She blinked a few times, then rubbed her eyes like crazy, trying to make sure it wasn’t a dream, an imagination, or some kind of hallucination. Or maybe she was going crazy from being alone in that giant mansion?
But after so many rubs, Mason was still there, sitting comfortably on the couch. He was real.
Mason noticed her standing there and turned his head slightly. "What are you doing just standing there and staring at me? It’s creeping me out."
Ellen blinked, snapping out of her daze. She walked slowly toward him, her footsteps soft on the carpet. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.
Mason raised an eyebrow. "Am I not allowed to be in my own home?"
Ellen shook her head quickly. "No, I mean, you’re never home at this hour. You usually come back late."
Mason looked at her for a moment before turning his attention back to the news on the TV. Ellen frowned at his reaction, feeling a mix of confusion and frustration. What was his deal?
As she studied Mason, her eyes were drawn to his outfit. He was wearing a simple white shirt and black shorts, a stark contrast to his usual formal attire. Even during their so-called "honeymoon," he had maintained a semi-formal look. Seeing him in such casual clothes was a first for her.
Ellen felt her cheeks flush slightly, a warm blush spreading across her face. Mason looked good, she had to admit. The casual clothes highlighted his relaxed demeanor, making him seem more approachable, yet still just as attractive as in his formal wear.
Gathering her courage, Ellen moved to sit on the couch, keeping a respectable distance between them. She could feel the tension in the air, but she tried to focus on the television, pretending to be interested in the news.
Mason glanced at her briefly before returning his gaze to the screen. Ellen stole a few more glances at him, taking in the way his muscles moved subtly under his shirt, the way his hair fell slightly over his forehead. She found herself caught between admiration and frustration. One minute she was impressed, the next she was annoyed.
"So," Ellen began, trying to break the silence, "Did something happen at work today?"
Mason shook his head slightly. "Nothing unusual. Just decided to come home early."
Ellen’s brow furrowed in confusion. Mason never came home early. It was as if he was trying to be a different person today, and she couldn’t figure out why. She wanted to press him further, but the look on his face told her he wasn’t in the mood for a deep conversation.
Ellen clearly remembered that in the novel, Mason had always been a workaholic from the beginning of his marriage with Ellen Winters. He spent most of his time at the office, and even when he was home, he would bury himself in work in his home office. Seeing him relaxed and watching TV was a rare sight. So what had changed?
Mason caught Ellen still looking at him, and as if he could read her mind, he said, "Seems like you don’t want to believe I came home because I wanted to."
Ellen’s curiosity got the better of her. "Do you really have to work until late at the office every day?" she asked with all seriousness.
Mason raised an eyebrow, clearly confused by her sudden interest in his work habits. "I have a lot of work, Ellen. Those tasks won’t complete themselves."
Ellen nodded, trying to find the right words. "I know. I used to work too, but your case is different. You work and work like a robot." Her voice softened to a whisper as she added, "I’m all alone and lonely."
Immediately after saying that, Ellen pinched her thigh, regretting her moment of vulnerability. Why would she tell Mason something like that? It’s not like he would care. She couldn’t show him a moment of weakness. Trying to recover, she said, "I mean, it would be good to be around people. Maybe letting me go back to work is a good choice."
Mason quickly cut her off. "No. We had an agreement."
Ellen felt a surge of frustration. "Yeah, we did, before you made me feel lonely and like I don’t have a husband." She quickly covered her mouth after saying that, shocked at her own words. Where had that come from?
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Ellen glanced at Mason, trying to read his reaction, but his face was like a blank wall. She couldn’t tell if he was angry, hurt, or just didn’t care. No telling what he was thinking.
Mason finally broke the silence. "What do you want from me, Ellen?" His tone was calm, but there was an edge to it that made Ellen’s heart race.
She was shocked to hear Mason say that. Gathering her courage, she replied, "I want you to come home early sometimes. We can spend time together, get to know each other better. It’s true we don’t love each other, but we’re husband and wife now. I don’t want us to be strangers forever."
Mason looked at her intensely, his gaze unwavering. For a moment, Ellen felt like he was seeing right through her, seeing all her fears and insecurities. She held her breath, waiting for his response.
"Fine," he said finally, his voice low but firm. "I’ll try."
She stared at him, her heart pounding. This was Mason Coldwell, the man who had been nothing but a wall of indifference since their marriage, agreeing to make an effort for their relationship. Ellen struggled to maintain her composure, her lips twitching as she tried to suppress a smile. She could feel a spark of hope igniting within her, a feeling she hadn’t dared to entertain before.
Mason’s gaze remained fixed on her, and she could tell he was waiting for her reaction. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. This was good. This was really good. Who knew? Maybe they could be friends someday. The prospect of that possibility made Ellen feel unexpectedly happy.