Chapter 7

Routine.

The last four years, I've thrived on routine. I needed it to keep myself grounded. Without it, I feel like my life is spiraling out of control.

Mason has taken my once carefully planned life and put it into a tailspin.

While I might be struggling with someone else always around, offering a helping hand, I can't help but admit that the last two weeks have been nice.

He still hasn't left us and gone back to his place. Every spare moment he has, he spends it with Ari, and subsequently, me.

Ari loves it. Every time he walks into the room, she lights up like the Fourth of July.

He looks at her like she's his entire world. When she talks, he listens.

I shouldn't find it attractive, but I do.

No one tells you what it feels like when someone else loves your child as much as you do.

It's indescribable.

Still, I can't help but feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Don't get me wrong, I trust him. I really do, but everything about this situation has been smooth. Too smooth.

"Incoming," Tristen murmurs.

I look over my shoulder and go stiff as I see Mrs. Williamson walking through the door.

Fuck.

I drop low and waddle toward the little space off the front desk where we keep supplies. "I have to get something. I'll be back."

"Are you okay?" Tristen asks, voice full of concern.

"Fine," I say as I dive into the room, shutting the door behind me.

Sitting on the floor, I lean against the door and take a deep breath.

That was too close.

God, how fucked up is it that I would rather drop to the floor than have to see my daughter's grandmother? Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my phone and shoot off a text.

Me

It would have been nice to know that your mother was stopping by.

Mason

What are you talking about?

"Shit," I mutter to myself as I type back a reply.

Me

You didn't know your mother was coming to the hotel?

Instead of texting me back, my phone rings.

"Yeah?" I ask quietly.

"What do you mean my mother is here?"

"Exactly that. I don't know how much clearer I could say it," I deadpan.

Mason groans. "Fantastic."

"Glad to know I'm not the only one who doesn't want to see her."

Mason chuckles. "Trust me, no one wants to see her. Just stay out of sight for right now while I deal with her. I don't want her harassing you."

"I have to get back to the desk," I say weakly.

"I'm sure Tristen has it under control. Just do as I ask, please."

"Okay," I concede.

"I'll let you know when she's gone," Mason says before hanging up.

Sighing, I push myself off the ground and look around.

Now what am I supposed to do?

The door creaks open, and I move out of the way.

Tristen pops her head through the gap with a frown on her face. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I lie.

Tristen shoots me a look that says I'm full of shit.

"If it's okay with you, I think I'm going to stay in here for a bit and restock the supplies."

"Sure." She pauses. "And if you ever want to talk about it, I'm here, okay?"

"Thanks."

"Hey, Tristen," someone says, getting her attention.

When she walks away, my shoulders drop.

This is all too much,I think as I get to work, refolding some towels that we keep on a shelf.

While it's been wonderful having Mason at my place, it's time for him to go back to his home, without us.

He can come over for dinner whenever he wants and spend time with Ari, but things have to go back to normal. I need a moment to breathe without him hovering over me.

That, and I have this constant worry that his mother will convince him that Ari isn't worth it. That I'm not worth it. I know what his mom thinks. That Mason should be with a woman who comes from a similar lifestyle and fits in with his life. Someone he would be proud to have photographed on his arm. She doesn't believe that's me.

I look down at myself and frown.

I know I'm pretty, but since having a baby, my body has changed. My hips are fuller, and my stomach is softer. I'm not large by any means, but I'm not small.

I look nothing like the women he's been photographed with in the past. While Mason might think I'm what he wants, I'm not, and I never will be. I just have to convince him that we can raise our daughter together, without being romantic.

We can co-parent the shit out of Ari. I know it.

Oh god, what if he wants to take her overnight?

I feel my stomach drop. Of course he would, and it would be well within his rights, but still, I've never spent a night away from her.

Maybe I can convince him to hold off on overnight stays.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I grab it.

Chloe

How's my baby momma?

I smile as I read her text.

Me

I'm currently hiding in a closet from my sperm donor's mother.

I cringe after I hit send. It feels so wrong to call Mason that, even though that's all he was just a few months ago.

Chloe

I have so many questions.

Me

Me too, actually.

Chloe

Girl time soon? It's been too long.

Me

Of course.

Chloe

Good. I'll be out of town this weekend for that wedding, but when I get back, it's a date.

Me

Sounds good, and if I don't talk to you before then, watch out for serial killers.

Chloe

Same sister. Same.

I chuckle as I slip my phone back into my pocket. Chloe doesn't even know it, but she managed to calm my raging thoughts, leaving me feeling more settled.

It's all going to work out.

I know it.

While Mason might not agree with me right away, surely he will see logic. It's time for him to take a step back before Ari starts getting the wrong idea.

Or I do.

* * *

I set my phone on my desk and take a deep breath.

Ever since the truth came out about Arianna and how my mother knew that Olivia was pregnant and looking for me, my rage has been simmering.

I wanted to go to her. Confront her.

Only I knew that I had to play it smart and wait for her to come to me. I couldn't barge into her home and demand answers.

The clicking of heels on the tile has me standing up straight and straightening my tie.

"Dear," Mother says as soon as she crosses the threshold of my office.

"Mother," I say coolly.

