Mason seemed to realize that the girl in his arms, though shy, was now burning with the same fire he had ignited.

Mason Lawson’s lips curved into a wicked smirk. His warm fingertips traced a path down her trembling skin, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

With their clothes cast aside, the light rasp of his calloused fingertips sent shivers through her.

As the man’s deep, ragged breaths filled the air, Eve Vaughn instinctively dug her fingers into his back.

The air in the room was thick with a sensuality that could make anyone blush.

...

An hour later, their passionate entanglement finally drew to a close.

She was completely spent, resting limply in his arms. Her fair skin was flushed a suggestive crimson.

Mason Lawson held her from behind, his every breath laced with satisfaction. "Feeling better now?" he asked, his voice husky. "If you cry over another man again, I don’t mind doing this all night to make you remember exactly who your man is."

His words were forceful and domineering, yet his tone held an undercurrent of tenderness and concern.

Eve Vaughn turned to face him, her clear eyes clouded with frustration. "I wasn’t crying for anyone else, I was crying for myself! How can I be so unlucky? I’m the victim here, but once again, I’m the one taking the fall for Julian Lawson!"

Mason Lawson’s dark gaze fell on the scar on her abdomen. He gently caressed it with his thumb. "If Julian Lawson wasn’t treating you this way now, would you still regret giving him part of your liver to save his life?"

Eve Vaughn froze. She had never considered that question.

She couldn’t understand why Mason Lawson would suddenly ask such a thing.

Seeing her hesitation, Mason’s displeasure was obvious. "Is it that difficult to answer?" he pressed. "If Julian wasn’t treating you this way, you’d still have feelings for him, wouldn’t you?"

His questions threw Eve’s thoughts into turmoil. She avoided his sharp, deep gaze and answered evasively, "What’s the point of asking all this? Things are how they are now. Time can’t be turned back, and there’s no future for Julian and me."

"Of course there’s a point!"

Mason’s tone grew heavier. "I need to be certain that there’s no place for him in your heart. I won’t allow my woman to harbor the slightest lingering feeling for her ex. To be frank, this scar of yours... it’s an eyesore."

The moment he said it, the color drained from Eve Vaughn’s face. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

The usual light and confidence vanished from her eyes. She knew that this scar was the ultimate proof of her past feelings for Julian Lawson.

But it was a mark that would never fade.

She never thought Mason Lawson would find her repulsive because of it.

A wave of hurt and insecurity washed over Eve Vaughn, and an inescapable chill spread through her heart.

After all, ever since Julian Lawson had chosen to believe his parents and Charlotte Vaughn over her, abandoning their relationship, Eve had forced herself to move on.

She didn’t even think about the scar herself anymore. It was like a child who trips and scrapes their knee—once the wound heals, the scar is just a scar, and life goes on.

Eve Vaughn felt she had been resilient, that she had truly let go.

But she never expected Mason Lawson to be so fixated on it.

His obsession with it was like tearing open a wound that had just begun to scar over, exposing the raw, bloody pain beneath for all to see.

A chill settled in Eve Vaughn’s heart. Her expression turned numb and wounded as she pulled away from Mason’s embrace, creating a small distance between them.

Mason seemed to realize he had misspoken. "I’m sorry," he said in a low voice. "Don’t take what I said to heart. I was just..."

"I know."

Eve Vaughn cut him off, her voice choked with emotion. "I know what you mean, Mr. Lawson. But what’s done is done. This scar will never go away. If you can’t accept it... I understand."

Her words were careful, almost self-deprecating.

Only then did Mason Lawson realize how cruel he had been.

He did mind the scar, he realized, but it was also the source of Eve’s deepest pain.

He pulled her back into his arms, gently stroking her back. "Evie," he murmured softly, "it’s all in the past. Let’s look forward together, okay?"

Those few words were like a ray of sunshine piercing the frozen landscape of Eve Vaughn’s heart.

She pressed herself against him and whispered, so quietly he could barely hear, "I’ve never forgotten that I’m your woman now. I don’t know if we’ll get married someday, but I value my... integrity. And I’ve already given you the most precious thing I had."

When she finished, she looked up at him, her eyes filled with a hopeful light.

She didn’t want to pressure him; she knew her hopes might be getting ahead of reality.

But that’s how it was—a girl just wanted some sense of security.

But Mason Lawson made no promises. He simply kissed the corner of her lips.

A short while later, Mrs. Linton knocked on the door to announce that dinner was ready.

The two of them finally sat up, quickly washed up, and went downstairs to eat.

The table was laden with delicious food. Mrs. Linton’s cooking, as always, was superb.

But thinking of the public scandal brewing and escalating outside, Eve Vaughn had no appetite.

Noticing she was only picking at her food like a kitten, Mason Lawson asked coolly, "Are you getting bored staying home all the time?"

Eve Vaughn paused, then nodded honestly. "Yes, it’s pretty boring."

Away from the bedroom, Mason was no longer the domineering, wicked lover. He sounded more like a stern guardian. "I saw a lot of your textbooks in the study. Have you finished them all?"

Eve was taken aback. She had no idea why he was suddenly asking about her studies.

Sensing her confusion, Mason explained, "A lot has happened lately, but if it starts affecting your schoolwork, then the cost will be too high. Don’t forget, you had the top score on the entrance exams. If you do poorly on your finals, I’ll feel like being with me is what’s holding you back."

In truth, Mason was saying this deliberately to distract her, to keep her from dwelling on people and things that weren’t worth her energy.

But Eve Vaughn thought Mason was being completely serious.

’Will he start to distance himself from me because of this?’ she worried. ’Will he decide I’m just a student, that we’re not a good match?’

Panicked, Eve Vaughn quickly explained, "Mr. Lawson, it has nothing to do with you! If it weren’t for you, my aunt and uncle’s family would have probably tormented me to death by now. I might not even be in school anymore!"

Seeing her earnest and apprehensive expression, Mason knew she was afraid he was angry.

For some reason, he found it rather pleasing. It was like she was trying to win his favor in her own unique way.

When he didn’t say anything, Eve Vaughn quickly went over to him, took his hand, and shook it gently. "Everything I just said is true! You have to believe me!"

Mason smoothly took her hand, pulling her onto his lap. A faint smile touched his deep eyes. "Of course, I believe you," he said. "However, as the one sponsoring your education, don’t you think you should focus on your studies and show me some results on your finals?"

Eve’s thoughts followed his lead, and for a moment, she forgot all about the scandal and rumors swirling outside.

She declared confidently, "Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll do well on my finals. Starting tomorrow, I’ll study hard at home. It’ll be just as effective!"

Mason pinched her delicate nose, his voice both doting and gentle. "That’s the spirit. Leave everything else to me. I believe in you, and you need to believe in me. Soon, everyone will know you’re innocent. Julian Lawson and the others will pay for the mess they’ve made."