Audrey

Present Day

Where the hell is Ethan.... I told you never to let him out of your sight.” I lamented as I scampered around the grand living room, running my eyes through every little corner and turn, anywhere at all a five year old could hide.

“I’m sorry ma’am, I didn’t mean to...”

“Be quiet.” Alexa shunned, cutting the nanny off.

“I’m sorry.” She added, bowing guiltily.

“There’s only one place left in the mansion to check.” Alexa suggested.

“Alexa, there’s no way in hell a five year old could make his way in there all alone, it’s heavily guarded.”

“I know, Audrey.... but Ethan is no normal five year old. He’s a....”

I turned and fixed my gaze on Alexa.

“He’s what....”

“Audrey, you and I know your son, he’s quite very difficult for a five year old....”

“Enough.” I cut in.

“I’m just saying....”

“Fine, I’ll go check myself.” I blurted with a firm headshake as I led the way up the grand staircase, headed for the one forbidden part of the Carters mansion.

“Go.” Alexa mouthed, dismissing Ethan’s nanny with a wave of hand.

“I’m going in alone.”

“What, no....”

“Would you rather the entire mansion whispering about our little visit? that could land me in serious trouble.... Besides he hasn’t been anywhere near home in ages-he’s not about to show up today.”

I let out a dry, self-mocking chuckle, a soft sting tugging at my heart just speaking of him.

“I’ll just go get Ethan myself and leave.”

Alexa nodded reluctantly.

“Good.” I mouthed and hastened my steps as I made it through the hallway, anxiously headed for Mason’s suite.

“Audrey, I still have a bad feeling about this.” Alexa protested,

I shook my head.

“What if someone sees you, I can go get Ethan myself... You don’t have to go there at all, you know how mad that will get your husband.” She fussed.

I turned around pissed, she bowed without another word.

“Then make sure nobody sees me.” I asserted.

“Audrey...”

“And stay in the lookout for Ethan.” I let out a quiet sigh, finally arriving at Mason's suite.

I trailed my slightly shaking hand to the doorbell, ringing it in a heartbeat.

The door immediately flew open revealing a guard, he bowed.

“How may I help you, ma’am?”

“I’m here to conduct a brief inspection for the estate renovation. My husband is overseeing the project.” I lied.

“I’m sorry ma’am...”

“It won’t take long.” I cut him off, pressing my lips together pouting in quiet appeal.

“I’ll be out before you know it.” I added,

“Okay, ma’am. make it really quick....”

I dashed inside before he could get the rest of the words out, running my eyes through Mason’s ornate but soulless living room.

“Still the same.” The words escaped my lips as a soft pang tugged at my chest, memories of that day six years ago rushing in without warning.

“You’re here for Ethan, Audrey.... For Ethan.” I cautioned myself and pushed the thoughts aside, forcing out a smile as I looked around for my mischievous little trickster of a five-year old.

“Ethan....” I breathed out in a hush, pushing open the sliding doors and stepping onto the patio, arriving at the pool area.

“Where is he?” I started to panic as I looked around the empty pavilion, with only heavily armed guards on watch.

“This is bad.” I mouthed and raked my fingers through my hair. My legs refusing to stay still, carrying me to the edge of the water, a lingering instinct whispering that Ethan had slipped in here.

“Ethan baby, Where are you...”

“Do you plan on turning this place upside down, or are you done?” the echo of that familiar voice sliced through the silence-so sudden it made my breath hitch.

I whipped my gaze toward the sound, my blood running cold as my eyes locked on Mason surging up from beneath the water-he had been there all along, hidden in the depths.

My knees buckled and I lost it, my entire body crashing into the pool with a heavy splash.

Guards came bolting to the scene in a flash, ready to dive in but Mason let them off with a wave of hand, a short laugh escaping his throat as he watched me helplessly struggle to stay afloat in the water.

He knew I couldn’t swim.

“Mas....” I stopped myself right on time. The day I agreed to walk down the aisle with his elder brother after dumping him on the altar, and being the reason he lost a sister, was the day he made me vow never to say his name again.

