Read Married Before Midnight - Married Before Midnight by Sienna Quinn - Chapter 68 Online Free

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Married Before Midnight

Chapter 68: Whispers of Deception

The golden hues of the setting sun painted the Valley of Love in warm, romantic light as Olivia and Mason strolled hand in hand along the winding path. The air was thick with the scent of wildflowers, and the distant murmur of the lake’s waves against the shore provided a soothing backdrop to their quiet conversation. Olivia’s heart fluttered every time Mason’s fingers brushed against hers, his touch sending sparks of warmth through her veins. This is real, she thought, stealing a glance at his profile.

The way the sunlight caught the sharp angles of his jaw, the faint bruise still visible from the altercation—it all made him seem even more heroic in her eyes. She squeezed his hand gently. “You’re quiet,” Mason murmured, turning to her with a soft smile. Olivia laughed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m just… happy.” Mason’s smile deepened, but there was something unreadable in his eyes—something fleeting, like a shadow passing over the sun. “Me too,” he said, though the words tasted bitter on his tongue. They lingered until the last rays of daylight faded, forcing them to head back. Mason drove her home in the sleek black car, its polished exterior gleaming under the streetlights.

Olivia leaned back in the plush seat, her fingers tracing the smooth leather as she stole glances at him. “You never told me you had such a nice car,” she teased. Mason chuckled, keeping his gaze fixed on the road. “I like to keep a few surprises.” The car rolled to a stop outside the Carter family home, its grand porch bathed in the soft glow of the porch light. Mason walked her to the door, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back. Olivia turned to face him, her pulse quickening as he cupped her cheek. “I had a perfect day,” she whispered. Mason hesitated—just for a fraction of a second—before leaning in. Their lips met in a slow, tender kiss that sent Olivia’s heart soaring. When they pulled apart, she was breathless, her cheeks flushed. “Goodnight, Olivia,” Mason murmured, brushing his thumb over her bottom lip. “Goodnight,” she breathed, watching as he turned and walked back to the car.

The moment the door clicked shut behind her, Olivia was ambushed. “Oh my God!” Hannah’s voice rang out as she, Lillian, Emily, and Ava practically materialized from the hallway, their eyes wide with excitement. Olivia yelped, clutching her chest. “You scared me!” “We saw everything!” Emily squealed, bouncing on her toes. “The car, the kiss—” Lillian fanned herself dramatically. Hannah crossed her arms, smirking. “Spill. Now.” Olivia groaned, but her lips betrayed her with a grin. She let herself be dragged into the living room, where the sisters piled onto the couch, their faces alight with curiosity. “It was… perfect,” Olivia admitted, her voice dreamy. “The Valley of Love, the sunset, the way he—” “Ugh, stop, I’m going to melt,” Ava groaned, flopping onto the rug. Hannah, ever the pragmatist, narrowed her eyes. “And the car? Since when does Mason drive something that fancy?” Olivia shrugged. “He said he likes to keep surprises.” Lillian sighed dramatically. “A man with mystery. I love it.” Emily nudged her twin. “You love anything with a pulse.” The sisters dissolved into laughter, their teasing warm and affectionate. Olivia soaked it in, the joy of the day still wrapped around her like a cozy blanket. --- Meanwhile, Mason waited until the Carter house was out of sight before directing the driver to pull into a narrow, dimly lit alley. The moment the car stopped, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash, handing it to the driver. “Good work,” Mason said flatly. The driver—a middle-aged man with tired eyes—nodded, counting the bills before tucking them away. “You need me again?” Mason shook his head. “Not yet.” He stepped out of the car, watching as it drove off, the illusion of wealth disappearing with it. His shoulders slumped as he trudged toward the shabby apartment building at the end of the alley, the weight of the day pressing down on him. She believed it. All of it. The thought should have filled him with triumph. Olivia was falling for him, just as planned.

The kiss, the way she looked at him—it was all working. But then why did his chest ache? Mason clenched his jaw, forcing the feeling down. Focus. You don’t have a choice. He barely made it three steps before rough hands seized him, slamming him against the brick wall. The air rushed from his lungs as a fist connected with his stomach, pain exploding through his ribs. “Two weeks,” a gruff voice snarled in his ear. “That’s all you got left.”

Mason gasped, his vision swimming as the debt collector’s grip tightened on his collar. “I’ll have it,” he choked out. The man scoffed, shoving him away. “You better.” As the thugs disappeared into the shadows, Mason slumped against the wall, his breath ragged. The pain was a sharp reminder—there was no room for doubt, no room for guilt. Olivia Carter was his ticket out. And he couldn’t afford to fail.