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Noasn’t just his happiness at stake, but Madison’s life was very er and not just from the birth Caroline was a vindictive bitch as well as a collector She hadn’t taken rejection well all those years ago and his obvious affection for Madison just threw as onto the fire She would not stop now until she had Madison and his son under her thumb

He couldn’t allow that Madison was everything good in this world She deserved a long happy life She wasn’t going to pay for his mistakes or suffer alone for their love He had to fix this now

She ht hate hiood possibility that she would never talk to hiain It would hurt like hell, but at least she would be safe She would be alive and well That’s all that o on with her life and find another man, live her life and do whatever she wanted It would hurt every second of every day, but he would find peace in her happiness

He loved her too much not do this One day she would understand She would understand that he did this not only for her, but for their child as well Their son would need her and he couldn’t think of a better mother than Madison There was no choice, he decided as he brought his wrist to his s in

Soft lips ainst Madison’s She opened her eyes and s in front of her half nad and healed Not a bad way to wake up, she thought He pulled his head back and looked into her eyes He looked so serious, too serious

"Baby, what’s wrong?" she asked,position

"Do you kno much I love you?" he asked softly

"Yes" She ran her fingers along his jaw "I love you, too," she finally said the words Instead of the reaction she expected, hi love to her until , he nodded stiffly

"You do know that I would never do anything to willingly hurt you or put you in danger, don’t you?"

He felt guilty over her abduction She should have known he would "Ephraim, it’s okay We’re fine" She took his hand and pressed it to her abdoently caressed her still flat sto for you I need you to understand that I’ve been planning on doing this for a long ti before this happened If I had you would have been fine Do you understand what I’ you?"

She didn’t "No, what’s this all about, Ephraim?"

"You may hate me after this and I want you to know that’s okay I just need you and our son to be okay Just understand that please," he choked on the words

"Son?" Her eyes watered as she gave him the sweetest smile She leaned in to kiss him, but he turned his face away

"Please, Madison, don’t make this harder for me than it has to be I’ll already be in hell after I do it"

Things he was saying started to click "You’re leaving me, aren’t you? You think if you stay she’ll be afterto leave?"

"No, baby, I would never leave you Besides, leaving you would only clear the way for her Caroline is co back for you there’s no doubt in my mind She’s more determined than ever now"