Chapter 5: The Last Betrayal

I went to the hospital for a check-up, hoping to finally treat my arm. I didn't expect to run into Emily and Carter there. The waiting room was crowded, the air thick with antiseptic. I was filling out forms when I saw them—Emily and Carter, huddled together in a corner. My heart stopped.

Carter was supporting her, while Emily looked annoyed and impatient. She snapped at him, her face twisted in frustration. He tried to calm her down, but she yanked her arm away, arms crossed.

"I told you to use protection! Why didn't you? Now I'm pregnant. How am I supposed to explain this to Mason? Hurry up and schedule the abortion!"

Her words were sharp, cold. Carter flinched, looking guilty. I felt the world tilt beneath me.

Abortion... The word echoed in my mind, heavy and final. I gripped the edge of my chair, trying to steady myself. My stomach lurched.

My hand froze. A chill crept up from the soles of my feet. I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. The truth hit me like a freight train. Emily was pregnant—with Carter's child.

Emily was pregnant with Carter's child. The realization settled over me, cold and suffocating. I wanted to scream, to run, but I just sat there, numb.

I hid nearby, feeling pathetic. Then I slapped myself hard. I ducked behind a magazine rack, cursing my own cowardice. I slapped my cheek, hard, trying to snap myself out of it. I refused to be a victim any longer.

"Mason Cole, you're such a coward. Are you just going to hide like this?" I whispered the words, my voice shaking. I forced myself to stand, to face the truth.

No. I took out my medical report. It clearly said my arm could recover. I was going to train with Coach Daniels, disappear for three years, and then come back. I clutched the report, reading the words over and over. It was possible—I could heal, I could fight again. I made up my mind. Three years of hard work, and I'd be back. No more distractions.

As for Emily… I felt nothing but emptiness. The love was gone, replaced by cold resolve.

I'd already prepared the divorce papers. They sat in my briefcase, signed and ready. I just needed to hand them over. The thought brought a strange sense of relief.

When I got home, I hid the agreement. But then I noticed a diary. It was tucked behind the couch, half-hidden. I pulled it out, curiosity getting the better of me. My heart thudded.

It wasn't mine. The cover was pink, embossed with flowers. Emily's handwriting danced across the pages.

It was Emily's. My hands shook as I flipped through it. Each page was filled with memories, secrets, and lies.

On impulse, I opened it. The pages were covered with intimate photos of her and Carter. Selfies, ticket stubs, love notes. My stomach churned. I kept reading, unable to stop.

My hands shook, but I couldn't stop reading. Each word felt like a knife, slicing deeper and deeper. I read until the words blurred on the page.

"Today is Carter's championship match. He's amazing. He worked so hard for this, but he has a rival. I have to help him."

Her admiration for Carter was obvious, her devotion sickening. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to keep going.

"Carter actually lost, but it's okay. I found out his opponent's name: Mason Cole. I'll ruin him."

My name stared back at me, cold and final. She'd set me up from the start.

"Mason actually fell in love with me. Perfect. The championship belt belongs to Carter. To help him get his wish, I'm willing to pretend to marry Mason."

The words blurred, my vision swimming. She'd never loved me. I was just a means to an end.

"Mason lost to Carter. I put the drugs in his locker room. Everyone says he threw the match. I saw how defeated he looked, but why does he still try to protect me even when he's down?"

I felt sick, bile rising in my throat. She'd watched me suffer and felt nothing.

"Mason, you're such a fool. As long as you don't try to take Carter's championship belt, I'll stay with you."

Her words echoed in my mind, cruel and mocking. I slammed the diary shut, fighting the urge to scream.

The diary was covered with their photos. Every page felt like a knife in my heart. I pressed my fist to my mouth, trying to hold back the sobs. The pain was unbearable, but I forced myself to keep going.

When I heard the door open, I put the diary back. I shoved it under the couch, wiping my eyes. I didn't want her to see me like this.

Emily came in, her face pale—she must've just had the abortion. But when she saw me, she smiled brightly. She dropped her purse on the table, her smile wide and forced. I wondered if she could see through me.

"Honey, you're home! Why do you look so pale? Are you sick?"

