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“Why are you mad with them? Because of the past?”
“Yeah, but it’s not just the past for me. They were all I had when I was a terrified, lost lonely kid. They came along and gave me hope that maybe someone wanted me and cared about me. They made me want more than the shitty hand I had in life, then they just left me without a word. They broke me all over again and I’ve never managed to put those pieces back together. I married Edward because I was mad at them. I messed my whole life up because I never dared to hope I could have anything better. I know that’s not all on them really, but I can’t help being bitter towards them. I just…I don’t know if I can ever forgive them, and yet here I am, taking everything they’re giving me. It just feels wrong,” I explained.
“They care about you and just want to be there for you and Willow in this shit time you’re having. Just think if the roles were reversed, if you found out one of them were in trouble and you could do something to help, would you? Even as mad as you feel about them?”
“Of course I would. Even though I was pissed with them for so many years, I still cared about them too,” I replied.
“Right. And they’re just doing the same thing for you. It sounds like they have a lot to make up for, and they obviously want to do that. Let them. Let me help too. Stop fighting to survive on your own and just accept that you have people in your corner now. You hear me?”
“I hear you,” I agreed.
“Good. Now, I’m hoping to get there next weekend. Mia and the guys will be back and ready to return to the office by then, so I can get away for a while.”
“You don’t need to do that, Nico.”
“We already had this conversation, Maddie,” he sighed. “I want to come out there. I want to spend some time with you and Willow, so I can see for myself you’re really okay. Plus I miss you. It’s so boring around here without you in the office.”
“I guess it will be good for you to take a break,” I mused. I had never once seen him take a single day of leave in all of the time I worked for him. His whole life revolved around Milite as far as I could see.
“Exactly. I haven’t had a damned holiday in years. I’m looking forward to it,” he assured me. “I already spoke to Hunter too. He’s happy for me to stay at the house, so I’m good to go.”
“I’m looking forward to it too,” I agreed happily.
“You sound tired. Why don’t you get some rest? We can talk later,” he suggested.
“I’d argue, but I’m too tired to,” I laughed.
“You can call me any time, Maddie. You know that. Night or day, I’ll be right here for you.”
“Thanks Nico,” I replied tearfully.
“Always sweetheart. Get some sleep. Speak again soon, yeah?”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “Bye.”
I ended the call as I fought back more damned tears. These guys were killing me with their kindness and soft words. Add to that pregnancy hormones and I was screwed.
I sent a quick text to Hunter to check on Willow and instantly received a reply in the form of a picture of Willow sat on Kai’s lap with a huge smile on her face and the remote control for her car in her hand. She was having a ball judging by that picture and it was enough to allow me to lie back and close my eyes. Within seconds I was out cold.
CHAPTER 7
MADDIE
I was startled awake by the quiet snick of the bedroom door opening. I sat up and looked to the door, terrified. Edward was staying out that night. He’d been to a charity event with his father and he’d sneered that I shouldn’t expect him home as he left that evening, his overnight bag packed and on his shoulder.
I knew he would spend the night in a hotel with whichever tart he picked up at the party, but I really didn’t care as long as he didn’t come home drunk to force himself on me, as he liked to do now and then. In fact I had been relieved to have a night alone without him watching and critiquing my every move.
It seemed my luck was out though as Edward stumbled through the bedroom door. His suit jacket was gone and his shirt was half untucked from his trousers. He stumbled in and slammed the door behind him, making me wince as I listened for the sound of Willow waking up. Thankfully, she seemed to sleep through the racket.
“Edward? I th-thought you were s-staying out tonight?” I asked, hating the way my stutter betrayed my fear.
“Change of plans,” he said as he glared at me with the hatred I had come to know very well in the last few years. He truly seemed to despise me and the feeling was mutual. “Take your clothes off,” he demanded as he started to fumble with his belt buckle.
“Edward, no. It…it’s late and you…you’ve had a lot to drink. You should g-get some sleep.”
“I won’t say it again,” he hissed as he stumbled to the bedside so he loomed over me. “Take off your fucking clothes!”
“Willow…you’ll w-wake her,” I panicked. I knew what was coming. It was far from the first time he had taken what he wanted from me against my will, but still I tried to save myself.
