Page 242 of Maddening Fixation

Almost like I was afraid of the answer.

“Your own child, Romeo. Don’t you want that?”

“A child?”

Romeo repeated the word like it was something foreign.

Something he couldn’t accept.

He took another step back.

Then another.

His hand moved through his hair repeatedly, the same frustrated motion over and over again. His jaw clenched. His breathing grew heavier.

He looked like a man fighting against something inside himself.

But instead of fear, instead of confusion, all I saw was anger.

“If I ever want a child, it will never be with you.”

The words cut deeper than any knife. “I just need this marriage to end. One year and six months. That’s all that remains.”

His expression twisted. “Then you can go wherever the hell you want.”

My voice trembled.

“You hate me so much that even carrying your child disgusts you.”

The words broke something inside me.

Another knock sounded at the door.

Romeo’s head snapped toward it. “Who the fuck is that?”

“Keegan, sir.”

His anger shifted instantly.

Romeo began pacing the room.

Back and forth.

Like a predator trapped in a cage.

His veins stood out against his neck.

Then suddenly—

His fist slammed into the wall.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

The sound echoed through the room.