Chapter 53

Jaxon's POV

"The truth, Mel." I remind her.

"No," she whimpers. “No, I don't hate you."

The moment she speaks the truth, the pain fades, and her body relaxes. She curls into a ball on the bed, her breathing heavy as if she’s just run a marathon. I hear her heart thrashing against her ribcage, its frantic beat calming with each passing second.

I’m relieved she’s no longer in pain, but I feel like shit now for being the one to cause it. I brush the single tear away using my thumb. Even though the contact lasts for only a second, the tingles are intense. "It's okay baby girl, it's over," I coo softly.

Surprisingly, she grabs my hand as I pull away and brings it back to her cheek. I start stroking her soft skin, the smoothness of it soothing me as much as it does her.

Her eyes close, like she's savoring my touch. "That was literally the worst pain I've ever felt, and it just radiated all over my body." When she opens her eyes again, they are filled with horror. "Is this really what most Al