Page 217 of Maddening Fixation

A locked door.

A guarded house.

A husband who treated me like a slut.

Keegan began walking toward me.

I knew he was coming to force me inside.

I refused to give him the satisfaction.

I turned toward the bungalow myself and walked through the doors.

The second I crossed the threshold, the double doors slammed shut behind me.

Bang.

I spun around and grabbed the handles.

Locked.

My breathing became shallow.

“No...”

I pulled again.

Nothing.

I knew Keegan had locked it, but some foolish part of me kept trying, as though the door might suddenly feel sorry for me and open.

It didn’t.

I rested my forehead against it, my breath trembling.

Then I heard Keegan’s footsteps retreat.

A moment later, the car engine roared to life.

I listened as the sound faded into the distance.

He was gone.

And I was alone.

My legs finally gave out.

I slid slowly down the door until I collapsed onto the floor, the tears I’d fought so desperately to contain finally breaking free.

My hands shook as I covered my face.

I wanted someone—anyone—to tell me that I wasn’t alone.

But I had no one left to call.

My father was gone, abandoning his own family as though we meant nothing.

My sick mother had been taken by Romeo’s grandfather.