The Loyal Puppet: A Love Built on Lies novel Chapter 6

Mason slammed on the brakes so hard that Ava, sitting in the backseat, let out a sob.

"It's all my fault!"

"If I hadn't wanted sweet and sour chicken, Chloe wouldn't have gotten hurt!" 

"Mason, it's on you! If you had just cooked, she wouldn't be injured."

"She's hurt because of me—I'm the worst!" 

She even hit her own leg in frustration. 

Mason's eyes flickered with emotion, but Chloe remained silent. 

"If it weren't for my injured leg, none of this would've happened."

"I swear, I didn't mean to get hurt." 

Mason finally said something to comfort her. 

Then suddenly— 

"Aaah! Someone—!"

Ava shrieked. 

Mason snapped out of his thoughts just in time to slam on the brakes, barely stopping before running a red light. 

Chloe lurched forward, slamming into the dashboard. Her head buzzed. 

Mason's face darkened as realization dawned on him. 

"Chloe, if you didn't want to make chicken, you could've just said so."

"Was this really necessary? Was it fun for you?" 

His voice was thick with anger and disgust. 

"The hospital is right there. Get out." 

Chloe stepped out of the car, her bloodstained sneakers hitting the pavement. 

A second later, Mason floored the gas. 

He didn't even look back. 

Chloe watched as his car disappeared down the road.

She lowered her head, remembering the night he left her alone in the dark. 

At least this time, the hospital was within walking distance. 

She pulled out a tissue, wiping the blood off her hand. 

Her phone kept vibrating nonstop.

Annoyed, she answered it. 

A mocking voice sneered through the speaker.

"Took you long enough. Transfer $10,000 right now." 

"The international summer program at your brother's school costs $10K."

Chloe glanced at the screen.

It was Mason's number. 

"I was worried about you," Ava said sweetly.

"I begged Mason to check on you, but he wouldn't call, so I used his phone." 

Chloe knew exactly what was going on. 

She must have put the call on speaker. 

A perfect move—seemingly kind, yet making a statement. 

And Mason allowed it. 

Then his deep voice came through. 

"Chloe, apologize to Ava Mitchell." 

He called her by her full name. 

But Ava? Just "Ava Mitchell." 

Chloe let out a bitter laugh.

A fresh wave of pain spread through her chest. 

She exhaled slowly and shoved her phone back into her pocket. 

Screw this.