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“I don’t hate you
No, I couldn’t if I wanted to
I just hate all the hurt that you put me through
And that I blame myself for letting you”
“Wrong Direction”
-Hailee Steinfield
Chapter One
MADDIE
I should’ve known things were too good to be true.
Liam and I were living in a perfect bubble, just the two of us, and happy as hell. I knew Victoria was being her normal pain in the ass self, ordering Liam around, and had him by the balls. I trusted him, though. Trusted he’d fight this battle with me by his side.
I should’ve known better.
The moment Victoria shows up with Liam’s dad, it’s game over. She announces she’s pregnant with twins and claims Liam’s the father.
And then I notice the look on Liam’s face when he realizes Victoria has revealed the secret he’s kept from me.
Devastated.
Just like my heart.
After Victoria butters up Liam’s dad and talks about Liam moving to Vegas, I fake politeness and get the fuck out of there. Liam knows nothing he can say will keep me from being pissed even though he begs me to hear him out. The pain is too fresh, but it doesn’t matter because he can’t change what’s happening.
Once I’m in my room, I lock the door and focus on my breathing. Tears threaten to surface, but I hold them back. I won’t break down while she’s in this house. I refuse to give her that satisfaction. Or him.
I spend hours in my bed, waiting for the darkness to swallow me whole. My worst nightmare has come true, and I can’t do a damn thing about it. Victoria’s the puppet master, and Liam has no choice but to do what she says. Now that she’s pregnant, nothing can go back to the way it was when we were sneaking around. There’s no way she’ll let him go if those babies are really his.
Liam blows up my phone with text messages, and it’s not until he sucker punches me with our promise that I finally find the strength to respond.
Liam: You promised, Maddie. You promised no matter what, you were mine, and I was yours.
Maddie: That was before you knocked up your WIFE, asshole. Fuck off. Go to Vegas and stay there this time.
I don’t mean it. I want him here with me, but I’m so damn hurt that I convince myself it would be for the best. He needs to leave so I can get over him once and for all. It’s his final text that has me falling apart.
Liam: I am so sorry.
So much meaning in those four words.
Sorry for what he did, sorry this happened, sorry it has to be over.
Tears spill over, falling down my cheeks, and I don’t even have the strength to wipe them away. I gave him my heart, my virginity, and trusted him amongst all the Victoria drama. I’d fallen for him so effortlessly, and he lied so easily. Liam kept the truth from me and used me as a distraction to his reality. My body shakes as the tears come faster now, soaking my pillowcase. Curling up into a ball, I just pray for the ache in my chest to take me under.
It’s sometime after midnight when I get up to use the bathroom and grab a banana from the kitchen. Everyone’s passed out, and by morning, Liam and Victoria will be gone. None of this feels real.
Once I’m back in bed, I fall asleep with my heart shattered into a million pieces.
“Maddie, wake up,” someone whispers while shaking my shoulder. “Wake up,” she repeats. “Time’s running out.”
Huh?
“What?” I ask, blinking and holding up a hand to cover the bright light coming from my lamp. “Victoria? What time is it? Is Liam okay?”
She rolls her eyes as if me worrying about him annoys her. “It’s after three, and you need to get your ass moving. Pack a bag. You’re leaving.”
That gets my attention enough to sit up and glare at her. “Excuse me?”
“You need to do exactly as I say, Madelyn,” she roughly whispers.
I scoff, crossing my arms. “And why should I? In case you haven’t realized, I hate you.”
A slow, smug smile spreads across her gorgeous face. I hate how pretty she is. “Listen closely, little girl.” She closes the gap between us, leaning down until our eyes meet, and jabs a finger into my chest. “I know you’ve been fucking my husband, and that stops right now. You’re a distraction he doesn’t need. If he’s going to keep up with his part of the deal, then I need you out of the picture.”
I swallow. What the hell is she talking about? “I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
“I’ve got it covered,” she states proudly. “And unless you want Liam to get killed for betraying me and my family, you’ll do what I say. Trust me, it’s for the best.”
