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Anastasia.
Her pulse amped up, and with it, a wave of emotions that threatened to knock her to back the instant she stood. Unsteady on her feet, she fell back.
Blacking out.
CHAPTER18
ALEX
In the quiet confines of their bedroom, Madison woke.
Alex’s voice billowed softly from the bathroom, his voice low.
Confused, she strained to hear, her heart quickening as she strained to catch every snippet of their discussion.
“Can you keep AJ for a while?”
What?Madison’s heart sank as she sat up.
Alex’s voice trembled as he spoke. “I have to go out of town, and with Madison’s condition…”
Her brow creased hard.A few fainting spells, and now I have a condition?
And why does AJ have to leave? He’s fifteen, not five.
She mustered the strength to stand, then marched straight into the bathroom, demanding answers as Alex hung up the phone. “Why can’t AJ stay here with us?”
His expression changed, a shadow of sadness clouding his features. His dark eyes met hers, full of utter sadness. “There’s something I need to deal with, Madison. I’m not sure how long it will take.”
“And you’ve been gone before. That doesn’t mean we suddenly split up our family. We—”
Interrupting her, Alex’s patience waned. “Not we, Madison. Me. I need to do this. And I need you to rest. Mark and Jess can help. I don’t want to worry about you. Either of you. What if he runs away again? Or steals the car?”
Their gazes locked, Madison’s eyes searched his for answers. He had none to give.
She stepped forward, cupping Alex’s cheek with gentle concern. “What aren’t you telling me?” she asked, empathy lacing her tone.
Alex’s gaze met hers, anguish squeezing his chest. He shook his head, exhausted. “I have to see her.”
“Who?”
“AJ’s mother.” His eyes shut hard. “I know who she is now. And I have to see her.”
The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, the space between them full of unspoken regret.
Madison’s brow furrowed in confusion as she took his words in. Of course, she didn’t understand.How could she?
“What can I do?” she asked, her voice filled with unwavering support. This was her. No matter how the world stormed around him, she’d always be an angelic ray of sunshine after the rain.
Alex’s eyes met hers, as a heavy sigh escaped his lips. “Nothing, Madison. This is something I need to face…alone.”
“When will you be back?”
His words were soft, and his heart, tormented. “I don’t know.”
CHAPTER19
MADISON
