Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 92: Her Point

Chapter 92: Her Point

Aubrey’s hand froze mid-pour, and for a moment, the room was so silent that Ellen could hear the faint hum of the refrigerator. Slowly, Aubrey turned to face her. "What do you mean?" she asked, her tone guarded, as if she were trying to figure out whether Ellen was serious or just playing some sort of game.

Ellen maintained eye contact without wavering, refusing to back down. "You know exactly what I mean," she replied. "You’re not sick. You just wanted Mason’s attention, and you thought this little act would do the trick."

Aubrey’s eyes narrowed, and for a brief moment, something almost like panic flashed across her face before she quickly masked it with indifference. "I don’t know what you’re talking about," she said, her voice sharp, but there was a slight quiver to it that didn’t go unnoticed by Ellen.

Ellen gave a small, knowing smile. "It’s okay, Aubrey," she said, her tone almost soothing, as if she were speaking to a child caught in a lie. "You don’t have to admit it to me. But we both know the truth."

For a moment, they just stood there. Ellen could feel the intensity of Aubrey’s gaze, like daggers aimed straight at her, but she refused to look away.

Aubrey’s eyes flashed with something akin to hatred, but she didn’t say another word. Instead, she turned back to the counter, her movements stiff and jerky as she finished pouring the drinks. Ellen watched her, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

Satisfied with their silent confrontation, Ellen picked up one of the glasses and made her way back to the living room. She could feel Aubrey’s eyes boring into her back. But Ellen didn’t care. She had said what she needed to, and that was enough.

As she entered the living room, she saw Mason glance up from his phone, a slight frown creasing his forehead as he took in her expression. Ellen simply gave him a reassuring smile, as if nothing had happened, and handed him his drink.

Aubrey entered the room a moment later, her face a careful mask of pleasantness. But Ellen, ever observant, noticed the subtle signs of tension: the way Aubrey’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, the slight stiffness in her posture, and how her gaze wandered everywhere but toward Mason.

Aubrey approached them, her voice taking on a mockingly sweet tone as she spoke. "Mason, you’re so mean!" she said, pretending to pout as she sat down across from them. "You didn’t even tell me you left!" There was a forced playfulness in her tone, as if she were trying to downplay her annoyance by turning it into a joke, but the subtle hint of disappointment was clear.

Before Mason could respond, Ellen leaned forward slightly, her voice smooth and casual. "Oh, Mason’s just been so busy," she interjected, giving Aubrey a sharp glance. "He probably didn’t have the time to tell you that."

As she spoke, Ellen’s tone was light, almost as if she were making a harmless observation, but there was a definite edge to her words. Aubrey needed to stop being so dramatic. Even Ellen knew about his trip to London from Philip.

Aubrey’s eyes flickered with irritation, but she ignored Ellen’s comment, clearly choosing not to take the bait. Instead, she focused her attention back on Mason. "So, where did you go after Paris?"

Ellen didn’t give Mason a chance to answer. "He went to London," she said, her voice deliberately cheerful as she tugged at the hem of her shirt to emphasize her point. "And look, he got me this ’I Love London’ shirt. Isn’t it great?" Ellen’s smile widened, and she made sure to hold Mason’s gaze for a moment, silently challenging Aubrey to say something about it.

The shirt was more than just a souvenir. To Ellen, it was a small symbol of her connection with Mason, something that Aubrey couldn’t claim. It was proof that Mason had thought of her during his trip, enough to bring her back something, while Aubrey had been left out.

Aubrey’s eyes narrowed slightly as she took in the shirt, but she quickly masked her annoyance with a tight-lipped smile. "That’s... nice," she said, her tone flat, though the glare she shot at Ellen was anything but friendly. But Ellen wasn’t done yet.

"And sorry, Aubrey," Ellen added with an apologetic shrug that was anything but sincere. "Mason didn’t get anything for you, and we didn’t bring anything for you either."

Ellen’s words were casual, somewhat nonchalant, but she knew exactly what she was doing. She wanted Aubrey to feel the sting of being excluded, to realize that she wasn’t as important to Mason as she liked to think she was.

Aubrey’s glare sharpened, and for a moment, Ellen thought she might actually say something biting in return. But Aubrey seemed to regain her composure, and after a brief pause, she forced a smile back onto her face, though it was clear that it was taking all her effort to remain polite. "It’s fine," she said, though her voice was strained. "I’m just more than happy that you both came to visit me."

Ellen could see the effort it took for Aubrey to keep her tone light, but there was no mistaking the simmering anger behind her words. It was clear that Aubrey had expected something more from Mason, perhaps a gift, or at least a more personal acknowledgment. Instead, she had was greeted by Ellen’s presence and a pointed reminder that Mason had thought of someone else—someone Aubrey clearly didn’t want in the picture.

As Aubrey tried to maintain her composure, Ellen felt a surge of satisfaction. Aubrey might pretend that everything was fine, but Ellen knew better. She could see the cracks in Aubrey’s facade, the way her hands clenched just a little too tightly around the arm of the chair, the way her smile wavered at the edges.

But Ellen didn’t push further. She had made her point, and for now, that was enough.