Dragon.

One lesson I learned very early in life was to be cheerful, to be agreeable, to do as I was told and ask for nothing, and to never ever complain.

Smile Maddie. Be happy Maddie. Don't make trouble and maybe they'll love you.

I grew into an adult who took care of others and never expected that those I loved would take care of me in return. I gave and never asked, never expected, never demanded.

Smile Maddie. Be happy Maddie. Don't make trouble and you'll find someone that will love you.

And then one day, a Dragon walked into my workplace and turned my world upside down with a single wink.

Having grown up watching his father treat his men like they were disposable, just meat bags to be fed into the grinder, Dragon was determined to be different when he became president of the Dragon's Inferno MC. He cares about his people. He takes care of them. He was upfront with me, taking care of his MC and those he considered to be his would always be his priority. And I agreed to that, I joined him in that mission, throwing myself into becoming the perfect old lady of the prez.

Smile Maddie. Act happy Maddie. Take care of them and maybe they'll love you.

Smile Maddie. Be happy Maddie. Don't complain and maybe he'll love you.

I told myself I was independent. I was strong. And I didn't need my Dragon to take care of me. And I almost believed it. Almost.

But now I'm watching him with her. I'm watching him comfort her. I'm watching him listen to her, support her, reassure her. I'm watching him take time from his day to check in with her. I'm watching him worry about her. I'm watching them become closer right in front of my eyes. I'm seeing every thoughtful gesture he does for her. And me?

I'm not happy. I'm not smiling. I'm done being agreeable. Fuck not causing trouble.

I'm about to set my Dragon's world on fire. And then I'm walking away.

She can have him. For the first time in my life, I'm choosing myself.