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“Jaxson, I’m done…” She says, trying to hold back the sob in her throat that fills my ears as she sniffs. “…just please go.”

She stands to her feet and attempts to walk past me, but I quickly grab her arms, stopping her in her tracks. There’s no way in hell I’m going to give up on her without a fight. She means too much to me to just give up. I love her… even if I can’t admit it… at least not right now.

“Madison, I’m telling you the truth.”

Ripping her arm from my grasp, she turns to me with tear-filled eyes. “Enough, Jaxson. You have no idea what I’ve been through over the last few weeks.”

“Yeah, and you don’t know what I’ve been through…”

“Oh really?” She gasps, staring at me with disbelief. “Did you find out you were late on your period too? Did you think for two weeks that you were pregnant by a man who didn’t want you only to go to the doctor and find out that you're not and instead the stress of everything you're going through is the reason why you're late…”

The moment she says she thought she was pregnant, my heart sinks into my stomach. I’d always imagined having kids one day, but not anytime soon. Though the fact that she could have been and isn’t hurts more than comprehensible. Part of me would have been over the moon if she had been because she means more to me than I know how to explain.

“I’m sorry… I should have been here. But I’m here now. I’m here fighting for you.”

Laughter leaves her once more as she steps back from me. “Maybe you're right… but why would you be? You were busy in New York, Jaxson. That’s where your life is. That’s where you have everything you’veever wanted. So, how can we both ever imagine that things would work out between us… huh? I mean, you couldn’t even admit to anyone you were with me while you were there.”

She wasn’t wrong on the last part. But it wasn’t because I didn’t care about her that I had a hard time admitting it. Part of me was scared too.

“You didn’t go on your own, did you?” Something about the thought of her having to go through that alone eats away at me. She should never have to do anything like that on her own.

“No, Jaxson.” She snorts. “Fortunately, Sam and Knox love me. They both went, but Sam went into the exam room with me. At least she was here to make sure I didn’t have to go through finding out alone. And don’t even start by saying I could have told you… because you obviously weren’t available.”

To hear that Knox had known about this the entire time and didn’t tell me, hurts. He and I were friends long before I met Madison and though we are like brothers, he kept this secret from me. Though it could be the reason why he and Callum suggested I come back.

Walking to the door, she stops and opens it. Her eyes drifting to me for a moment before she wipes a stray tear away with the back of her hand. I don’t want to leave things as is. With her angry at me and everything else a mess. I want her to believe me. To trust me that I’m not lying to her.

But with that interview, it makes it ten times harder.

Stepping forward towards the door, I stop and turn to face her. “What will it take for you to believe me Madison? I’ll do anything.”

She’s quiet as she stares at me. Her eyes, unwilling to move before a heavy breath finally escapes her lips. As if the thoughts running through her mind are too much to control.

“Prove that you’re not lying… and get rid of that woman. Maybe then I’ll listen.”

And just like that… she gave me a new mission.

Chapter Thirty-Six: Jaxson

As much as I wish I could have stayed in Willowcreek and fixed everything from there, I couldn’t. I left on the next available flight out to tend to the promise I made to Madison. I would fix things for her. I would keep my promise and bring Caitlin to her knees one way or another.

The car comes to a stop outside of my apartment building. The familiar shadow the building cast upon the ground below no longer as welcoming as it once was. Instead, it’s a steely reminder of the fact that I no longer had Madison at my side.

Stepping out onto the sidewalk, I turn to the driver, who has unloaded my luggage. “Thanks, Brian.”

“Anytime, sir. Would you like me to still be here in the morning to take you to Skyline?”

It was my usual schedule, but due to everything else going on it’s going to have to be on the backend of my priorities for right now. “No. Justremain on standby for now. I have a few calls to make… I’ll send you a message later once I know more.”

“Of course, sir.” He replies with a nod of his head before turning to climb back into the car.

As soon as the car pulls away, I let out a heavy breath before making my way in the building. My mind, a fog of emotions as I enter the elevator, making my way up to an apartment that no longer feels like home. It isn’t until I open the door and step into my apartment that I come to a halt.

Greeted by an unwanted surprise.

“Caitlin.” Her name’s laced with venom as it leaves my lips. Murderous intentions rising within my mind as I see the blonde bitch that’s haunted my every move over the last few months.

“Did you miss me?” Her smile stretches across her face, as she stands from the chaise she was sat upon, making her way towards me. “I’ve missed you.”

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