Chapter 2
When Christmas break ended and my coworkers returned to work, they exchanged knowing smirks as I arrived late. Their whispers barely concealed their contempt.
“Can’t believe Ava still has the nerve to show her face here! She must be desperate for money–begging Mr. Huntington for cash on his engagement day, even getting on her knees. Absolutely shameless!”
“She always acted so high and mighty, thinking she was special after being with Mr. Huntington for seven years. Serves her right getting thrown out!”
Ignoring their mockery, I walked straight–faced into HR where the manager didn’t bother hiding her disdain. “Your application’s already printed,” she said coldly. “Once Mr. Huntington approves it, you can pack your things and leave. Given your… situation, don’t expect any severance.”
I simply nodded without a word and left the company.
Outside, the Christmas atmosphere still lingered, with couples and families bustling about while I walked alone, an overwhelming wave of loneliness washing over me.
In one short holiday, I’d lost my only family member, the career I’d built for years, and the man I loved.
As I slowly walked the same route I’d taken between home and work for seven years, memories flooded back.
When I was seven, my parents died in a car accident, and greedy relatives seized all the compensation money, leaving only my grandmother and me to fend for ourselves.
Later, through a stroke of fate, my grandmother saved Mason after he fell from a cliff while touring our mountain village. She cared for him like her own grandson, which became the beginning of our connection.
Back then, I was just a college student working multiple jobs to make ends meet. Mason volunteered to visit my grandmother, regularly sending me updates about her. Whenever I was ready to give up, he’d hold me as I fell apart, softly promising he’d always be there, never leaving my side.
He truly loved me then, insisting on being together every day. Despite my simple clothes, he’d proudly hold my hand and introduce me to everyone: “This is my girlfriend. Isn’t she beautiful? She’s the best girlfriend in the
world!”
Gradually, however, his gaze turned suspicious. Fearing I was after his family fortune, he demanded I surrender all my earnings for him to control. His possessiveness grew until he’d question me for requesting even five dollars for
coffee.
Three months ago, everything changed when Ivy returned to the country.
Feeling ecstatic, Mason bought her a priceless gemstone ring and spent a fortune renting Times Square billboards that scrolled, “Welcome home, Ivy!”
That night, he didn’t come home for the first time.
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Just a Stand In?! My Billionaire Hubby’s OTHER Wife
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Chapter 2
Unable to reach him and frantic with worry, I reported him missing. When police finally helped me find him, he was drunk, red–eyed, clutching Ivy’s arm and demanding: “When we were five, playing house, you said you were the princess and I was the prince. You promised to marry me–why did you leave me?”
In that instant, I felt ice run through my veins.
After he sobered up, we had our first major fight about who truly held his heart. He claimed I was playing dumb, even saying if Ivy hadn’t left, I would never have had a chance with him. We fell into our first cold war after that.
The silence only broke when Ivy posted about wanting to get married. Mason suddenly ended our standoff, inviting me to a bar where, amidst swirling lights, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
Overwhelmed with joy, believing he’d chosen me after all, I tearfully accepted, thinking our turbulent relationship would finally have its happy ending.
But the celebratory shouts around us doused me with cold reality: “Bro, you’re the man! The dare’s a success! Now you gotta pay up for the truth, right?”
A group crowded around Ivy as Mason rushed to her, firmly gripping her hand while shouting, “I, Mason Huntington, love only Ivy Lockwood!”
He repeated it three times, each declaration louder and more confident than the last, causing everyone to cheer and the usually defiant man to blush.
Ivy naturally hooked her arm through his, smiling sweetly.
Suddenly someone shouted, “With all this energy, aren’t you going to kiss her?”
Mason froze momentarily as Ivy quickly tried to smooth things over. “Don’t push it, he’s shy…”
Before she could finish, Mason cupped her face and kissed her deeply, his eyes open and fixed on her, as if engraving her into his heart. His expression radiated pure happiness and contentment, as though this single kiss was all he’d ever needed.
Afterward, worried she might misunderstand, he stammered with crimson ears, trying to appear calm: “I… just lost my balance.”
Before Ivy could respond, he hurriedly added, “It’s late. We should go home.”
Nothing in this world is more precious than a playboy’s genuine affection.
Through him, I finally understood that liking someone is impulsive, but love requires restraint.
A cold wind brought me back to reality. I wrapped my coat tighter, as if protecting my shattered heart.
Just then, a man walking with his head down collided with me.
As he looked up, I found myself staring into Mason’s eyes, his pupils contracting sharply the moment he recognized
- me.
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Just a Stand In?! My Billionaire Hubby’s OTHER Wife…
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Chapter 3
Chapter 3
