Chapter Eighteen

 

Danielle was relieved her roommate wasn’t home when she cracked open the door to their apartment. The minute she was alone in her bedroom, a dam of tears broke over her cheeks. She wasn’t sure if it was the cruelty of Mason’s father’s words or the fact that she’d never see Mason again that caused her heart to hurt so terribly. No, a cruel man’s words were nothing to the pain of losing Mason forever, of never seeing his face or feeling the touch of his hands in hers. Or the sweet taste of his lips on hers as he kissed her.

Her suitcase was still at Mason’s apartment and she couldn’t bear to face him to retrieve it. She felt a rush of grief consume her as she sank on the bed and finally gave into all the sadness she felt and sobbed until she had no tears left. She wasn’t sure how long she lay there, her body shaking with every sob, her heart breaking into oblivion with every passing second. When her tears ran out and her body finally collapsed, exhausted from her cry, she shoved up from the bed and sat quietly to collect her dignity. Her misery was like a black hole in her heart, endless and dark.

She scooted to the edge of the bed and sat, staring into space, trying to wrap her mind around the events of the last few weeks. She’d gone from swearing off men, to considering having a baby on her own, to falling in love with the most stubborn but kindest, most wonderful man she’d ever known. Who happened to be the most eligible billionaire bachelor in the country and completely out of her league. His father had made that clear. But Mason hadn’t. Mason had never treated her like anything other than an equal. He’d saved her life with his very breath.

She pulled her phone out of her purse. Nine missed calls, all from Mason. Certainly, she at least owed him an explanation of why she was breaking their contract. Contract? It didn’t feel like a contract anymore. It felt more like they were a couple falling in love. Love?

She touched her hand to her lips. The way he kissed her so tenderly and sweet, he had to feel something. Could he possibly care for her? Or even love her? No, she was being silly. And after what Mr. Rutherford threatened, to ruin her family and keep her father in prison for a crime she knew he didn’t commit, she couldn’t stay married to Mason. Even if every cell in her body was screaming at her to go back to him. He hadn’t done anything wrong after all. She owed him an explanation. He deserved that in the very least.

She grabbed her purse and rushed downstairs and out onto the sidewalk. She stopped suddenly, reality seeping in. What was she going to do? Barge into Mason’s office as Mr. Rutherford and demand to see him. Entry to his office was probably invitation only and no one would believe she was his wife. She could barely believe it herself.

She took her phone out of her purse and swiped the screen. It was lame but calling him would be easier. For both of them. She stared at the ground as she waited for the call to go through, blinking a few tears that slipped out, despite her resolve to be strong. She managed to stifle a sniffle just as he answered.

“Danielle?”

Her heart ached as he said her name. She’d become accustomed to the soothing sound of his voice over the last few weeks. She fought the tears that wanted to gush down her cheeks. She couldn’t find her voice to speak.

“Mason,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry. I can’t…” she stammered.

“You can’t what?”

His voice was so clear and strong. She wiped away the stubborn tear that had fell despite her determination to stop it. She felt the soft touch of fingers around her wrist. She turned around to see Mason standing beside her. He reached up and wiped away her tear. The worried expression on his face made her heart break.

“Why the tears, my love?” he said as his hand caressed her face.

“I can’t marry you,” she blurted out.

His smile was unexpected. “You already did,” he said. “And I can’t tell you how glad I am you did. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Did you know that?”

“But your father…”

“I know. I have taken care of my father. He has no power over me or you or your family. In fact, I just fired him.”

Danielle’s eyes widened. “You did? How? I thought he threatened to fire you?”

“I did some looking into his finances and realized he’d secretly sold a good portion of his shares in the company. He can’t seem to live within his means, though he had a sick amount of money at his disposal. I think he has a gambling problem among others. I told him to get counseling or I wouldn’t let him see his grandchildren.”

“His grandchildren?”

Mason nodded. “I know it sounds crazy, but Danielle, I love you. In fact, I am hopelessly and helplessly in love with you.” Mason got down on one knee in the middle of the street. He took Danielle’s hand in his and kissed it with flourish. He fixed those beautiful blue eyes on her face. “Stay married to me. We can build a beautiful life together. I promise you a houseful of children and a heart full of love. Please say yes.”

Danielle couldn’t believe she was crying again. But this time they were tears of joy. “Yes, Mason Rutherford. I will stay married to you. I promise to give you a houseful of children and my heart full of love.”

He rose and gathered her into his arms, twirling her around in the street. People passed by and stopped and stared, but she didn’t care. She’d found the man who rocked her world, and she wanted to shout it out to the universe.

“I love you too,” she said. And she did love him, with all her heart. Mason was her soul mate, the love of her life and her best friend all rolled in one. He was the One.