Begone, Imposter

"Besides, I'm still pregnant right now. You say you're afraid of pain and don't want to have kids, and that's your choice.

"However, the baby inside me is Mason's child, the only bloodline left of the McMahon family. Just because you don't want kids yourself doesn't mean you can stop others from having kids.

"If you'd lost control of your strength and something happened to this baby, you'll have to answer to Margaret. If that happened, how could I ever face Mason in the afterlife? Is that what you want? To end the McMahon lineage?"

Hearing this, Mason finally showed a hint of guilt. He nudged Gloria with his elbow and shot her a look, signaling something to her.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and apologize to Celine!"

…

That night, I made up an excuse about going for a prenatal massage and left without even eating dinner.

The very moment I stepped out of the door, the three of them immediately huddled together inside the villa.

In the living room, Margaret raised her hand and slapped "Jason" hard across the face.

Even though I was watching through the villa's security cameras, the sharp sound of the slap still pierced through the phone speakers. It was enough to make my teeth ache, causing me to instinctively cover my cheek.

Margaret's face was full of fury.

"How did I give birth to such a good-for-nothing like you? Who told you to impersonate your brother? You even abandoned your wife and went to mess around with your sister-in-law!

"If word gets out, people will gossip about us so badly we won't be able to lift our heads ever again!"

She then turned to glare at Gloria.

"And you! What's wrong with you? Are you that desperate for a man? Will it kill you to just stay single for a while? Jason's barely been dead for a few days, and you're already fooling around with Mason?

"What do you think our family is? Have you no shame?"

Gloria pouted miserably, tears streaming down her face.

"Mom, I…"

Before she could say anything, Mason quickly stepped forward and shielded her behind him.

"Mom, it was my decision. If you're going to blame someone, blame me. Gloria's innocent. I was the one who wanted to marry her first.

"If it hadn't been for Jason, Gloria and I would never have been separated for so many years. And now that Jason's gone, there's no one left to take care of Gloria.

"That's why I thought of this plan. What's done is done. All of Mason's legal paperwork has been finalized. From now on, I can only be Jason McMahon. It's impossible for me to reclaim my old identity now, even if I wanted to."

"But what about Celine? She's pregnant! Are you planning to force her into widowhood?" Margaret asked.

Mason smiled smugly.

"Don't worry, Mom. I've already figured everything out. With how much she loves me, she'll definitely keep the baby.

"Then, when she's vulnerable and in need of care, I'll stay close, treat her well, and make sure she falls for me all over again.

"Once she gives birth, I'll find a reason to have Gloria raise the child. With a baby tying her down, and her feelings for me rekindled, she'll have no choice but to stay.

"And with her family's massive fortune, as long as she stays with us, sooner or later, all that money will fall into our laps."

Margaret looked at him in utter shock.

"You're planning to keep two wives? Bigamy is illegal!"

"Mom, it's not like we're legally marrying her. Gloria, you're the only legal wife for me. At most, Celine would just be an invisible mistress, hidden away from the world."

Gloria scoffed with disdain. "Don't fool yourself into thinking she's a saint. Those rich people are all rotten to the core."

Mason eagerly chimed in.

"Exactly! Celine is quite a flirt herself. Before marrying me, she already had several boyfriends, and even caught an STI. If she hadn't gotten me drunk that night, there's no way I would've married her!"