Ch. Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 4 Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 4

Chapter 4 

Next few days I’m buried in work transitions. 

Where’s Mason? I don’t even care anymore. 

My best friend texts: Did your husband get possessed or what? 

Screenshots flood in. Mason’s social media-dead silent for seven years-suddenly looks like a travel vlog. 

Every tourist spot, every trendy restaurant, photo after photo of stuff he used to roll his eyes at when I wanted to go. 

Our wedding? He didn’t post a damn thing. 

And he blocked me from seeing any of this. 

He sends these lazy texts now and then about why he’s not coming home. I leave every single one on read. 

He doesn’t even notice. 

Night before my flight, Sarah takes me out for goodbye dinner. 

We’re walking into the steakhouse when I hear voices drifting through the door. 

Nora’s voice drips with disgust: “Mason, you went to one of the best schools in the country. How’d you end up with someone who couldn’t even get INTO college?” 

Mason goes quiet for a beat. Then super casual: “Things were different back then. She’s good at keeping house and whatever.” 

Good at keeping house. 

So that’s all I am to him. His maid. 

He never once asked why I skipped the SATs. Never knew I turned down top universities to study fashion design in Paris-because I actually had dreams. 

To him I’m just some idiot who “wasn’t smart enough so she went overseas to party.” 

I’m what he settled for when he couldn’t have what he really wanted. 

Nora keeps pushing. “She’s way beneath you. And I’m single now. Why don’t we try again?” 

09:26 

Mr. Chatterbox for Her, Mr. Iceberg for Me? Ice Melts, and So Did My Love! 

2.5% 

Chapter 4 

I’m frozen. waiting to hear what he’ll say. 

Sarah grabs my arm and yanks me back before I can hear his answer. 

He probably said yes anyway. That’s the girl he spent three years chasing. 

Sarah drags me inside and we spot them immediately-corner booth. Mason’s cutting up Nora’s steak for her, all focused and careful like it’s some romantic gesture. 

I asked him to take me out for steak once. He literally wrinkled his nose. “Too expensive for what you get.” 

Sarah sees them and hisses: “Wait-isn’t that your husband? Why’s he on a dinner date with another woman?” 

I just shake my head. 

She’s been watching me “finally wake up” this week-taking the Milan job. She gets it fast. 

“That piece of shit! After everything you’ve done for him! I’m going over there-” 

I grab her wrist. “Don’t. He’s not worth it.” 

Right then Nora spots us and waves all cheerful. “Oh my god, hey! Small world! Come sit with us!” 

Her tone’s completely different than two seconds ago when she was trashing me. 

Mason definitely heard her. But he just pauses for half a second, then goes back to cutting meat. 

Playing deaf. 

I force out a smile. “We’re good, thanks.” 

Sarah glares and pulls me toward the back, saying loud enough for everyone to hear: “Since when are homewreckers 

this bold?” 

We’re halfway through our meal when someone at the bar starts yelling. 

Drunk guys getting into it. Voices escalating. Then chairs start flying. 

The whole place erupts. Everyone’s scrambling for the exit. 

We’re trapped in the back corner-can’t get out because panicked people are blocking the narrow aisle. 

A chair comes flying past my head. Pure instinct kicks in: 

“MASON! HELP ME!” 

Chapter 4 

His head whips around. He starts moving in my direction. 

Then Nora grabs his arm, voice shaking: “Mason oh my god I’m freaking out we need to GO-” 

He stops dead. 

Just stands there for one second. 

Then wraps both arms around her and bolts for the door without even glancing back. 

Staff finally helps us push through and get outside. 

We’re fine. Just some wine stains on our clothes. 

I watch them disappear around the corner. 

Whatever piece of my heart was still holding on just shatters completely. 

Next morning I’m rolling my suitcase through the airport terminal. Don’t look back once. 

Board my flight to Milan. 

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