She Dropped the Ring into His Champagne Glass in Front of Everyone — Then the Boardroom Saw the Evidence That Turned a Billionaire Family Against Each Other.
PART 3
Emily called the next morning at 11 AM.
Mason answered on the second ring.
“Emily.”
“You knew it was me?”
“No one else has this number.”
She stood by the window, watching snowmelt run along the curb.
“I’m not wearing the dress.”
“I assumed.”
“I’m still asking.”
There was a pause.
“Why?”
“Because yesterday, everyone who claimed to love me looked at me like I was an obstacle. You looked at me like I was a person.”
“That is not a reason to marry someone.”
“It’s a better reason than the one I had yesterday.”
Mason was silent for so long she thought the call had disconnected.
“Meet me at the courthouse café at noon,” he said finally.
When Emily arrived, Mason was already waiting.
A tall man in a charcoal coat stood behind his wheelchair. He introduced himself as Owen Price—Mason’s friend and driver.
Owen looked at Emily with visible concern.
“You are serious about this?” he asked Mason.
“I am.”
“You met yesterday.”
“So did she.”
“That does not improve the situation.”
Emily folded her arms. “I’m standing right here.”
Owen looked at her.
“Yes, ma’am. That is part of my concern.”
Mason almost smiled.
They talked for two hours before anyone mentioned marriage.
Mason told Emily he lived alone in a converted warehouse apartment in River North. He worked as a business consultant. He had been recovering privately since the accident.
Emily told him she was an architectural designer. Her work had been absorbed into her father’s company without credit.
They discussed money, privacy, living arrangements, and the possibility that one of them might eventually want out.
“No games,” Emily said.
“No pretending to feel something we don’t.”
“No lies,” Mason replied.
She held his gaze.
“No important lies.”
His expression tightened, but he nodded.
Three days later, Emily married Mason Reed in a civil ceremony at the courthouse.
Owen served as the witness.
There were no flowers, no music, no family.
Yet when Mason took Emily’s hand, she felt more seen than she had beneath the rose-covered arch at the hotel.
News traveled quickly.
By evening, Vanessa had posted a photograph of Emily and Mason leaving the courthouse.
*Some people will do anything to avoid being alone.*
The comments were vicious.
Emily’s mother came to the apartment the next morning.
Patricia stared at Mason’s wheelchair like it confirmed her worst fears.
“You married him?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t know him.”
“I knew Caleb for six years.”
“That is not the point.”
“It is exactly the point.”
Patricia lowered her voice.
“People are laughing at you.”
“They were laughing before I met Mason.”
Mason appeared at the end of the hallway.
Patricia straightened.
“This is a family conversation,” she said stiffly.
Mason’s tone remained calm.
“Emily is my family.”
Patricia looked him up and down.
“And what exactly can you offer her?”
Emily stepped between them.
“Do not answer that.”
She turned back to her mother.
“He offers me respect. I realize that may not sound valuable to this family.”
Patricia’s face hardened.
“You are throwing away your future to punish us.”
“No. I am finally building one without your permission.”
She closed the door.
Her hands shook afterward.
Mason did not touch her until she reached for him first.