Trial And Error

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Kian's POV

Kian's ears perked up at the noise coming from her door, setting the beer on the console table she got up from the couch rushing to the door. Kian was confused, not remembering inviting anyone over, or who it could possibly be. Looking through the peephole she saw a familiar brunette, she opened the door swiftly.

"Another surprise visit? You're in luck I'm making dinner-" she started, but Madison burst past her inside.

Kian observed her hard, icy, and angry demeanor. While such a chilling demeanor had become distressingly commonplace from the singer lately, Kian hadn't expected to see it now. Not when things between them had been improving. Trying to measure her own recent behavior, Kian struggled to identify what she could've done to cause the musician's anger but ultimately came up blank.

"When were you going to tell me?" Madison demanded.

The taller woman looked at her, shocked and surprised. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, the alarms in her mind sounded. Questions erupted as she tried to process those words. Did she know? How did she find out? Who told her?

"Wh-wh-what?" Kian couldn't help but stutter

"Take. Off. Your. Shirt." Madison demanded coldly

"Why?"

"You fucking know why Kian! Now take off your shirt, or so help me god I will do it myself!" The brunette erupted

Kian reeled, trying to understand what was happening, "Who told you-"

Without another word, Madison stormed up to her tugging at the helm of her shirt. Kian gripped her wrist, tightly but not enough to hurt her. She held them at Madison's side, as she began to struggle. Kian was far stronger, and they both knew that. But it didn't stop the singer from trying.

"Stop!" The Marine yelled.

Madison met her gaze, eyes burning. "Then show me."

Kian knew there was no point in fighting her anymore. It was too late, she knew. Now she had to suffer the consequences. Kian loosened her grip. Madison pulled her hands away aggressively, as she watched the woman take a step back.

"This wasn't how I wanted you to find out. Whoever told you, they had no right. At least let me explain." She tried reasoning

"It's a little too late for that."

With trembling hands, Kian grasped the hem of her shirt and slowly pulled it over her head. She kept her eyes downcast, unable to meet Madison's piercing gaze. Shame and dread roiled within as inch by inch, the still-angry scars came into view.

An audible gasp left Madison's lips, her hands instinctively covering her mouth as her eyes took in the nasty scars. Her eyes traced over the jagged lines crisscrossing Kian's torso, taking in each painful mark. But the worst was the mangled scar on Kian's shoulder that even the doctors had been unable to properly repair. The warped, discolored skin sprawled, hidden was a tiny incision across Kian's shoulder made Madison's stomach turn, imagining the violence that must have caused such an injury. Kian threw the shirt back on hastily.

"How, how could you keep this from me?"

The tears that they had both expected never came, instead, Madison's face stayed stoic, and cold. The sadness she had felt looking over the scarred body was replaced with so much anger. She was livid.

Kian flinched at her icy tone. "Because I had to."

She had never wanted this. She would have given anything to keep Madison from witnessing these ugly reminders of her ordeal. They represented weakness, vulnerability - things she despised anyone seeing, but especially the woman she loved.