Chapter 5: Back to the Blue Lantern

I sat down with the company’s general manager for a long, honest talk. A week later, I started as their new project manager and immediately began going after Elise’s accounts. No one knew her company’s strengths and weaknesses like I did. The business I’d helped build, I now helped dismantle.

Within three months, Elise’s major projects were either lost or sabotaged. I heard later that she finally realized something was up and started tracing the damage back to me. By then, her company was bleeding cash.

The next morning, a former coworker messaged me, asking me to show some mercy and inviting me to a meeting to try and make peace.

Location: Blue Lantern Bar.

That night, I showed up. Elise was already there, along with Jamie. When she saw me, Elise tried to play it cool, like nothing had happened.

"Mason, you’re here! I’ve been waiting. Come sit."

I quietly avoided her and sat next to Jamie. She looked nervous, hands trembling. I decided to deal with Elise quickly, then talk to Jamie. Since that night, Jamie had blocked me everywhere—this was the first time I’d seen her since.

In the dim bar light, I looked Elise straight in the eyes. "Say what you need to say. Don’t waste my time."

Elise broke down, tears streaming as she drank. "Mason, how could you do this to me? The company was like our child—how could you destroy it? I’m at the end of my rope. Please, for old times’ sake, let me go."

"Not a chance."

I couldn’t help it—a grim satisfaction settled over me. This was what I’d waited for: to see her finally face the consequences.

Elise looked stunned that her performance hadn’t worked. She stood frozen, then suddenly grabbed my arm, her voice rising, tears pouring down her face. She clung to me, making a scene in the middle of the bar, sobbing so loudly that everyone stopped to stare. I could feel the eyes, the whispers, the whole bar watching the drama unfold.

I shook her off and got up, heading to the restroom.

There, I spotted the same heavyset investor who’d tried to assault Elise years ago. He looked smug, chatting away on his phone as he washed his hands.

"Hey, remember that chick I drugged who wouldn’t give in? Well, now she’s come crawling back, even brought a pregnant one for me. They say that’s good luck—I’m not doing so hot. Money really is the best. No matter how long it’s been, it always works. Anyway, gotta go enjoy myself. If it’s good, I’ll let you try next time."

He swaggered out of the restroom, not even looking at me.

A chill crept up my spine, so I followed. Sure enough, the two women he meant were Elise and Jamie. When they stepped under the bar’s lights, I finally noticed Jamie’s slightly rounded belly—she was the pregnant one.

I don’t know what got into me, but I socked the investor twice and grabbed Jamie’s hand. We bolted, running for blocks. I didn’t look back, but I could picture Elise’s face going from smug to shattered. Years ago, in this same place, I’d been Elise’s hero. Now, I was someone else’s.

We ran until we were far away. Out of breath, I finally turned to Jamie, remembering she was pregnant. My mind was spinning—I didn’t know what to do or say.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded, eyes rimmed red but safe. I gently patted her back, trying to reassure her.

"You’re safe now. It’s over."

Jamie looked up at me through her tears. "Mason, after that night, I never thought I’d see you again—especially not like this."

I wanted to ask if the baby was mine, but the words stuck in my throat. Instead, I took her home, added her on Messenger, and invited her to join my company. I knew Elise—she’d never let Jamie have a future if she stayed.

A few days later, during a staff meeting, Jamie texted: "Mason, I need your help—please, for our baby. Elise has totally lost it!" She sent her location, too.