Ch. 651..660
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 651
Madelyn thought, ‘Wouldn’t he find asking me to be his kept woman laughable?’
She said, “I’d rather die than be with you!
“I despise the flirtatious women that have ambiguous relationships with you. I find you filthy. Do you really not understand why I tried to escape? I want to get away from you! Now, whenever I see you, I feel disgusted.
“You made me lose my child! You took away my chance to become a mother! You drugged me. Do you know how painful it is to have the uterus removed?
“You ruined my life! Isn’t that enough?! Now, you still want to torture me. I can’t conceive anymore, Zach! What more do you want from me?!”
She thought, ‘He nearly put me in danger again and again. I’ll never forget that he sent someone to kill me!
That time… I nearly died, Zach! If I could start over, I’d rather have nothing to do with him at all!’
“I’ll make it up to you. But I’ll never allow you to leave. Do you understand?!
“Zach pinched her sharp, delicate chin as he continued, “Even if you don’t accept it, you’ll have to endure it.”
Madelyn grabbed his hand as she glared into his eyes, “If you still want to lock me up, I’d rather you kill me! I’d rather die than stay by your side.”
“Die? I want dying to be an unrealistic dream for you!” Zach grabbed her neck. She frowned in pain. He suddenly stretched his hand to press the button to the divider inside the car, creating a private space.
Madelyn said, “You’re insane! Let me go!
“No!”
Zach pressed his body against Madelyn’s in the spacious seat. Her clothes were torn, revealing her fair breasts. He was driven by extreme desire as he sexually harassed her. His eyes were filled with intense possessiveness…
Madelyn was humiliated in the presence of Zach’s assistant. She felt that her dignity was violated even more.
When they were inside the hotel lobby, the passersby witnessed a man carrying a lifeless yet stunningly gorgeous woman. There was only a blazer covering her body. They only looked away after Zach and Madelyn got into the elevator.
Madelyn was carried into a hotel room and put on the bed by him. He was still emanating a sense of hostility. That night, he had s3x with her multiple times as if he was venting his desires. Madelyn did not resist at all..
They only used the typical position. with the man on top. He pounded her repeatedly. In the end, Madelyn could no longer bear it and fainted.
Madelyn knew better than anyone that Zach did not keep her out of love; it was simply because of his possessiveness. He always destroyed what he could not possess.
In Madelyn’s past life, although Zach did not love her, he used her to satisfy his sexual needs in bed. Once they were done, they would act as if they were strangers. He was solely driven by his lust without any emotion at all.
Zach recklessly left his mark inside her. Perhaps it was because she could not conceive… The seeds he planted would never bloom and bear fruit. At this moment, Madelyn seemed to have foreseen her future.
She woke up in a familiar hotel with a very bad headache. She curled up in pain under the blanket with nothing on. She could feel a cool sensation between her legs. Through the blanket, she saw Zach sitting by the bedside, applying medicine to her lower body.
Madelyn just remained quiet. After he was done, he covered her legs with the blanket. Zach said, “Rest well in the hotel today. I’ll come back later.”
Madelyn still did not respond.
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 652
Zach said, “I’ll have the hotel staff bring you breakfast later.” He was aware that Madelyn was already awake. He left the room after covering her with the blanket.
At the door, Zach stopped walking and instructed his bodyguard, “Keep an eye on her.”
The bodyguard responded, “Okay.”
Zach left, but the bodyguard continued monitoring her. At eight in the morning, a hotel staff knocked on the door with a breakfast cart beside her. She said, “Miss, Mr. Jardin ordered breakfast for you. It’s here. I’ll bring it in for you.”
Then, a loud sound could be heard. It seemed like something had hit the door. After that, Madelyn’s voice was heard from inside the room, “Don’t come in.
Get lost!”
The hotel staff was in a dilemma. She responded, “But Mr. Jardin asked me to watch you breakfast.” while you finish your
Madelyn’s eyes were slightly red. She sat on the bed, covering her ears. She did not want to listen to the voice outside. Then, she ran into the cloakroom and closed the door to block out the noise.
Other than the voice of the hotel staff, there was also a vibrating sound from her phone on the bedside table.
Clement had called Madelyn a few times, but she did not answer any of them. He said, “Prof. Monet, Madelyn isn’t answering the call. Could something have happened to her?”
After years of working hard, Leonardo had aged considerably. Some of his sideburns had turned white. His eyes had noticeably sunken. Leonardo, Clement, and Jane were inside the office.
