My blood boils. My heart throbs. My stomach knots. But I don't allow the hurt within to show. I bottle it up as if I feel nothing. I wait until Alonso escorts Madison from the jet. I don't want to lose my shit in public. I was taught to do so in private. I breathe deeply and wait until the door closes. I punch a nearby wall, denting the metal interior with knuckle prints.

Why would she do this to me? I don't get it. Am I not giving her enough attention?? No...no, I am. That's not it. It's something else. Does she want her ex back? Judging by how Madi fled to him proves she does. No matter if he lied or manipulated her. She should have ignored him. She still cares. I close my eyes and inhale until my nostrils flare. The air doesn't leave my lungs. I hold it.

Is she really this gullible? Did I give Madi too much credit? I spotted that she was stubborn as hell, now I see she has a lot of growing to do. She's only 22 and isn't as equipped to handle decisions rationally. She's still a girl...I love her...but I can't waste time waiting for her to reach my level. That can take years. I can't marry someone who's indecisive.

Then again, I don't want her to leave. I invested too much time...too much effort. On top of that, she's the definition of living art. How her navy eyes spark when she's excited. Her tiny nose and smile. A smile that parts clouds on gloomy days. A mind that always has me guessing. Now it has me confused.

Did she mean it when she said she loved me? Or did she just say it because I did? When you love someone, you don't do this. You don't hurt them this way. Arguing is expected, but choosing another man isn't. I'm not sure what to do. All I know is I need space. I let out the breath and take a seat.

I stare out the oval window at the sunny sky, hating that this day is ruined. I rushed from a blackout meeting with NASA. Hopefully, I can get back in time to make amends. I may lose the deal. "Seattle, Washington," I demand the jet. It rolls ahead. I have a penthouse there...I would go to the one here, but Madi's parents are there. I wouldn't want to put them out, especially since they did nothing wrong. I'll stay in Seattle.

The craft ascends into the bright sky. I eye Grand Park. The place where my future fiancé met with her ex. The fact that Brad had the nerve to even speak to her. To purchase a ring only after I had. It's all a competition to him. All a measuring game. I'm sure prison will fix that. He won't be so cocky behind bars. I text Alonso:

Have you arrived at the station?

I continue watching the park as the jet flies.

Alonso: Pulling into the lot now, sir.

Me: Good. When the charges are done, escort her to the penthouse.

I rub the back of my neck and sigh. She'll have to be on punishment to learn her lesson. Maybe a week...maybe more. Until I figure out how long I can't be around her. My anger may get the best of me. I need to wind down. I wanted to hit her before for telling me to man up. I was able to shoo that away. This is different. This is betrayal, irritation, and hurt rolled into one. I can't trust myself not to lash out. This situation is bad...but Madison doesn't deserve another abuser. I need to collect myself.

MADISON

Alonso texted someone. I'm sure it was Jace wondering if I'd done what he said. I know he's furious. He's probably rethinking marriage...rethinking our relationship. I fucked up bad. So bad that he calls me Ms. Hart. He hates me. He's going to end us. I feel it in my bones. I would leave if our places were reversed. I hope I'm assuming the worse. I hope the year of longing for Jace wasn't for nothing.

I hope the island isn't gone. I had a fairytale life until I smashed it to pieces. My wedding was so close. My goal of waiting was almost complete. Now I feel no happiness will come. My vision of the groom. My dream of a child, of the cabin. The honeymoon. All of that seems to have disappeared. That life feels so distant. I'm so stupid! Why didn't I trust myself? I had a feeling Brad was lying. I didn't know for sure...but I still should have trusted my gut.

Alonso opens my door. I take a deep breath before exiting the back seat. I've never been to a police station. I step towards the glassy fortress, eyeing a clear door looking onto a front desk. Alonso follows behind me. Inside, the department is large, stairways reach high, and the floor is white marble.

The receptionist greets me with a smile. "Hello. How may I help you?"

I recall what Jace demanded. "Hello, my name is Madison Hart. I'm here to file charges against Brad Smith."

The woman types on a computer on the desk. What are the charges?"

My gaze falls. "Attempted rape and assault." I push away the scene from the hotel room....and the park. But the violent acts find a way into my mind. Reminding me how monstrous Brad was.

"I see that this is the one you brought in, Mr. Vela."

"Yes." Alonso nods.

"Were there any witnesses?"

"Yes...seven. I gathered their information. There's video proof online."

"Good to know." The employee types on. "We have an available officer for your case." The lady eyes me. "Nickleson will be out shortly."

Video proof?? Someone posted it online??? Unbelievable! This is probably the first time I ever hated phones. I hope no one recognized me. I don't want the annoying headlines. I don't want anyone to know about the park ordeal-especially not my parents or my girls. I sit in an armchair near the door and let out a huff.

Whatever....the video isn't the focus right now; gathering information is. I should be glad people were recording to prove the close attack. It would have been hard to claim if there were no evidence. As for the attempted rape, I have evidence. My chat session with a board-licensed therapist. So, no further evidence is needed.

I spy Alonso texting again. "Is that Jace?"

"Yes." He pockets the phone.

"What's he saying?"

"He's inquiring about evidence."

Odd...I was just thinking of that. Did our minds link up? I hope so...that may have been the last time they do. I'm sure he hates me and wants as much distance as possible. I look over at Alonso, who is posted at my side. "You've worked with Jace long enough to know his mind, right?"

"I have."

"How easily does he forgive?"

His slim face is unreadable, so are his dark eyes. "A few days, usually. But this is based on business relations, not personal issues."

I frown. "So...probably longer than that?"

"Perhaps." His spicy accent romanticizes the simple word.

A blonde officer exits a door beside the desk. "Madison Hart." A tall cop calls me. I stand and near the door. "Officer Nickleson." He holds out his hand. I shake it. I'm sure to be firm with it. My dad taught me to do so to appear strong, even though I'm weak right now. "Right this way." The guy holds the door for me. "Mr. Vela, you could attend if you'd like since you're free range."

"Only if Ms. Hart is comfortable. If not, I'll forward the information."

I ponder this. I could do it alone. But then again, I've never interacted with the law before. It'll be best to have someone high-ranked in the room to help me. "I'd feel better with you in the room."

"That's settled then." The cop beckons to Alonso. We pass down a lengthy hall, down to a door on the end. The walk is long. Long enough to think.

I'm going to have to be labeled a victim through paperwork. I hate being that. This makes three times this year I've been labeled as such. I hope this is the last time.

The interrogation room has the typical ceiling light. There's a table with four chairs. "Please have a seat." I do so, crossing my legs and straightening my back to appear confident. Alonso positions himself at the door with his hands behind his back. For some reason, the room feels safer with him here. Maybe because he rescued me from being battered. If Alonso weren't at the park, I'd be in the hospital again. "Please state your full name and date of birth."

"Madison Kate Hart. October 26th, 2000."

"Social security number." Nickleson passes me a notepad and pen. I scribble the nine digits onto it and slide it back his way. "Thank you." He begins writing. "Brad Smith is the suspect, correct?"

"Yes."

"Please label the relationship; husband or significant other?"

"He was my significant other."

"And when did the relationship begin?"

"Early June of this year."

"Please provide evidence of the relationship and the abuse."

I unlock my phone to open tabs for each. I still have our pictures and our texts, despite blocking Brad. I hope the hitman in the room won't snitch to Jace. He already thinks I still want my ex. I don't. I just want this hectic day over with. I open the Better Help App. "I sought therapy for the near rape. The session is on the third screen." I pass the phone to the officer.