The Loyal Puppet: A Love Built on Lies novel Chapter 5

"Chloe, wanna come over to my place?"

Ava's voice suddenly pulled her back to reality. 

"Huh?" Chloe blinked. 

"My ankle's still bad, and Mason said we're going to my house." 

Ava looked up at Mason with admiration. 

Chloe glanced at the rearview mirror, locking eyes with Mason. 

He said nothing. 

"Fine by me," she said flatly, dropping her gaze. 

"Yay! Thanks, Chloe!" 

Ava's excitement filled the car. 

Mason drove into Ava's driveway with ease. 

Clearly, he came here often. 

Ava pushed open the door, but before her foot even touched the ground, she let out a dramatic whimper. 

"Oww!" 

Mason was at her side in an instant. 

"Do you not know your own limits?" he scolded, though his voice was laced with fondness. 

Then, once again, he lifted her into his arms. 

"Chloe, grab the report." 

Chloe hesitated, but considering Mason had just stood up for her earlier, she sighed and closed the car door. 

Might as well go along with it. 

Ava nestled against Mason's shoulder, laughing shamelessly. 

For the second time today. 

Chloe's heart clenched, but she forced herself to stay indifferent. 

"Chloe, can you punch in the code for us?" 

Ava's sweet voice rang out again. 

"723908… Mason's and my birthday. Easy to remember." 

Chloe stiffened and looked at Mason. 

He held Ava in his arms, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. 

His expression was unreadable. 

Chloe reached out and unlocked the door. 

"Welcome to our home," Ava said cheerfully, putting extra emphasis on "our." 

Chloe pretended not to care. 

"Mason, your shoes..." 

Ava sat at the entrance, handing him a pair of house slippers. 

Then, she turned to Chloe with a sheepish smile. 

"Sorry, we don't have extra slippers. Here, shoe covers will have to do." 

Chloe took them lazily and slipped them on without a word. 

"I want sweet and sour chicken. There's some in the fridge." 

Ava pouted at Mason. 

He was about to get up, but Chloe stood first. 

"I'll cook." 

She just needed an excuse to get away from them. 

As she walked past, her eyes landed on a photo wall filled with pictures of Mason and Ava. 

She turned away and headed for the kitchen. 

Sweet and sour chicken… 

Mason's expression darkened, as if personally offended.

"Chloe, how the hell do you cut yourself making chicken? Are you stupid?" 

Chloe, already frustrated, sighed.

"Sorry, I guess no chicken tonight." 

Ignoring her bleeding hand, she turned to leave. 

Mason grabbed her again.

Their eyes met—his gaze unreadable, his grip firm. 

They stood there for a few seconds, locked in silent tension. 

"Chloe, does it hurt?"

Ava piped up from the side, her voice dripping with fake concern. 

"I'm gonna grab some bandages," she added, limping toward the medicine cabinet. 

Mason glanced at Chloe's still-bleeding hand, then brushed past Ava, slipping an arm around Chloe's shoulders. 

"We're going to the hospital," he repeated, this time with even more determination. 

As soon as they got in the car, Ava hobbled over, knocking on the window.

"Let me come too! I'm worried about her." 

Mason didn't argue.

He let her in. 

The entire drive was tense.

No one spoke. 

Mason drove fast.

Chloe's phone kept buzzing in her pocket. 

She clenched her fist, irritated.