Chapter 3 SOMEONE'S BEHIND IT

Chapter 3

Mason's POV

I can't stand hospitals. The smells, the harsh lighting, the oppressive silence-they all get under my skin.

It's been ages since I last set foot in one; they trigger my headaches.

But here I am, bent over the bed, fixated on Caliste, willing her to open her eyes, to show any sign of life.

"Sir," the nurse from earlier interrupts, reappearing fifteen minutes later, just like she did an hour before.

"What?" My irritation cuts through the air.

I can sense her flinch, even with my back turned to her. I know I'm not the most polite person during a crisis, and right now, I'm on edge.

*How could I let this happen? How did I let it slip through my fingers?*

Thoughts spiral in my mind, replaying yesterday's chaotic events.

I almost married her friend. The same friend who tried to deceive me, right out in the open. The stark change in her demeanor was a glaring red flag.

It was her face, yet somehow it wasn't.

I clench my fists, suppressing the urge to lash out. That girl tried to pull a fast one on me.

"Sir, um," the nurse tries again.

I turn to face her, and she flinches once more. I let out a long sigh.

"There's a man here to see you. If you could step away from the patient's side, we need to focus on her care."

"Fine," I reply sharply, giving Caliste one last glance before I step out.

Zach stands waiting in the hallway, immediately assessing my state as I exit.

"You look like crap," he says bluntly.

"How's she doing?" he asks, eyeing me. I rub a hand across my weary face.

"Unresponsive. The doctor said it might take some time before she wakes up."

"Yeah, that fall was brutal." I wince, shaking off the image of blood.

"What's the update on Emma?" I ask as we head towards the hospital exit-it's time for a break.

"Well, she's been hysterical, not cooperating at all, but she's still in detention. Her accomplice, however, gave us a confession." My interest piques.

"And?"

"He confessed that he played a significant role in the plan to let Caliste fall right after the vows and papers were signed. It all seems outlandish for Emma, but it looks like he slipped up."

"She's lost her mind. The girl is sick," I grit out as we reach the car.

"What about the contract?" he asks, his voice low.

"On hold for now. His daughter just came close to dying, and we're still investigating whether he conspired with Emma. There's nothing more to be done at this point. I'm already married to Mr. Jason Orson's daughter."

"I don't think the investigation is warranted. I doubt he'd risk his daughter's well-being for a contract. You've seen how he is with her; he cares deeply," Zade counterpoints.

"It's part of the procedure, and necessary. We can't take any chances."

I recognize that Emma is shrewd. The document stipulated I was to marry Orson's daughter. Thoughts of her had slipped my mind, but it turns out she's his adopted daughter.

"His daughter is still his daughter, so there's no basis to dissolve the deal without compensation. I let Zade drive; I'm not in the right headspace to risk an accident."

"I'm infuriated. I just want to punch something. For now, Emma was in jail, being prodded for answers and I almost regretted calling the police. I should have taken her myself and tortured her a thousand times.

But why do I feel like there's something else I can't reach?"

"Surely Emma was Caliste's best friend and had access to a lot but she couldn't have worked alone..."

"Surely there was someone else. The drug, the hallways, it is hard to decipher who, but I swear I would,for Calista."

"So what now?" Zach says

"We do some digging, alone, low profile, find the bastard and gut him, probably hit the boxing ring later on, I feel like I would burst anytime soon if I don't hit something," I say, leaning on my seat.

"They better get ready for what's coming for them, they better."