Page 20 of Unbreakable Thread

“Yes, he has. I agree.”

“Good. I’m not going to beat around the bush. Max doesn’t need this right now.” He juts his head toward me.

Me. Max doesn’t need me.

I tilt my head, confused. “What are you implying?”

Carlos exhales, his hand moving to the gray stubble on his face. “You’re going through so much. Max didn’t train for weeks because he’s worried about you. I’m genuinely sorry for what your family didn’t tell you. And regaining your memory must be difficult. Max is in the prime of his life. If he wins this fight, others will challenge him. He doesn’t need the distraction.”

I’m a distraction. He’s not wrong. For weeks, I knew I was a trigger to his past. He didn’t need my baggage. I had stopped fighting the truth of it. I could never leave him. We went through hell to be together. I planned on opening up to him after his fight, but now⁠—

“I think giving him space so you can work on your mental health would help both of you. He needs to work on his dreams, which he’s worked so hard for. You’re holding him back.”

The noose around my chest tightens. I’m the trigger. Maybe he’s right. Would he do better without me? Am I holding him back?

“He was so close to canceling the fight.” My voice catches, thin and brittle. “He told me he wanted to, but then I…I convinced him otherwise.”

“See. I think it would be best if you split up.” He rubs his chin, then looks away. “Max is like a son to me. I know he loves you, but if you love him, you’ll do what’s best for him after this fight. So he can work on the next one.”

If you love him, let him go. Those words echo in my head. I’m speechless. He’s telling me all this, but he’s not wrong. He’s Carlos—Max’s father in every way that matters. Of course, he’s looking out for him.

“I do love him,” I finally say, my hands trembling despite myself. “I’m supportive of anything he does. It has been hard for him to see me go through so many changes as it is for me⁠—”

“Then you understand what I’m talking about. They dragged Max through the mud for years until he found the boxing gym, and I taught him everything I know.”

Through the office window, I see Max’s dark hair plastered to his forehead with sweat, his shoulders tensing as he dodges a right hook. Xander stumbles forward, off-balance, and Max exploits with a swift uppercut, making Coach Bliss slam his palm against the ring rope, hollering something I can’t hear through the glass.

Sportscasters and internet influencers have been buzzing about Max for weeks now. He’s scheduled for an interview tomorrow, which he’s not looking forward to. He’s not one for attention. After this fight, I have faith that he’ll win—the media will be all over him. Carlos is a well-known boxer, and now, with Max, he will be a renowned trainer. Max will go places. He’s come this far already.

Carlos’s sharp words ring louder. “They dragged him through the mud.” Does “they” mean me? Am I included among those who caused harm?

“You’ve seen those scars on his back,” Carlos adds, and the words land somewhere I won’t recover from quickly.

And there it is. I have my answer.

I press my lips into a straight line. “I have,” I respond in a low voice.

The door swings open. Max has always been able to read me. His gaze goes to me, then to Carlos. He frowns when he studies my face. I feel every ounce of blood drop to my toes, leaving me lightheaded.

“Is everything okay, tesoro?”

Before I can answer, Carlos does. “Everything is good. Rainey and I were talking about how ready we are for the fight this weekend, and I was also telling her how happy we are that she’s healing.” He smiles—the smile of someone who has just decided something on your behalf. “Isn’t that right?”

Even if I told him, Carlos would deny it. And part of me knows it wouldn’t matter. Because Carlos is right. I hate that I agree with him. I’m holding Max back, and he deserves the best.

“Yes, we’re excited about your big day, honey.” My voice comes out raspy. I swallow everything down.

Max’s gaze is still on me. Studying me. “I’m asking my girl. Is everything okay?” The green of his irises shifts, deepening like pine needles in shadow.

“Yes, everything is fine,” I lie. Reaching for him, I cup his sweaty face and kiss his lips. “I’m just worried. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” That much is true.

His eyes soften. “Everything will be fine. If it’s too much, you can wait in the back for me.”

With my thumb, I rub the crease between his brows. “I wouldn’t miss you kicking ass, champ.”

That earns me a grin, and my heart cracks at the sight of it. I love this man more than I’ve ever loved anyone in a lifetime. I know I’ll never find someone who will love me the way he has.

But he will find someone deserving.