If she could raise a brow, she would, but thanks to Botox, her face doesn't move. "Are you not going to properly greet me?"

"I'd rather not. Now tell me, why are you here?"

"You know better than to talk to me like that," she scolds.

"Why are you here?" I ask again.

"Well, I just got done having brunch with the ladies, and I found out Melinda's daughter is back in town. You know, the doctor. Anyway, I took it upon myself to set up a date with her for you. You will pick her up tonight at six, and you have a reservation at seven at Mana. It is black tie, so make sure you wear your best suit."

How fucking dare she.

"No," I tell her as I fist my hands at my side.

Her head rocks back slightly. "Excuse me?"

"No, I'm not going on a date with one of your friends' daughters."

Mother purses her lips. "Yes, you will. Hillary comes from a good family. She practiced ballet up until medical school. She's beautiful and would make a lovely wife."

"I'm sure she would, but not mine. Now call Melinda and cancel."

"I will do no such thing. Don't you dare embarrass me, Mason Williamson," she sneers.

"Embarrass you?" I chuckle darkly. "The only embarrassment I see is you."

"Why, I never," she says in outrage.

"Tell me, Mother, why did you tell the mother of my child five years ago that I wanted nothing to do with her?"

Hatred covers my mother's face. "I was doing you a favor."

I scoff. "A favor? How is keeping me from my child a fucking favor?"

She points a finger at me. "Watch your language, I didn't raise you to speak like that."

"You didn't raise me at all, the fucking nanny did."

She ignores my statement and continues. "That girl was trying to trap you by saying she was pregnant. I was doing you a favor by taking out the trash."

"The trash! That's my child and her mother you're talking about," I seethe. "How fucking dare you! I lost years of her life. Olivia had to do it on her own when I should have been by her side."

"I see you let that woman get under your skin. You should have listened to me and fired her when I told you. I hope you were at least smart enough to get a paternity test before you gave her any money."

I run a hand through my hair and shake my head.

"You're un-fucking-believable, and for the record, Olivia won't take any money from me. No matter how hard I try."

"You need to have her sign an NDA so she doesn't talk. We don't need your future wife finding out about your little past."

My eyes widen. "Have you really lost your mind? Let me lay it out for you, Mother. I wanted Olivia then, and I want her now. If I have my way, she will be my future wife. As far as I'm concerned, I only need her, our daughter, and any other future kids I can convince her to have."

"No," she says adamantly.

I chuckle darkly. "It's cute that you think you have a say in this. It's already in motion."

"She does not belong with you, Mason. This would be a mistake."

"The only mistake I see is giving you the time of day." I point between the two of us. "We are done. You are no longer welcome in my life, and you only have your actions to blame. I played your games for years, but this time you went too far."

"You can't do that. You won't walk away from The Williamson Group and your family."

I shake my head as I pull on the bottom of my jacket. "The only family I'm cutting off is you, and last I checked, all businesses went to me. I'm the one in charge. The only thing you have is your home and the foundation. We are done."

Mother rolls her shoulders back as she studies me. "You'll regret this. I was only trying to help you."

"No, Mother, you might have thought you were, but you weren't. I'm done with your meddling. As of this moment, you are no longer welcome at The Williamson hotels, or any of The Williamson Group businesses," I say as I press a button on my desk.

"Mason, be reasonable. You aren't seeing things clearly."

I shake my head. "I'm seeing things clearly for the first time ever."

"You paged, Mr. Williamson?" Barrett, the head of security, says.

"If you will, please remove my mother from the premises. She is no longer welcome here."

I turn and walk over to the window and look out.

"You'll regret this, Mason! Get your dirty hands off me," my mother hisses as she puts up a fight.

As soon as she's gone, my shoulders sag, and I drop my head.

Jesus, that was brutal. I don't regret it at all, and I won't change my mind, but it was harder than I thought it would be.

I don't understand how she did what she did. I can't imagine ever hurting Arianna the way my mother hurt me.

I run a hand over my face and turn away from the window. Walking out of the office, I head downstairs in search of one person.

Olivia. I need Olivia.

Cutting through the lobby, I ignore the people who try to get my attention.

"Where is she?"

Tristen points over her shoulder at the supply closet.

Marching over, I step inside and shut the door behind me.

"Mason?" Olivia frowns. "What are you doing in here?"

"I had to see you."

Sadness crosses her face as she rolls her shoulders back. "Look, I was thinking about it, but I think we need to take a step back. It's time for you to start sleeping at your place again. I won't keep Ari from you, obviously, but I need space."

Without a second thought, I walk over to her and cup her face in my hands. Tilting her head back, I slam my mouth onto hers, kissing her.

Olivia might think she doesn't want whatever this is between us, but the way her little hands fist my shirt says otherwise.

Reluctantly, I end the kiss and rest my forehead on hers.

"Wha…" Olivia says, dazed.

"The only steps we're taking, Livvy, are forward, but if you want space, I'll give it to you." I squeeze the back of her neck and watch her eyes dilate. "You can deny it all you want, but you and I are happening. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but we will happen. If you run, I'll follow. So take your time, pretty girl, to wrap your head around it. I'll be here waiting when you're ready."

And I will be. As soon as she gives me the green light, I'll put a ring on her finger and make her forget what life was like before me.