Billionaire’s Unlikely Bride - Chapter 27: Chapter 27

"You're the one who's being delusional, fantasizing about someone else's husband," I replied nervelessly. "If you've come here to make trouble, I'd advise you to leave, this isn't the time or place for your drama. Leave before I get mad."
Candice stepped forward, her eyes blazing.
"You've got some nerve, speaking to me in that manner." She hissed. "I've been with Mason for years. Do you think he'd choose you over me? You have no idea just how crazy he is over me."
“Crazy… he’d have to have been crazy to be with you,” I scoffed, unable to keep the smirk off my face as I looked at her face contorting more and more.
“This is some sort of joke-”
"This isn’t a joke, Candice. I'll warn you for the last time, leave this place now. Accept the fact that you're not needed here." I tried to keep my voice steady, even though my hands itched to slap that smug look off her face.
Candice shoved past me, storming toward the waiting room like a maniac. "I'll show you who's unwanted here. Just wait until he comes running into my arms." She bragged. "Mason! Mason!" She yelled, like some kind of lunatic.
That's it, I've had enough. I grabbed her by the arm and yanked her back, sending her sprawling to the floor.
"I warned you, Mason doesn’t need this. I told you not to upset me," I growled. "I don't have the strength to deal with your drama, leave now."
"You bitch!" She screamed, scrambling to her feet. She raised her hand to slap me, but I caught it and pushed her away from me. I gave her a resounding slap when she charged at me. Maybe that'll reset her damaged brain.
Before she had the chance to speak, Mason’s voice interrupted us.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Mason demanded, his voice strained.
Candice spun around, her face lighting up with false tears.
"Mason, baby!" She cried, running toward him. "She pushed me! I came here to see you, but these people wouldn't let me in, and... and then she slapped me!"
Mason's expression darkened as he pushed her away from him. "Get your hands off me. You haven’t answered my question, what are you doing here?"
Candice’s face fell, her crocodile tears drying up in an instant. "Baby, I know I should have gotten here sooner, but there was so much work and I didn't have time. But I'm here now." She pouted. "I planned to make this a surprise, but I heard your dad was rushed to the hospital, that's why I'm here. I just wanted to---"
"You shouldn’t have come," Mason said coldly. "You're not needed here."
“Of course I am! My fiance’s father is in the hospital, fighting for his life! Where else should I be?” Candice replied, her voice becoming shrill. She took Mason’s arm, her eyes pleading with him even as confusion covered her face. “I don’t know what is going on, but I’m here for you, Mason.”
Candice looked pathetic as she tried to look like the supportive, doting fiancee. I almost laughed, but I held myself back.
“We’re done here, Candice,” Mason said, his voice sounding cold and threatening. “Leave before I get security.”
"But... but... we're getting married! You proposed to me---"
"That was before you slept with my cousin," Mason cut her off, his voice filled with disgust.
Candice’s face went white. "That's not true! Whoever told you that must have lied to you." She stammered. "I would never---"
"I saw the pictures," Mason said, his voice harsh. "And then Justin sent a video to me as well. So don’t even try to deny it."
Candice’s mouth opened and closed, her lies dying on her tongue. "Mason, please," she whispered. "I was drunk. I didn’t know what I was doing. He took advantage of me---"
"Get out, Candice," Mason said, his voice low. "I said leave!"
Candice flinched at his tone. I couldn’t help it anymore and chuckled at the sight before me. She hesitated, her eyes flicking between us. But when Mason didn’t budge, she turned to me, her face masked with fury.
"What's so funny to you? Don't think you've won," she hissed. "Mason will come back to me, you'll see."
With that, she stormed out, the nurses at the front desk laughed as she left in shame.
I walked over to Mason, who was standing still, staring after Candice with a mixture of anger and exhaustion. I hesitated for a moment before reaching out to him and taking his hand in mine.
"Are you okay?" I asked softly.
He nodded, though I could see the strain on his face.
"I just want this night to be over, it's becoming a nightmare," he muttered, pulling me in for a hug. He held onto me tightly, as if I was the only thing keeping him together. “Thank you.”
I frowned, confused.
“For what?”
“For being here. For looking after Julie… for Candice.”
I smiled and stood on my toes to reach his lips. I gave him a quick kiss and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him down so his head rested on my shoulder.
“I’ll be here anytime you need me, Mason. You’re my husband.”
Mason’s arms tightened even more around my waist and I felt him beginning to relax.
“I like the sound of that,” he murmured, sounding even more tired.
“Julie’s my friend – well, she’s my sister now I guess. And Candice?” I pulled away and looked into his eyes. “Well, that was just fun for me.”
Mason chuckled.
“I’m glad you’re on my side, I wouldn’t want you mad at me,” he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
I led Mason back to where his family waited. Despite everything I had said, I felt so helpless.