(Peyton's POV)

"Report her to the police as a missing person?Fine,go ahead then!Let the cops decide who's being unreasonable!You're only wasting public resources."Mason sneered,his tone dripping with contempt.He really hated me.The amount of hate laced in his words were venomous and I couldn't believe it.

For Harper,Mason was ready to do anything,including belittling me in front of everyone.It broke my heart even more and the fact that I was still linked to him made everything worse.

It felt like I was reliving my torment,but I also felt terrible for Skylar.She was a mess the more she worried for my sake.

She was the only one who cared about me enough to report me as a missing person to the police department.My heart warmed at the thought.She was my best friend for a reason and I was glad that I didn't make a mistake with her.

Skylar was the definition of the sisterhood bond.

Unlike Skylar who was tough on love,I didn't have the kind of heart that she did.I once naively believed Mason Reed would one day realize his mistakes and come apologizing to me…I fantasized about it,hence I worked harder to make it a reality.

Now,it was laughable.I smacked myself on the forehead for being stupid all these years in the name of love.For putting him above myself and letting him walk all over me with his side piece,feeding me with the crumbs that fell from their table.

I couldn't believe how put down I was by him even after I was dead.This was the man I loved for so many years,the one I thought I could entrust with my life!

Skylar hung up,and I knew that she was mad with anger.If she had the chance to be in the same room as Mason,she'd probably be throwing punches.

I laughed at the thought.Mason really was a jerk for doing me dirty.

He cursed out loud,slamming his phone on the table,causing the silverwares on the table to clank against each other.

The loud impact heightened the tensed atmosphere,making it damn near impossible for someone to breathe.Everyone in the room held their breath,hopefully not to ruin Mason's mood further.

The blood drained on Mrs Reeds face,leaving it pale in complexion after she overheard snippets of the conversation.

She figured something was wrong but couldn't place her hands on it.

She moved closer to him,"Tell me the truth,Mason.Is Peyton really in trouble?Is she?"

Mason scowled."Mom,don't fall for her tricks again.Peyton's incredibly resilient,so she won't die so easily!"

His mother trembled with anger."Even if you don't love her anymore,there's no need to be so cruel!"

He cut her off."For the past two months,she's used saving me to guilt trip you into letting me marry her.She warmed her way into your heart with her cheap lies and tricks and you fell for it."

"And I obviously won't be surprised if the car accident was part of her plans all along!"He added,seething in rage as he stood before his mother.Mrs Reeds wasn't having it and came to my defense in an instant.

"Boy!!Watch your tone when speaking with me.I'm your mother and not some skank that you picked up,"she said,taking a step further."And you will shut up when I tell you to do so.Do you hear me?"

My head throbbed again.Watching mother and son exchange words with each other for my sake caused my heart to ache.

I regretted saving his conniving ass back then.I could have saved myself alone and mourned him if he has died in the accident.

Just then,his phone rang again.He smirked.

"What did I tell you,mum?Peyton herself is calling me,so tell me,how could a missing person call me,hmmm?"

Mrs Reeds rolled her eyes at him before prompting him to pick up the call.

"Pick up the phone and stop acting like some crazy dude."

That was the problem.I was already dead,so how I could I be calling him?Who was using my phone?Was this another trick of his to get everyone off his back?

The screen flashed the caller ID which was saved as"Nasty Woman"-his nickname for me.

Wow.I was at a loss for words.The man I had saved with my life kept shocking me with everything he did.The pain in my heart hurt even more.

He picked up the call,his voice taunting whoever was on the other end of the line.

"Had enough yet,Peyton?Tell me,how was your trip to wonderland,hmmm?Or have you realized your mistake and have called to beg?"

There was silence on the other end.Then,a low male voice spoke up.

"We're calling from the City's Police Department,and we'd like to ask you a few questions,"the strange man with my phone said.

This news surprised Mason but he didn't show it.He was good at masking his emotions.

"Quit playing games with me,Peyton.I am not in the mood!"He retorted,his voice sharp.

The stranger on the other side kept on bombarding Mason with questions."Sir,what's your relationship with the owner of the phone?We suspect that you're connected to a missing persons case."

His face darkened."For fucks'sake,Peyton!Quit acting like a needy child."

"Id appreciate it if you're cautious with your tone of voice as this isn't Miss Vaughn on the line,"the stranger added.

Mason was bewildered,"What?"

"Please come down to the station right away to make your statement.Thank you."

The caller hung up,leaving everyone shocked to their core.They were expecting a night of their lives,not the chaos that my existence brought them that night.

Mason and Harper were the least pleased with the call's interruption of their night.But duty demanded that Mason be at the police station immediately.

——

At the police station,he sat across from a young police officer who had my phone in his hand.

"Mr.Reed,we ask that you cooperate with us in this investigation.And we'd advice that you answer our questions truthfully as you may bring us a step closer in solving this case,are we clear?"The officer asked,staring squarely at Mason.

"If she's indeed missing,I'll cooperate.But tell you this:you're being played by her.She's not really missing.She just wants my attention,"he replied cockily.This little scoundrel!!

The officer's gaze intensified,not interested in Mason's words.

"I'll take that into consideration,"the officer said,adjusting in his seat."Let's start with your relationship with Miss Vaughn."

__

(Peyton's POV)

Mason leaned back in his chair,skeptical.The two police officers exchanged a glance.

