Part 2The Punishment for Being Late

My punch was fast and vicious. Mason staggered back, blood pouring from his nose.

The crowd immediately grabbed me, pulling me away as Olivia rushed to Mason's side.

"Mase, are you okay? Does it hurt?"

The raw concern in her eyes was something I had never seen directed at me. She gently dabbed at the blood on his face like he was some priceless treasure, terrified of hurting him.

Then she turned, grabbed a beer bottle, and slammed it into my stomach.

The impact landed directly on my fresh surgical incision. Stars exploded behind my eyes, but the physical agony was nothing compared to the pain in my heart.

A cold sweat broke out on my forehead, but Olivia didn't seem to notice.

"Mike, are you insane? You hit Mason? If you can't live like this anymore, then let's get a divorce!"

To make sure I didn't "go crazy" again, several men in the room pinned my arms behind my back, holding me like a criminal. I struggled, humiliation fueling my strength, but it was no use.

Defeated, I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Your father was killed in a car accident trying to get here to help you. He's at the hospital right now, waiting for you to see him one last time. If you just come with me to see him, I'll sign the divorce papers immediately."

Olivia’s eyes blazed. It was clear she didn't believe a word.

She slapped me again, once on each cheek.

"Mike, I am ordering you to get on your knees and apologize to Mason!" she commanded. "If you don't, I'll tell my father you wished death on him!"

Someone kicked the back of my knees. Already weak from the pain in my abdomen, my legs gave out and I collapsed to the floor.

Laughter filled the room.

"I thought you had a backbone for a second there! Look how fast he kneels!"

Mason's taunt was met with a chorus of agreement.

"We were just playing a game, and you get so bent out of shape you curse your own father-in-law to death. And after Dr. Adler treated you like his own son!"

"He took you in and this is how you repay him? What an ungrateful bastard!"

...

I felt a warm wetness spreading from my abdomen, and the room began to spin. All I could hear was "Dr. Adler, Dr. Adler," and all I could see was his face as he died in front of me.

"Olivia! If you don't believe me, just call the hospital! Why would I lie about something like this?"

When she forced me to my knees, whatever was left of my love for her died. All I wanted now was to make sure her father didn't have to face the end alone.

For a moment, she hesitated.

She pulled out her phone, about to make the call, but then Mason let out a low groan.

She immediately dropped her phone and rushed to his side. "Mase! What's wrong?"

Mason touched his nose, which had already stopped bleeding, and looked at her with lovesick eyes. "My nose… it's really throbbing…"

"He must have broken it. Mase, we need to go to the hospital!"

Mason just pointed to his own lips with a playful, possessive smile. "I'm a big boy, I can handle a little pain. All I need is a kiss to make it better."

He shot a triumphant, challenging glance at me.

"Although," he added, "I'm afraid someone might lose his mind and try to kill me."

Olivia glared at me, then, without a shred of hesitation, she leaned in and kissed him.

Mason immediately pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. From my knees on the floor, I could clearly see the thin strand of saliva that connected their lips as they parted. I felt nothing. No anger, no jealousy. Just a vast, cold emptiness.

When they finally broke apart, Olivia was blushing like a bride, her eyes soft and dreamy.

But the moment her gaze met mine, her expression turned to ice.

"This is your punishment for being impulsive," she said coldly. "I hope you've learned your lesson. Next time, I don't know if there will be anything I can do to make it up to him for you."