A cold smile tugged at my lips. "Of course I came to see you, Jade." I straightened my cufflinks. "After all, I'm here to acquire the Henson Group. It's a birthday gift for my wife."
——
*Three years earlier.*
The glow of my phone screen cut through the darkness of the hospital room. Jade's latest social media post. Another photo. Another smile that wasn't for me.
A sharp pain gnawed at my gut. Beside my bed, the doctor clutched his clipboard like a shield.
"Mr. Mason, I cannot stress this enough." He adjusted his glasses, his tone grave. "No matter the reason, you cannot drink another drop of alcohol. If you continue down this path, your ulcers will deteriorate into stomach cancer."
I nodded. Feigned remorse. "I understand."
But beneath the guilt, a twisted sense of satisfaction curled in my chest. Another massive order secured for the Henson Group.
In the business world, they called me a "mad dog." I didn't care about my life—only the deal. Jade had used her love as a leash, binding me to her, making me a willing martyr for her family's company.