Chapter 13
Quinn’s breath was heavy, like a wild animal on the verge of losing control, his rage rolling off him in waves. He looked at me like I was prey, and every instinct in my body screamed that something was terribly wrong. “Quinn, you-“I started to speak, but he didn’t let me finish.
Before I could process what was happening, his hands locked onto my shoulder, pinning me in place. In one brutal move, he tore open the buttons on my blouse, and his lips were on mine in an instant–crushing, demanding, suffocating.
His tongue pushed past my lips with an intensity that left me gasping for air.
I could barely think, the lack of oxygen making my head spin. My heart pounded, my breaths shallow, and I fought to push him away. Desperation kicked in, and I bit down hard on his lower lip,
He froze, caught off guard by the pain, just enough time for me to shove him back. I gasped for air, clutching the blanket to my chest as tears threatened to spill.
“Let go of me!” I snapped, my voice breaking as all the frustration and anger I’d been holding in came crashing down. Quinn’s lips curled into a sneer, the blood on his lip only making him look more dangerous.
But he didn’t seem to care. “That’s it? The main act hasn’t even started yet,” he taunted, his grip on my wrist tightening as he yanked me toward the edge of the bed.
His voice dropped to a low growl, cold and menacing. “If you’re done with the drama, get dressed and tell Grandfather to
release her
“Release who?” I blinked, my mind scrambling to catch up. And then it hit me–only one person could make Quinn lose his cool like this.
“Are you telling me Alex has Diana locked up?” I blurted, the fog in my brain clearing in an instant.
Elijah’s call to Alex must have been the trigger–the final push that had given Alex the excuse he needed to take action against Diana.
“Don’t play dumb, Natalia,” Quinn snapped, his voice dripping with disdain. “Your little games don’t work on me.”
His eyes drilled into mine, cold and unforgiving. He was convinced I was behind all this, and no amount of explaining would change his mind. Any attempt at reasoning was pointless
“Fine,” I said, my voice laced with bitterness as I slid off the bed. “Give me a minute to change.”
Minutes later, I was in the passenger seat of Quinn’s car, gripping the edge of the seat as he slammed the The city lights streaked by in a blur, the engine’s roar filling the air.
pedal to the floor.
Quinn’s face was a mask of tension, his knuckles bone–white around the steering wheel. Leouldn’t help but steal a glance at him, my chest tightening at the sight of his obvious worry–for her.
I swallowed the bitterness creeping up my throat and turned to stare out the window, watching the shadows of trees flash past. How much do you hate me?” I asked, trying to sound casual, though the question felt like a weight in my chest.
Once, I had torn him and Diana apart. I had forced him into this marriage. And now, I regretted it. I didn’t care if he loved me or not anymore. But I couldn’t bear the thought of him lating me.
His voice was ice, each word cutting through the air like a blade. You better pray Diana’s alright. If anything happens to her, I’ll make you pay
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Chapter 13
hu, Dec 12
A dry laugh slipped out of me, bitter and hollow. Pay… Hadn’t I already paid enough? From the moment I met Quinn, I knew I’d never love another man. That love had already cost me everything.
As night settled in, I couldn’t help but stare at Quinn’s stern, chiseled profile reflected in the window. The streetlights cast shadows on his furrowed brow and the sharp angles of his face.
The tears I’d been holding back for so long finally broke free, sliding down my cheeks in silence.
I quickly wiped them away with the back of my hand, hoping he didn’t notice.
Before long, we pulled up to the Madden Mansion.
In the living room. Alex was casually messing with a coffee pot, as if he’d been expecting us. He shot Quinn a quick frown, but his expression softened when he turned to me. “Natalia, come sit by me,” he said with a warm smile, patting the seat beside him.
I walked over and sat down next to Alex, unsure of how to start. My mind was spinning, trying to find the right words. Quinn, on the other hand, wasn’t wasting any time. His patience had clearly worn thin. He stood in the middle of the room like a storm cloud ready to burst.
