris, sometimes it feels like you don’t really care about anything. I give you something, and you have to pay me back double. You keep track of everything—never seen anyone like you.”

He’d said it with a laugh, but I knew he meant it. Maybe that was my problem—I never let myself just take.

So I asked him to set up a joint card, told him that’s what normal couples did. When he saw the credit limit, he even complained.

I wanted to be normal, like the couples I saw on Instagram. But nothing about us was ever normal.

"That low? Is that enough?"

He’d raised an eyebrow, teasing. I rolled my eyes, but inside, I was relieved he cared enough to notice.

"If it’s not enough, I still have your no-limit card, don’t I?"

I’d said it as a joke, but now it just felt pathetic.

To make him happy, I used his card for daily stuff. The monthly limit was more than I could spend.

I’d swipe it for groceries, gas, the occasional splurge. It made him smile, and that was enough for me.

But today, I found out I couldn’t use it anymore.

The realization hit like a slap. I was on my own now.

“Sir, would you like to pay another way?”

The clerk’s voice was polite, but I could feel the judgment. I fumbled with my wallet, suddenly aware of how little I had.

I’d removed my own cards from Apple Pay so I wouldn’t accidentally use them. All my stuff was still at Mason’s place. Right now, I was basically broke.

I’d never felt so small. Three years, and all I had was a broken heart and a suitcase full of regrets.

So ruthless, Mason.

Almost admired him for it. He never did anything halfway.

I looked at my phone and let out a bitter laugh.

The screen blurred for a second, but I blinked it away. No way was I crying in a hotel lobby.

I wanted to call and ask him why, but hung up before dialing. It’s his money—he can do what he wants. What right do I have to question him?

I stared at his name in my contacts, thumb hovering over the call button. In the end, I put the phone away. He’d made his choice.

Couldn’t stay at the hotel. Mason was probably home by now after his dinner, and I didn’t want to run into them. I couldn’t go back. Not now.

I wandered the streets for a while, letting the city lights blur together. It was cold, but I didn’t care.

I decided to spend the night at the office, take a day off tomorrow, and then go back to pack my things.

It wasn’t ideal, but at least no one would bother me there. I could have a little peace, even if it was just for a night.

Luckily, everyone was gone by this hour.

The office was quiet, almost comforting. I curled up in my chair, pulling my jacket tighter around me.

Sitting at my desk, my mind was a mess.

I replayed every moment with Mason, every mistake I’d made. It was exhausting. I couldn’t stop.

At some point, I drifted into a dream. All Mason, that bastard.

He was everywhere—his scent, his voice, the weight of his hands on my skin. Even in sleep, I couldn’t get away.

He didn’t say a word, just did whatever he wanted to me. Hands around my throat, like he wanted to devour me.

It was intense, overwhelming. I wanted to fight back, but I couldn’t move.

“Punishment for being disobedient!”

His voice was rough, dangerous. I shivered—part fear, part something else.

Just thinking of what he’d done, I bit him back.

I tried to push him away, but he just laughed, holding me tighter.

Suddenly, I heard a muffled growl, right by my ear.

The sound was so real, it yanked me out of the dream. My heart pounded, sweat beading on my forehead.

I jerked awake. In the darkness, I saw a figure looming over me, trapping me in my chair.

My breath caught. For a second, I thought I was still dreaming. But then I saw him—Mason, standing over me, eyes wild in the streetlight glow outside.

Mason’s face flickered in and out of the streetlight, radiating that dangerous, wolf-on-the-hunt energy.

He looked like he hadn’t slept in days—jaw clenched, hair a mess. I’d never seen him like this before.

“A few days apart, and you’ve learned to bite?”

His voice was low, almost a growl. I could smell the whiskey on his breath.

“Let’s see what else you’ve been hiding from me.”

He was furious, gripping my throat as he kissed me again.

The kiss was rough, desperate. I tried to pull away, but he held me fast. For a split second, I wanted to give in. But then I remembered everything he’d done.

My mind went blank, and I slapped him across the face.

The sound cracked through the empty office, sharp and final. My hand stung, but I didn’t care. For the first time in years, I finally took something back.