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.

anything about what happened between me

nodded slowly. “I can see the chemistry developing. Just what I wanted. But we still

did he offend you that you’re going through all these

do as I say without any

couldn’t believe what he was telling

right, three days is too

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

to be precise,”

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

save your life in

DEMANTOL

he could have done that

say, alright?

again. I was really annoyed by this. But what could I do? Absolutely nothing. If I tried to act smart, he might just kill

chance for you to avenge Luke for the things he did to you. I’m

going to help me, then you

the shots around here. And once I make a decision, it’s final. You have no choice but to follow it if you don’t

smile. “Have a nice day,

bed, covering my face, thinking about how I was going to handle this one. He told me to get married to Luke, and I should do

fault anyway. If I hadn’t made those plans with him in the first place, none

1. me.

LUKE’S POV

welcomed by my grandfather. He was standing outside, having a chat with one of

exclaimed the moment he

wasn’t a normal visit; it had a specific purpose because

he introduced me to his friend, gesturing his hand

1. me.

promptly shook hands with Tim, a smile on my face.

“It’s nice meeting you

smiled back. He turned to my grandfather. “I don’t know,

right,” I chimed in. “Everybody loves me.” I joked, and

him,” my grandfather continued the mirth as we

came here to see you