<b>Chapter </b><b>93 </b>


    Mason


    I watched as Zoe walked towards Lydia. She stood in front of her for a while. As I watched both of them speak, I was reminded of the good times. Zoe had always loved Lydia and called her her big sister.


    Before the incident that happened, they were inseparable.


    Zoe was the happiest to hear that Lydia was alive. She had called and spoken with so much excitement. Although she would not admit it, I knew Lydia was the reason she came back.


    Daniel told me about Zoe meeting Lydia, and while I <b>was </b>unaware of what they spoke about, I had suspected that it had something to do with Lydia’s breakdown, but seeing them together right now, all my worries seem totally unfounded.


    “Can we go for a dance?” Julia asked. “I really want to dance with you.” Her voice was soft.


    I decided not to think about Lydia or what she would think if she saw me dancing with Julia. I led Julia to the dance floor, ced one hand on her waist, and her hand was on my shoulder,


    We sway our bodies slowly to the rhythm of the song..


    *I’m sorry I invited your ex–wife.” She apologised.


    “It’s fine,” <b>I </b><b>said</b>. What’s done is done. It was useless arguing over it.


    “I truly didn’t know she was your ex–wife.” I nodded at her words, I removed my hands from her waist, and <b>she </b>extended her hand to the side, temporarily separating us.


    From the corner of my eye, I saw Zoe leading Lydia <b>away </b>through a back door.


    Julia was back in my arms.


    “Like I said, it’s truly fine,” I repeated. “It doesn’t change anything,” I added hoping she doesn’t sense the lie in my voice<b>. </b><b>She </b>just doesn’t have to know <b>how </b>I truly feel about Lydia or the fact that I desperately wish Lydia were the one here instead of her.


    When I saw my mom heading towards the direction Zoe had taken Lydia to, I knew I had to leave.


    Mom doesn’t like Lydia, and I was scared she would say something that would hurt Lydia’s feelings.


    “Julia, can we take a break for <b>a </b>while? I want to go make an important call.”


    “Sure. I’ll just dance with my dad before you return.” Her dad came as if on cue.


    I felt sorry for lying to her. Lydia was outside the door when I got there. Without thinking, I pulled her hand and led her <b>away</b>.


    No matter what she says, her body yearns for me. It’s evident in the way she arched her body to me as if to fill her needs and


    desires.


    I watched her leave, fighting every thought of going after her. This hallway may be secluded, but one could never be too careful.


    I passed my hand over my hair and ced one hand on my waist. “Fuck!” I chanted under my breath, knowing fully well that I had just made the biggest mistake of my life by getting engaged to Julia.


    <b>??? </b>


    Julia wasn’t in the hall when I returned. I downed my first ss of alcohol that night. It burnt my throat as it went down.


    My friends have not been able to make it, but they had called to congratte me earlier. I looked at the entrance wondering where Lydia could be. Why was she missing at the same time as Julia?


    I didn’t get to dwell too much on the thought when I felt a presence behind me. I turned at the same time the person came to stand in front of me.


    “Congrattions once again on your engagement.” I gritted my teeth, feeling a surge of anger rip through me


    I didn’t reply to him. Beaming at <b>a </b>waiter, I took another ss of wine from his tray. Why isn’t Lydia back yet?


    When my gaze returned to Marcus, I was suddenly grateful that she wasn’t back, at least she wasn’t with him.


    “I do hope you have a happy married life.” He said, “And you’d stop trying to sneak Lydia out. You should finally focus on your soon- to be wife.” His tone was spiteful. But he didn’t get to tell me what to do.


    “What I do or have with Lydia is none of your business.” Unable to hide my hatred for him, my words were full of venom.


    “You know that’s wrong. Lydia is my entire business.” He twirled the ss in his hand, “Take care of your woman, we don’t know how she’d react if she finds out what you do behind closed doors.”


    “Are you threatening me?” Was he seriously trying to ckmail me into leaving Lydia? Well, that ain’t gonna work.


    “It’s more of a warning.” He raised a brow and smiled, raising his ss. “I don’t know what I’ll do with all the photos I have if you keep showing up around Lydia.” He said.


    I smirked watching him buff. He won’t do shit, not because he can’t, but because he cares for Lydia. Whatever he does now will hurt Lydia. He knows that, too.


    When Julia returned, she was quiet for the rest of the evening. She kept holding onto me as she did<b>, </b>but refused to dance with me. I knew she was sucking and could vaguely guess why she acted this way.


    For the rest of the party, I tried to keep my <b>eyes </b>off Lydia. It hurt like crazy when Marcus danced with her<b>. </b>He could hold her in public and whisper things that made herugh, while I couldn’t.


    My mom had arranged for an after–party, which was held in the same venue, but the tone of music and everything had changed.


    I couldn’t stay any longer, not when Lydia just left with Marcus<b>. </b>I wasn’t informed about the after–party. When I decided to <b>leave</b>, Julia decided toe with me.


    “You don’t need to. You can enjoy the party. I’lle pick you upter.” I said, but she shook her head. Her heels clicked sharply on the floor. She tried to link our hands together, but I moved my hand away. We were away from the crowd, and there was no need to pretend or put on a show


    We walked through the underground parking lot, which was lit by white light.


    There were rows of different cars on each side. We walked in the middle. Her clicking stopped. I paused and turned to see <b>Julia </b>standing behind me.


    “What’s wrong?” I asked. She bit her lower lip.


    I walked back to her and examined her, afraid something might have happened to our baby. But she had no sign of difort or pain on her face.


    <b>11:08 </b>Sat, 2 Aug


    “What are you doing? Why are we stopping?” There was nothing wrong with her.


    “When were you going to tell me?” Immediately, I know what this was about, “Did you even n to tell me that she was your ex- wife? Your past?”


    My past?


    I hated the way that sounded in my ear. Lydia was not my past. If she were a past, then how do I exin this throbbing feeling I felt


    whenever she <b>was </b>close to me?


    “You never asked.” My reply <b>came </b>out slowly, and I took a step back.


    “What?” She raised a brow, a look of surprise <b>taking </b>over my face. “I didn’t need to ask. We are engaged, and we’ve been dating for five years, and you didn’t think it was necessary to tell me that she is your ex–wife?”


    “You knew I was a divorcee.” Why is she trying to frame it as if she had no idea I was previously married?


    “But I didn’t know it was Alissa. If I had known, I would have…” She stopped. “You’ve been seeing her a lot, you don’t even act strange around her. Your ex–wife at your engagement party, does that even make sense? How do I know that you won’t leave me for her?”


    She broke down, clutching her stomach, “What if someday you abandon your child for her? What will I do? How do I raise our son alone?”


    “You don’t have to worry about that,” I took a step close to her and another, “such a day would nevere.” Wrapping my hand around her, I ced my chin on the top of her head.


    Her hand went around my waist. That was when I <b>saw </b>Marcus leading Lydia into his car. I thought they had left?


    Our eyes met briefly before she got into the car. She smiled at me, and I felt my heart stop.


    How could <b>one </b>smile from her <b>do </b>so much to me, especially when I had another woman wrapped around my hands?