26 HARD CONDITIONS


    ARIEL’S POV


    Mason stepped foot inside the hospital room, his hands deep in his pockets. He was wearing a leather


    jacket, and the smile he gave me was clearly fake.


    What the hell was he doing here anyway? He was thest person I expected to see.


    “You’re still alive!” Mason smirked. “That’s nice. I don’t know how this n is going to work out without


    you.”


    “I literally went through hell earlier today. Can you please give me a break?”


    Heughed. “Breaks are for babies.”


    I shook my head and let out a weary sigh. “I’m being serious here.”


    “And do I look like I’m joking?” He raised an eyebrow, and I turned my face away. “How was your


    elevator experience?”


    I gave him a quizzical look. “Why are you asking me that?”


    “I just want to know if you and Luke did–you know, the whole rtionship stuff.”


    I stared at him for a few seconds, then replied, “No, we didn’t.”


    “Are you sure about that?”


    “Why would I lie to you?”


    Mason chuckled softly. “You have thousands of reasons to lie to me.” He moved closer to the bed. “I


    know you hate me and that you don’t want to follow this n of mine. But what can


    you do?” He shrugged. “You have no choice.”


    “You are the most heartless person I’ve ever seen,” I told Mason, my tone cold.


    “Oh really? Heughed again. “What about your ex–husband? Oh, sorry, your husband–to- be?” He


    had a mocking grin. “I mean, he did a lot of terrible things to you, right?”


    “Yes, but at least he’s better than you. He tried to save my life today.”


    “He did?” Mason’s eyes widened.


    I remained silent, choosing not to tell him anything about what happened between me and Luke in the


    elevator.


    He nodded slowly. “I can see the chemistry developing. Just what I wanted. But we still need to act fast.


    I want to see Lukepletely ruined as soon as possible.”


    “In what way did he offend you that you’re going through all these measures?” I inquired.


    “You’ll find out as time goes by. But for now, just do as I say without any questions. You have three


    days to get Luke to marry you.”


    “Three days?” I eximed. I couldn’t believe what he was telling me.


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    “You’re right, three days is too much. Two days.”


    “No, no, no,” I said, getting up from the bed. “How do you expect me to get Luke to marry me within


    three days?”


    “Two days, to be precise,” Mason whispered.


    “Even ten days is too little. Do you even have any idea what we’re talking about here? That man hates


    me so much. There’s no way he’s ever going to marry me.”


    “And yet he tried to save your life in the elevator.”


    DEMANTOL


    I couldn’t help but sigh. “Oh, please, he could have done that to anyone else.”


    “That is none of my business. Just do as I say, alright? You don’t want to lose these two little adorable


    children of yours.


    Great, he had to bring my kids into this conversation again. I was really annoyed by this. But what


    could I do? Absolutely nothing. If I tried to act smart, he might just kill my little babies, and trust me, I


    didn’t want to sign up for that.


    “So, don’t act stupid. And think about it: this is a chance for you to avenge Luke for the things he did to


    you. I’m just going to be helping you.”


    “If you’re going to help me, then you won’t be threatening to murder my children.”


    “Sorry, miss, but you can’t tell me what to do. I’m the one who calls the shots around here. And once I


    make a decision, it’s final. You have no choice but to follow it if you don’t want to face the


    consequences.”


    Mason walked to the door and turned around with a stic smile. “Have a nice day, and remember, you


    have two days.” He left after that.


    I sat down on the bed, covering my face, thinking about how I was going to handle this one. He told me


    to get married to Luke, and I should do that in two days. Like, how in the world is that even possible?


    How am I going to convince Luke to marry me?


    This one was really tough, and I knew Mason pretty well. He wasn’t going to change his words. at all. It


    was my fault anyway. If I hadn’t made those ns with him in the first ce, none of this would have


    happened. I thirsted for vengeance, and now look at what it had brought upon


    1. me.


    LUKE’S POV


    I arrived home, only to be weed by my grandfather. He was standing outside, having a chat with


    one of his friends. They seemed to be having a great time.


    “Luke!” My grandfather eximed the moment he saw me. “You’re finally home.”


    I approached the two of them, wondering why they were at my house. This wasn’t a normal visit; it had


    a specific purpose because my grandfather barely paid me a visit.


    “Tim, meet my grandson Luke,” he introduced me to his friend, gesturing his hand towards


    1. me.


    I promptly shook hands with Tim, a smile on my face. “It’s nice meeting you, sir.”


    “It’s nice meeting you


    too.” Tim smiled back. He turned to my grandfather. “I don’t know, but I just love this grandson of


    yours.”


    “That’s right,” I chimed in. “Everybody loves me.” I joked, and the three of us burst intoughter.


    “Yes, everybody loves him,” my grandfather continued the mirth as we keptughing.


    “So, Luke, we came here to see you for a reason,” my grandfather said.


    Exactly! Just as I thought.


    “And what’s that?” I asked.


    “Luke, don’t you think it’s high time you got yourself a wife?” My grandfather ced his hand on my


    shoulder.


    “A wife?” I blurted out.


    “Yes, a wife. Don’t you want to get married?”


    “Yes, I…” I paused for a moment, thinking about Harriet. “I do want to get married.”


    “So what are you waiting for? Haven’t you found the perfect woman yet?” Tim asked.


    I justughed at his words. There was no way I was going to tell them that Harriet was the one I


    nned on spending the rest of my life with My grandfather was definitely not going to ept that


    rtionship. I really wanted him to change his mind, but I was afraid that he would be filled with nothing


    but rage if I told him that Harriet and I were still a couple.


    “Look, Lake,” my grandfather said softly before coughing. “I’ve grown so old, and I know myst day in


    this world is getting closer.”


    “Don’t say that, grandpa.”


    “Please, Luke, let’s just face the truth.” He coughed for the second time. “Death cane and take me


    anytime. But before that happens, I want to see


    my grandson start a family. Yes, Luke,


    I want to see you with a wife. That would make me really, really happy.


    Should I tell him about Harriet? I didn’t think so.


    He continued, “Ariel was a perfect option back then, but you two had to separate. But it seems like


    destiny has brought her back.”


    I gave him a skeptical look. “Hold on a minute, what are you trying to say?”


    He coughed again. “I would be really happy if the two of you got back together.”