Chapter 17
Phoenix brought Mason back to her home, taking out a medicine box to treat his wound.
Mason watched her, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Phoenix set down the first aid kit. “Ask whatever you want.”
Seeing Phoenix’s troubled expression, Mason hesitated.
Instead, Phoenix volunteered information: “That was Julian Blackwood.”
After a sigh, she added, “My ex–husband.”
Mason panicked at this revelation, suddenly uncertain.
Mason knew nothing of Phoenix’s past or what this man meant to her.
Reading Mason’s anxious expression, Phoenix couldn’t help but laugh.
“I said ‘ex–husband.‘ I’m over him.”
Relieved by her words, Mason asked, “May I ask why you divorced him?”
Phoenix’s hand paused as she reached for medical cotton.
Mason noticed her hesitation. “It’s fine if you don’t want to answer. That was too personal.”
Phoenix applied alcohol–soaked cotton directly to Mason’s split lip. The sting made him wince and grimace instantly.
“If you didn’t want to answer, you didn’t need to be so rough,” Mason complained pitifully.
Phoenix sighed, “No special reason. I just fell out of love.”
Seeing Phoenix’s dejected state, Mason felt for her.
“Everyone run into a jerk sometimes. Dump the jerk and find someone new.”
Trying to lighten the mood, Mason joked, “What about me? Would I make a good replacement?”
Phoenix looked at him and unexpectedly nodded.
“Yes.”
Mason froze, staring at Phoenix before stuttering:
“I…you…are you saying you’ll accept my pursuit?”
Mason was quite impressive and had been genuinely kind to her.
Chapter 17
Phoenix had been fixated on Julian’s betrayal, unwilling to embrace new feelings.
But now she realized her thinking had trapped her. Being caught in this failed relationship had already caused her to miss out
on so much.
Looking into Mason’s sincere eyes, Phoenix felt she deserved another chance–a chance to try again.
“Yes. Does that bother you? Is my past marriage an issue?”
Mason shook his head rapidly.
“No. I was afraid you were joking, and if so, I would have said the wrong thing.”
Mason took Phoenix’s hand. “If I’d been braver back then, approaching you first, maybe I would have been the one marrying you.”
“Did we really know each other before?”
Phoenix searched her memory for Mason’s face but couldn’t recall anything.
Mason’s features were distinctive, and he was popular at school. She should have remembered him.
Mason decided to reveal everything.
“I used to be overweight–a chubby kid. You probably can’t connect that to how I look now.”
AS Mason said this, Phoenix suddenly remembered.
“You’re Little Chubby?!”
Mason smiled and nodded. “Yes, you finally remember!”
Mason and Phoenix had met in an after–school program. Because of his weight, no other children wanted to play with him.
Phoenix had seen him crying alone in a corner and offered her friendship.
Their friendship lasted until Mason’s family moved away.
Mason sat beside Phoenix. “I was at that party too.”
“Why didn’t I see you? Why didn’t you come say hello?”
A flash of sadness crossed Mason’s eyes.
“Because you couldn’t take your eyes off Julian. I wanted to find you–I’d lost weight, but you didn’t recognize me. I thought you didn’t want to see me anymore, so I left disappointed.”
Phoenix hadn’t realized they had this connection.
Perhaps Mason was right–if he had been bolder, things might have turned out differently.
“That day at the airport wasn’t coincidence either. I specifically asked Professor Reed to let me come.”
Chapter 17
“Phoenix Reed, I’ve liked you since childhood. Thank you for giving me this chance to pursue you.”
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