Chapter 203 This Is My Fate

Chapter 203 This Is My Fate

"Behave. My dad's next door." Stella's heart skipped a beat as she took in Mason's posture.

This man was definitely going to wreck her.

Mason's lips curved upward as he leaned close to her ear. "So... you'll need to keep your voice down..."

"Mason, you rogue... mmph..."

Her unfinished words were swallowed by a sudden kiss.

The next second, she felt a cool breeze against her chest...

...

Stella slept soundly nestled in Mason's arms.

If the makeup artist hadn't already arrived, Mason would never have woken her.

"Babe, time to get up. You need to get your makeup done." Mason's voice drifted softly by her ear.

Stella whimpered, her small hand thumping against his chest. "Mason, you're such a jerk!"

"I'm a jerk, I'm a jerk. Babe, after the wedding's over, you can punish me however you want—even chain me to the bed if you like. But right now you need to get up for makeup. You're going to be my bride soon—we can't be late."

"But I'm so sleepy..."

"It's okay, I'll hold you."

Mason carried Stella through washing up and helped her into her clothes before finally letting the makeup artist in.

Stella was too exhausted to even open her eyes, so she didn't notice the marks scattered across her neck.

The makeup artist looked startled, involuntarily glancing at the culprit beside her.

Mason smiled faintly. "Make sure you cover everything up for my wife. I'll head out now."

With that, he placed both hands on Stella's shoulders and whispered in her ear, "Wife, I'll be back to get you."

He kissed her cheek and disappeared in a flash.

Only then did Stella slowly open her eyes. But when she saw the marks on her neck, her temper flared instantly. "Mason, you bastard! Next time I'm tying you up!"

...

The makeup artist spent half the day covering up the marks.

Dressed in an exquisite wedding gown, Stella walked slowly toward Mason—who stood in a white tailcoat—accompanied by Nelson.

"Mason, I'm entrusting my daughter to you. I hope you won't let her suffer in the future." Nelson's eyes reddened as he placed Stella's hand firmly in Mason's.

Mason gripped Stella's hand tightly. "Dad, don't worry. I'll take good care of Stella. I'll treasure her like my own life."

"Good, good..." Nelson wept with joy before stepping back.

Mason took Stella's hand and placed it in the crook of his arm, slowly walking toward their happiness together.

After the wedding, Mason took Stella back to Astoria.

Stella was carried the entire way by Mason. Only when they returned to their home in Astoria did she slowly open her eyes. "Where are we?"

"Home, babe."

He stroked her hair. "Keep sleeping."

Stella didn't think much of it and fell asleep again in Mason's company.

Only after confirming Stella was completely asleep did Mason quietly slip away to the conference room behind the main building.

His subordinates had been waiting for some time. Seeing him arrive, they all stood and bowed respectfully.

Mason sat at the head of the table, his face cold as he looked at them. "How are things progressing?"

"Your father has fallen into the trap we set for him."

Mason's expression finally showed a hint of change. "Good. Close the net."

...

When Stella woke up, Mason was no longer beside her.

Only then did she remember—she'd vaguely heard him say he had business to attend to.

Not seeing Mason, Stella found herself missing him.

From the servants, she learned he was in a meeting in the conference room out back.

Stella's brow furrowed. Hadn't he already handed over all his authority? What meeting could he possibly be having?

She walked to the back conference room and was immediately stopped by the guards at the door.

But before she could react, the man inside strode out and, without a word, kicked both guards.

He pulled Stella into his arms, enunciating each word clearly: "Open your damn eyes and look—this is my wife, the lady of this house. She can go anywhere she wants. If you dare stop her again, I'll gouge out your eyes."

The guards immediately bent at the waist, respectfully greeting Stella. "Mrs. Stafford."

Mason took his little wife's hand and toyed with it. "Why are you awake?"

"I couldn't see you. I missed you."

That one sentence made Mason bloom with joy. He pulled her into his embrace. "Then keep me company while I finish this meeting."

He carried her toward the conference room.

Seeing the people inside, Stella's eyes widened. She tugged at Mason's collar. "Maybe I should wait outside for you."

"No need."

Mason sat down, settling Stella in his lap.

