Ryan could not help but laugh at Madeline’s reaction. “Do you think that I’m going to kill you?” He smiled. “How could I possibly have the heart to hurt you?”

Did he not?

Madeline found Ryan’s claim ridiculous.

All this while, he had only been hurting her.

Ryan patted the same spot again, and his tone turned gentle when he spoke, “Come back and sit.”

Madeline looked at the pair of scissors in Ryan’s hand. She had no other choice but to listen.

Ryan leaned toward her just as she sat. He began to thread his fingers through her still-damp hair.

“You’ve been with Jeremy for so long. I’m sure the man loves you a lot with how he’s willing to give up his life for you.”

Madeline did not understand what Ryan was trying to say, but she could feel his fingers intertwining with the strands of her hair.

Disgust filled her. She wanted to escape, but all she could do was clench her firsts and force herself to ignore it.

“I’m sure he’ll be aware of your every detail then, with how much he lo