Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 44

Chapter 44 Standing Too Close 

“You forced a match with me. Once that happened, our marriage was created automatically. It doesn’t matter whether we go public or ever get a marriage license. Legally, I’m your husband, Mason said. 

He toyed with a lighter in his hand and pressed it gently. A small flame flickered. Ms. Morren, you didn’t forget that, did you? 

“If I cancel our relationship for any reason, I have to pay you a huge divorce settlement. That means I became your husband for no reason. Then I’ll be divorced for no reason, too. Ms. Morren, what kind of woman do you think I can still find after that? 

“This is a time when there are more men than women. Men aren’t exactly valuable. Even so, we still need some dignity. 

“So what are you going to do to make it up to me? Or are you planning to pay me back with a wife?” 

Ava hadn’t expected that in this era, a man would still have to pay alimony after a divorce. She could give up the money. Paying him with a wife was impossible. Where was she supposed to find one? 

It was an impossible demand. In the Age of the Stars, women were rare. They were highly sought after and proud. None of them lacked pursuers. 

Besides, a man like Mason wasn’t someone w 

would accept just any woman. 

Ava looked troubled. “Mr. Heiser, aren’t you making things too hard for me? I don’t want the alimony. Where am I supposed to find you a wife?” 

Mason’s expression turned serious. “You know this is difficult for you. Did you ever think you’re making things difficult for me, too? Or do you think the other four are better than me? Otherwise, why do you accept them but treat me differently?” 

Ava’s eyes widened. 

How does he know? 

“What are you talking about? This is just about you. What do other people have to do with this?” 

“Is that so?” Mason gave her a half smile. He took out his Holoband and tapped it a few times. Several messages were projected into the air. 

Ryan, ‘Ava agreed to give things a try with us. I agreed. 

Ethan, ‘Yeah. Ava said she would try dating us brothers. 

Laurent, ‘Sorry, wrong picture. Ava looks great in my shirt, though.‘ 

Keith, ‘Heh. Ava even said she wanted to be the light in my life. 

Ava froze and stayed silent. 

She stared at the lines of text floating in the air. She wanted to say it wasn’t true. She wanted to say she didn’t do that. She couldn’t get the words out. 

1/2 

11:14 Wed, Jan 7 

Chapter 44 Standing Toe Clase 

She wanted the ground to swallow her whole. Those men were enough to scare her into a heart attack, event without her having heart problems.. 

“Ms. Morren, what else do you have to say?” Mason stood up from the couch. His whole body felt tight and tense, like a bow pulled all the way back. 

Ava felt uneasy. She sat stiffly while he stood in front of her like an unmoving wall. She was scared. 

“Well… If I say I was forced, would you believe me?” Ava asked awkwardly. 

“Is that so? Forced?” Mason took a step forward. There was only a coffee table between them. In the blink of an eye, he was right in front of her. 

Ava clenched her hands together. Her heart raced. Heat rushed to her face. Her toes curled inside her shoes. She watched him walk over e screaming to herself, “Don’t come closer.” 

Her silent plea went unheard. 

He stood over her and looked down at her. Her knees were nearly touching his suit pants. As he stepped closer, the space around her felt tighter and harder to breathe in. 

She tried to stay calm. Fear showed clearly in her eyes. Mason saw her shaking slightly. She was afraid of him. 

Mason showed a flash of white teeth. He bent down and suddenly reached out to grab her chin. He lifted it slightly. “You said you were forced. How were you forced? Like this? Or something else?” 

His face moved closer. His gaze swept over her inch by inch. “Answer me. How did they force you?” 

The moment he touched her, Ava’s mind went blank. Things had gone far beyond what she expected. She never thought he would be this aggressive and rude. 

Her eyes filled with moisture and turned misty. She held it back and protested, “You’re going too far!” 

As if he heard something funny, Mason lowered his voice. “This is too far? There’s worse I haven’t done yet. After all, I’m your husband right now.” 

“You’re shameless! You’re disgusting!” 

“Go on. Keep cursing,” Mason said as he raised an eyebrow. “If I’m shameless and disgusting, you were wearing Laurent’s shirt. Was he not shameless and disgusting then?” 

Ava was furious. She glared at him. “Stop making things up! I went to his place yesterday. The rain was heavy and sudden, and I got soaked. He was kind enough to lend me a shirt. Don’t twist things just because of your own thoughts. When someone’s mind is dirty, everything they see looks dirty too.” 

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