Player 1 | MIKHAIAH AU

Part 38

"Mackie, let go," Addison says, trying to shake off her wrist from Mackie's grip. "I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"No," Mackie says firmly, pulling Addison to face her. "We're talking about this now. You don't get to just walk away—not this time."

Addison glares at her, hurt and anger flickering in her eyes. "Not this time? You're the one who walked away first! You left me there, Mackie. You didn't even have the guts to explain. Do you know how much that hurt?!"

Mackie flinches but doesn't let go. "I know I hurt you. I know, Addi, okay? But it wasn't because I didn't care. It's because I cared too much. I thought..." Mackie takes a shaky breath. "I thought you'd be better off without me. With Clover. She could offer you something steady, something I couldn't."

Addison scoffs, taking a step back. "So, what? You decided for me? You decided I didn't deserve the truth? That I couldn't handle it? All I wanted, Mackie, was for you to face me! Explain! But instead, you got drunk, you avoided me, and you let me feel like I was the only one fighting for us!"

Mackie's voice cracks as she steps closer. "I was scared, Addi! Scared of losing you, scared of ruining everything—our group, our dynamic. I thought if I stayed away, if I didn't make it worse, you'd eventually be happy."

"And were you?" Addison asks, her voice trembling. "Happy watching me feel abandoned?"

Mackie's shoulders tense. "Addison, it wasn't that simple—"

"Not simple?!" Addison cuts her off, her voice rising. "You didn't even try to explain. You just let me drown in my own confusion, in all the rumors. Do you have any idea how much that hurt?"

"I was trying to protect you!" Mackie blurts, her voice cracking.

"Protect me?" Addison's laugh is bitter, her eyes flashing with frustration. "From what? From you? Because it felt like you were protecting yourself, Mackie."

Mackie takes a step closer, her hands shaking. "I didn't know how to explain, okay? I thought... I thought you were better off with Clover. You always seemed happier around her."

Addison's jaw tightens, but her voice softens slightly. "Better off with Clover? That's not your choice to make, Mackenzie. You don't get to decide who's better for me."

Mackie looks down, guilt washing over her features. "I was scared, Addi. Scared of ruining everything—for the group, for your career. Dior gave me an ultimatum. If I didn't walk away, she'd terminate your contract, destroy everything we'd worked for. I couldn't risk that."

Addison's breath catches. "You... you agreed?" Her voice cracks as tears pool in her eyes.

"I had no choice!" Mackie pleads, stepping closer. "I thought I was doing the right thing, keeping you safe. But I was wrong. I didn't realize how much it would hurt you... or me."

Addison's lips tremble as she tries to process Mackie's words. "You still could've told me, Mackie. I deserved to know. Instead, you made me feel like I didn't matter."

Mackie hesitates before stepping even closer, so close that Addison can feel the warmth radiating off her. "I didn't handle it right. I know that now. But Addi, please—let me fix this. Let me explain everything, piece by piece, if that's what it takes. Just don't shut me out."

Addison looks away, wiping her tears furiously. "Mackie, I don't know if I can go through this again. I'm tired of being the one who gets left behind."

Mackie reaches out, gently cupping Addison's face, forcing her to meet her gaze. "I won't leave you again. I swear. I'd lose everything—everything. Just not you. I can't lose you, Addi."