The Billionaire Who Saved Me - Chapter 78: Chapter 78

"How many times have I told you? You've got to stop being so soft-hearted. Are you just letting everything I say go in one ear and out the other?" Mason said.
By the end, he was practically growling under his breath. I could tell how angry he was, and Mason rarely showed his feelings on his face. It was weird to see him like this.
I plucked up the courage to ask, "Are you in love with me?"
Mason went quiet right away. He probably hadn't expected me to ask that. After a few seconds, he said, "Dream on."
But to my surprise, Mason was actually blushing.
A playful mood hit me, and all the scare from earlier flew out the window. I asked him, "You're blushing. Lying isn't a good habit, you know."
"Nonsense," he shot back, glaring at me before heading for the study.
I chased after him, staring right at his face. "Want me to get you a mirror? Don't say you're not blushing. You're bright red."
He kept dodging my bold stare, flustered. "Katherine, that's enough. Will you quit it?"
"Hey, don't dodge my eyes. What're you so shy about? A woman as gentle, kind, sensible, cute, virtuous, and reasonable as me—of course, you'd fall for me..." I rambled on.
Suddenly, Mason picked me up, slung me over his shoulder, and headed for the bedroom.
"Put me down, I'm dizzy." I flailed, trying to get away.
The escape attempt failed. He did put me down, but on the bed. His deep eyes locked onto mine, shining with a dangerous light.
Uh, oh. I'd taken this too far. That look was familiar. I knew exactly what was coming next.
The angrier Mason got, the wilder he got.
My delicate frame couldn't take that. With no other choice, I begged, "I'm sorry, Mase, I'm sorry. You're not blushing. It's me who's blushing."
The sun outside shyly hid behind the clouds, leaving a soft glow that filtered through and fell gently on the tangled figures.
"Hmph, I don't need you to carry me," I huffed.
"Then I'll draw you a bath." Mason tossed a thin blanket around his waist, leaving his muscular chest bare as he headed for the bathroom.
I dozed off without realizing it.
When I woke up, night had fallen. I felt clean and refreshed. Clearly, Mason had washed me while I slept. I must've been so exhausted that I didn't even stir.
I sat up, got dressed, and noticed he was gone. After a quick wash, I made a beeline for the kitchen, my stomach growling. I hadn't eaten all day.
It was way past dinner time, and I started to worry. Would Delilah throw a fit? She did whatever she wanted, but the rest of us had to toe the line.
I practiced my excuses before leaving the room. But when I stepped into the living room, it was dead silent. Just a few dim wall lamps cast a yellowish glow, and the whole mansion felt deserted.
This wasn't right. Usually, the Knights gathered here at this hour, chatting and laughing.
Now? Not a soul in sight.
The family was missing, and even the servants who cleaned up were gone.
The stillness in the dark was seriously spooky.
I flipped on every light switch, relieved by the sudden brightness.
As I walked toward the kitchen, I called out, "Cathy? Cathy?"
The kitchen was empty. When I turned on the light, a voice startled me. "Mrs. Knight."
"Ah!" I landed hard on my butt, my face draining of color.
A person stood up from the shadows. It was Esther Fisher, the baker.
I was furious. She'd ignored my calls, sat in the dark, and then jumped out like that. Was she trying to give me a heart attack?
"Where is everybody?" I demanded. "Why is this place empty?"
I'd deal with her later. Something was seriously off at Knight Manor, and I needed answers.
Esther shook her head. "I can't say. Mr. Mason Knight sent everyone else away and kept only me. He said I'm good at keeping quiet, that I won't go running my mouth."
I felt like I was choking on frustration. This was what he called "keeping quiet"? She was more like being thick-headed. And "sent everyone away"? I knew Mason never interfered with household stuff. If he'd done this, it must be a big deal.
"He meant don't tell strangers," I said. "I'm his wife. What's there to hide? Just tell me."
"No," Esther said, blunt as could be.
Fine, whatever. I'd just call Mason later and ask where he dug up someone like her, too.
Esther was watching me warily, so I let it go. "Got any food? I'm starving."
"Yes, of course. It's in the kitchen." Esther perked right up, scurrying to warm it up.
She might be thick-headed, but her cooking was amazing. Everything tasted great. With just us two, no need for fancy rules. I didn't even go to the dining room and just ate my fill right there in the kitchen.
Afterward, Esther washed the dishes while I pulled out my phone to call Mason.
It rang forever before he answered. "Kate, I can't talk right now. I'll tell you when I get back," he said and then hung up.
I stared at the dead call. It had sounded pretty noisy on his end. My curiosity flared even more. I rolled my eyes, and an idea popped into my head.
"Mase wants you to tell me what's going on. Here, ask him yourself if you don't believe me." I held out the phone, putting on a show.
I never thought she'd actually take it. I mean, I was Mason's wife, so surely she'd fall for this and tell me what was up.
But she did take it.
She held it to her ear, listening hard for ages. "Hello? Hello? Mr. Knight, did you say I should tell Mrs. Knight?"
She called out a few times, got no reply, and then handed it back, confused. "Mrs. Knight, I think the call's cut off."
"He's mad at you for not telling me. Delilah treats me as part of this family, but you don't," I said.
I was just making stuff up, but Esther bought it. She panicked, waving her hands wildly. "That's not true, Mrs. Knight, really it's not."
"Hmph, sure it is. Fine, don't tell me. I don't even want to know."
Esther's face went red with anxiety, but she was no match for me in an argument. Finally, she made up her mind. "All right. I'll tell you."
I quickly pulled my chair closer, leaning in to listen.
It turned out, Delilah came back at lunchtime, and Moira was with her. When Helen saw Moira, she was all over her—super affectionate.