Upon My Release

The heavy prison gates slammed shut behind me, but my hand still gripped that faded photo. In the photo, Mason Lynn smiled gently. He'd promised to wait for me—to marry me once I was free. The sunlight was glaring; I stood at the corner for half an hour, but I didn't see the familiar black sedan. I pulled out my phone and dialed that all-too-familiar number. It rang three times before someone hung up. A knot formed in my chest as I followed the memory of the path toward Mason Lynn's villa. Just as I reached the gate, I saw his car parked in front of the garage. The car door opened; Mason got out first, then reached out to help a woman in a white dress step down. Her belly was unmistakably pregnant, and she needed gentle support as she walked. Mason lowered his head to speak to her, his voice softer than anything I'd ever heard before. My feet felt as heavy as lead, rooted to the spot as I watched them walk into the villa. I don't know how long had passed before I finally managed to shuffle forward and push the door open. In the living room, a woman sat on the sofa eating fruit, while Mason Lynn peeled an orange beside her. When he offered a segment to her lips, he carefully removed the white pith. "Mason Lynn." My voice trembled, barely steady. Mason looked up and saw me; the tenderness in his face disappeared instantly, replaced by a tangled expression. "Willow, what are you doing here?" He stood up, instinctively stepping in front of the woman. The woman looked up at me, her eyes flickering with caution and a subtle hint of challenge. "Who is she?" I pointed at the woman's belly, my finger turning white from the pressure. "My name is Tessa Xavier." The woman spoke first, her voice soft, "I'm five months pregnant with Mason Lynn's child." "Five months?" I looked at Mason Lynn, my heart clenched like a fist. "I was locked up for only a year, and you've already moved on, let her get pregnant?" Mason Lynn frowned. "Willow Scott, don't get worked up. It's not what you think." "Then what is it?" I stepped closer. "You said you'd wait for me. You said you only loved me—was it all a lie?" Tessa Xavier stood up and reached out to grab my arm. "Please, don't blame Mason. It's me..." Before she could finish, I slapped her. The sharp slap echoed through the living room. Tessa covered her face, tears instantly streaming. "Mason..." Mason Lynn pulled Tessa Xavier protectively into his arms, his eyes filled with anger as he looked at me. "Willow Scott! Are you insane? How could you hit her?" "So what if I hit her?" My eyes burning red, I said, "She stole my man and is carrying your child. Did I do wrong by hitting her?" "She's clean, unlike you—you've been to prison!" Mason's words pierced my heart like a sharp blade. I froze, staring at the person before me—familiar yet strange—and suddenly, it all felt unbearably ridiculous. "Clean?" I laughed with tears in my eyes, "Mason Lynn, have you forgotten who went down for you back then? And now you're telling me she's clean?" Mason's face changed, but he still defended Tessa Xavier, "Let's not bring up the past. Since you're out now, I'll give you some money. Just don't come looking for us again." "Money?" I looked at him, "Mason Lynn, is what we had together worth just some money to you?" "What else do you expect?" Mason avoided my gaze. "It's over between us. Tessa's pregnant with my child, and I need to take responsibility for her." I took a deep breath, holding back the sharp pain inside me. "Fine, if that's what you want, then let's break up." Mason Lynn suddenly looked up. "Willow Scott, stop making a scene. I know you're hurting, but you can't just say you want to break up." "Why not?" I looked at him. "Mason Lynn, you were the one who betrayed us first. Now that I want to break up, who are you to say no?" "No means no!" Mason's voice grew harder. "You can't go anywhere—you have to stay with me." Seeing his obsessive stare, the last trace of hope in me crumbled to dust. So, he has always only thought about himself.