"Mr.Reed,I do not understand what you're implying,but we've received a missing persons report and verified the owner's disappearance,"the older officer said calmly.

"What's your relationship with the owner of this phone?"

"She's my needy ex-girlfriend,"he replied impatiently."We broke up two years ago."

"I see.The last call that was made from this phone to you was from the owner before her disappearance.So,what did you both talk about?"the younger officer asked,his eyes piercing.

I recalled calling him for help during the attack,but couldn't remember what happened next.

"I didn't pick up the phone,"he said,his eyes cold."I didn't need to."

I should have known better.If only I hadn't called him that night,maybe I'd have been alive.Before the accident,Mason was my rock,and I could vouch for him that he'd never hurt me.

One time in college,when my phone fell off the balcony during our call,he rushed to my apartment in five minutes.Relieved to find me safe,he hugged me tightly.

I later found out that he bought an apartment nearby to be close to me.For over a decade,he was protective of me.

But that night,everything changed for the worse.

"Mr.Reed,please elaborate on your relationship with the missing person,"the older officer pressed further."And why are you certain that she's faking her disappearance?"

Mason took a deep breath.

"I'll say it again:Peyton and I are over.She's just resentful because I'm engaged to someone else.She's playing missing to entrap me."

The officers exchanged skeptical glances.

"How long were you both in the relationship?"the older officer asked.

"About ten years,according to others."

"How long since you broke up?"

"Two years,"he said,obviously less concerned.

"And what was the reason?"

"I no longer felt anything for her,and our personalities clashed.Simply put,we weren't compatible."

"Mr.Reeds,you said that your personalities clashed,right?"The younger officer questioned.

Mason nodded in response."Yes,that's what I said."

"Care to describe Miss Vaughn's personality?"

A sinister smile appeared on his lips,"Oh,I'll be more than happy to tell you.Peyton is obsessive,controlling,manipulative,and not to mention,a chronic liar."

The officer's questions kept rolling in successions.But Mason's answers sent shivers down my spine.Each word that came out of his mouth made me out to be the villain,while he portrayed himself as the victim.

In the middle of the questioning,he handed his business card over to the officers.

"Find her,and please,don't press charges.I wouldn't want her wasting more of public funds."

When he said that,he gave them my address as well,playing the card of the perfect law-abiding citizen.

I rolled my eyes at the charade before me.If I didn't know better,I would have found his act believable.His hypocrisy made me want to puke,but I guess spirits didn't puke.

The older officer's expression changed upon seeing the card."The Reed Corporation's successor?"

Mason smiled slightly."I'd advise you all not to waste anymore of your precious time looking for Peyton.She will surface soon when she's done playing hide and seek."

He got up,adjusted his clothes by straightening out the imaginary lines on his clothes before saying,"I have business to attend to,so I'll get going now."

And with that,he left without uttering another word.I wondered what his expression was going to be when he saw my body.Was he going to realize his stupidity all this time?

The more I thought about it,the more I realized that even I could pay a fortune just to see that.

____

(Peyton's POV)

As Mason took long strides,the station seemed to fade into the distance.As he left the building,his face grew darker than when he first entered.

I hovered nearby,observing him closely.He walked hastily to his car but didn't get in;instead,he brought out a cigarette,lighting it and taking a deep puff out of it.

The fiery ember illuminated his chiseled,troubled face.He looked like his was lost in thoughts.I wondered what he was thinking about.

"No way...there's no way…"he muttered to himself,a flicker of panic appeared laced in his voice,"She wouldn't actually be in trouble…I mean,Peyton is good at manipulating others to do her bidding"

He took several deep puffs but it didn't calm his frustration and it showed in the way he grunted.

His slender fingers tappedimpatiently on the car door,as if weighed down by worry.

I watch,unmoved.

Who is this show for?The police or himself?

If he truly cared,he'd have told the police about Harper Reese's apartment.

Is he worried about himself?

His phone rings,breaking his thoughts.

He answers,seeing Harper Reese's name on the screen;his tense expression softens.

"Harper."

"Mason,I heard that Peyton is missing,is that true?"Harper's voice trembled

"Don't speculate;it's unrelated to you,"Mason Reed soothes,"Police found no concrete evidence;don't overthink,rest well."

"But...I'm worried about Peyton and you..."Harper Reese's voice cracks.

"I'll be right there;wait for me."

Mason Reed hangs up and drives away.

I watch,thinking I've once again misjudged him.

Of course,Mason Reed wouldn't worry about me.

He probably wishes I'd disappear forever.

My life is less valuable to him than a strand of Harper Reese's hair.

I shut my eyes,hoping to catch a break from him when I open them,but I found myself at Harper's temporary apartment.Mason kneels before her,embracing her warmly.

"Don't fear;I'm here,it's okay."

Harper Reese nestles into his arms,tearfully.

I look away.

Though I've lost expectations,watching them intimately is cruel.

Mason Reed gently pats Harper Reese's back.

Harper Reese gazes up at him adoringly.

"Mason,hold me tight?"

Mason Reed hesitates before embracing her.

Just as their lips meet,Mason Reed's face contorts;he shudders violently.

"Aren't you...?"Harper Reese asks,alarmed.

Mason Reed pushes her away,clutching his chest.

His face pale,sweating,breathing rapidly.

"What's wrong?"Harper Reese asks,concerned.

Mason Reed doesn't respond,his eyes shut,struggling to breathe.

Has he finally realized his cruelty's consequences?