Page 145 of Maddening Fixation

Nothing.

Not even the slightest hesitation.

My heartbeat pounded painfully against my ribs as I stumbled after him.

“Please... just listen to me.”

This time, he stopped.

Slowly.

Without speaking, he turned his head just enough for me to know I had his attention.

His face was impossible to read.

Not anger. Not hatred. Not impatience.

Nothing.

His eyes were as cold and still as frozen glass.

“I understand why you hate me,” I whispered, struggling to steady my trembling voice. “And... I’m not asking you to stop.”

My throat tightened.

“But... there’s something you deserve to know.”

Silence.

He neither encouraged me nor dismissed me.

He simply waited.

“We’re not strangers.”

I swallowed hard.

“I’ve known you since we were teenagers. Not just because you were my sister’s best friend... but because...” My voice cracked. “...because I was the one who saved your life.”

His expression never changed.

“The day your brother pushed you into the lake...”

My chest rose unevenly.

“Everyone believes Yarina jumped in after you... but she didn’t.”

My eyes burned.

“It was me.”

The words left my mouth in a rush.

“I couldn’t even swim properly... but I still jumped into that lake because you were drowning.”

A shaky breath escaped me.

“I was terrified. I nearly drowned with you. My stomach struck one of the rocks beneath the water while I was trying to pull you out.”