Ryan could not help but laugh at Madeline’s reaction. “Do you think that I’m going to kill you?” He smiled. “How could I possibly have the heart to hurt you?”

Did he not?

Madeline found Ryan’s claim ridiculous.

All this while, he had only been hurting her.

Ryan patted the same spot again, and his tone turned gentle when he spoke, “Come back and sit.”

Madeline looked at the pair of scissors in Ryan’s hand. She had no other choice but to listen.

Ryan leaned toward her just as she sat. He beg