Page 70 of Something to Believe In
"That was six months ago."
Mitch cleared his throat. "Yes. Apparently, you met her there. She came backstage with a girlfriend for a meet and greet. The girlfriend won it in a radio show giveaway contest. After you took a picture with the two women, they asked the band questions and then they left."
Maddyn nodded. "I remember that now. She looked different."
Mads grabbed her phone and began scrolling. She found what she was looking for and turned her phone around, showing him a social media post from the band's account. He stood between Lacey and her friend. His arms were around each of the women's shoulders and they were smiling. There were also photos with Jami and Sean doing the same thing. Scrolling a bit more, she found a picture of Livia and her with the two women. Pulling her phone closer, she looked carefully at the picture then set her phone down. Her eyes looked into his, but he couldn't read her thoughts.
"Mads found the pictures of all of us with them."
Mitch took a breath. "Yes. So after that, according to her friend, she couldn't get over you. She started gathering every picture she had ever found of you. Your photos occupied an entire wall in her apartment. With each passing day, she continued to lose touch with reality. She told her friend she'd soon marry you and have many babies. The day she drove up to see you, she called her friend and told her she was coming to get you. Her friend thought nothing of it other than it was more rambling. They'd stopped spending time together shortly after that event. Her former boss said she never came back to work after the day she first spoke to you at the Sandbar."
Mads held her hand over her tummy. The horrified look on her face made him feel so bad for her. For both of them, really. He reached forward and took her hand in his.
She scooted closer to him on the bed and together they listened to Mitch.
"The police are wrapping up the investigation. The investigators ruled her death an accident. Zeke saved you both from another terrible accident."
Mads nodded. "We're so grateful to him."
Mitch responded. "Yes, I am as well. Do either of you have any questions?"
Axel turned to Mads. She smiled sweetly and shook her head.
"No, thank you. We appreciate the update, Mitch."
"You're welcome. Have a great day."
The call ended, and Axel set his phone on the bed. "I honestly don't remember meeting her that night. There wasn't a moment in the conversation where I thought she'd get the wrong idea."
"It isn't your fault, Axel. She may have had issues prior to that meeting, and something triggered it again."
He kissed her. "You're so sweet."
She chuckled. "Pfft."
Maddyn scooted off the bed and disappeared into the bathroom. He went to the kitchen and got the coffee going. He had a phone call to make and a song to write.
Chapter Forty
Maddyn's dress was soft, mint-green lace. She and Livia had gone shopping yesterday after she had unpacked most of her belongings. She still had a couple of boxes left to do, but the excitement of shopping for a wedding dress took precedence.
She stood before the mirror and added the gold chain her mom had given her for her birthday fifteen years ago. It was a simple gold chain. Layering her gold chain with another necklace she'd purchased for herself with her first paycheck over ten thousand dollars. That had been the goal.
Stepping back, she perused her reflection in the mirror. In an hour, she'd be Axel's wife. Her tummy fluttered.
She let her hair dry naturally today, her natural curls tamed only by hair product and a curling iron in some areas.
Inhaling a deep breath, she stepped from their bedroom into the hall. As she passed the office, Axel looked up from his chair and smiled. "You are a vision."
She chuckled. "So are you." And he was. He had black dress pants on and a mint-green shirt to match her dress. His hair was short so nothing had to be done with it. His smile was perfect. A flutter in her tummy reminded her of that.
He set his notebook down on the table next to his chair. Standing, he tucked in his shirt, then stepped close to her and kissed her forehead. "I'll kiss your lips after you're my wife."
She chuckled. "Deal."
"Are you ready?"
"I am."