Ignoring everyone's gaze, he played with her hand while addressing the dozen or so people before him. "Continue."

Stella couldn't understand what they were discussing.

But from their conversation, she grasped one thing—Mason hadn't lost his power at all.

Only after the meeting ended did Stella demand answers. "Don't you think you owe me an explanation?"

Mason knew his wife was smart, and he hadn't planned to hide it from her anyway, so he patiently laid out his entire plan.

"I was planning to let him stick around a bit longer, but he got too impatient and went after you. I had no choice but to move up the timeline."

Stella felt relieved but also shot Mason an annoyed glare. "You jerk! You had me worried about you for so long, feeling guilty for so long. I'm not talking to you anymore!"

She tried to break free from his embrace, but just as she was about to leave, Mason wrapped his arms around her. "Good wife, I was wrong. I meant to explain, but when I saw you giving me your bank card and saying you'd support me, I was just too happy."

"Forgive me, okay? I'll never lie to you again."

Stella struggled several times, but Mason's arms were like iron bands—he simply wouldn't let go.

"Good babe, tell me—what will it take for you to stop being angry?"

Stella suddenly stopped, glancing at him with ill intent. "As long as I'm not angry, you'll do anything?"

"Of course—except leave you."

Stella snorted coldly. "I want rope..."

Without hesitation, Mason pressed the intercom. "Bring some rope."

His subordinate moved quickly. Stella tied a knot at one end of the rope, then looped it around Mason's neck. "Come with me."

Throughout the vast villa, every servant witnessed it with their own eyes.

Mr. Stafford—usually decisive and ruthless, cold and intimidating, a man who struck fear into hearts—was now docile and obedient, meekly being led forward by his wife on a leash, without the slightest resistance, his eyes full of nothing but adoration.

Back in the bedroom, Stella closed the door, transformed into a queen, and pointed at him imperiously. "Take off your clothes."

Mason said nothing and obediently complied without the slightest defiance.

Stella looked at the man before her—tall, muscular frame—and snorted lightly, pushing him onto the bed. She used the rope to firmly bind his hands and feet, securing them separately to the headboard and footboard.

Having done all this, she spoke lightly: "Alright, bedtime."

With that, she lay down beside him, occasionally letting her small hand lightly trace across his taut skin, deliberately teasing.

Mason's entire body tensed, trembling uncontrollably. Bound and unable to move, he instantly understood her little scheme and spoke through gritted teeth, helpless. "Stella, you're doing this on purpose. Let me go."

"No." Stella shook her head playfully, her fingertips lightly tracing his sensitive skin as she enunciated clearly, "I gave you all my savings. You're someone I bought with my money. From now on, you have to listen to everything I say."

"I'll listen, I'll listen to everything, my little ancestor." Mason was helpless yet indulgent, his voice soft and pleading. "Just untie me first, okay?"

Stella ignored him, simply turning on her side with her back to him, not even covering him with a blanket, occasionally brushing against his body with her back.

The extreme torment overwhelmed him. Mason could endure no longer and suddenly exerted force, easily snapping all the ropes.

Stella's heart jumped. Instinctively trying to escape, she was instantly pulled back by his reaching hand and pinned firmly beneath him.

"Where do you think you're running to, my dear Ms. Windsor?" Mason's eyes darkened, filled with intense emotion.

"You liar! You said you'd listen to me!" Stella struggled in panic.

Mason lowered his head, kissing her lips deeply, blocking all her words, his voice tender yet burning. "I'll always listen to you—except in this one thing. I can't obey."

From that day forward: one home, two people, three meals, four seasons. For the rest of their lives, love would never fade.





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Thank you for standing by our heroine from heartbreak to healing. Her story ends here, but your support made every step of her journey real.

If you've ever been betrayed or told you weren't enough, remember this: walking away is the first step back to yourself.

Next, I recommend a new story about breaking free—Fake Heiress's Runaway: Goodbye, Cheater. A dedicated surgeon gives up everything for love, only to discover her husband's affair with her stepsister while her family blames her. She walks away, exposes the truth, and rebuilds her life from zero overseas. A journey of dignity, courage, and starting over.

May you always find the strength to walk away when love becomes a cage.