Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 138: Not Appropriate

Chapter 138: Not Appropriate

Mason stood there all tense, his patience wearing thin as he exchanged pleasantries with one of his business partners. The man, an older gentleman with thinning hair and a booming laugh, had been going on about a new investment opportunity. Mason nodded politely, though his mind was elsewhere.

He had been trying to excuse himself for the last five minutes, but the man didn’t seem to notice. Mason cast a quick glance around the room, his eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of Ellen. The longer he stood there, trapped in this conversation, the more his irritation grew.

"Well, that sounds pretty interesting," Mason said, injecting just enough interest into his tone to satisfy his partner. "But I’m afraid I need to attend to something. Let’s continue this conversation later."

The man chuckled, clapping Mason on the shoulder. "Of course, of course! You’ve got a beautiful wife to look after now, don’t you?" His wink didn’t go unnoticed, and Mason forced a smile.

"Indeed," Mason replied with a nod, taking the opportunity to slip away.

Finally free, he moved through the crowd, his eyes searching for Ellen. It wasn’t long before he spotted her across the room, standing by the balcony door. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. There she is.

For a moment, he allowed himself to pause and just watch her. Ellen looked beautiful tonight, her dress catching the soft glow of the lights as she moved. There was something about the way she carried herself that always drew his attention.

He watched as she hesitated at the door before slipping out onto the balcony. Mason’s smile deepened. Maybe she needed a moment of quiet. He understood that the party could be overwhelming.

Just as he was about to make his way over, something stopped him in his tracks. His eyes caught a movement behind Ellen. Someone else was heading toward the balcony. Mason’s jaw tightened when he recognized who it was.

Edrick.

The man followed after Ellen as if he had every right to seek her out. Mason’s smile vanished instantly, replaced with a growing sense of unease. Edrick had always been a bit too familiar with Ellen for Mason’s liking. He had noticed it before, the way Edrick’s eyes lingered on her a moment too long, the way he always found some excuse to strike up a conversation with her at these events.

Mason’s heart pounded as he watched Edrick slip out onto the balcony after Ellen, his mind suddenly clouded with suspicion and unease. He just stood there for a moment, the party went on around him, with the laughter and music drifting away while he focused on what was going on outside.

What does he think he’s doing?

Without wasting another second, Mason made his way to the balcony, his movements deliberate but controlled. He kept his pace measured, not wanting to cause a scene—yet. Squeezing through the crowd, he reached the glass door and paused just behind it, peering out.

He could see Ellen standing at the far end of the balcony, her back to him. Edrick stood close, too close for Mason’s liking. His posture was casual, but there was an intensity in the way he watched her.

Mason’s fists clenched. He wanted to burst in, demand to know what was going on, but something held him back. He leaned against the doorframe, just out of sight, listening, waiting to hear what Edrick had to say.

And then he heard it.

"If you want to escape from this marriage," Edrick’s voice was low and smooth, "I’m more than willing to take you with me."

Mason’s blood ran cold. His breath caught in his throat, his chest tightening with a sudden surge of anger. What the hell is he saying?

He shifted, his body tensing as if ready to charge onto the balcony right then and there, but something stopped him—Ellen’s response. Or rather, her lack of one.

He waited, his ears straining to hear her speak, to hear her rejection, to hear her shut down Edrick’s ridiculous offer. But there was only silence. A long, tense silence that seemed to stretch on for eternity.

Mason’s heart sank, his pulse quickening. Why wasn’t she saying anything? Why wasn’t she immediately pushing him away? He could feel the weight of his own frustration growing with each passing second, a bitter taste forming in his mouth.

Finally, Ellen’s voice broke the silence, but it was shaky, uncertain. "What... no..."

But it wasn’t a strong rejection. It wasn’t the firm denial Mason had been hoping for. She sounded confused, caught off guard. Worse, she sounded unsure.

His heart clenched painfully. Why is she hesitating?

Mason’s hands balled into fists at his sides, the knuckles turning white as he fought the urge to barge in and put an end to this nonsense.

And then he saw it.

Edrick reached out, his hand brushing against Ellen’s, his fingers curling around hers. It was a small gesture, subtle even, but to Mason, it felt like a punch to the gut.

That was it. Mason couldn’t stand by any longer.

His face hardened, the muscles in his jaw twitching as he stepped onto the balcony. The sound of his approach startled both Ellen and Edrick, their heads snapping toward him. Mason walked in slowly, moving carefully, but inside he was anything but calm.

He shoved one hand into his pocket, a seemingly casual gesture, but his eyes were anything but relaxed. They were sharp and focused, locked onto Edrick with a cold stare.

"Well, I’m sorry to interrupt," Mason said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He didn’t bother masking the bitterness that laced his words. "I didn’t mean to ruin your moment."

Ellen’s breath hitched, her heart racing at his unexpected arrival. "Mason..." she muttered softly, her voice almost a whisper.

Mason’s eyes flicked toward her briefly, taking in the way she was looking at him—like she was both relieved and anxious at the same time. His gaze softened, just for a fraction of a second, before turning cold once more as he directed his attention back to Edrick.

"I don’t think it’s appropriate," he added, "for you to be touching my wife like that."