She hurried over, her hand cold against my forehead. Seeing my ashen face, she ran over and touched my forehead. Her fingers lingered, searching for a fever. I pulled away, unable to meet her eyes.

"Why are you so cold? Are you chilly?"

She wrapped her arms around me, rubbing my back. I stiffened, resisting the urge to shove her away.

I shook my head. At this point, seeing her pretend to care just made me physically sick. The act was too much. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to play along. I didn't want her to know I'd found the diary.

"No... I'm fine."

My voice was flat, emotionless. She seemed satisfied, letting out a relieved sigh.

She breathed a sigh of relief at my words. She smiled, brushing a strand of hair from my face. I forced myself not to flinch.

"Good. You scared me. If anything happened to you, I'd be so worried."

Her voice was sweet, but I heard the lie underneath. I wondered if she even believed herself anymore. My jaw clenched.

Really? I couldn't help the bitter thought.

If I were gone, there'd be no one to compete with Carter for the championship belt. That would make you happy, wouldn't it, Emily? You really are heartless. I stared at her, searching for any sign of remorse. There was nothing. Just that same, practiced smile.

"Why do you look so pale? Are you feeling unwell?" I asked, feigning concern.

She hesitated, her eyes darting away. I wondered what she was hiding this time.

"It's nothing... Maybe I just haven't been sleeping well. I'll get some rest. Mason, I still want to clear your name. I'm working on finding evidence."

She forced an innocent smile, her voice soft and reassuring. I almost laughed at the irony. It looked brittle, like it might shatter at any moment. I nodded, playing along.

"No need. I don't care anymore."

I said flatly. My voice was cold, final. She looked at me, surprised, but said nothing.

I really didn't care. I was going to enter a new championship. As for the last one, I'd long since let it go. I stared at the wall, lost in thought. The past was dead. I was done chasing ghosts.

"How can you say that? I can't stand seeing people still badmouth you. I'll find proof, I promise."

She grabbed my hand, squeezing it tight. Her eyes filled with tears. I pulled away, unmoved.

She coughed, hard, twice in a row. Her body shook with each cough. I helped her to bed, tucking the blanket around her shoulders.

"Honey, you're so good to me. I wish we could always stay like this."

Her voice was soft, vulnerable. I wondered if she even knew what she wanted anymore.

She looked at me like she still loved me. Or maybe she just loved the idea of me. Either way, it didn't matter anymore.

At this point, I couldn't tell if it was real or fake. I brushed a strand of hair from her face and said quietly,

"Get some rest."

My voice was barely a whisper. I stood by the door, watching her drift off to sleep. I felt nothing.

I'm leaving. The words echoed in my mind, bringing a strange sense of peace. It was over.

Watching Emily fall asleep, I called Carter. My fingers trembled as I dialed. He answered on the second ring. My heart thudded in my chest.

I hadn't called him in ages. The silence between us was heavy, loaded with things unsaid. I took a deep breath, steadying myself.

"Hello? What made you call me?" His voice was cautious, wary. I almost laughed at the irony.

"She just lost your baby. She's not well. I think you should be the one taking care of her, not me."

My words were cold, clipped. I wanted him to feel the weight of what they'd done.

He went silent. I could hear his breath on the line, heavy and uncertain. For once, he had nothing to say.

"I know about you two now. I'll give you a chance to be together. The divorce papers are ready—they're on her nightstand. When she wakes up, please let her know."

I hung up without waiting for a reply. I dropped the phone on the table, my hands shaking. It was done. There was nothing left to say.

I was really tired. A bone-deep exhaustion settled over me. I slumped into a chair, closing my eyes. For the first time in years, I felt free.

I looked back at Emily. She was smiling in her sleep. Her face was peaceful, innocent. I wondered what she was dreaming about. It didn't matter anymore.

Without hesitation, I grabbed a bag and left. I didn't look back.

From today, I'm disappearing. Training. She won't find me. I made a promise to myself: no more lies, no more betrayals. I would come back stronger than ever. And I would never let anyone hurt me again.

And I don't ever want to see her again. I locked the door behind me, leaving the past where it belonged. I was done with Emily, done with Carter, done with all of it.