“Where’s Diana?” he demanded, his voice sharp, slicing through the tension like a whip.
Alex’s face darkened in an instant. He slammed the coffee pot onto the table with a forceful thud.
“Watch your tone, kid he barked, his voice full of fury. “If you even think about tossing aside your wife and child for some shameless woman. I’ll cut you off! Don’t think for a second the Madden fortune will be yours. Not a penny of it. Everything’s going to Natalia and the baby.”
I knew Alex’s threats were aimed at two targets–one to put Quinn in his place, the other to keep me in line, to didn’t try to walk out. But I wasn’t dumb enough to take it at face value.
make sure I
The truth was, the Madden family wasn’t exactly short on heirs. Besides Quinn’s late father, Alex had a son and a daughter. If Quinn lost his grip, his uncle and aunt wouldn’t hesitate to swoop in and take control.
I knew better than to believe Alex would ever let someone like me get a slice of the Madden pie. Three years in this marriage- had taught me that much–reputation and appearances were everything to them.
Forcing a smile, I played along. “Alex, I think you’ve got the wrong idea. Quinn’s been nothing but good to me and the baby. As for Miss Terell, I heard she spent a lot of time here growing up. Maybe she just wanted to pay you a visit now that she’s back in city
Alex flashed me a grin, clearly impressed with my smooth response, and patted my hand with a nod of approval. “Quinn’s lucky to have such a level–headed wife,” he said.
Then, turning to the butler, Drake Frost, he added, “Go ahead and bring Miss Terell in.”
Moments later, Drake went to the b
basement and returned with Diana.
She looked like a deer in headlights, her face as pale as a ghost. She clutched her designer dress like it was a shield, but even in her messy state, it was clear she hadn’t been hurt.
Alex had clearly drawn the line–he wasn’t stupid enough to risk real harm.
I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Even Alex, for all his power, understood how much Diana meant to Quinn, and didn’t dare go too far.
The sight of Quinn seemed to trigger something in Diana. She took a step toward him, her body instinctively leaning in his
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Chapter 13
direction, but Drake’s grip op her wrist stopped her cold. “Miss Terell, watch your manners,” he said, his voice hard as stone.
Diana’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at Quinn, silently begging him for help. Quinn’s face remained a mask of stone, but his voice softened when he spoke to her. “Say goodbye to my grandfather before we leave.”
Diana turned to Alex, her voice shaky, “G–Goodbye… Alex
Alex’s face darkened, his tone colder than ice. “Watch how you address me, Miss Terell. If you’re talking to me, the proper way to address me is “Mr. Madden Same as your mother, who’s still sitting in prison.”
Diana’s face crumpled, her lips trembling as she fought to hold back her tears.
“That’s enough, Quinn snapped, his voice thick with frustration He then turned to me, his tone flat and detached. “Aren’t you tired. Mrs. Madden?”
I stiffened. In all the time we’d been together, he had never once called me honey. “Mrs. Madden was as close as he’d ever come, and even that felt like a reluctant concession. The chill in his voice made it crystal clear–he was far from happy.
Sensing his displeasure, I quickly stood up. “Alex, it’s late. We should head out so you can get some rest.
Alex waved us off with a smile and gestured for Drake to help him upstairs.
Quinn’s car was parked outside. I hadn’t planned on bothering him, but with the Madden Mansion sitting on the edge of the city, taking a cab at night wasn’t just inconvenient–it felt downright dangerous.
I couldn’t take that risk, especially with my son to think about. So, reluctantly, I decided to take his car.
As I opened the car door, Diana broke down all over again.
“Natalia, I know you hate me,” she sobbed, her voice shaking. “But I really love Quinn. I’d do anything for him–just as long as he’s happy. I’m so sorry for everything I’ve done. Please… forgive me. Just… don’t make Alex angry with Quinn again.”
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