Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 171: Unpacking Feelings

Chapter 171: Unpacking Feelings

Ellen’s heart dropped at what Mason said, like someone was squeezing the air from her lungs. She wished, for just a moment, that she had heard wrong. But the moment she saw Mason’s serious look, all her hope was gone.

She chuckled, the sound bitter, almost mocking, but it wasn’t directed at Mason. It was at herself, at the way she had allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, things had changed. "I don’t believe you." She pushed herself up, intending to get away, to put some distance between them, but Mason’s hand stopped her.

"Hang on." He moved closer, his arm securely around her waist, pulling her back toward him. "Listen to me."

She looked at him, her eyes searching his face, trying to find something—anything—that would make her feel better. "Yes, I love Aubrey," Mason said it again. "But not in the way you’re thinking. I love her as a friend."

Ellen didn’t reply and just listened for Mason to continue.

"We have a past," he continued. "And at one point, I loved her. I loved her so much. That’s a fact that can’t be changed."

Oh, shit. She knew about Mason’s past with Aubrey, but hearing him say it out loud, hearing the confidence in his voice, made her feel a little...jealous?

"I have to admit something else, though," Mason said. He rubbed his thumb gently along her side, as though trying to ease the tension that had settled there. "At one point, I considered getting back with her."

"What?! When?!"

He let out a long sigh, keeping his eyes locked on hers. "It was when she came to my office a while back," he began. "We decided to go for ice cream afterward, near our old high school."

Oh, that day. Ellen remembered it all too well. She could still feel the pain and everything like it was yesterday.

We talked about a lot of things." His gaze growing distant, as though recalling that moment." Mainly about the past. It felt... nostalgic, you know? The place, the conversations. For a moment, I wondered, ’Oh, should I start new with her?’ I mean, everything felt familiar, easy."

Mason’s voice softened, and a hint of a smile played at the corner of his lips as he continued, "But then, I couldn’t really think about it anymore."

Ellen frowned slightly. "Why?"

Mason looked at her, his lips curving into a playful smile. "Because there was a stupid woman who decided to play hero that day and ruin all of my focus."

Ellen’s heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushing as she realized what he meant. She knew exactly what he was talking about—how she had been there that day, how she had ended up getting hit by a car trying to help someone. A shy smile tugged at her lips, her eyes lowering as she tried to hide her blush. "You mean me," she whispered.

Mason chuckled softly, his hand moving to cup her cheek, gently lifting her face so that she was looking at him. "Yes, you," he said, his thumb brushing gently against her skin. "You were all I could think about after that. You completely distracted me from whatever I was thinking about Aubrey."

Ellen’s smile widened, her heart swelling with so much love that it felt like it might burst. "I guess my sacrifice was worth it then," she said it playfully, though the seriousness in her eyes showed she meant it.

Because she knew that was the moment Mason would fall for Aubrey all over again.

"Sacrifice?" he chuckled, but his eyes showed he was a bit concerned. "You mean getting hit by that car? I would have preferred you didn’t take that risk, you know."

Ellen laughed softly, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, if I hadn’t been there to play hero, maybe you’d be hugging Aubrey right now instead of me."

Ellen said what was real. Knowing it would happen, she snooped and ruined Aubrey’s plans.

"But," Mason continued. "Things have changed. So much has happened, and I can’t go back to what we used to be."

Ellen looked up at him, her eyes narrowing slightly, suspicion lingering in her gaze. "Really?" she asked, her voice dripping with skepticism. "Because it sure looks like you’re enjoying every attempt Aubrey makes to get close to you again."

Mason’s lips formed a faint smile. He let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "That’s my fault," he admitted, his eyes meeting Ellen’s. "I haven’t been pushing her away like I should. I didn’t want to hurt her, and I hoped she would understand and stop on her own."

Ellen huffed, her eyes rolling in frustration. "Well, she’s not stopping," she said, clearly irritated. "She’s stubborn."

Mason sighed, his hand moving from her waist to take her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. He looked at her with a serious expression. "Then it’s time I talk to her," he replied. "I’ve let this go on for too long, and it’s not fair to you. You’ve been great at keeping her from taking me away, and I need to do something too."

Ellen blinked, her eyes widening slightly at his words. She could feel the tears welling up again, but this time, they were different. It wasn’t the pain or the fear that was making her cry—it was relief. She could see the sincerity in Mason’s eyes, the way his gaze softened as he looked at her, the way he held her hand as if he was afraid to let go.

"Really?" she whispered, her voice trembling, her eyes searching his face. "You’re really going to talk to her?"

Mason nodded, his thumb brushing against her hand, his eyes never leaving hers. "I promise," he answered. "I’m going to talk to her and make things clear."

"What are you going to say to her?"

Mason paused, then closed his eyes briefly before opening them to find Ellen looking at him with curiosity. "That I’m choosing you, not her."