Chapter 42

42 FACTS ARIEL’S POV “Okay, first of all, Luke is not my husband. And secondly, Luke is not a murderer. I don’t think he’s the one who killed your girlfriend.”

“Who told you, he isn’t a murderer?” Mason snapped.

“It is true that Luke did me a lot of terrible things while we were still married, but killing somebody? That doesn’t sound like him one bit.” I stood firm in my words.

“Well you’re wrong. Turns out he was drunk that night.”

“Drunk?” My eyes widened. The only time Luke was drunk, during our marriage, was the night I divorced him.

“Yes, he was drunk, along with May. She was blowing him and he choked her to death.”

I gave him a skeptical look. “You have got to be kidding me.”

“This is apparently why I want to ruin his life for good.”

“Hold on a minute. If what you’re saying is true, how did you know all of this? Was there someone else who was with them while they carried out their…” I trailed off. There was no need to end that last sentence.

“She had it on video. And he had the nerve to do that shit right in my house.”

“Your house?” I uttered. “I thought you used to live in Canada.”

“I moved to Canada the next day after that nonsense happened,” Mason told me.

“And when did this happen, exactly?” I asked in curiosity.

“Five years ago,” Mason replied immediately.

“Five years ago?” My face was filled with confusion, and curiosity. “Do you perhaps remember the date?”

“There’s no need for you to start interrogating me,” Mason glared at me.

“I was just trying to put two and two together, but nevermind.” I gave up. “By the way, your girlfriend cheated on you. So what’s the need for you to avenge her death?”

“I loved her, okay?” He bawled, and looked down. “She might have done wrong. But I love her. And if it wasn’t for that useless man, she would have still be here today. We could have fixed our issues.”

“I see, sorry for your loss,” I said lowly.

“I don’t need your sorry,” he said in a cold tone. I shrugged.

I looked at the fire after that. “Okay, can you please tell me what we’re doing here then?”

42FACTS “I’ve kept this with me for years,” he talked about the vase on his hands. “But today, I’m going to finally dump it in this fire.”

I glanced at the vase, and did the same to the fire, “How did you even know this place?” I aksed in wonder.

“You don’t have to know about that,” he replied, also staring at the fire.

Gazing at the vase filled with ashes, Mason tossed it into the fire. And as I stood close to him, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the sight of it burning, Flames danced and flickered as the vase broke down, transforming into smoke and ash. It was mesmerizing to witness the destruction unfolding before me.

The crackling fire consumed the remains, devouring everything in its path. The heat radiated, warming the surroundings as the flames reached higher and higher.

Seeing Mason in this state, left me kind of sad. But I was also eager to know why he had to carry out this action in here. And why did he have to bring me along? Couldn’t he do this all by himself?

The memories and story that were contained within those ashes were the remnants of his precious girlfriend, and he seemed to have loved her so much, even willing to forgive her for what she did with that idiot.

It’s funny how Luke did this, and he claimed to love Harriet back then. He literally cheated on her. So I guess they were even.

But I shouldn’t be judging just yet. Mason might just be the one coming up with false stories.

Of course, Mason was now letting go of her. The pain right in his eyes clearly showed how she was surpassingly significant.

And so, I stood there, captivated by the simple yet profound act of watching the vase of ashes burn.

Mason began to laugh, but tears also came out of his eyes. He squatted once again, smiling at the fire, and he lifted both of his hands up in the air.

“I’ll always love you, May,” he said, before rising to his feet once again.

“Okay, this is kind of sad, no doubt about that. But can you please explain to me, what the squat was all about? Like, were you praying? Is this some kind of religious stuff or something?”

Mason turned to me. “Your questions are so weird.”

“No, you are so weird,” I retorted. “And you better give me an answer to my question.”

The fire made a thunderous sound immediately, and I shifted back with all possible haste.

Mason laughed at me. “See, even the fire knows you’re weird.“

I glared at him. “You know what? I’m out of here.”

“Good luck with that. We’re deep inside this forest, and I know you have no clue of how to get out.”

42 FACTS I looked at him. I wanted to disagree, but of course, he was actually right about that. I wasn’t familiar to this place one bit. Why did he have to take me here in the first place?

“Okay then. Let’s leave,” I told him.

“Not yet,” he said promptly. “I still need to know about our plan. How’s it coming along with Luke?”

I refused to give him an answer to his question. But a dark look was what I gave the jerk.

“Aren’t you going to give me an answer to my question?”

“What do you think?” I feigned a smiling face.

“Don’t ask me that. Just give me an answer, alright? Don’t make me push you in this fire.”

“Crazy. I was even thinking about doing the same to you.”

“Say what now?” Mason raised an eyebrow as his eyes widened.

“I said nothing,” I told him bitterly.

“Okay, now start talking. You do know what I can do to your children, right?”

“Do you have to keep on telling me this, every time?”

“It’s the only way for you to come back to your senses.” Mason smirked, while I just glared at him.

LUKE’S POV I arrived at the hospital, along with Riley. We had come to see our grandfather, who was no more.

The moment we entered the building, I was welcomed with a tight hug. And it was none other than Tiffany. This nurse who I had a lovely time with. I’m pretty sure you know what I mean.

“Luke, it’s so good to see you again,” she said gleefully, tightening her embrace more and more, with her head fixed on my chest. Well, she had no idea that I was not in the mood for this.

I took a look at Riley, and she just laughed, turning her face away. I knew what she was thinking.

“Can you please let go of me?” I vocalized, but Tiffany refused to listen.

“Come on now, baby. I missed you,” Tiffany said, still leaning her head against my chest, closing her eyes.

“Baby?” Someone spoke loudly.

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