Chapter 9
Hearing his disgusting words, I ran even faster.
The bodyguards dragged Mason away, his screams fading into the distance.
I threw myself into Jackson’s arms. He supported my waist and without hesitation, tilted my chin up for a kiss.
“Hmph, why waste time talking to scum like him? Next time, just have the bodyguards remove him immediately.”
“Don’t believe a word he says. I’m faithful and virtuous-we’re the ones who are destined for each other.”
Jackson’s words made me laugh.
Perhaps influenced by seeing Mason again, I suddenly recalled how Jackson and I first met.
Back then, I was physically and emotionally devastated, in terrible shape.
I had taken my unborn child’s ashes to the beach, intending to lay him to rest there. In my dazed state, I walked deeper into the ocean.
Just before I lost consciousness, a strong hand gripped my wrist firmly.
When I opened my eyes again, the smell of antiseptic stung my nostrils. Looking up, I met a pair of deep, intense eyes.
I don’t know what you’ve been through, but please, live on. Your child who passed away would want his mother to find happiness and joy.”
Those were Jackson’s first words to me.
From that day forward, Jackson became a constant presence in my life.
After learning what I’d been through, he never pressed for details, simply offering his quiet companionship.
He took me to therapy sessions, accompanied me on walks, shared meals with me… healing me in his own way.
Later, he confessed his feelings and proposed.
Knowing my fear of marriage, before we registered our marriage, he transferred half his assets to my name and signed an agreement stating he would forfeit everything if he ever cheated.
He promised passionately: “Natalie, marriage isn’t a woman’s shackle. I want to be your safe harbor. I will never betray you-please give me a chance.”
What Mason said wasn’t entirely wrong.
But Jackson had given me real security through his actions.
Even if there ever came a day when he betrayed me, I’d have the means to start over.
The next time I heard about Mason was after we’d returned to Boston.
The police suddenly called me:
“Ms. Sullivan, your ex-husband is holding a woman hostage at knifepoint. He’s demanding to see you. The hostage is in critical condition-we hope you can come help with negotiations.”
I was shocked.
No matter how desperate Mason had become, I never thought he’d resort to something like this.
When I arrived at the scene, Mason was standing at the edge of a rooftop, his eyes bloodshot as he held a knife to Ivy’s throat.
Ivy’s eyes were closed, blood soaking her clothes-she looked close to death.
Seeing me, Mason immediately broke into tears. “Natalie, you came! I knew you still cared about me-you still love me, don’t you? Otherwise, why would you rush here? Come with me, please? Let’s run away together. I promise I’ll treat you well from now on.”
I thought Mason’s brain must have been kicked by a mule.
Chapter 9
He was already a fugitive wanted by the police, yet he still wanted to drag me down with him?
I looked at him coldly. “You’re delusional. The police called me here. If I’d known you were holding Ivy hostage. I wouldn’t have come at all.”
Mason’s eyes filled with hatred. He pressed the knife harder, screaming: “I’ve become like this because of this bitch! After my company went bankrupt, I tried to access my emergency funds to start over, but discovered she’d been secretly transferring my assets.”
“Even her terminal illness was fake! She never had any disease! For five years she wouldn’t let me accompany her to the hospital, but she was using my money to hire male models behind my back!”
“Last week I went to the hospital feeling unwell, and the doctor diagnosed me with AIDS-Ivy infected me through her promiscuity!”
This information was overwhelming. I stood frozen in shock.
Mason mistook my silence for an opening. He looked at me hopefully. “Natalie, AIDS is manageable with medication. Could you forgive…”
“No!” I cut him off in disgust. “Mason, seeing you now only makes me sick. There will never be forgiveness between us.”
“I have a husband who loves me deeply and lovely children. What makes you think I would want you-a broke, diseased criminal? What, you really think I’m just some trash collector?”
The hope in Mason’s eyes shattered completely.
He gave a bitter laugh, pulling Ivy backward as he broke down. “You’re right. How could I expect your forgiveness? I’m worthless.”
“Natalie, I failed you. I’m burdened with too many sins, so I’m going to atone now. If there’s a next life, I promise I’ll treat you right.”
With those words, Mason suddenly turned, dragging Ivy with him as he leaped from the rooftop.
In that moment before jumping, Mason’s life flashed before his eyes.
He saw Natalie four months pregnant, guiding his hand to her soft belly under the warm lamplight, her voice gentle: “Mason, look-the baby’s moving.”
Feeling his child’s movements, the joy of impending fatherhood had kept him awake all night. He’d ordered several books on becoming a first-time father.
He’d sworn to be a good father and husband.
But in the end, he’d accomplished neither.
Consumed by desire, he’d lost everything.
He could only hope for a chance to make amends in his next life.
The tragedy unfolded so quickly that onlookers screamed in horror.
I felt strong hands cover my eyes. “Don’t look. It’s not worth seeing.”
Jackson had appeared behind me without warning.
[ threw myself into his arms and said with a deep sigh of realization: “He got what he deserved.”
Sunlight broke through the clouds, and the shadows that had haunted me for five years finally dissipated.
Some wounds can never be forgiven.
But thankfully, I had found my own light.
