Ellen was lying on her bed, just staring blankly at the ceiling. The cool sheets felt nice, but it didn’t really help with her racing thoughts. In her hand, she clutched a small starfish keychain, the one Mason had given her. It was such a simple thing—a tiny, metal trinket that reminded her of the ocean. She absentmindedly twirled it between her fingers, feeling the cool metal against her skin as her thoughts drifted back to last night’s conversation with Mason.
His words echoed in her mind: "I don’t want Aubrey. I don’t care if she still wants me." He made it sound like it was the end of the line. A clean, simple answer to a question she hadn’t even wanted to ask. But Ellen couldn’t get rid of the uneasy feeling that hung around.
She knew Mason’s words were meant to be reassuring. He wanted her to know that Aubrey wasn’t a threat, that he had no interest in rekindling whatever relationship they had in the past. But Ellen wasn’t like other people. She was someone who knew too much. She knew how these stories played out. She had knowledge of the plot, and that made it impossible for her to just believe his assurances.
Her fingers tightened around the keychain, her thoughts swirling. Maybe she was being paranoid. Maybe her mind was playing tricks on her. But Ellen had learned long ago that in this world, being cautious wasn’t just smart—it was necessary. She couldn’t afford to be naïve, to let her guard down, not when everything around her seemed so shaky.
She let out a soft sigh, pushing herself up from the bed. Just sitting there and obsessing over her thoughts wouldn’t do any good. She needed to do something, anything, to break this cycle of anxiety. As she sat there, an idea suddenly popped into her head, and a small smile tugged at her lips.
Helga had mentioned just the other day how she loved surprising her husband by dropping by his office for lunch. It had sounded like such a sweet, simple gesture, and it had stuck with Ellen. Maybe she could do the same for Mason. Maybe if she showed up, it would remind him that she was there, that she was the one who mattered. Not Aubrey.
The more she thought about it, the more the idea excited her. Ellen swung her legs over the side of the bed, her smile widening as she stood up. She walked to her closet, her mind already racing with possibilities. What should she wear?
Something casual but cute, nothing too fancy, but enough to show she had put in a little effort. After flipping through a few options, she settled on a soft, cream-colored dress and paired it with a light cardigan. It was comfortable, yet flattering—perfect for a casual lunch date.
Ellen moved quickly, brushing her hair and touching up her makeup with light strokes. She didn’t want to overdo it, but she still wanted to look her best. As she studied her reflection in the mirror, she felt a little thrill of excitement. This was spontaneous, completely unplanned, but maybe that was what made it fun.
Once she was ready, she grabbed her purse and phone, heading out the door with a spring in her step. Ellen quickly called for a taxi, scrolling through her phone as she waited. She didn’t even think about taking the bus anymore. Just the thought of it made her skin crawl.
No, taxis were safer. Quieter. Private. She could breathe in a taxi.
The car pulled up to the curb, and Ellen slipped inside with a soft "hello" to the driver. As the taxi pulled away, she leaned back against the seat, her thoughts wandering once again to Mason. This had been a last-minute idea, completely spur-of-the-moment. But maybe it was a good thing.
Her fingers played with the strap of her purse as she glanced out the window. The city blurred past her, with all the buildings and people seeming like they were in a different world.
She was curious about Mason’s reaction when she showed up at his office out of the blue. Would he be happy? Surprised? Annoyed? She hoped it was the first. She hoped that showing up would remind him that they were partners, a team, no matter what was going on with Aubrey or anyone else.
The taxi ride wasn’t long as the taxi turned the corner and approached Mason’s office building, Ellen’s heart started to race just a little faster. She paid the driver and stepped out, smoothing down her dress as she stood on the sidewalk, staring up at the tall glass tower that loomed above her.
It was even more impressive up close than she had imagined. The sleek, reflective glass stretched high into the sky. She had seen this building countless times before—on TV, in articles, whenever Coldwell Enterprises was mentioned in the news. It was often talked about as a design masterpiece, a top example of the business world. And now, here she was, standing at its entrance, about to walk inside for the first time.
It felt surreal.
She had heard so much about the company, about its reach and influence. Coldwell Enterprises was famous for being a major player, a big player in the industry.
And Mason... he was at the heart of it all. He navigated this world every day, a place Ellen had only ever seen from the outside. She had never imagined she would actually be stepping foot inside, let alone to surprise her husband.
Ellen took a deep breath, smoothing down her dress one more time as she steeled herself to walk through those revolving doors. The nerves fluttered in her stomach, but she couldn’t let them get to her. This wasn’t just some ordinary visit—she was trying to bridge the gap, to remind Mason that she was part of his world too, even if she often felt like she wasn’t.