Chatper 145


    Chapter 145


    Although themand in his voice was unmistakable, the affection he couldn’t quite conceal. was just


    as clear.


    Back when Natalie was just a girl, Madelyn hadn’t thought much of it. The affection Brian had for


    Natalie seemed nothing more than familial.


    That was until Madelyn saw the way his palm cradled Natalie’s slender, straight leg, the look in his eyes


    not just one of concern, but one of a man’s possessiveness over a woman.


    And Madelyn had never seen Brian kiss another woman. Not even the customary peck on the hand


    that was somon overseas. He’d never touched another woman in such a way.


    Natalie hade home from school one day, the roads slick from a downpour the night before, and


    she’d taken a tumble. Brian, seeing her scrape, had been so upset that he’d stood her up just for that


    minor incident.


    That very night, Madelyn had epted Robert’s confession of love, officially bing his girlfriend.


    She couldn’t deny a part of her relished the surprised look on Brian’s face the next day when he saw


    her hand in hand with Robert.


    Madelyn made sure to involve Brian in every date with Robert, unting their rtionship in front of him


    at every turn. But eventually, she realized that Brian’s surprise was just at their sudden rtionship.


    And there was no other hidden meaning behind it. Sometimes, it even seemed like a weight had been


    lifted off his shoulders.


    Brian wasn’t oblivious to her secret affection for him and simply found it burdensome.


    That was the difference between her and Natalie. With Natalie, Brian’s cautious affection seemed like a


    delight.


    Even once when Robert had jokingly asked, Brian had admitted that there was indeed someone he


    could imagine protecting for a lifetime.


    Brian didn’t say a name, but they all knew whom he meant.


    Yet life was unpredictable.


    “Awake?” Brian noticed Madelyn’s gaze, closed hisptop, and looked over at her.


    Madelyn said nothing.


    After a moment, she propped herself up in bed and asked softly, “Any news from the Coast Guard?”


    Brian flickered his eyes as he replied, “Should be soon.”


    They locked eyes for a few seconds before Madelyn asked, “Are you lying to me?”


    “No.” As Brian spoke, he walked over to the bed. Just as he reached the edge, he saw tears clouding


    Madelyn’s swollen eyes.


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    Chapter 145


    “I dreamed of him again. He seemed so happy to being home,” Madelyn sighed, her voice hoarse.


    As she spoke, tears cascaded down her cheeks, “Brian, did I make a mistake?”


    When Robert had his ident, it took Brian a long time to step out from the shadows of grief.


    Madelyn’s few words shook him to his core.


    It had been nearly four years. Dead or alive, he felt helpless not being able to bring home event the


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    body of his dear friend.


    “Should I not have terminated Robert’s baby? That was his flesh and blood. Did I make a mistake?”


    Madelyn grew more frantic, and suddenly she threw off the covers and started pounding her fists


    against her lower belly.


    “Madelyn!” Brian grabbed her wrists, “Have you lost your mind?!”


    But Madelyn seemed out of control, struggling against his grasp, her voice choked with sobs, “Do you


    think he mes me down there? I killed his child! I killed mine and Robert’s child with my hands!”


    The pain in Brian intensified as he pulled Madelyn into a tight embrace, holding her hands firmly.


    “He wouldn’t me you,” he said through clenching teeth, his voice hoarse and low after a moment.


    “He would only want you to be happy.”


    Madelyn’s pain was palpable, and Brian felt it even more acutely than she did.