The Love From Vengeance

26 HARD CONDITIONS

ARIEL’S POV

Mason stepped foot inside the hospital room, his hands deep in his pockets. He was wearing a leather jacket, and the smile he gave me was clearly fake.

What the hell was he doing here anyway? He was the last person I expected to see.

“You’re still alive!” Mason smirked. “That’s nice. I don’t know how this plan is going to work out without you.”

“I literally went through hell earlier today. Can you please give me a break?”

He laughed. “Breaks are for babies.”

I shook my head and let out a weary sigh. “I’m being serious here.”

“And do I look like I’m joking?” He raised an eyebrow, and I turned my face away. “How was your elevator experience?”

I gave him a quizzical look. “Why are you asking me that?”

“I just want to know if you and Luke did–you know, the whole relationship stuff.”

I stared at him for a few seconds, then replied, “No, we didn’t.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Why would I lie to you?”

Mason chuckled softly. “You have thousands of reasons to lie to me.” He moved closer to the bed. “I know you hate me and that you don’t want to follow this plan of mine. But what can

you do?” He shrugged. “You have no choice.”

“You are the most heartless person I’ve ever seen,” I told Mason, my tone cold.

“Oh really? He laughed again. “What about your ex–husband? Oh, sorry, your husband–to- be?” He had a mocking grin. “I mean, he did a lot of terrible things to you, right?”

“Yes, but at least he’s better than you. He tried to save my life today.”

“He did?” Mason’s eyes widened.

not to tell him anything about

slowly. “I can see the chemistry developing. Just what I wanted. But we still need to act fast. I want to

you that

for now, just do as I say without any questions. You have three

I couldn’t believe

days is too much.

no,” I said, getting up from the bed. “How do you expect me to get

be precise,”

days is too little. Do you even have any idea what we’re talking about here? That man hates

yet he tried to save your life in the

DEMANTOL

help but sigh. “Oh, please, he could have

as I say, alright? You don’t want to

really annoyed by this. But what could I do? Absolutely nothing. If I tried

avenge Luke for the things he

to help me, then you

I make a decision, it’s final. You have no choice but to follow it

door and turned around with a plastic smile. “Have a nice day, and remember,

how I was going to handle this one. He told me to get married to Luke, and I should do that in two days. Like, how in the world is

words. at all. It was my fault anyway. If I hadn’t made those plans with him in the first place,

1. me.

LUKE’S POV

my grandfather. He was standing outside, having a chat with one of his friends. They seemed to be having a great

My grandfather exclaimed the moment he

This wasn’t a normal visit; it had a specific

he introduced me

1. me.

hands with Tim, a smile on my face. “It’s nice

“It’s nice meeting you

He turned to my grandfather. “I don’t know, but I just love this

I chimed in. “Everybody loves me.” I joked, and the three of us burst into

loves him,” my grandfather continued the mirth as

here to see you for