Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 53: He Lied?

Chapter 53: He Lied?

Ellen stirred in her sleep, her body shifting gently as she rolled over onto her left side. She slowly opened her eyes, the morning light filtering through her still-drowsy gaze. She rubbed her eyes, feeling the remnants of a deep, restful sleep. A small smile tugged at her lips as she stretched her arms above her head, arching her back slightly. She felt great, her body felt recharged after a good sleep.

With a yawn, she sat up slowly, her movements slow and relaxed. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet touching the soft carpet beneath. Standing up, she stretched once more, feeling the satisfying pull of her muscles waking up. She walked towards the window, her steps light and relaxed, and yawned again as she looked outside.

It was then that she noticed something odd. Her eyes rounded in surprise as the unfamiliarity of her surroundings dawned on her. This wasn’t her room. Panic began to set in as realization hit her like a cold wave. She had fallen asleep in Mason’s room.

"Oh, God," she whispered, her heart rate quickening. "Where is he?"

Her mind raced, trying to piece together the events of the previous night. She had been talking to Mason, but she must have fallen asleep without realizing it. Now, the room was eerily quiet, and there was no sign of Mason anywhere.

Ellen started to wander around the room, her steps quick and her eyes scanning every corner. "Mason?" she called out, her voice trembling slightly. She felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her chest as she walked towards the bathroom.

Pushing the door open, she peered inside. The bathroom was empty, the sink and shower undisturbed. She turned around and headed to the walk-in closet, hoping to find some clue of his presence. "Mason, are you in here?" she called again, her voice echoing slightly in the enclosed space.

The closet was just as empty, clothes neatly hung and shoes lined up with precision. Ellen’s mind buzzed with worry and confusion. Where could he be? She didn’t remember him leaving, and the thought of him just disappearing without a word was unsettling.

She walked back into the main room, her thoughts swirling with a mix of embarrassment and concern. What if he was upset that she had fallen asleep here? What if she had crossed some boundary without realizing it? Her stomach churned with unease as she continued to search the room, her eyes darting to every possible hiding spot.

Where had he slept last night? On the couch? Why hadn’t he woken her up and asked her to go back to her own room?

"No, no, no," she muttered to herself, the worst possibility crossing her mind. "What if Mason went out to spend time with Aubrey?"

The thought made her stomach drop. The whole purpose of her coming to Paris was to make sure Mason and Aubrey never had a chance to be alone together. But she had already failed, not once, but twice. "Argh, good job, Ellen," she chastised herself, running a hand through her hair in frustration. She had just been too tired last night after a long day. When she saw the comfy bed and pillow, she couldn’t resist the urge to fall asleep.

Her shoulders slumped, a sigh escaping her lips. She left Mason’s room quietly, closing the door behind her with a soft click, and made her way to her own room.

Ellen took a quick shower, the warm water helping to wash away some of her anxiety. She dressed quickly, choosing a simple yet elegant outfit that made her feel a bit more confident. She brushed her hair and applied a light layer of makeup, trying to pull herself together for the day ahead.

Once she felt presentable, she headed down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. As she approached the entrance, she suddenly froze. Just when she was about to walk in, Aubrey was walking out.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Aubrey’s eyes narrowed slightly, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. Ellen straightened her posture, refusing to back down.

"Ellen," Aubrey said, her tone dripping with thinly veiled animosity.

"Aubrey," Ellen replied, her voice cool and steady. She took a step closer, her gaze locked on Aubrey’s.

Aubrey’s lips curled into a sly smile. "What a shame you came late. Mason and I just had a lovely breakfast together."

Ellen raised an eyebrow, trying to look cool and relaxed. "Really?" she asked, her tone flat, clearly not interested. "That should make you quite happy, right?"

"Yes," Aubrey said, a hint of triumph in her voice. "Despite how busy Mason was last night meeting with a client, we still found time to spend together this morning."

Ellen fought the urge to roll her eyes, but then Aubrey’s words registered. Mason didn’t have a meeting with a client last night. In fact, Ellen had been in his room with him. Did Mason lie to Aubrey?

Ellen’s eyes narrowed slightly as she scrutinized Aubrey, who was smiling as if she had just won a small victory. "So, you didn’t spend time together last night?" Ellen asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

Aubrey’s smile faltered for a moment before she composed herself. "No, what a shame he was so busy," she said with a hint of longing in her voice.

"Mason said he was busy with a meeting last night?" Ellen asked again, as if she wanted to confirm this new piece of information.

Aubrey rolled her eyes and scratched the back of her neck. "Gosh, how many times do I have to repeat that? Can’t you hear what I’m saying?" She then walked away, leaving Ellen alone with her mind racing.

Why would Mason lie to Aubrey about a client meeting? She felt a flicker of hope, a small sign that Mason wasn’t as close to Aubrey as she had feared. But the uncertainty gnawed at her. Was Mason playing a game, or was there something else at play?