Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife -
Chapter 139: Claims
Chapter 139: Claims
Edrick’s grip on Ellen’s hand faltered as if he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t have. His hand dropped away from hers, and he took a half-step back, his face twitching with the effort to remain calm. For a split second, the smooth mask Edrick wore cracked, revealing a flash of discomfort, but he quickly bounced back to his usual playful self.
"Mason," Edrick called, his voice annoyingly calm, trying to regain his footing. "It was nothing more than a friendly conversation."
Mason’s jaw clenched tighter, the muscles twitching again as he stared at Edrick. His hand, still in his pocket, flexed slightly, and Ellen could see the tension radiating off him. He was all tensed up, like a slingshot ready to launch.
"Friendly?" Mason repeated, sounding calm but full of disdain. "Offering to take her away from me doesn’t sound particularly friendly."
Edrick’s mouth opened as if to speak, but he hesitated. The smirk that had been playing on his lips vanished as the reality of the situation settled in. He straightened, brushing a hand through his hair as though trying to appear nonchalant. His eyes flickered to Ellen briefly before he turned back to Mason.
"I didn’t mean any harm," Edrick responded, sounding calm but without his usual confidence. "I was just offering her a way out—if that’s what she wanted."
Mason’s gaze darkened, and Ellen could tell his anger was just waiting to break free. He took a step forward, closing the distance between him and Edrick, though his body language remained composed, controlled. But there was no mistaking the warning in his movements.
"Ellen doesn’t need you to offer her anything," Mason stated. "And she certainly doesn’t need you to decide what’s best for her."
The tension between the two men crackled in the air like an invisible force, making the space on the balcony feel even smaller. Mason’s eyes burned with cold fury as he stared Edrick down, his jaw clenched tightly.
Edrick, on the other hand, had pulled himself together a bit, though his playful side felt a bit forced. Ellen stood frozen between them, her heart pounding in her chest as she saw the tension between them grow. She felt trapped, unsure of how to diffuse the situation or even if she could.
Edrick’s lips twisted into a half-smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "Decide what’s best for her?" he repeated with a smirk. "I’m just looking out for her. Someone has to, don’t you think?"
Mason’s expression hardened further, his hand still shoved in his pocket as if to keep himself from doing something more aggressive. His voice was low, dangerous. "And you think that someone should be you?"
Edrick shrugged. "Well, I’d hate to see her wasted on someone who doesn’t appreciate her," he replied smoothly. "After all, she deserves more than silence and cold shoulders, don’t you agree?"
Ellen’s stomach twisted at the words. She shot a glance at Mason, hoping he would stay calm, but his expression only grew darker. His hand flexed inside his pocket, his knuckles turning white.
"She’s not wasted on me," Mason said through gritted teeth, his voice like steel. "And you don’t know the first thing about what she deserves."
Ellen stood there, rooted to the spot, feeling like a mere spectator to something that was spiraling out of control. The two men were standing too close now. She really needed to say or do something—just anything!
"Mason," Ellen called him softly. "Let’s just go home."
She took a small step toward him, hoping to ease the tension, but the way his eyes remained locked on Edrick sent a chill through her. She didn’t want this. She didn’t want them fighting over her like she was some kind of prize to be claimed.
Edrick, sensing an opportunity, tilted his head slightly, his gaze sliding over to Ellen. "Tell me, Ellen," he said. "Would you really be happy with a man who can barely say a kind word to you?"
Mason’s eyes narrowed, the fire in them burning brighter. "Don’t speak for her," he growled. "She knows exactly where I stand. And she doesn’t need you to twist things."
Edrick chuckled, a low, mocking sound that got under Ellen’s skin. "You say that, but actions speak louder, don’t they?" He turned his gaze back to Ellen, his eyes softening in a way that made her uncomfortable. "Ellen, you don’t have to put up with this. If you ever want out, I’m right here. I’ll always be right here."
She didn’t like the way Edrick was speaking, the way he seemed so sure of himself, so sure of her. She looked back and forth between the two men, both staring at each other like predators.
"Mason, please," she whispered, reaching out a trembling hand toward him, but he didn’t break his gaze from Edrick.
Mason didn’t hesitate. The moment Ellen’s trembling hand reached toward him, he stepped forward, his larger hand capturing hers in a firm yet careful grip. His fingers curled protectively around her, and for a brief second, Ellen felt the warmth of his touch send a wave of reassurance through her, easing some of the anxiety clawing at her chest. But Mason’s expression remained hard, his eyes still locked on Edrick with a fiery intensity that showed this wasn’t over.
Without a word, Mason tugged Ellen gently but firmly to his side, his movements decisive and possessive. She stumbled slightly at first, caught off guard by his sudden action, but his arm slid around her waist, steadying her, pulling her even closer as if he needed to shield her from the man standing just a few feet away.
"I hope this will be the last time I catch you anywhere near her, Edrick." He slowly walked closer to Edrick, suddenly looking much more intimidating. "But make no mistake. The next time I catch you trying something like this..." His voice dropped even lower, a quiet threat laced in every word.
"Don’t blame me for whatever happens next."
Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc..), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.
Report