Chapter 1544:

“You’d better think this through. If you choose me, you’re stuck. Breaking up isn’t on the table unless I say so, and that’s never happening.”

Ellis answered without missing a beat.

“We’re not breaking up.”

For Ellis, the idea of leaving her didn’t exist.

That finally got a real smile from Charlette. She pulled him back onto the bed, already eager for more. She bit at his neck, her tone teasing and playful.

“Guess you wasted your time with those sheets. Looks like you’ll need to change them again soon.”

Ellis answered her with another fierce kiss.

Outside, night pressed in. Clouds hid the moon, and the city seemed to hum with secrets and trouble.

Somewhere across town, Maddox got himself drunk and started a fight with the wrong crowd. He wound up battered and in the hospital, a mess of his own making.

The call from the hospital barely ruffled Charlette. She took her time getting there.

At the hospital entrance, Ellis squeezed Charlette’s hand.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come in with you?”

Charlette shook her head and answered firmly, “No need. Wait out here for me.”

Inside, Maddox’s life had changed for good. His back was broken, and doctors said he’d never walk again.

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 @ gⳑ𝗮𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝗍𝖊𝗅𝘴﹒𝖼𝗈𝗺

A thin cigarette dangled from Charlette’s fingers as she leaned against the wall. Smoke curled in the dim light.

“Looks like karma finally caught up to you,” she said, flicking ash without a care.

Maddox glared at her, thoughts already circling his frozen ten million. His voice was tight with fury.

“You ungrateful brat! This is all your fault! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be stuck here! Get out! When I’m better, I’ll make you pay for this!”

She barely spared him a glance.

“Save your breath. You’re not going anywhere. The only thing you’ll be moving is your mouth from now on.”

“That’s a lie! I’m not crippled!” Maddox tried to move, but nothing happened below his waist. Panic flickered in his eyes as realization set in.

“Why can’t I feel my legs? Where are my legs?”

A shrug and a mocking smile were all she gave him.

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