But his smile falters when he sees the state I’m in. “Wait. What’s the matter?”
When I don’t answer, he continues. “Babe, look at me. Tell me what’s going on.” He crouches down in front of me, reaching for my chin, but I flinch—recoiling from his touch.
“How could you? And on our anniversary, too…” I say through choked tears.
“What?” His brows draw tight. “What are you talking about?”
Pushing him off of me, I get up and storm out of his apartment.
“Annalise! Wait!” he calls out.
Snow falls from the sky, blanketing the ground in a thick, powdery layer. The frigid air slices through my lungs with every breath as I dash across the street to Millennium Park.
Maddox quickly catches up with me, reaching for my hand and holding it tightly as concern flickers in his deep-brown eyes.
Or is it guilt behind treacherous eyes?
“Annalise, please come back inside. It’s freezing out here.”
I yank my hand away, freeing myself from his hold. “Get away from me! I can’t believe you cheated on me, you piece of shit!”
He stares at me, baffled. “What? Where is this coming from?”
“Oh, don’t you dare try to deny it!” I snap. “I saw Charlotte come out of your bedroom! She told me that you were flirting with her all night long and that you said we broke up.”
“What the fuck? I got wasted last night, but I sure as hell would never say that. Are you seriously going to believe her over me?”
“She came out of your fucking bedroom, Maddox! Wearingyourclothes! What more proof do I need?”
Maddox tucks my hair behind my ear and swipes my tears with his thumb. “I swear, I would never do anything to hurt you.” He leans forward, touching his forehead to mine. “I love you more than anything in the world. I would never give up what we have.”
I want to believe him. I want to believe that what he feels for me is real. That he is the person I am destined to spend eternity with.
But my mind floods with vivid images of Maddox and Charlotte’s naked bodies entwined together in bed, igniting a rage within me like flowing lava. Each moment I envision them together deepens my sense of betrayal.
I step away from him, creating a distance between us that’s more than just physical. I won’t allow myself to be weak again.
“You know, back then I kept rejecting you because I heard you had a reputation for being a player. But something told me there was more to you. That I should take a chance on you and not listen to what everyone else was saying. I thought maybe you just hadn’t found a girl that was worth committing to, but I was clearly wrong,” I shake my head as the tears continue to fall down my cheeks. “You’ll never change and will always be a player. I bet you were unfaithful throughout our whole relationship.”
“Do you really think that?” Maddox asks, his eyes searching mine.
“I do,” I reply without hesitation.
His shoulders sag, tears trickling down his cheeks. “How could you think so low of me, Annalise? If it were any other girl, I would’ve given up after being rejected the first time.Youare the first girl I let myself be completely vulnerable with,” he says, his voice cracking. “I’d never been in love before I met you.”
“Stop saying you love me!” I snap. “Youclearlydon’t have a clue what it means to love someone. The only person you’re capable of loving is yourself.”
A wave of hurt clouds his face, but I couldn’t care less. I know that it’s yet another act of deception crafted to manipulate my feelings.
“How could you say I never loved you? Charlotte and I only slept together once in high school, and it happened way before you and I got together. I promise I haven’t been with anyone but you. You are the only one I want, Rosie.”
“Enough!” I shout, tears searing my cheeks. “I’msickof your lies! You’re exactly like my father.”
Maddox stares back at me in disbelief, my last words cutting him deep.
“I don’t want to see you ever again! We’re done.”
I turn on my heel to walk away, but he catches me, pulling me back into his arms. He leans down, his forehead pressed to my chest as a broken sob escapes him.
