Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11

i shut the door hard behind Maddox and slid down to the floor. My back pressed against the wood as fresh tears rolled down my cheeks.

“That bastard, I hate him,” I whispered.

The lie burned the second it left my mouth.

How could one person be so cold and insensitive? He had always been like this. I fooled myself into thinking he might have changed. I was wrong. Dead wrong.

He was still Maddox Kane. Beautiful. Cruel. Untouchable.

The same boy who kissed me like I mattered… then discarded me the next morning like I was nothing.

I could not believe I let myself forget that.

After a few minutes I pushed myself off the floor and walked into my private bathroom. One look in the mirror made me flinch. Red puffy eyes, messy hair, tear-stained cheeks, and a runny nose stared back at me. I looked pale and exhausted.

“Shit.”

I grabbed some wipes and cleaned my whole face. Then I went back to my desk, pulled out my makeup bag, and did a quick light beat just concealer, mascara, and gloss. I pinched my cheeks to bring back some color and added a little cream blush. Finally, I brushed my hair and pulled it into a high bun. A ponytail felt like too much effort today.

“Yes. Much better,” I told myself. “Good enough to survive the day.”

“Dr. Page?” A knock sounded on the door.

“Come in.” I called as I stepped out of the bathroom.

My assistant looked worried. “Jasper just dislocated his left knee. They are bringing him now.”

“Bring him straight here,” I told the paramedics as they carried the player in on a stretcher.

I moved fast. “Closed patellar dislocation,” I said immediately. “Prep the MRI suite and page radiology. I want imaging done as soon as the reduction is complete.” I instructed the nurses.

After the procedure, I turned to Coach Riggs who stood at the door with his hands on his hips. “He will need a Velcro brace for the next four weeks. There is no way he will make the playoffs.”

“Fuck,” Coach muttered, running fingers through his gray hair. “He is one of our key defense guys.” He shook his head. “Thank you, Dr. Page.” He gave me a firm but warm handshake before leaving with the paramedics.

I slung my stethoscope around my neck and rubbed my hands together. Now was not the time to think about Maddox or replay everything I had said. I had work to do. Real work.

“See you tomorrow, Doc,” Edna waved as I finally headed to my car.

The drive home felt long. Lana Del Rey’s Ultraviolence filled the car as rain tapped softly against the windshield.

He hit me and it felt like a kiss. I laughed once under my breath.

Toxic men really did come with soundtracks.. It was already dark when I pulled into the driveway. I grabbed my duffel bag and walked inside.

14:33 Tue, Jul 7 M

Chapter 11

“Rough day?” Mom asked the second I stepped through the door.

“You have no idea.” I slumped onto the navy couch. My lower back ached from moving between sitting and standing all day “Where is Zara?”

“She went to bed early.” Mom handed me a warm cup of chamomile tea and sat beside me. “I saw the photo of you and Beck.”

“Yeah.” I said dryly while kicking off my shoes “You and millions of other people.”

“I have always liked that boy,” Mom said, shaking her head. “He is the complete opposite of his brother. Sometimes I wish it was him instead of Maddox.”

I looked away too fast. Because once upon a time… I’d wished for that too.

“Mom, please.” I stood up and headed toward the wooden stairs.

“Nia?” she called softly.

I stopped and turned around.

“Go take a shower and come back down. Let us have dinner together. It has been a while.” Her voice was gentle, almost like she expected me to say no.

“Okay, Mom.”

I checked on Zara first. She was sleeping peacefully. I closed her door quietly, took a quick shower, and put my greasy hair in a bun. Tomorrow was my day off. I would do my full everything in the shower then. I finished my night routine, put on pajamas, and went downstairs.

Mom had made lasagna with chicken tenders and mushrooms. It tasted amazing. We ate and then settled on the couch to watch our comfort show, Modern Family.

“You have been looking really stressed lately,” Mom said during a break.

“I have been stressed. Pretending to be a celebrity girlfriend is not easy.” I sighed loudly.

“I know. It is obvious how hard this has been on you. I feel terrible that you were forced into it.”

“It is alright, Mom. I will be fine, I promise.” I squeezed her hand. “It is just six months.”

She gave me a small smile.

The sharp ring of my phone broke the calm. I glanced at the screen and stood up. “I need to take this.”

I went upstairs to my room and lay on my green sheets. “Hi Beck.”

“How are you, Nia?” He sounded genuinely worried.

“I am alright. Just surprised you called.”

“I could not help worrying when I saw those posts. I am sorry this is happening.”

“I am fine. Beck. People will believe what they want. This might be the first, but it definitely will not be the last.” I sighed.

“You have changed so much, Nia. But I will get to the bottom of this. I promise. Everything will be fine.”

“Thanks, Beck. I am getting sleepy though.”

Chapter 11

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