The Billionaire Who Saved Me - Chapter 63: Chapter 63

Three months of training had given me a bit of an eye for these things. This bracelet was completely clear, with no flaws at all—top-grade emerald, the kind you can't even buy if you have the money. Calling it priceless wouldn't be an overstatement.
"Delilah, I really can't take this bracelet. Please keep it," I said, hurrying to slide it off my wrist and push it back to her. I was firm in my refusal.
Delilah sighed, "Mase's grandfather bought this when he was still alive. He told me to keep it on my wrist and give it to Mase's wife as a wedding gift someday. So this is from Mase's grandfather, Kate. You have to take it."
I was stunned. There was no way to say no to that. I had nothing to say, so I put it back on.
"Hmm, it looks lovely. Being young is wonderful," Delilah said and then stood up. "I'll head out. Have family dinner downstairs later."
"Okay, Delilah. Take your time. We'll be down soon," I said.
"Mase, spend more time with Kate. Give me a great-grandchild soon," Delilah said.
"Oh, Delilah," I said, hugging her arm and acting a little playful.
Delilah patted my hand, smiling, and left. Once the door was closed again, I picked up the contract from the table and held it out to Mason. "Here, take this back."
"What do you mean?" he asked.
I tried to look like I didn't care. "It's your family's money. I can't take it."
"Okay," Mason said, taking it without arguing.
I hadn't hesitated when I handed it over, but I felt a little let down that he actually took it back?
"Regretting it?" Mason asked.
"Of course, not. If it's not mine, I don't want it," I said, shaking off the feeling. I told myself not to get swept up by wealth. I needed to remember why I was here.
"I really don't get you. You're so money-obsessed, but you're pushing away this great fortune. Do you know how much this contract is worth?" Mason said, waving the folder.
"Lots and lots. More than I could make in a lifetime, no, several lifetimes."
"Then why not take it?" he asked, confused. "If this were Richard or Joey, they'd be grinning from ear to ear."
Mason grew up in a wealthy family. He'd seen siblings fight over money since he was little—nasty, bitter fights. And it wasn't just the Knight family. The neighbors and friends around him? Their families were pretty much the same.
So he couldn't make sense of someone like me.
I said, "Money's just something you need enough of to get by. If you care too much about it, you'll lose a lot of other things. Life's about being happy, not chasing money."
He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Easy to say. How many people actually think that way?"
"Why does it matter what others do? If you're happy, can someone steal that from you?"
"Fair point," Mason said, giving me a thumbs-up. It was the first time he'd ever agreed with something I'd said.
He added, "You're that high-minded? Then you won't need the dividends either. I'll take care of all the money for you. We'll both be happy that way."
I protested, "Mason, I totally disagree!"
I wanted to cry. It felt like I'd lifted a rock only to drop it on my own foot. No wonder he'd changed his tune so easily. He'd been waiting to spring this on me.
What an evil capitalist. He'd at least give me pocket money, right?
Mason kept grinning, watching my changing face. When he thought the time was right, he said, "I'm kidding. But just because you think that way doesn't mean everyone else does. Better not use your kindness as a yardstick for everyone else."
He asked, "You were wondering how I always know what you're thinking, right?"
"Yeah." I'd asked him that last night. He'd said he'd tell me in the morning, but I'd slept in and forgotten all about it when I woke up.
"Because you're terrible at pretending. Everything's written all over your face. It's easy to read."
"That's only with you. I'm not like that with other people," I shot back.
He didn't agree or disagree. "So you trust me that much? No guard up at all?"
"One hundred percent. Why would I need to guard myself against you?" I said, confused.
Mason dropped the subject and moved on. "You've got to keep your spirits up at the dinner later. Who knows what might be waiting for you?"
"Alright, I'll do what Delilah said—put up with that woman. It's getting late. Let's head down."
He seemed about to say something more but only managed one word. "Okay."
When we got back to the living room, it was quiet. No one was there.
"Why's there no one here?" I asked.
"They'll all be down soon. We have meals at a fixed time," Mason replied.
"I see."
Sure enough, it wasn't long before Martin helped Helen down the stairs with Richard and Joey trailing behind them in a little group.
Martin had been chatting and laughing, but when he saw us, his face immediately fell.
No need to guess why. Helen must have been complaining again. I pretended not to notice, stood up with a smile, and greeted them. "Martin, Helen, good afternoon."
"Hmmph." Joey snorted, nose in the air. The others acted like they didn't see me, just walked past, and sat on the couch.
It was a bit awkward, but fine, I was thick-skinned enough to pretend nothing happened.
Who knew what they had said to Joey upstairs, but she didn't seem to mind Helen being pregnant anymore.
The four of them chatted and laughed like a real family, making Mason and me feel like outsiders.
We sat a while longer before Delilah came down. Delilah said, "Oh, you're all here early. Let's eat."
"Delilah, I have no appetite. Can I skip it?" Helen started her little act.
She knew perfectly well this was to make up for last night's family dinner, but she was trying to skip it. Only one reason for that—she wanted to put me in my place.
Delilah gave me a look, and I got the message. "Helen, I was being childish earlier. You're bigger than that. Don't let it bother you. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry, Helen," I said, bowing deeply to her, a full 90 degrees. My tone was sincere, my attitude humble. But in my head, I thought meanly that she didn't even deserve a bow from me.
"Sweetie, I've always doted on you like my own daughter. Why would I be mad at you? Come on, let's eat," Helen said.
Then she held out her arm. I took it, and we walked toward the dining room, chatting like we were close. It looked like we got along perfectly all warmth and harmony.
But we both knew this was just an act for Delilah since she was here.
By the time we reached the dining room, the servants had already laid out a table full of dishes.
Once Delilah said we could start, I was the first to pick up my glass of juice, holding it out to Helen. "Helen, I'll toast you with this juice. Here's to your health and happiness."
Helen smiled broadly as she drank it down, clearly satisfied.
Finally I'd made up for the toast I'd missed yesterday. She'd messed with my wedding, and here I was making sure I was proper to her. Where was the fairness in that?
But while Helen was happy, someone else wasn't having it.
Just as everyone was about to start eating, Joey stood up, fuming. "Katherine, why are you wearing Grandma's bracelet?"