Knight, Kayla - Her Long Hot Surrender [Raw Texas Heat 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read Online Free PDF Page A

poverty.” Madison knew her mother had been the driving force behind her father. Without her mother he would never have achieved such high office. However, she was totally unaware that her mother had come from such humble and impoverished beginnings. Madison had always believed she’d come from a respectable, middle-class family. She’d always been told her that her grandparents were both doctors who sadly died before she was born. There was even talk of a distant Russian princess in the ancestry. This news was a revelation. Her mother continued, “Over time I grew to love your father, and hoped the same would happen with you and Carson. I felt sure it would.”
    Madison shook her head, and added bitterly, “It didn’t.” She held her head in her hands and closed her eyes. Everything crowded in. Her mother was dying, and she’d just been through an unhappy and bitter divorce. Carson had made it so clinical. She’d had to sign a whole raft of legal papers, all gagging her from revealing anything about their marriage. During her ten years with Carson, she’d learned that he was a thoroughly dishonest and unscrupulous man. Every inch the politician.
    How comforting it felt when her mother’s hand stroked over her hair. “Madison, listen to me. I grew up without any love. Maybe it was because I had to live from hand to mouth. That’s probably why I found it so difficult to show you any love. I’m so, so, sorry, Madison. I wanted so much to be a good mother to you.”
    “Shh, Mother, there’s no need to—”
    “Let me make my peace with you.” She needed to talk. The world as she knew it was crumbling around her. Her mother was dying, and there was nothing she could do.
    Annie Allen spoke again, “I know I was cold, but I’ve always loved you Madison. I need to tell you that while there’s still time. I’ve only ever wanted what was best for you. My ambitions for you may have seemed harsh, but I know what it feels like to have nothing, and I didn’t want that for you.”
    “Momma, I love you, too.” She squeezed her mother’s hands and gently kissed her forehead.
    “Madi, don’t be sad. I’m happy to go. I know your father is waiting for me. I see him in my dreams.” Her mother chuckled. “He’s getting really impatient, and wants me to hurry up and join him.”
    Madison knew it was the drugs talking, but it seemed to comfort her mother. She went to move, but her mother whispered.
    “Rest here with me, Madi. You’ve been up all night. Just rest…a while.” Madison lay on the bed and held her mother’s hand. Her breathing had become difficult and labored. She knew the time was near.
    “I won’t leave you, Mother. Remember I love you, always. Sleep tight.”

    * * * *

    Annie Allen opened her eyes as a beautiful white light filled the bedroom. She looked around feeling strength and vitality surge into her bones. Her daughter lay on the bed, her legs curled in sleep. She stroked her hand over her hair. Madison always had such beautiful hair.
    A shaft of light so bright splayed out and refracted like glistening shards of glass. It was so intense it hurt her eyes. She squinted, just making out a figure as it slowly emerged from the giant beams. “William is that you? Is it time?”
    “Yes, darling. Are you ready?”
    She reached out her hand, smiling at her husband. He looked young again, and the pain in her body had suddenly gone. “William, I feel wonderful.” He helped her from the bed, and as she looked back, she could see her own withered self, lying still and unmoving with her daughter by her side.
    “William, what about Madison? I can’t leave her.”
    “You’ve made your peace with her. Madison doesn’t need us anymore.”
    “But, I have to tell her something. She’s so unhappy.”
    “Hurry.”
    Annie Allen leaned over her daughter. She kissed her cheek and then whispered in her ear. “I love you, Madison. Follow your dreams. Live life to the full.”

    * * * *

    Madison