Leonardo partially clenched his fist and put it in front of his mouth as he coughed. When Jane saw that, she handed him a glass of water. Leonardo waved his hand and did not take it, The plagiarism issue isn’t a trivial matter, but why did you fire her without investigating it thoroughly?! 11
“Since when have you become so reckless?”
Jane nearly spilled the glass of water in her hand. In the end, she managed to place it on the table steadily. After that, she stood in front of Leonardo’s desk and said with a calm expression, “Encounter Gaming
released the notice regarding the plagiarism. Madelyn’s composition was very similar to the artist’s work. I did that to preserve the studio’s reputation.
“You’ve worked so hard on the studio. I can’t just let it be ruined.”
“Your intention isn’t bad. But you all know that Madelyn is my only apprentice, and you fired her without my consent. Since when did your level of authority become so significant?” Leonardo calmly said but looked very serious as he stared at Jane.
Jane’s heart skipped a beat. She said in a disbelieving tone, “Prof. Monet, do you think this is my fault too?
“But it’s clearly her fault. Not only did she waste everyone’s time, but…”
Leonardo interrupted her with disappointment, “That’s enough! Aside from Madelyn, you’re the one I value the most among so many students. But now you’ve greatly disappointed me.’
Jane responded, “Prof. Monet… I-!”
Without looking at her, Leonardo said, “Clement, from now on, you’ll take over the studio from Jane.”
Clement nodded, “Yes, Prof. Monet.” After Leonardo left, Jane felt like her soul was sucked away. She said, “Prof. Monet…”
Clement looked at Jane as he shook his head. He sighed before he said, “Don’t you understand by now? What Prof.
Monet wants to see isn’t just your execution ability. Compared to that, he prefers to see us getting along, being able to work together, and not just pointing fingers when something bad happens. Madelyn is Prof. Monet’s apprentice. Even if she was to be fired, it shouldn’t be you who fired her.
“You’ve really made a mistake this time.”
Jane slowly regained her senses, “You are all just afraid of Madelyn. Stop saying all these pretty words.”
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 653
Zach’s focus was not on Encounter Gaming. Still, everyone was extremely nervous when he suddenly arrived at the company because of Madelyn. Zach personally investigating this matter implied that this issue had become more serious..
After Kevin talked to Calvin Helberg, the current head of Encounter Gaming, he immediately went to find the employee from the design department who communicated with Madelyn.
Kevin said, “The public relations department had already retracted the notice on Ms. Jent’s plagiarism matter.
“Mr. Jardin?” Kevin looked at the person who had already left his seat with his phone. He wondered what happened again.
Kevin thought, ‘Ever since we came back from France, we wasted most of our time on Madelyn. Now, we even have to get involved in such a trivial matter. Our original plans have been completely disrupted because of her.’
Zach answered the phone call from the hotel while standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, “What’s the matter? Tell me!”
The hotel manager stammered, “Mr. Jardin, Ms. Jent still hasn’t eaten anything until now. The hotel staff was worried and went to her room to check on her. Ms. Jent was found fainted in the cloakroom.”
Zach suddenly emanated a cold aura, How’s she now?”
The hotel manager answered, “She’s awake now. But… she still refuses to eat. Zach ended the call before turning to the side. He looked serious as he said, ”
Complete a thorough investigation of the matter within today. I’m going back to the hotel now.”
Kevin hurriedly responded, “But there’s an important banquet at one o’clock in the afternoon later.”
“Turn it down for me.” Zach left after he said that, leaving Kevin alone to clean up the mess caused by Madelyn.
At Hotel BelleSophie, Madelyn was lying weakly on the bed. A private doctor conducted another examination on her and asked a few questions, Miss, do you normally feel uncomfortable anywhere? Have you had a medical check-up? If my diagnosis is correct, your health is quite bad right now.” He took a business card from his pocket and said, “If you trust me, you can come to this hospital to see me. I can perform a detailed examination for you.”
Madelyn coldly looked away. She refused to look at him. She then indifferently said, “I know my own body well. I merely fainted because I had low blood sugar. You’re making a big deal out of it.”
The hotel manager, who had just finished a phone call, entered the room and said, “Ms. Jent, we’ve contacted Mr. Jardin. He’ll be here shortly.”
Madelyn propped herself up with her hands, “Who told you to call him?!
“Get out! All of you, out!”
