Chapter 32
32–My Stubborn Mate
Baxter
I kind of knew when I saw Yuvonne in the living room that Madeline would give me a hard time for it.
I knew she would confront me harshly. Previously, she would have let it slide. Probably questioned me softly.
But she’s a changed woman now, more firm and, simply put, stubborn. The moment I saw Yuvonne out, I knew
that was it.
Madeline didn’t eat anything after that. She kept pretending she was busy with the kids, but who was she really fooling?
Only the others who didn’t know the history between us. And when she snatched Bodhi from my arms, it felt like she had hit me with a fire arrow.
I couldn’t go back to my room and rest, not with my mind stuck on how she had acted toward me. So, I decided to confront her.
When I arrived, the sight of her surprised me. She looked hurt. She tried to hide it, but I could still see the pain in her eyes.
Why, though?
She had never cared before that I was dating her stepsister. In fact, she wanted me to be with her. So why was she suddenly looking so betrayed with the idea It made no sense.
Then she threw the harshest words a mate could ever throw at another.
“Why do you look so sad? It’s not like we’re ever going to accept each other as mates,” she taunted.
She had seen my expression change the moment she said I’d never be her mate. Her words were true, yet they still
stung.
“ I’m not shocked,” I hissed through clenched teeth. “And I’m not affected, Madeline. It’s not like I’d ever want to accept you into my life. If I did, I would’ve done it before, wouldn’t I p>
Now I was saying the words I knew would hurt her because that’s who I am.
I’m a disaster. 1
The kind that strikes back when provoked. You try to hurt me, and I’ll hurt you worse.
With Madeline, it was more intense. I had relied on her in the past, and she had broken my heart in the worst way possible.
“Then what are you here for?” she asked, folding her arms across her chest, looking more confident now that she had gotten a reaction from me.
“What you did–snatching Bodhi from me–that was uncalled for,” I said, changing the subject because I wasn’t even sure why I had come here.
Why did I want to see her hurt? Why did I care about her reaction to me dating her sister?
“What do you mean? He’s my son,” she shot back. “Are you forgetting that I made it clear that you’re supposed to forget about the babies? They’re not yours. None of them. ”
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She said it with that same sharp confidence she always used when laying down her rules she never asked our input
“Well, let’s just say I don’t follow those rules anymore, ” I replied. “Bodhi is my son too, and I’ll decide who he spends time with p>
That hit her. A frown appeared on her forehead, her beautiful eyebrows drawing closer.
Her eyes softened with concern, and I caught myself noticing her face again, like someone starving for something they shouldn’t want.
“You want my child to be around Yuvonne?” she asked, her voice carrying disbelief.
“‘Yuvonne isn’t a monster,” I said quietly. “She took care of me when I had no one else p>
As soon as I mentioned the past, Madeline stepped back.
“Really? She took care of you?” she asked, her tone urgent rather than mocking. “When was that? Where was I when she was doing it p>
“Probably busy with your other best friends?” I threw that in her face, and I watched her eyes go cold.
Her lips pressed into a tight line before she pointed at the door again, then at her own chest.
‘Or maybe when I was getting abused by your girlfriend?” she snapped back, throwing that at me again.
That one hit me. It was the only part that ever made me feel guilty.
Every time she mentioned it, she reminded me of her past with Yuvonne. I remembered how much she used to cry.
But things had changed.
I couldn’t satisfy her anymore by breaking up with Yuvonne.
Yuvonne had been a child back then, too.
“Her mother manipulated her. Do I need to remind you of this over and over again?” I said sharply.
As soon as I said it, she started laughing, clapping her hands together in disbelief.
Sometimes, I just didn’t understand her. In the past, she was clear as day that she wanted me gone and wanted me to date her sister. But now that I actually was, she was furious.
“Now, can you please leave? I need to rest,” she hissed.
This time, I could tell she was really done with the conversation. She turned away and started walking off.
She didn’t even care that I was still standing in her living room. She just went into her room, closed the door, and locked it.
I stood there for a few seconds, watching her disappear. Then I finally returned to my suite and sat down, feeling
frustrated.
My phone buzzed.
Fiancée: Are you okay? Is she really upset with us? I hope she won’t take it out on the research. If I knew she would react like that, I wouldn’t have come.
I stared at Yuvonne’s text for a moment, then typed back tiredly.
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Me: It’s nothing. She’s fine. I talked to her. She wasn’t bothered.
I lied. Straight up.
Yuvonne: Okay, that’s great. I really hope she comes around soon. Maybe she can meet her parents.
I zoned out for a moment, reading that text. Then Yuvonne started calling me.
“You didn’t respond to me,” she said when I answered. “Don’t you think she should come and meet her parents once p>
“Weren’t your parents abusive toward her, Yuvonne?” I reminded her in a skeptical tone.
“I understand that you’ve changed,” I said softly. “And that you were little back then. But the others, they were full–grown adults. And I know what your parents were going to do when finding out about her pregnancy? It rubbed me the wrong way p>
I tried to sound calm, but deep down, the thought of them ever trying to hurt my baby made my blood boil.
“You believe her?” Yuvonne said quietly. “Baxter, their response was just like any other parents‘. My mother was worried for her future, that’s all. You believe me, right, Baxter p>
Then her voice softened, the kind that always made me want to close my eyes and forget the argument.
And in that moment, I realized I didn’t want to fight with her over Madeline anymore.
“I can only suggest that she go meet her parents,” I finally said. “The rest is her decision p>
I said it just to please her.
But I knew things were going to get messy in the morning, after the way Madeline had reacted to my engagement
with Yuvonne.
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.