Red_Roses_and_Black_Dahlias_-_Macy_T

I was gonna answer him when the doorbell rang, making us tense. I
frowned and looked at him as he turned around.
“Watch the pan.” He wiped his hands on a rag before walking in the
direction of the door.
My eyes followed him until they couldn’t anymore. I didn’t wait any
longer to turn off the pan and jog to join Maddox at the door. I couldn’t hide
my surprise when I saw who stood in the hall outside the apartment.
Looking even more disheveled than yesterday, with bags under her redrimmed
eyes, even more prominent where the shiner I was responsible for
was. Candi Stein looked like she hadn’t slept a wink last night. She wore a
ratty old t-shirt and sweatpants with a gray worn out cardigan on top and had
her arms wrapped around herself.
I joined Maddox who was leaning against the door, looking just as
surprised as I felt. “Can we help you?”
Her eyes drifted to me and she looked positively wrung out. What the fuck
happened to her?
“I came here to apologize.” Her voice was small and almost shy.
Yesterday, I hated that woman with all my heart, but right now I couldn’t
help but pity her, for some reason. I didn’t know what had happened in the
less than twenty-four hours since I last saw her, but she seemed positively
shaken. I gulped and my eyes met Maddox’s who looked just as shocked as I
did.
“What I did yesterday was bad, I provoked you even though you… you’re
probably already going through a lot at the moment. I wanted to tell you I had
withdrawn my complaint and had all charges against you dropped. They
shouldn’t even contact CPS, I made sure of it. I don’t want to add any more
drama to your or Valentina’s lives and I hope you—“ She cleared her throat,
looking down. “I hope you can find it in you to forgive me.” It seemed to hurt