Madelyn grabbed the pillow and threw it at them, “Get out! Don’t come in again!”
At this moment, Madelyn appeared like a mentally disturbed person. Everyone was frightened by her actions. They were afraid something bad might happen to her. The hotel manager gave a signal with his eyes to the people in the room before everyone left.
Madelyn’s lack of cooperation made it extremely difficult to administer glucose through an IV drip to her. Her illness was closely related to her emotions. So, instead of forcefully medicating her, they felt allowing her to regulate her emotions was better.
Physical injuries could be healed, but there were no remedies for psychological trauma.
Madelyn lifted the blanket and got out of bed. She even forgot to put on her shoes. She was absentminded and did not know what she was afraid of. She strained her weak body to lock the door. After that, she leaned her back against it. She was very afraid that someone might come in.
The emotional distress caused Madelyn’s head to hurt severely again. This kind of pain felt like countless ants nibbling at her brain. She bent over and clutched her hair. Her eyes started to turn red. Her disheveled, messy, long hair made her look like a ghost.
When Madelyn was finally unable to endure the pain, she hit her head with her fists.
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 654
The doctor had said, “We found a tumor in your head, which is benign for now. We recommend taking medication to see if it gets smaller. Please return in three months for a check- up. If it grows, surgery might be the next step. Just know that getting treated early often means better results.
Today marked the three months since the doctor’s warning, and Madelyn was due for her check-up. Yet, shortly before Zach found her, she had gotten the tough news: her brain tumor was getting worse than initially believed.
‘I thought I had a new beginning. But with Zach always looming, it feels like I’m stuck in the past. What’s the point if things are like this?’
Feeling the start of a nosebleed, Madelyn quickly took a few pills. She leaned on the wall for balance and went to the bathroom. When Zach showed up, she was already wiping away the blood. “Madelyn, open the door! I’ll only count to three!”
It was unusual for Zach to get this mad. Given who he is, shouting at her was just not his style.
Madelyn paused briefly at the door. She knew Zach’s short temper all too well, so she opened it before he got the chance to kick it down. She was coming to grips with her serious illness. And with Zach right there, she knew she had to face both her health issues and whatever challenge he posed.
Zach entered swiftly, his face void of emotion, and shut the door with a loud thud. Seeing how weak Madelyn looked, he realized she was not just putting on an act. Moving closer, his icy presence made her feel even smaller, “You think skipping meals will get to me?” Right then, Zach came across as more unpredictable than she had ever seen him.
Madelyn met Zach’s gaze, but her usually lively eyes seemed distant and emotionless. Her eyelashes cast a brief shadow as she looked away. Despite his evident anger, she whispered, “Zach, I want to go home.” She yearned to visit her mother’s grave again, uncertain when she would get another chance. ” Can we leave tomorrow?” she asked, her voice softer than usual.
Over the years, she had traveled widely, witnessing the beauty of the northern lights and the charm of southern penguins. Now, considering all that had transpired, she felt at peace with whatever lay ahead.
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 655
“What happened?” Zach asked, his eyes softening as he looked intently at her. “It’s nothing. You’re overthinking,” Madelyn replied, her voice flat.
Zach, sensing she was hiding something, moved closer. He gently wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her onto a table. Reminders of their previous night together were still evident on her skin.
“Don’t challenge me like this; I don’t appreciate it. Got it?” His voice may have been soft, but the cold warning in his eyes was clear. Nevertheless, he seemed gentler now than before.
Taking a moment to touch her hair, he gently lifted her chin, ensuring their eyes met, “Hungry? Tell me what you’d like, and I’ll order from the restaurant.”
Feeling a bit drained, Madelyn replied, “Anything’s fine.” Her attention wandered to the white bedsheet.
“That’s more like it,” Zach murmured, giving her a soft kiss on the forehead. He then made a call to the hotel’s restaurant.
It was not long before a waiter arrived with a cart filled with snacks and dishes. “Enjoy your meal, Ms. Jent,” he said, offering a courteous nod.
Zach stood by the window, talking on the phone and holding a glowing cigarette. When Madelyn coughed softly, he looked at her and quickly snuffed out his cigarette. After hanging up, he sat beside her, gently touching her hair and looking at her closely.
“Kevin’s taken care of the plagiarism issue. I won’t stand in your way if you want to return to work. Just follow the rules, and don’t even think about running off-you’re aware of the consequences,” he said with a hint of warning.
