Page 74 of His Secret Obsession

What have I done?

Luke glances at me and then back at his brother, his eyes narrowing. “Is this the first time you’ve fucked her, or has it been happening the entire time I’ve been gone?”

Jax gives him a warning look. “Thatis none of your business.”

Luke steps forward, looking like he’s ready to spit nails.

Jax doesn’t back down or even flinch. “It’s happened a few times, but I wasn’t trying to hurt—”

Luke’s gaze spins towards me, the anger on his face cracking. He looks… anguished. His lips tremble, and I want to dig a hole and bury myself in it.

“A few times?” He shakes his head. “I quit my job so that I could come back and try to salvage our relationship!”

My face heats. “I didn’t ask you to do that.”

Luke glares at Jax, the look of betrayal cutting through me. “How could you?” he asks.

Pulse hammering, I give Jax a pleading look. He averts his eyes, his face twisting. There’s an immediate pressure at theback of my throat, the realization hitting me that he’s not going to fight for us. The fear of losing his little brother forever is too strong, too real.

“You would choose a woman over your own brother?” Luke asks, his feet slowly backing towards the open doorway.

Jax steps forward, his arms outstretched like he wants to pull him back. I blink, forcing myself to keep my tears at bay as a coldness settles over me.

I can’t watch this.

I should have known I wouldn’t get my happy ending.

“It’s not like that,” Jax pleads, his forlorn expression hitting like a gut punch. “It’s not about picking anyone over the other. There’s room for you both.”

“No,” Luke snaps, his voice firm as his jaw tenses. “There isn’t. You don’t get to steal my girl and expect me to stick around to watch.”

“Luke, shit.” Jax’s eyes squeeze shut. “Don’t do this.”

I want to scream, to yank on my hair and tell the world how unfair this is. I want to crawl under a blanket and hide away while I sob and rage. But I take a deep, steadying breath and push the chaotic feelings down.

You can break down later.

I think I’ve done enough damage. I refuse to break these two brothers apart. I also refuse to have my heart shattered into irreparable pieces by watching Jax pick someone else over me, even if I understand his decision.

When I step forward, I’m not quite able to meet their eyes. “Let me make this easy for all of us. I’m going to leave and let you two have your space. I’ll come back for my stuff later, but I’ll make sure you don’t have to see me again.”

I ignore the look of unbridled panic on Jax’s face, a fresh tear slipping down my cheek. It hurts to have him look at me likethat, like I’m the one breaking his heart when I’m just trying to do damage control.

“Maddie, please. Don’t.” He sounds like he’s on the verge of tears himself.

I don’t look at him, not yet. I can’t. I look at Luke instead. “Luke, just to be clear: you and I are over, and nothing will change that. I’m sorry if my actions hurt you, but I’m not asking you for your forgiveness. If you need someone to be mad at, I can take the anger and the hurt.” My voice breaks as another tear slips free, and I wipe it away. Jax makes a pained noise as he moves towards me, but he freezes when I put my hand up and give him a warning look. “But just… don’t take it out on him. He’s the only family you have, and you guys need each other.”

I finally look at Jax, but I find I can’t speak. Not when I see the tears welling in his eyes. Our gazes lock, his looking as heartbroken as I feel. And I hope he knows how I feel because I can’t quite articulate it right now.

“I’m sorry,” I say softly.

He rubs at his chest, shaking his head. “Don’t leave. Not like this. Don’t…”

Despair settles over me like a heavy blanket, my lips trembling as I fight the urge not to crumble. I can’t stay here a second longer, or I won’t even be strong enough to crawl out the door. Spinning on my heel, I ignore Jax as he calls my name and bolt towards my car. My shoulder bumps into Luke as I rush out, slamming the door behind me.

Maybe I deserve this.

My fingers shake as I stab the key into the ignition and turn the car on. The engine purrs to life.

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