The Loyal Puppet: A Love Built on Lies novel Chapter 9

They spoke at the same time. 

Mason paused.

"End this? What the hell does that mean?" 

"It means we're done."

"If you ever considered me your girlfriend, then I'm breaking up with you." 

"If you never did, even better."

"Just think of it as losing a hookup." 

"It was just sex, Mason. Don't take it so seriously." 

Mason let out a cold laugh.

"Damn, Chloe. Got your exit strategy all figured out, huh?" 

Chloe hung up. 

Ava peeked over his shoulder, tilting her head.

"Mason? What's wrong?" 

Mason stared at his phone, his expression dark and dangerous. 

Then, without warning, he stormed into the bathroom— 

And threw his phone into the toilet. 

Flushed it. 

Ava yelped in shock. 

Mason grabbed his keys and slammed his foot on the gas, racing home. 

At the building entrance, he ran into the night guard. 

"Mr. Mason, Miss Chloe left earlier, dragging a suitcase. Business trip?" 

Mason's brows knitted together, unease twisting in his gut. 

Without a word, he turned on his heel and left. 

As if afraid to confirm what he already knew. 

A slow smirk curled on his lips. 

"Chloe, look at you. Finally grew a spine, huh?"

"Fine."

"You walk away—don't ever fucking come back." 

It didn't take long for the news to spread. 

Mason had dumped Chloe after five years and was now spoiling his new girl, Ava—a five-foot-two goddess straight out of a dream. 

Unlike Chloe, Ava was someone Mason cherished. 

He practically worshiped her. 

Someone once mentioned that Ava looked a lot like Chloe when she wore a ponytail. 

Mason overheard it and kicked the guy so hard he ended up in the hospital. 

After that, no one dared to bring up Chloe in front of him again. 

No one really understood where all his random bursts of anger came from. 

That night, Mason came home from a business dinner, slightly buzzed.

He leaned back on the couch, eyes closed. 

Ava tiptoed over and gently covered him with a blanket. 

His shirt collar was slightly undone, exuding that effortless bad-boy charm. 

Ava couldn't help herself.

She pulled out her phone, leaned in close, and pressed a quick kiss against his lips, the scent of whiskey lingering in the air. 

Mason's eyes slowly opened, locking onto Ava's flushed, giddy face. 

"You just steal a kiss from me?" 

Ava blushed and looked down. 

Mason pulled her into his arms, pressing her against his chest.

Then, without warning, he kissed her forehead—hard. 

His disgusting words made her stomach turn. 

"I'm a doctor. I belong where I'm needed." 

Collins squinted, his grin sleazy.

"Spare me the holier-than-thou act."

"You were someone's sugar baby."

"What's the difference?"

"Go off to a war zone, and you'll just bring back some disease, draining our healthcare system." 

"I wasn't a sugar baby!"

"It was a real relationship—whether you believe it or not." 

He scoffed.

"Oh, please. I don't care."

"Since Mason's done with you and you're crawling to me now, you better act like it." 

"No more acting high and mighty."

"You don't have your rich boyfriend to back you up anymore." 

He reached out, grabbing her shoulder, fingers digging into her skin. 

Chloe slapped his hand away.

"You're disgusting. I'm reporting you to the hospital board." 

She turned to leave, but Collins yanked her back by the hair, shoving her against the wall. 

His voice dropped, laced with perverse amusement.

"You're just a used-up toy."

"If you want that report, get on your knees and beg for it—just like you did for Mason." 

Chloe struggled, her head pinned, and then— 

The sound of a belt unbuckling.