After My Death, My Ex-boyfriend Went Mad with Regret

(Peyton's POV)

There were times where I wished that I could live a long,fulfilled life.Or that I'd live to be 80 years old with the love of my life.Or at the very least,die a peaceful death,but that wasn't my case.

Here I was,hovering around this godforsaken place.Truth is,I died,but my soul somehow couldn't leave Mason Reed–my ex.How crazy was that?!!

I never believed in ghost stories and stuff like that,but seeing myself as a ghost really was a wake-up call.

As I floated in mid-air,watching Mason with his arm around Harper Reese's shoulders,I felt like puking.

His expression was tender,yes,he could be tender.When Mason was in love,everything he did for that person was treasured.I once was one of such people–the only one.

So,seeing him display this level of affection for Harper irked me.It was supposed to be me in her place,but since the accident which caused his memory loss,it was never me anymore.

Today was Harper's birthday,and Mason had gathered his friends to celebrate her.He really went all out for her.

"Dude,where's Peyton?"someone asked."Isn't she always clinging to you like she was stuck with glue?"

"Try calling her,let's see if she'll be here within 30 minutes!!"They laughed,taking sips out of their wine glass.

"That's right!Let's see if she lives up to her'30-minutes queen'title."

"I would really love to see that,"another one said,bellowing in laughter,as he ruffled his hair with the other free hand.

I listened to them take turns in making fun of me,but then I looked at Mason Reed,he wasn't smiling,but his eyes gleamed with satisfaction as they made fun of me.He didn't stop them and from the way he looked,he wasn't going to.

"Guys,chill out.There's no need calling her.She'd only ruin the mood and I certainly don't want that happening,so let's not jinx it,alright?"Mason said,while drawing invincible patterns on Harper's body.

I sneered at them.Putting the pieces together,it seemed they had been betting on me all along.To them,I was just some game that they could play with it.

On several occasions,I'd received calls from Mason while working late.Sometimes he was genuinely drunk,but more times than nought,it was just a bet between him and his useless friends.

"On a serious note,bro,I haven't seen Peyton in a long time.Is everything okay?"Zane Maddox,Mason's closest friend,asked.Was he genuinely concerned about me or was he just faking it?

I turned to him,wondering if he'd sensed that something was off.Did he know something about my death?

The night I died,it felt like someone attacked me from behind.I wasn't so sure about how I died cause my head throbbed with pain then.

And when I woke up,I noticed that my soul was trapped here.

"You have nothing to worry about,"he said,irritation in his voice."She's better off disappearing.At some point,it was nauseating because she was always clinging to me,pretending to be sick in front of my parents."

I stood before him,shouting,"I wasn't pretending,you douchebag!I really was sick!"

But he couldn't hear me.What was I expecting?He thought I made up my illness to guilt-trip him into marrying me which was far from the truth.

He had forgotten the car accident that caused damage to my brain.The blood clot still pressed against my brain nerves that caused me to severe headaches every few days.In all of those times,I never told anyone because I thought it was best I handled it.

But when Mrs Reed discovered it,I had to tell her the truth.I couldn't lie to her.When Mason found out,to him,it seemed I was looking for sympathy of some kind.

He believed that I used it to trap him.He had completely forgotten that we were on our way to the city hall when the accident occurred.

Afterward,he lost his memories of me,only thinking of me as a clingy,vile woman.I guess it was my fault for loving him unconditionally even when the odds were against me.

"Be careful about what you say,Mason.You might end up regretting it,"Zane cautioned."Besides,I sent her some text messages a few days ago which she hasn't replied to.It's weird."

His annoyance grew."She's just a toxic ex,who always causes trouble for Harper.It will be a relief if she disappears for good."

You got your wish,Mason.I'm really dead.Happy now?

"Well,in case you have forgotten,there are people who shouldn't be messed me with,"Zane said,his words making me shiver.Who was he talking about?

"For your information,I installed cameras at her place,but nothing suspicious has showed up yet,so just chill out,"he said,leaning back into the chair.He really sounded cocky.But then again,cameras?

"Mason,what if something has happened to her?"Harper asked tearfully."My dad's enemies are ruthless...I'm scared that they'll hurt her."

He comforted her,holding her close.The sight before me disgusted me.Everyone could see that she was putting on a show!But Mason was too blind to see it.Jerk!

"Don't worry,you've moved out of the apartment,so they can't find you.You're safe now,Harper,"Mason reassured her,almost like be was cooing."Peyton's a black belt in Taekwondo.She can handle herself."

Harper trembled,her eyes brimming with unshed tears,her lips quivering.

"I didn't think they'd still find me...I'm so sorry.And to think that you just bought that apartment for me."

I glared at Mason,fury burning within me.What the actual hell was going on?!!

Now I finally understood why he generously gave me the apartment.It was his cast-off gift.I realize how ridiculous I'd been.

He gave me someone else's discarded gift,and I gave my life in return.How wicked could he be?Trading my life for her freaking safety!!!

____