Madelyn took her time with her bowl of cereal, “I want to go back.”
Zach nodded, “Once I’m done here, we’ll head back together.”
“It’s almost the anniversary of my mom’s passing.”
“I remember.”
Madelyn had expected his brief response. Since being with Zach, she had felt her freedom slipping away. He sat next to her, placing her favorite dishes in front of her, but she only nibbled on her cereal, feeling her appetite wane. After a while, she finished.
“I’m full,” she said. Zach glanced at the clock, “It’s still early. Why not rest for now? We can head out for some shopping later.”
“I’m good. I don’t need anything,” Madelyn replied.
Madelyn grabbed a book and lay down on the bed. Growing up, she had always been provided for and did not crave material things. However, she now deeply yearned for freedom and a sense of security. Zach understood her feelings, but he would not, or could not, provide her with that safety. He always put his own needs first. This made her ponder: how does someone as complex as Zach genuinely love? Would he be shattered if he lost the person he cherished?
While Zach worked beside her, he would shoot occasional glances her way. Seeing her asleep, he gently removed the book from her grasp.
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 656
“Ethan, no… Don’t go, please.” Tears streamed down Madelyn’s face as she murmured, clutching the hand she feared she would lose. Engulfed in a nightmare, she saw a frail Ethan lying alone in a hospital bed. She dashed into the room, searching for a doctor, but everything was eerily quiet. Ethan’s voice echoed, revealing he was on the brink of death and saying his final goodbye. The pain she felt was piercing. Despite her frantic efforts, she could not get to him. As he faded away and the surroundings dimmed, total darkness overcame her.
Zach’s cold and intense gaze never left her, his face as tense as a storm building on the horizon.
A sharp pang in her chest woke Madelyn. As she sat up quickly, she accidentally tore a page from the book she had been holding. She noticed Zach beside her, his gaze dark and intense.
The intensity in his eyes unsettled her, but it faded almost as quickly as she noticed it, leaving her questioning what she saw. Zach reached out, gently tucking stray strands of her hair behind her ear.
“Bad dream?” he asked. Madelyn flinched slightly. “It’s nothing. I just need a moment in the bathroom,” she said. “Okay,” Zach replied with a neutral tone.
Madelyn rose from the bed, sliding into her slippers. She headed to the bathroom and freshened herself with a splash of water on her face, trying to distance herself from the haunting dream. ‘Why did that dream feel so real?’ She wondered. Pushing the unsettling thought aside, her mind wandered, ‘If he just takes care of his legs, they’re probably recovered by now. After all this time, he might not even think of me.’ The heaviness of the dream still pressed on her. Knowing Donna was there for Ethan brought some comfort. Even if they had no future together, she genuinely hoped he was doing well.
After taking a moment, Madelyn came out of the bathroom and saw Zach by the bed with her medicine. She grabbed it, saying, “Hey, don’t touch my things, and quickly put the bottle in her bag.
“You’re with me now. What can’t I see? Zach challenged.
Concerned, Madelyn replied, “What if you messed with it? Good enough reason?” She did not stick around to see Zach’s response. Instead, she headed to the closet to change, not liking the sticky feeling on her skin.
When Zach suggested going out, Madelyn was not feeling it. She liked being alone. There was a balcony at the hotel, and she settled onto a comfy couch there, looking out at the city lights with a blanket wrapped around her.
By the time Zach was done with what he was doing, it was already dark outside.
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 656
“Ethan, no… Don’t go, please.” Tears streamed down Madelyn’s face as she murmured, clutching the hand she feared she would lose. Engulfed in a nightmare, she saw a frail Ethan lying alone in a hospital bed. She dashed into the room, searching for a doctor, but everything was eerily quiet. Ethan’s voice echoed, revealing he was on the brink of death and saying his final goodbye. The pain she felt was piercing. Despite her frantic efforts, she could not get to him. As he faded away and the surroundings dimmed, total darkness overcame her.
Zach’s cold and intense gaze never left her, his face as tense as a storm building on the horizon.
A sharp pang in her chest woke Madelyn. As she sat up quickly, she accidentally tore a page from the book she had been holding. She noticed Zach beside her, his gaze dark and intense.
The intensity in his eyes unsettled her, but it faded almost as quickly as she noticed it, leaving her questioning what she saw. Zach reached out, gently tucking stray strands of her hair behind her ear.
“Bad dream?” he asked. Madelyn flinched slightly. “It’s nothing. I just need a moment in the bathroom,” she said. “Okay,” Zach replied with a neutral tone.
