“I suppose this is what you wanted to begin with,” he went on. “There were just obstacles in the way before. I suppose you’re happy now that things ended when they did.”
Her stomach twisted. This is what he thought of her? “This is not what I wanted. And I haven’t thought any such thing even once.”
“Really?” His eyes challenged her. “You’re not thankful someone sent me those pictures? And then passed them onto Jackson’s ex-fiancée?”
Even though the elevator doors finally opened, Mila marched up to him. Her eyes were fiery and tearing up at the same time, but she held his hard stare. “No, Maddox Cross, I’m not thankful. I’m simply trying to move on because I’m sure that you have.”
He took a step closer, his eyes flashing in anger. “Don’t assume that you understand anything about me.”
“Well, clearly you don’t understand me at all! I didn’t cheat on you and I’m not happy with any of this.” Mila swallowed, desperately trying not to cry. But she wasn’t as angry as she wanted to be anymore.
Maddox registered surprise and his expression softened.
After regaining her composure, Mila added, “I know you don’t want to believe me. But I love you and I wanted to marry you.”
Maddox didn’t hide the surprise and confusion that crossed his face. Before he could respond, or even process what she’d said, Jackson materialized and slowed down when he saw them.
He came over and stood next to Mila, who was in no way prepared to deal with him now and she was irritated that he’d interrupted them.
“Maddox,” Jackson said flatly as he put his arm around her. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I was meeting a colleague.” Maddox clenched his fists as his eyes fell to Jackson’s arm. “This is one of our hotels, you know.”
Mila stepped away from Jackson. “I’m going back to my room. I’m not up for going out now.”
“Of course,” Jackson said and glared at Maddox.
But before Mila stepped into the elevator, she met Maddox’s eyes firmly. This was not about Jackson. It was about them.
When she was back in her suite, Mila paced. “What are you thinking?” she said to herself in front of the windows overlooking the city. “Why are you here–with Jackson of all people?”
She cursed the moment he showed up and cut off her conversation with Maddox. She might have been upset, but at least Maddox appeared to be listening this time.
Mila sat down on one of the sofas, and after staring into space for a moment, she burst into tears and covered her face.
She didn’t want to be here with Jackson. Especially now that she’d seen Maddox again. But she had no idea what to do about it.