Chapter 42
Chapter Forty-Two
T he French Colonial house looked the same as it always had, white shutters, glossy black door and not a weed in sight. From the outside, it seemed like the perfect family home. Madison knew better.
She tightened her grip on Jax’s hand as he slowly climbed the front steps, balancing a diaper bag on her other shoulder. The familiar knot tightened in her chest. This house had never been a home for her.
She’d left home before Opal and her parents had moved there, but any trace of the warmth it may have once held disappeared after her parents kicked Opal out. Part of Madison didn’t blame them, Opal wasn’t easy, but there was another part that always would—the part that also blamed herself.
Her mother must have been watching for her, which was unusual, because the door swung open before she could knock. Her bright smile was a tad too forced to be believed. Madison’s eyes ran over her mother’s tailored slacks and crisp blouse, every blonde hair perfectly in place, as if she were expecting a lady’s luncheon rather than her daughter and grandson.
That white blouse is toast.
“Madison.” Her mother’s eyes swept over her, the slightest bit of disapproval pinching her lips as she took in Madison’s leggings before settling on Jax. “Oh, and there’s my darling grandson. Come in, come in.”
Madison stepped inside, the faint scent of her mother’s favorite lavender air-freshener hitting her nose. Glancing at the walls, she noticed there were several familiar pictures missing. As she scanned the framed photos, she realized there wasn’t a single one with Opal in it. They had deleted her from their family history.
Her father appeared from the living room. “Madison. Good to see you.”
“It’s nice to see you too, Dad.”
Madison couldn't help but compare her parents' formality to the way Jax was being raised. In her mind, she saw Alex rolling on the floor, play-wrestling with the toddler, the sound of laughter filling the house.
On the nights Alex was home for dinner, he never once commented on the absolute carnage Jax could create—whether it was the mess he made with his meals or the toys that, despite their best efforts, ended up scattered in every room of the house. Alex never said a word.
She thought about what he’d said to her the day before in his office. Alex would most likely never give her the three words she longed for, but she had something better.
She had a man who showed her every day how much he valued her.
“He’s gotten so big.” Her mother’s overly friendly voice pulled her from the memory, and Jax tucked his face against Madison’s leg. “Such a handsome little guy.”
Madison’s brow lifted.
They’ve barely shown any interest in him before, and now they’re doting grandparents?
Her mother reached out to touch his head but hesitated, her hand hovering awkwardly in the air, before she dropped it when Jax ducked his face. “He must be tired.”
Madison squatted down next to him and smiled. “He was asleep in the car, and he’s had a string of colds lately, but he’s a tough guy.” She tickled his belly lightly with the tip of her finger. “Aren’t you?”
Jax’s fingers popped out of his mouth with a giggle.
“We saw the articles,” her father said abruptly from the doorway.
Madison tensed, her spine straightening as she rose to her feet.
Her father cleared his throat. “We couldn’t help but notice they covered your sudden marriage. We didn’t even know you were seeing anyone. You just called and left a message out of the blue to say you’d eloped. And now we know to who.”
“Is it real?” her mother asked curiously.
Madison’s eyes narrowed. “Of course, it’s real.”
“Well, you can’t blame us for wondering,” her mother said with a nervous laugh, smoothing her blouse. “You never mentioned him, and then suddenly you’re married. To a man with… well… that reputation. How did you even meet him?”
“Alex isn’t what the articles say,” Madison snapped. “We met at a work event. We were both there for our jobs.”
It wasn’t exactly true, but she wasn’t about to explain anything to them.
“He’s a good man who didn’t deserve to get dragged into this custody mess. That is what is really behind the articles. Felix is trying to make me look like an unfit parent.”
Her father scowled but apparently decided not to have the same argument about Jax’s custody they had every time they saw each other.
Instead, he went with, “A good man who owns several companies linked to Russia and possibly the mob? Come on, Madison. You can’t expect us not to have questions.”
Madison took a steadying breath and forced herself not to rise to the bait. “You don’t know him, and you’ve never tried to. You never even called me back to ask his name. He’s been nothing but supportive of me and Jax.”
Her mother exchanged a glance with her father. “Well.” Her tone softened. “We were hoping to spend more time with Jax. He’s family, after all.”
Madison studied her carefully. “Why the sudden change of heart? You’ve barely made time for him since he was born.”
