Fated Series. Book #2
"Be possessive of me, own me, keep me, because if you do then nothing and no one else can." - Maddox.
My name is Maddox Vallero, and I'm dead.
Well, that's not quite true. I'm alive in the breathing, walking, talking sense-but...
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Chapter 11 Job Descriptions Sophia
Everyone thinks about the past. It's inevitable, really. We imagine how our lives could have been different, replay the choices we made, and wonder how we might have done things another way. We miss the people and places we can't return to, mourn the moments we didn't fully appreciate until they were gone. Some of us think back and wish for something to come back. But what if we don't? What if we look at the past and feel grateful it's gone? Not a source of sorrow, but of satisfaction. A chapter conquered, leaving us able to see further than before. That's something glorious.
As I sit here, crouched in the doorway and holding Jax's two little hands in mine, I feel like I've won something. Today, he's not crying. Today, he's smiling, telling me he'll see me later. There's no fear in his ocean eyes, just a calm trust I haven't seen before. It feels like the victory of a lifetime. It feels like a moment I might actually miss someday, so I try to soak it in, memorizing every detail. "Bye, kiddo," I say, my grin stretching wide.
He grins back, showing his two front teeth. "I see you later."
I straighten up and nod. "You will."
As I head to the door, I glance back at him one more time, taking in the moment. It's the first time he's not afraid of me leaving because he knows I'll come back. That's a victory. A past memory I'll actually cherish. Maybe my first one.
But the victory is short-lived by the time I reach the office. The closer I get to my desk, the clearer it becomes that Maddox's day started long before mine. His office door is already open—and I know I closed it last night. I'm not late; in fact, I'm early. But today, he's even earlier. I settle quickly at my desk, power up my computer, and head to his office, where the door hangs slightly ajar.
Yesterday, he'd left my place close to one in the morning, and I'm still replaying that conversation in my mind. I can still feel the surge of heat in my veins every time I think about him saying he'd stand in front of danger for me. But today, I'm determined to put on a professional face, to act strictly like his employee.
I push the door the rest of the way open and step inside, the click of my heels echoing against the hardwood floor. I feel a strange new urge to adjust my white blouse tucked into tan leather pants, even though I know everything's in place. Maddox's usual calm expression is there, but there's a strain in his eyes I can't miss.
"You're in early," I say, stopping just in front of his desk. His gaze snaps up to meet mine.
"Who said I went to bed?" he replies, deadpan.
I tilt my head, studying him. "I hope you're joking, but something tells me you're not."
He chuckles, leaning back into his chair and relaxing slightly. "Seeing through my jokes now, are you, Sophia?" He's dressed more casually than usual today, like he didn't have time to go home and change. Loose chinos and a white button-up rolled to his forearms, showing off the tattoos on his arms. His eyes have a stormy look, a restlessness he's trying to hide, and I wonder if today he's winning his internal battles—or if he's losing.