Madelyn rose from the bed, sliding into her slippers. She headed to the bathroom and freshened herself with a splash of water on her face, trying to distance herself from the haunting dream. ‘Why did that dream feel so real?’ She wondered. Pushing the unsettling thought aside, her mind wandered, ‘If he just takes care of his legs, they’re probably recovered by now. After all this time, he might not even think of me.’ The heaviness of the dream still pressed on her. Knowing Donna was there for Ethan brought some comfort. Even if they had no future together, she genuinely hoped he was doing well.
After taking a moment, Madelyn came out of the bathroom and saw Zach by the bed with her medicine. She grabbed it, saying, “Hey, don’t touch my things, and quickly put the bottle in her bag.
“You’re with me now. What can’t I see? Zach challenged.
Concerned, Madelyn replied, “What if you messed with it? Good enough reason?” She did not stick around to see Zach’s response. Instead, she headed to the closet to change, not liking the sticky feeling on her skin.
When Zach suggested going out, Madelyn was not feeling it. She liked being alone. There was a balcony at the hotel, and she settled onto a comfy couch there, looking out at the city lights with a blanket wrapped around her.
By the time Zach was done with what he was doing, it was already dark outside.
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 658
‘My father chose Zach as his successor since I wasn’t born a boy. Now that Zach’s here, I’m just like an afterthought. Thanks to Cecilia, Zach’s back in charge of Jardin Corporation. It seems like everyone’s path is changing except mine.
Going home would mean facing loneliness; I have no family waiting for me there.’ Madelyn was swamped with feelings of heartbreak, suffocation, and loss. ‘I wish things were easier. No matter how long they’re away, most people always have a family to return to.’
Zach tried to figure out what she was thinking about so intently. He had always been patient with the Jent family. He could have taken action against Hayson years ago if he had wanted to. But after waiting so long, what was one more day? Distractedly, he played with her hair.
“You don’t need to hurry and grow up. Just rely on me,” he said.
Madelyn’s eyelashes fluttered, but she did not speak. A sharp feeling of pain gripped her heart. Zach had effortlessly defined her destiny, making her feel caged and always under his control.
Madelyn took a deep breath, “Do you really believe all this can erase what you did to me four years ago? It won’t. I can’t forget your actions. I refuse to be just an ornament in your life, and I won’t… lean on you.”
She paused, lost in thought, ‘Zach… Did Cecilia ever talk about how you used to be? You clearly couldn’t stand me and often hurt me. To you, my feelings seemed insignificant. Now, your kindness feels more like a lure, drawing me into a trap.’
She met his gaze again, her voice low, All of this will end before you know it.”
She looked away, tears threatening to spill, ‘Everything will be over soon. I’ll move on to a world without you. This is the path I’m meant to take. I can’t change it, and I’m done fighting.”
Kevin delivered all the auctioned jewelry to Zach’s hotel room. The auction was for charity, benefiting a prominent children’s aid organization. Among the eighteen pieces, the most expensive one alone was worth over a million dollars. Zach’s grand gesture made him seem like someone out of a medieval tale, trying to win a lady’s favor. Yet, it felt like Madelyn was not just any lady to him but someone special he wanted to impress.
Holding up a necklace featuring the world’s largest diamond, Zach said, “It looks good on you.”
From behind, he moved Madelyn’s hair to one side and leaned down to put the necklace on her. The mirror captured her stunning face, her expression unreadable. With his hands on her shoulders, he too looked at their reflection in the mirror. His features were sharp. His eyes only seemed to see her; it radiated an intense, possessive energy.
“Do you like it?”
She removed the necklace and handed it to him. “A piece this special should go to the right person,” Madelyn replied. “Cecilia is your future wife.”
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 659
“What did she tell you?”
Madelyn tried to read Zach’s expression in the mirror, looking for signs of guilt. But Zach appeared calm as if he already knew.
When Cecilia approached Madelyn, she shared that she had memories of her past life, just like her. Knowing Cecilia’s honesty, she likely told Zach everything-about their past relationship, their secret meetings, and even their child. With this knowledge, Zach could be thinking about rekindling their old relationship.
“It doesn’t matter what I know,” Madelyn turned to face him, “Jadie or Cecilia, they’re the ones important to you. You’re wasting your time on me.”
“I’ve booked a flight in three days.”
