Chapter 3

"Chloe, we're not kids. You know damn well whether you were forced or not."

"The wedding is off."

Tyler strolled out of the room, his jacket slung over one shoulder, wearing a sleazy grin.

"Come on, man. If you're that mad, go hook up with some chick to even the score."

"Oh wait, you're a disgraced racer. People still call you a murderer. I doubt anyone would touch you with a ten-foot pole."

"You've got a gorgeous girl willing to stick by you, and you're complaining?"

I balled my fists, glaring at Tyler with utter disgust.

"You like her so much? Keep her. I don't touch community property."

I spun on my heel and walked away.

Chloe frantically threw on her clothes and came stumbling after me, throwing her arms around my leg.

Her hair was a messy nest, sticking to her tear-streaked face.

Sam, my partner from the ambulance, walked past with an amused grin. "Look at you, racer boy. Already got a fan throwing herself at you?"

I stared down at Chloe with cold indifference. "Just a shameless stranger. Never met her in my life."

She clutched my leg tighter, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Mason, don't do this to me! I don't care about the money anymore! We can move the wedding up! I'll marry you tomorrow! I'll be good, I swear. Just don't leave me, please!"

Marriage was supposed to be built on mutual love and devotion.

Now, it had become Chloe's desperate bargaining chip.

The wedding I had busted my ass for, dreaming about it every sleepless night, was now being offered as a pathetic band-aid.

How pathetic.

Tyler stood a few feet away, laughing as he pulled out his phone to snap pictures. His fingers flew across the screen.

"Just posted your upcoming wedding date on Ins! Lots of fans are waiting for your comeback, Mason. Such a huge milestone deserves an audience!"

Chloe looked up at me with pleading eyes.

I stopped pulling away. Instead, I grabbed her hand and put on my gentlest voice.

"Fine. Since you did it for me, and Tyler announced it, I'll pretend today never happened."

"But this is your final strike. If it happens again, we're done."

Chloe clung to those words like a lifeline, nodding frantically.

"Yes! I swear! Never again!"

"I know you suffered for me," I whispered softly. "Go home, get some rest, and get ready for the wedding. On that day, I promise you’ll be the most famous bride in the world."

Thinking she was forgiven, Chloe wrapped her arms around my neck, planting kisses all over my face.

"I knew you wouldn't give up on me!"

The corners of my mouth curled into a faint smile.

Too bad her fantasy was about to turn into a nightmare.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through the flood of comments on Ins. As expected, they were tearing me apart.

A wedding?! What a gorgeous girl. Must be blind to marry this scumbag...

Bet Mason threatened her into it. A murderer is capable of anything.

Wait, didn't the victim's family clarify years ago that it was just an accident? Why are you guys still spreading lies?

Scrolling further down, it was obvious Tyler had unleashed his paid bots.

Let them bark. The louder they got, the harder Tyler would fall.

Seeing my blank expression, Tyler sneered smugly.

"Mason, no matter how fast you drive, you're still a loser. I can drown you in dirt with a single post. You're nothing!"