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One year ago...

Maddy's POV

I was smiling from ear to ear as I stared at the strong and naked back of Lucas Hamilton. I was proud of the marks from my fingernails on his back. He had been the best man that gave me pleasure. I didn't even have to do much but he made my body feel so good and alive that I pleaded for more which he denied me.

I sat up on the bed when he started to move with a small moan. I pulled the blanket down, exposing my chest as I saw him raise his head. I tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear and bit my lip. Soon after, Lucas sighed and turned his head. His eyes went wide at my presence then he quickly sat up.

"Hi," I said, smiling wider.

"What are you doing here?" He asked in that deep and husky voice of his.

"Are you forgetting what happened last night?" I asked in a low voice and started to lean forward.

"I'm asking because I want to know why you're still here?" He asked in a cold voice that sent a pang straight to my heart.

"But... I was thinking we could go for another round. You were so well last night and I wanted more," I said to him and placed my hand on his chest.

Lucas stared at my hand for some seconds before glaring up at me. I was confused about the way he was reacting. I was used to his nonchalance toward me but knowing that I felt strong feelings for him, he needed to at least treat me respectfully.

"Leave," he said and got out of bed. I swept my eyes over his bare back and butt that was covered with his boxers.

"But it's just four in the morning. I can't leave now," I complained as he searched the floor of the room.

"You live five houses away. Maddy, look. It's too early for you to get on my bad side. Just because we've fucked does not mean we are suddenly in a relationship. Everyone at school keeps claiming we have something going on because of your mouth. You better stop it and go find someone who likes you because I don't," Lucas said in a cold voice and grabbed his clothes off the floor.

"You need to stop acting this way when you know that we are supposed to get to know each other so much more. We are getting married, Lucas. Stop being a jerk for once," I angrily spoke.

Lucas simply stared at me before leaving the room. I hissed and gritted my teeth. I grabbed the blanket and pulled it up to my chest. I was so sad that I felt like punching something. Lucas has always been this way, even though our parents were so close to one another. His parents liked me so much yet he didn't and it hurt. I didn't want any embarrassment from the students at school because they looked up to us in some way.

I ran my fingers through my hair and relaxed my mind. A smirk appeared on my lips when a thought crossed my mind.

"He won't be running away from me so much, very soon. No matter how much you run, we'll end up together in the end," I said and chuckled then got out of bed.

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Later that morning, I was done dressed for school and made my way downstairs for breakfast. I walked into our grand kitchen and found my mother reading a magazine with a glass of juice in her hand. I walked over to her and kissed her cheek.

"Good morning, mom," I said and sat down at the table in the middle of the kitchen. My food was already prepared, so I started to dig in.

My father walked into the kitchen in his suit and sat at the table where his breakfast was also kept.

"Good morning, dad," I said.

"Good morning," he responded.

"So, Maddy. Did you meet Lucas yesterday at the party? Has that boy finally agreed to the union? I am running out of patience, dear."

"I have, dad. I have tried everything to make him like me at least since he's been so stubborn about this marriage idea. Lucas just doesn't like or want me," I replied, moving my food around with the spoon.

"Listen to me, Maddy. I did not just agree to this marriage with his parents because of you only. I also have my interest in this, you already know. Our family business is losing so might and getting you married to him is all I need for us to grow. I made so many sacrifices and cannot have anything going because of you."

I dropped my spoon and glared at him. He knew very well how I was invested in marrying Lucas even before the whole agreement began.

"You need to remember that I suggested this marriage from the get-go. If I had not done something about it, you would not have stopped killing more people like you killed Lucas' real father. Dad, I have enough patience and will not want to ruin things because you're not patient enough. Lucas isn't stupid, so let me go at my pace."

I rose to my feet and drank some of my juice before leaving the kitchen in anger. I had to try to make Lucas understand my feelings by the end of today. We were going to graduate this year and I had to be quick about it. I knew from afar that Lucas was going to leave Redside the moment we were done with school and I didn't want that.

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After having a meeting with the rest of the cheer squad, I made my way to the boy's locker room to look for Lucas. As soon as I stood in front of the door, I brushed my hair with my fingers to look nice.

"Are you serious, man?" I heard one of the players say.

"Dead serious." The voice of the captain of the team, Josh Edgewood followed. "Lucas was in the locker room, right in this spot with that girl."

I stopped moving my hand through my hair at his words. The door was slightly open, so I could hear everything he said properly.

"Who was she?"

"Some girl in most of my classes. Jackie Garner. I think they were making out or about to if I had not gone back to get the key when I found the door locked from the outside. It was so shocking because the girl is a total nerd and barely interacts with anyone. So, it was surprising when I saw them so close to one another as if they were about to do something nasty."

Josh and the rest of the team laughed while anger and jealousy filled my body. I knew who Jackie was because one of the cheerleaders had hired her as a tutor one time last year.

"So, it's because of that girl that Lucas doesn't even look at me? I mean, it's confusing how that girl is always on the low. I won't be surprised that this has been going on. Besides, what is she doing in the locker room in the first place with Lucas? Ugh! I have to find her."

I marched away from the door and made my way to the main hallway where students were. Jackie was in two of my class, so I had to look for a mutual classmate. When I found one, I walked up to her and tapped her shoulder. The girl turned around and was shocked at my presence.

"Maddy?"

"Ashley, I need your help. Can you tell me where Jackie Garner is?" I asked.

"Jackie Garner?" She looked as if she did not recognize the name. "Oh, that need? Uh, the last time I saw her was when I was leaving the Library."

I smiled at the girl before walking away quickly. I found my way to the library that I have barely visited since I started this school and looked around the place for the girl. After a while of not seeing her, I was about to leave when I saw Lucas sitting and talking to someone I could not see.

I walked closer and hid behind one of the bookshelves when I saw it was none other than Jackie Garner. They were talking and the sound of Lucas' voice was so cheery, better than he ever sounded whenever I was with him or whenever he was with any girl.

I straightened when Jackie rose to her feet but when Lucas held her hand, a painful ache hit my heart. I glared at their hands and how flustered the girl looked. It hurt me so much how Lucas gave her attention and how I never knew that he must've had something to do with this girl all this time without anyone knowing.

"This can't be happening. This girl is going to ruin things for me. I need to do something about this before it gets late," I said and walked away before they spotted me.