A Heart Gone for Good

The brush in my hand wobbled a little, but I still managed my usual customer-service smile.

"First time here? I'll remember it next time you're here." I flipped the pancake without looking up. "Want extra cheese?"

Jeremy Grant's gaze flickered. "You always put extra cheese on my cakes. You really do..."

"This is the most expensive thing on her menu," someone interrupted, reaching past him. "But the cheese is handmade by the owner. It's pricey, but worth it."

I handed the prepared portion to the woman and smiled. "Thanks for the plug. Double on me next time."

Jeremy's expression visibly darkened.

He pulled open the car door and bent down to get inside.

I glanced at him and said flatly, "Sorry. It's a small place. No dine-in."

He held my gaze.

"I'll pay extra."

"Fine."

I turned back to my work, dusting the food with seasoning.

His eyes settled on my slightly trembling hand. After a moment, he let out a sigh.

"When you're done with this act, come home with me."

I ignored him completely, scooping up the pancake.

"Your order's ready, sir. Eat it while it's hot. I'll step out and leave you in peace."

He grabbed my wrist.

"Stop pretending, Madison Decker."

His eyes were red.

"If you've really forgotten me, then why are your hands shaking?"

I answered calmly, "A stun baton did that when I was in prison. The aftereffects never went away."

The gentleness on Jeremy's face vanished instantly.

"Jessica was spoiled her whole life. She couldn't handle that kind of suffering. I let you take the blame for her, but I'd already made arrangements. Nobody would lay a finger on you."

Unfortunately, the wrist he was gripping was exactly where my old injury was. Pain shot through it. I shook his hand off.

When I remained silent, he sighed again and softened his tone.

"You were there on the first day our son started his new school. You miss home—I know you do. You're just looking for a reason to come back.

"I'm personally here to pick you up. Isn't that enough?"

He reached out and tucked my hair behind my ear, only to find a thin layer of grease on it.

His fingers paused, and a small frown creased his brow.

He met my eyes and let out an awkward cough.

"I'm not disgusted. It's just..."

I shrugged and handed him a pack of tissues with a smile. "Two dollars. It's written right on it."

Jeremy went still for a moment. He scanned the sign behind me, then he read it out through clenched teeth.

"Beer. Sodas. Water. Small business, tiny margins. No credit."

I continued with the math.

"Alright, the pancake is 15 dollars, plus 5 dollars for the dine-in fee makes it 20, then 2 dollars for the tissues. Your total comes to 22 dollars."

The vein at Jeremy's temple bulged. He pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and threw it at my face before letting out a cold laugh.

"Madison, your adoptive mother is already dead. Who are you putting on this pitiful act for? Who do you think is going to feel sorry for you?"

The smile on my face faltered.

Jeremy's eyes reddened immediately. He reached for me and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

I stuffed the pancake into his arms and shoved him out of the cart.

I jumped onto my three-wheeled cart, jabbed a finger over his shoulder, and pedaled off, yelling, "Run! The inspectors are here!"

As I pedaled away, I caught his reflection. His face was thunderous.

"Madison, you truly are heartless!" he bellowed.