The Loyal Puppet: A Love Built on Lies novel Chapter 12

"This has been edited. It's fake," Lucas immediately objected.

The recording played Chloe's voice—soft, seductive—allegedly tempting Dr. Collins.

"Did you mess with this?"

Chloe grabbed Ava by the collar, eyes blazing.

"Chloe, I swear, I didn't touch it!"

"I just found it and brought it straight to you!"

Ava's eyes welled up with tears.

She shot Mason a pleading look.

Chloe thought back—she had left in a rush yesterday, and when she returned, the recorder was gone.

Ava must have found it... and tampered with it.

Mason, expressionless, stomped on the recorder.

"Chloe's been with me for five years."

"I know exactly how she sounds."

"She's been eating filet mignon for years—you really think she'd go for canned spam?"

His gaze flicked over to Lucas.

Mason was an asshole, but even for him, that was low.

Chloe felt a wave of humiliation.

She grabbed her bag and turned to leave.

Mason caught her wrist.

"Chloe, don't be so damn stubborn—"

Mid-sentence, she turned to face him, tears clinging to her lashes.

His lips parted slightly, stunned.

Chloe never cried in front of him.

She was always bright, like a ray of sunshine, never bringing him any negativity.

Crying? Out of the question.

Seeing her like this hit him like a punch to the gut.

The anger on his face dissipated instantly.

He pulled her aside into the hallway.

"Who did this to you? Why didn't you tell me?"

His voice softened, unable to meet her eyes.

"Mason, you don't have to do this. We're over," Chloe whispered.

A fresh wave of anger surged in Mason.

He clenched his fists, barely holding himself back.

"We have nothing to do with each other anymore."

"You can't keep protecting me."

She frowned. What the hell was he getting at?

"Why the Peace Corps? When did you decide this?"

"How long are you planning to be gone?"

Chloe stiffened.

How did he know?

Before she could answer, Mason lifted his phone and said coldly, "Think carefully before you speak. You know what happens if you lie to me."

A car horn blared, breaking the tension.

Chloe gently pushed his hand off the car door, gave him a small smile, and shut the door.

In the rearview mirror, she watched Mason stand there, unmoving, staring after her until she disappeared into the city lights.

Back home, Chloe was exhausted.

She sat at her desk, staring at the framed photo of her father, silent tears slipping down her cheeks.

The man who had once protected her from everything was gone.

No one would ever shield her like that again.

Once, she thought Mason could be that safe harbor.

But after being burned over and over again, she had given up.

He was never hers to begin with.

He was an illusion—one that hurt like hell when it shattered.