“Do you have a death wish?” he suddenly asked in a whisper, cutting through the water toward me, closing in until there was no where left to go.

I grasped his firm hand, my body trembling in fear, desperate to stay above the water.

“How dare you show your face to me again..... Traitor.” He snarled, slowly cupping my chin with a finger, forcing my gaze to meet his.

“I... I didn’t mean to trespass. I’m just here for my....”

He scoffed and shoved me aside, water rushing into my nostrils as I sank.

“Help me...” I cried.

It only made him laugh as he made his way out of the pool without concern, leaving me choking and plummeting to the bottom of the pool.

“Well, you either swim.... or die.” He spat and grabbed a towel on the table, wrapping it around himself.

He had just turned to leave when the door bursted open, Ethan sprinting his way through the sliding doors as guards tried to stop him.

“Apologies sir.” One of them apologised when Ethan slid through his legs, giggling and having fun to himself as they struggled in vain to catch him.

“I’ll handle it.” Mason spoke, dismissing the guards and narrowing his gaze on Ethan in confusion.

Something in me jolted, and without assistance, I fought my way to the pool's shore, choking on every breath and breaking into exhausted tears.

“Mama.” Ethan called, sprinting on his little legs to meet me.

I looked up and sure, Mason’s eyes remained on Ethan. Like he couldn’t miss the uncanny resemblance.

“Take the boy out.” Mason barked, his countenance suddenly so serious.

“There’s no need... we’re just about to leave...”

The guards snatched Ethan from my side, picking him up as he kicked and struggled to bolt away, making it back into the house and leaving just Mason and me in the pool area.

“No... no, he’s not yours.” I shuddered breathlessly, before he could even ask me.

“I got rid of it, remember... This one’s Blain’s.”

I swear I could see a flicker of sadness in his eyes-there and gone in a heartbeat. A rush of undeniable guilt engulfed me as his gaze lingered on me, I bowed my head.

“I’m sorry....” I mouthed inaudibly, a tear ball rolling its way down my cheek as my heart painfully twisted in my chest.

Mason scoffed, “The next time I see you anywhere in my space... I’ll kill you.” He sneered, his voice too calculated and calm, it made my skin crawl.

“Get out.” He snapped.

I nodded quickly and picked myself up, taking to my heels and making it back into the living room.

I snatched Ethan from one of the guards and sprinted for the door, making it entirely out of the suite as I trembled inside.

“Audrey...” Alexa called, scurrying her way to me as I collapsed to the ground breaking into quiet tears.

She took Ethan from me.

“We don’t have time for this, Audrey... your husband is back.”

I looked up sharply, my eyes widening in surprise and my heart crashing into my stomach.

“I know, at this point it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you anymore when he suddenly cancels business trips out of nowhere.”

“But...”

“Audrey, we need to get you changed... You’ll be in big trouble if he sees you like this.”

I glanced down at myself, noticing for the first time the satin red dress clinging wet and translucent against my skin, leaving too much on good display.

Did Mason see me like this?

“Audrey, we need to leave.” Alexa insisted, snapping me out of my head.

I nodded sharply.

“First, we’ll get you changed and second, we’ll get you ready for the club outing tonight.”

“A club?”

“Yes, your husband insisted the stylist gave in her best tonight.... I guess you’ll be having a long night after the club.”

I could feel a tight kick in my stomach hearing that.

“I hear he’s throwing some lavish welcome party.... Do you have any idea who he’s welcoming?”

I shook my head sharply as my mind ran back to Mason, a surge of heavy fear rushing down my spine as images of his eyes on Ethan crossed through my mind.

“Come on, Audrey.... we better hurry.”

She grabbed my hand and led the way down the hallway, my lips curled into a sad pout as my mind ran back to Mason again.

It’s been six years of living with guilt, six years of trying to forgive myself-and suddenly all in one day, the past I've dreaded so much comes knocking at my door again.

I guess misery really did miss me after all.