Chapter 121
121 – Friends Against Each Other
Madeline:
“What is the matter with you? ” Graham hissed.
“It has nothing to do with you, Baxter. Step aside. You are getting married soon, ” Graham said, gesturing for him not to interfere.
But it seemed he had forgotten something Baxter was about to remind him.
“And you are already married, so what is your point? Besides, of course it matters to me. She is – my– friend,” Baxter stated, taking a moment to gather his strength.
I imagined it was because of what the texts had said to him. Sometimes, lies can shape your entire perception.
“So, you are going to stop me?” Graham asked, arms crossed.
“No, I am not going to stop you. But if she doesn’t want to marry you, you are going to stop immediately. None of us will get involved because that wouldn’t even be a point of tension. The topic will be over p>
As Baxter continued, I realized he didn’t even know the full truth.
“He is not only asking me to marry him, Baxter. He threatened me that if I did not accept him, he would request the DNA and take Gina from me p>
The minute I stepped out from behind Baxter to recall Graham’s words, I noticed the air shifting.
“What did you say to her?” Baxter’s muscles stiffened as he faced Graham.
“So, what did I say wrong? Do you not want to be a part of your son’s life?” Graham replied with an even sharper tone, still not looking guilty.
“I do, but that does not mean I will threaten her or take custody from her. Do not forget you told her you did not want this baby. So, you have no right to come here and threaten her now,” Baxter yelled, and I could tell Graham did not like it, because he looked offended.
“Seriously, you will say that?” Graham hissed before his eyes dropped to the phone.
But the phone was no longer open. The screen had gone dark.
“Oh, of course. I get it now. Because you know you have no chance with her. She has already shut you out in the harshest way possible. So of course you want to jeopardize my relationship with her too. Just the idea of anyone having her seems difficult for you because you could not be with her p>
Graham simply continued to speak nonsense.
“That is not true. I did not send these text messages to him,” I snapped.
For a brief moment, Graham seemed like he wanted to discuss it, but his ego stopped him. He had become greedy.
“I don’t care. All I care about is that she will accept me, whether you or anyone else likes it or not. And if she does not, then she will face the worst consequences. Because I will take my daughter,” Graham continued to threaten, while Baxter suddenly grabbed his friend by the collar, 20
The shift in Graham’s body language was disturbing.
He looked shocked, upset, and offended that his friend had put hands on him for me.
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121 Friends Against Each Other
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“Seriously, Baxter? The woman who left you, who texted you all this, and you are picking her over your friend? Even with the possibility that maybe you could also get Bodhi from her? You are still trying to impress her?” Graham asked.
He did not shout, but the tone and the words were enough to make anyone feel something. Even I felt hurt.
The way he portrayed me to Baxter made me sound like someone who had wronged him beyond repair.
“All I know is that I will not let you hurt her,” Baxter stated.
The impact of those words hit me hard. I closed my eyes and looked away, trying to hold myself together.
“Well then, I am not like you. I want her. And I am willing to fight for her. Even if she is upset. I know that when she gives me a chance, I will address every complaint and make her realize it was the right thing. That I fought hard. And in the end, she got the best of it. She will be grateful that I fought hard,” Graham continued, making it seem like I did not know what I wanted or what would bring me happiness. 1
Graham then pushed Baxter’s hand away and freed his collar, stepping back while staring at him before looking at
“You are my mate, Madeline. I don’t care what I said in the past or why I said it. Since you don’t care, I don’t either. All I know is that you are mine,” he stated, pointing to his chest.
When he turned around, he stopped because someone else had heard his claims.
Kaylee.
“What the fuck is going on here?” Kaylee stood in the doorway, fingers digging into the frame, her voice trembling.
“Let’s go. I’ll explain downstairs,” Graham muttered, trying to hurry her out, but she smacked his arm hard enough to make him flinch.
“What were you saying to her?” she shouted. “She belongs to you? That’s the truth? You wanted her? Is that it p>
Her voice cracked, and I lifted a hand to my forehead, already exhausted
Baxter stepped in front of me immediately, blocking me completely with his broad back, but I could still see the two of them facing off.
Kaylee swung again, another punch to Graham’s arm.
This time he caught her fist mid–air. She froze, eyes wide, like she couldn’t believe he’d actually stopped her.
“That’s enough, ” he hissed. “You’re not going to hit me again p>
She gasped at his warning.
“Oh, so that’s what this is? You’re trying to make her think I forced you into our marriage?” She turned her attention toward me. “Let me tell you the truth, Madeline. Forced or not, he was damn happy afterward. He forgot all about you. He slept with me every other day. He planned a honeymoon. He did all of it willingly p>
Her voice was shrill enough to claw at my nerves.
Even when I wanted nothing more than to not be bothered, the mate bond twisted inside my chest at her words, stupid, involuntary pain I didn’t ask for.
Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.