“I’m done running,” Madelyn said firmly. “You keeping an eye on me won’t change a thing. I don’t need a home or family to stand on my own. Since you’ve pulled away from the Jent family, I have no reason to show respect like I used to. Our past should stay in the past.”
Zach replied sternly, “Ending this isn’t your call. Accept it for both of us if you can’t see that.” Turning Madelyn to face him, he placed the necklace back around her neck in one motion. His cold eyes locked onto hers as he whispered, “Don’t even think about returning to Ventropolis or getting back with Ethan. The Arnold family can’t stand up to me. Listen to me if you want Ethan safe.”
With rising panic, Madelyn asked, ” What did you do to him?”
With a chilling grin that could be straight out of a scary movie, Zach pinched Madelyn’s cheek. As he spoke, she felt the warmth of his breath on her face, adding to her discomfort. “Forgot what I told you already? You should be showing some respect,” he reminded her.
Disturbing thoughts raced through Madelyn’s mind, ‘Could that dream have been true? Is Ethan in some kind of danger? Did Zach seize control of the Arnold family? They just took a away his job; they never really hurt him.’ She knew, however, that Zach never let of past grudges. With a trembling voice, she confronted him, “Is this about Ethan and me not being in Ventropolis? Whatever was between us is over. Why target someone who has nothing to do with it?”
Zach’s eyes grew cold, “It’s not your place to decide what’s necessary. You know me; I don’t tolerate interference. Don’t bring up his name again, or you won’t like what happens. Behave, and you’ll get what you want,” he said.
“I… I just want to go home,” Madelyn said hesitantly.
Zach smirked, “Say ‘please’.”
Pushing down her fears, she whispered shakily, “Please… let me go home?”
He arched an eyebrow, “And how should you address me next time?”
Reluctantly, she replied, “With respect? His smile was both cold and mocking, Remember that. Nice girls get their way.
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 660
Their relationship wasn’t clear, but it seemed destiny always intended for Madelyn to be by his side. For the next few weeks, Madelyn did not see Cecilia. It seemed she had left France.
Madelyn missed the anniversary of her mother’s passing. She had been hiding her illness the entire time she was with Zach. After spending an evening with him, she woke up to find that dusk had set in.
Marie Durand, hired by Zach to look after Madelyn, truly cared for her. She could tell that even though Madelyn was beautiful, she was unhappy.
Handing Madelyn a shawl, Marie said, ” There’s a fountain show at the hotel today. It’d be good for you to see. You shouldn’t stay in your room forever.”
Madelyn replied, staring into the darkness, “I’ve been sick for a while now, Marie. You can go. You don’t have to stay here with me.”
“But Mr. Jardin asked me to be with you.” “He’ll understand. I just need to be alone for a bit.”
“Alright. Call me if you need anything. I won’t be far.” After Marie left, Madelyn sat on the balcony’s couch, looking at the countless stars. In the shadows, she pictured her mother.
“People say when you die, you become a star. Mom, will I become one too, when my time comes?”
“Maddie,” the voice she imagined was her mother’s, “when people pass, they can turn into anything: rain, sunset. If you remember them, they’ll feel close. Just like I do now because you’re thinking of me.”
“What if… what if one day, I can’t handle things anymore? Would you be mad at me?”
“Maddie, always remember you’re free to choose. Whatever you decide, I’ll be right there with you.”
Zach returned from his night out with a hint of alcohol on him. As Kevin updated him on work, they noticed Madelyn on the balcony, seemingly talking to herself. Kevin paused, his face showing surprise. Zach’s expression shifted, and he intently observed her. Under the moonlight, Madelyn’s pale appearance stood out, her eyes reflecting deep sorrow. It felt as if something inside her had shattered. Watching Madelyn converse with the empty space felt unsettling. ‘Is she alright?’ Kevin wondered.
“Father has your picture in his study but never mentions you. If he loved you so much, why start a new family and forget about me? Doesn’t he care about me? After all, I’m his daughter. Mom, I followed your advice and left home to see the world, but I still can’t find happiness. Everything feels painful. What should I do?” She whispered after a pause, “Mom… can I join you?”
“Madelyn,” the voice replied gently, ‘ It’s not your time yet. There’s someone still waiting for you.”
“Mom-”
As Madelyn got up from the sofa, she caught sight of Zach. She froze, unable to find words. Zach signaled, and Kevin promptly left the room.
Madelyn tried to recall when Zach had arrived.