Ch. 761..770
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 761
Madelyn could not escape Zach’s clutches that night. Under the veil of night, a lamp cast its light inside the room. If one were to look in the window, one would see two figures engaged in an intimate embrace. The heavy breathing of a man and woman faintly echoed in the hallway.
Scattered all over the soft carpet were pieces of the torn, thin chiffon nightgown. Madelyn had slipped from the floor-to-ceiling window, bearing the marks of a rather intense encounter. An empty, expensive bottle of wine lay on the floor. A drop of red liquid was at the bottle’s opening, radiating a sparkling hue. The scent of alcohol and debauchery filled the room.
It was not until the first light of dawn appeared on the horizon that Madelyn finally managed to sleep soundly. When she woke up, it was already three in the afternoon. Someone had tidied up the
originally messy room at some point and had changed her into a fresh set of pajamas. When she reached down between her legs, she felt nothing but soreness to the point she could not lift her hand. Zach had been like a man possessed last night.
Madelyn had a splitting headache. She reached into the first drawer of her bedside table, took out a white pill bottle, and swallowed a few pills. She then washed them down with water from a nearby glass. After she was done, she sat on the edge of the bed with her eyes closed for a while.
Before Madelyn could react, Zach walked in from outside with a child in his arms. As Madelyn lifted the covers, she watched him place the child on the bed forcefully. She said, “You can’t carry him like that, Zach. He’s still a child.”
Dalton grinned, revealing two tiny baby teeth, and crawled to Madelyn. She quickly picked him up.
Zach removed his dark-colored pajamas, revealing his muscular and powerful upper body, brimming with male hormones. He was one of those men who looked thin when dressed but had a well-built body underneath. His figure was not inferior to those of international male models. He casually tossed his clothes on the floor, removed his pants, and walked into the bathroom in the nude.
Madelyn had never seen his face look so grim and unpleasant. She looked at the child in her arms and suddenly understood what had happened. Most likely, Dalton had urinated on Zach when he was holding him.
Madelyn could not help but take a little pleasure in this. A faint smile appeared as she lightly tapped his nose, “Good job, Dal.”
Dalton seemed to understand and made an ‘Ah’ sound to Madelyn. His saliva dribbled from the corners of his mouth as he smiled. Madelyn noticed a gold necklace around his neck. She picked it up to check the back and found his name, ