My laugh was humorless "The honorable Judge Maddox is a busy man. If you're here, it's not to peel fruit. Just get to the That but him I didn't care He sighest "Did you pushy Scarlett down the stairs?" Estibald've known. Not a word in five years. Not a visit during my sentencing But now that Scarlett had a scratch on her porcelain skin, suddenly he had done for me. 1 lookest at bins, voice cold. "Yes, I did it." e reeled slightly. You're not even going to deny it?" Why should I? You've not here for the truth. You never were." I gave him a flat, bitter smile. "So what's next? Another sentence? Five years? Ten? Just tell me how long this time, and I'll pack my bags" He stared at me, stunned silent. "Riley.. you are my mate and I'd never want to hurt Inearly laughed. But it wasn't funny "You've already done worse," I Is dangerous. You rejected me as your mate. And now you want to talk about what you would never do?" id souly. "You stood on the witness stand and let them cage me like a beast. You called me His jaw clenched. "I came to check on you." I turned my back, "I don't need your concern. His voice cracked. "What do you want from me. Riley? You think I haven't suffered too? I've been trying to reach you ever since you were released, but you won't even look at ine. What do you want me to do?!" I finally looked at hun eyes like ice. "I want you to understand what it means to be falsely accused. To be betrayed by the people who were supposed to protect you He froze I didn't stop. "You talk about pain like you invented it. But I lived it. Maddox. Every minute of those five years, And you want me to move on! Let it go? Just because it's convenient for you?" His eyes were red "Scarlett saved my life. She paid for my education. I owed her "No" My voice was steel. "You repaid that dela by sentencing the wrong person. Don't tell me about honor. You weaponized the law to bucak me He opened his mouth, then closed it. I 1 stool. "If you're not here to put me back in chains, then get out. If you are-well, I'm not afraid of prison anymore." "I'm not here to hurt you" he whispered That you already have" He stepped forward "Please, Riley- +8 Pearls Chapter 41 He moved too fast. His hand clamped over my mouth. His weight crushed me into the mattress. I thrashed, trying to break free, but he was stronger. He was always stronger. His hand shifted, covering not just my mouth-but my nose. Panic exploded in my chest. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't scream. The world spun, stars bursting behind my eyes. And then- "LET HER GO!" Mia's voice. A flash of silver. The clang of a thermos crashing against his head. He let go. doll. And in the same second-he snapped. Maddox whirled and kicked Mia across the room like a rag d She hit the wall with a sickening thud. "MIA!" I screamed, staggering toward her, blood roaring in my ears. Send Gifts