Chapter 363
363–Our Names Through The Mud
Graham:
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Not only did I listen to the same warrior who told me he had seen Madeline break down after her daughter was taken, but I also came to confront her like a fool, only to be struck by the harsh truth. Th
to swallow.
For a moment, I thought about everything she had just told me, from her love for her she had not thought about me even once, while my life’s purpose had been to stay angry at her.
much for me
the fact that
If I really thought about it, there wasn’t a single day when I hadn’t considered creating tension between her and Baxter or ruining their lives, as if there had been anything left to ruin. They were living on top of a mountain with nothing, yet she spoke only in praise of him.
“So you used us. You used us to get over your feelings for that loser of a man,” Elgin questioned first, his voice hinting at the rage he was feeling.
I turned slightly toward him and noticed his eyes were filled with tears. They were real tears of pain and heartbreak. I couldn’t understand what had led her to believe it was acceptable to play with our hearts, yet she didn’t look guilty at all.
“Well, I’m glad I did, because it made it easy to get over you two,” Madeline replied.
Her words made my fists clench.
At that point, I started not to believe her anymore. She had to be lying. She was only saying this to hurt us, because we had hurt her.
“If you two are done embarrassing yourselves, please stop, because we have to look for her daughter. It’s been days now, and every single minute counts,” Ron snapped.
“I can help too,” I said. 2
Madeline rolled her eyes and gently tapped Ron’s elbow, signaling him to move on.
“Wait. This time, I’m looking for my daughter too. And the moment I find her, you better believe it, Madeline, you’re losing custody,” I added. 3
My voice carried more strain than I meant it to. It bothered me how quickly she dis acted as if I had never mattered.
They didn’t stop. They kept moving forward.
how easily she
“I heard you’re looking for someone who might know something about the monster, or if anyone else has seen it,” I continued.
They stopped.
“I’ve done some research, and I found someone who’s known to be a victim,” I said.
Both Ron and Madeline snapped their heads toward me.
“I’m going to make that person talk,” I added, giving them just enough hope to keep them listening.
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940 Our farve Through the Aud
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“And I’m keeping my daughter when I find her,” I finished, making sure Madeline met my eyes.
That was enough.
I turned away and started walking, Elgin falling into step beside me. The wind carried their voices farther than I expected.
“He’s probably bluffing,” Ron muttered behind me.
I didn’t turn back.
Once we got back home, I realized Silver had come to stay with Elgin, along with her daughters. I dropped onto the couch, anxiety and anger crashing into me at once. I could tell Elgin felt the same way, because for the first time, we hadn’t spoken at all during the car ride.
“Daddy is here. Go talk to him,” Silver insisted as she walked into the living room, gently pushing Hailey and Hannah toward Elgin.
He straightened in his seat, clearly exhausted, but still forcing himself to focus on them.
“So, how are my two little angels?” he asked, his voice dry, though I could tell he was trying to sound cheerful. “They’ve been very upset since they came home from school,” Silver explained as she sat beside him and began talking right away.
Thankfully, Kaylee wasn’t there. I didn’t have the strength to speak to anyone.
“Why? Did something happen at school?” Elgin asked, pulling both girls close.
Looking at his daughters made my chest tighten. It reminded me of Gina.
“We were the ones who chose an unborn child over Gina. How could we confront Madeline after that? Weren’t we being completely blind?” My wolf woke up inside me, reminding me that Madeline was right. (1)
I knew what he meant, but I stayed silent. Accepting it would hurt too much.
“Well, today at school, everyone was saying that my daddy goes to the rogue community to hurt people,” Hailey said through tears. “They said you went there to attack the woman who was helping the children. They even said you tried to force yourself on her.” (1)
As she spoke, my head started to pound. I didn’t know how Elgin was holding it to, managing. Hearing it out loud, being reminded of that night and how badly we beha almost managed to forget it.
use I was barely
me hard. I had
“That’s not true. People are lying,” Elgin said sharply. “You tell me the names of those kids, and I’ll handle it. They won’t talk to you like that again. Their parents will hear from me.” (1)
He stumbled over his words, anger spilling out of him.
As for me, I was suddenly grateful my child hadn’t been born yet. Then my thoughts went straight back to Gina. Did she hate me when she was taken? Were her last memories of me like this?
My eyes burned as tears gathered. I stood up without saying a word. I couldn’t stay there. I needed to leave.
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36 Our Nomes Through The Mud
I needed to visit the old woman and get information about the monster.
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