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Married Before Midnight - Married Before Midnight by Sienna Quinn - Chapter 69
Author: Novels Audio
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Married Before Midnight
Chapter 69: The Weight of Deception
Mason Lee clutched his aching ribs as he stumbled up the narrow, creaking staircase to his attic apartment. The debt collectors hadn’t held back—their fists had been as unforgiving as their threats. "Two weeks, Lee. Or we take more than just your dignity." The words echoed in his skull, louder than the pounding of his own heartbeat. He shoved open the door, the hinges groaning in protest, and collapsed onto the threadbare couch. The room smelled of stale beer and desperation—empty bottles littered the floor, and unpaid bills were stacked like a monument to his failures. A single dim bulb flickered overhead, casting long shadows over the peeling wallpaper.
His gaze landed on the photograph tucked into the edge of the cracked mirror—Olivia, smiling at him from their day at the Valley of Love. Guilt twisted in his gut, sharper than the bruises on his ribs. She trusts me. And why wouldn’t she? He’d played the part perfectly—the charming, attentive suitor, the man who listened to her dreams, who made her laugh, who kissed her like she was the only woman in the world. But she wasn’t. She was a means to an end. A knock at the door startled him. "Lee, open up. I know you’re in there." Mason recognized the voice—Vince, his so-called "business partner" and the man who had introduced him to the wrong side of luck. With a groan, Mason dragged himself up and unlocked the door. Vince strode in, his expensive suit a stark contrast to the squalor of the apartment. "You look like hell," Vince remarked, smirking as he kicked aside an empty bottle. "Thanks. I feel worse." Vince’s smirk faded. "You got the girl wrapped around your finger yet?" Mason hesitated. "Yeah. She’s… she’s falling for it." "Good. Because time’s up, Lee. The boys aren’t playing around anymore. You either get that money, or you disappear—permanently."
Mason swallowed hard. "I know." Vince leaned in, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Then stop feeling sorry for yourself. Propose. Marry her. Get the cash. Or do I need to remind you what happens if you don’t?" Mason’s jaw clenched. "I don’t need a reminder." Vince straightened, adjusting his cufflinks. "Two weeks. No more delays." The door slammed shut behind him, leaving Mason alone with his thoughts—and the photograph of Olivia. He picked it up, tracing the curve of her smile with his thumb. I could love her. The thought hit him like a punch to the gut. But love wouldn’t save him. Only money would.
Meanwhile, at Sweet Beginnings… Olivia hummed as she kneaded dough, her mind still replaying the day with Mason—the way he’d held her hand, the way his laughter had warmed her more than the afternoon sun. "You’re glowing," Hannah remarked, leaning against the counter with a knowing smirk. Olivia grinned. "It was a perfect day." Charlotte, perched on a stool, twirled a lock of hair around her finger. "So when’s the proposal?" Olivia rolled her eyes. "We’ve only been dating a few weeks!" "Please," Lillian chimed in, exchanging a glance with Emily. "You’ve been smitten since day one." Ava, quieter than the others, studied Olivia with a thoughtful expression. "Just… be careful, okay?" Olivia frowned. "What’s that supposed to mean?" Ava shrugged. "Nothing. Just… not everyone is who they seem." Hannah scoffed. "Ava, don’t be dramatic. Mason’s great." Olivia’s smile faltered for just a second before she forced it back. "He is great." But Ava’s words lingered in the air, an unspoken warning.
Later That Night Mason sat at the rickety table, a cheap ring box in front of him. The diamond was small, fake—just another prop in his performance. He snapped the box shut. Two weeks. Two weeks to convince Olivia to marry him. Two weeks to betray the only person who had ever looked at him like he was worth something. He poured himself a drink, the burn of whiskey doing nothing to numb the guilt. Because the worst part wasn’t the lie. It was the fact that, somewhere along the way, the lie had started feeling like the truth.