Her mother’s smile faltered. “It’s not that I don’t love him, Madison. It’s just… My life is busy. There’s pickleball, the church committees, club luncheons, and then there’s the house... You know how it is.”
Madison’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Right. Very busy.”
Her mother shifted uncomfortably. “Look, I’ll admit… We should have done more. Especially with Opal. Her eyes flickered with something that might have been regret. “We made mistakes. We should have tried harder with her. We’ve seen you forging a life for yourself, and we’re proud of you. But you know how your sister was. It didn’t matter what we did, nothing helped.”
Madison sighed. Her mother wasn’t completely wrong. Once she’d started using, Opal had changed.
“I know you tried, Mom.”
There was no point in arguing who should feel the guiltiest. It wouldn’t change what happened.
After several minutes of small talk, Jax had come out of his shell and willingly sat on the carpet with his toys Madison pulled from the diaper bag. It only took ten minutes for her to search the attic. There was nothing of Opal left in the house.
“I’ll be back in an hour,” Madison said, giving Jax a kiss. “I have my phone, so don’t hesitate to call if you need to. Thanks again.”
Her mother looked down at Jax. “We’ll have fun, won’t we, sweetie?”
Thirty minutes later, Madison was ready to admit defeat. She blew out a frustrated breath, brushing her hair back from her sweaty forehead.
This is pointless.
She’d gone through all of Opal’s boxes, checking each item's pocket and shaking out the books. Hands on her hips, Madison stood in the middle of the storage unit, staring at the chaotic pile of boxes she’d left scattered on the floor.
There has to be something!
Her eyes shifted toward the back of the unit, where shadows lingered in the far corners.
Maybe I missed something. There are a few unlabeled boxes back there. Maybe they’re Opal’s.
Stepping carefully over a plastic bin filled with old books, Madison made her way toward the rear wall. Suddenly, the rolling metal door slammed shut behind her with a deafening bang.
Madison froze, heart lurching into her throat as she rushed to the door. Her fingers curled around the cold metal handle, yanking hard.
It didn’t budge.
Panic surged through her veins. She banged on the door with both fists; the sound echoing through the small space. “Hello? Is anyone out there?”
Silence.
She pressed her ear to the door, straining to hear something— anything . But the only sound was her own ragged breathing.
Then she smelled it.
Smoke.
Her chest constricted as the acrid scent filled her nostrils. Turning slowly, she scanned the dark space with horror.
I’m trapped.
A thin tendril of smoke curled under the edge of the door and swirled toward the ceiling.
No, no, no.
Were those voices outside?
“I called the fire department,” she heard a distant voice call out.
Madison screamed and banged on the metal door. “I’m in here! Help me!”
But the voices were already gone. The smell grew stronger, thickening the surrounding air. Her hands shook as she fumbled for her phone, swiping at the screen with trembling fingers.
Alex.
Her thumb hit his number, and the phone rang once, twice…
He picked up on the third ring. “Angel?”
“Alex—” Her voice cracked as she coughed, the smoke irritating her throat. “I’m at the storage unit. The door—It’s locked, and there’s smoke. I can’t get out.” Her voice rose in panic as tears spilled down her cheeks.
“Angel,” Alex snapped. “Where are you exactly ?”
“The back of the lot. Unit 47,” she managed, her breath coming in quick gasps. “Alex, it’s filling with smoke?—”
“I’m coming, malyshka .” She could hear the strain in his voice and knew he was trying to stay calm for her. She held onto it like a lifeline. “Stay low and cover your nose and mouth with something and keep talking to me. Do not hang up .”
Madison dropped to her knees, coughing as she pressed the sleeve of her shirt over her mouth. The smoke was growing denser, making her throat raw.
“Alex,” she choked out, her voice barely above a whisper. “I love you. I love you so much. Tell Jax?—”
“Don’t you fucking dare, Angel. I’m coming. You’re going to be fine.” His voice shook, and she heard the roar of an engine in the background. “I’ll be there in three minutes. Don’t you fucking dare leave me here alone. Stay with me.”
Her head felt heavy, her limbs weak. The edges of her vision blurred. She had to get air. Dizzy and disoriented, Madison crawled to where she could see gaps of sunlight coming in from around the edges of the door where it didn’t fit snugly against the wall. Pressing her nose to the space, she hoped it would buy her some time.
“Madison! Angel! ” Alex’s voice sounded distant as the darkness rushed in.