Madelyn thought that except for Jadie, Zach didn't seem to have many vulnerabilities. Yet, it was precisely this that made Jadie his biggest weakness.

Madelyn had expected Zach to be with Jadie. She believed that if it weren't for Jadie, Zach would be dating Yvonne, using her to achieve his goals. Madelyn had, after all, seen his tactics, which were truly impressive.

"Why didn't I realize you understand me so perfectly?" Zach smiled, gently tucking Madelyn's long hair behind her ears.

Madelyn's bright eyes now glistened with tears. The more vulnerable she looked, the more Zach wanted to assert his power over her in the crudest, foulest manner he sometimes imagined. He wanted to pin her down on a bed, making her cry in pleasure and pain. These filthy thoughts of his haunted him, replaying in his dreams night after night. But he couldn't make them real now, as he had yet to finish what he had to do.

At this moment, Zach's desires for Madelyn were like maggots creeping through the sha