Tears fall from my eyes, and I don’t even try to push them back. I let them stream down my cheeks as I soundlessly cry, not just over this, but over everything. The lies, getting kidnapped,getting important moments of my life taken away, thinking I was going to die in the room Finn and I were locked in.
“God, my head hurts,” I mumble, massaging my temples with my fingertips.
I wait for another ten minutes before dragging my ass off the floor and facing the inevitable. I walk over to the counter and pick up the test.
A sob bursts from my chest.
“Maddy?” Ellie bangs on the door. “What’s going on, honey? Open the door, please.”
I walk over and do just that. Her eyes go huge as she notes the tears flowing from my eyes and then at the pregnancy test in my hand.
“Oh, honey, we’re going to get through this.” She wraps her arms around me.
“It’s fine. I’m not crying because I’m knocked up. I’m crying because I’m not.” I exhale a breath I’ve been carrying inside my chest for two weeks.
I may still have a ton of problems to face, but at least I won’t have to worry about James getting the baby Averson/Everford heir he wants, which is a good thing. I just wish I could take everything he stole from Finn and me away from him.
CHAPTER 28
MADDISON
I cryuntil my eyes are swollen, until my chest aches from the sobs that rip from my lungs, until I nearly pass out, completely drained of all my energy.
“Lie down and get some rest.” Ellie helps me to the bed.
“I’m not tired,” I say feebly through a yawn as I lie down on the comfy mattress that has the softest pillow I’ve ever laid my head on. “And I want to be here when everyone gets here… River… Noah… my dad… Well, sort of… Is he nice?” I’m rambling, totally out of it.
“He’s very nice. Too nice sometimes.” She draws the blankets over me. “Just close your eyes for a bit, and I’ll wake you up when everyone gets here.”
“I’m not sure I believe you.” I nestle into the pillow, my eyelids lowering. “And how can anyone be too nice?”
She brushes her hand across the top of my head. “Sometimes being too nice complicates protecting the people you love. Sometimes you have to be brutal and make painful, soul-tearing decisions to ensure their safety.”
I roll my eyes open to look at her. She’s sitting on the edge of the bed, and the lamp light is filtering across her face, revealing the anguish in her eyes.
“Is that how you feel about protecting me? I softly ask.
“I’d do anything to protect you, so yes, that’s how I feel about you, Maddy. I’d die to protect you.” Her fierceness causes discomfort to creep inside me.
“That’s awfully dramatic of you,’ I crack a joke. “You’re starting to sound like Finn. He’s a total drama queen.”
The minuscule smile she gives me doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “I don’t want to upset you, but I need to ask if you’re sure you can trust Finn Averson. I find it odd that James took him instead of River.”
“River is betrothed to a woman named Isla. James said he still has plans for them.”
“I know, but still…” She hesitates, chewing on his lip.
Inhaling, I sit up so I can get my point across as firmly as I can. “I don’t want to hear any more about Finn being suspicious. You don’t know him, so I get why you’d question what happened. But I do know him, and I know his soul is good. You know I’ve seen a lot of ugly souls, so you should believe in my judgement on this.”
Her lips thin as she presses them together. “You’re right. I’m sorry for pushing this. We just need to be safe.”
“We are now, right? Safe, I mean.”
“For a little while, yes. But I’m worried about what’s coming in our future.”
“Me too.” I sweep a lock of my hair from out of my eyes, then yawn. “What’s the deal with that map and book?”
She places a palm against my cheek in a motherly gesture. “Get some rest, and then when everyone arrives, we’re going to discuss that.”
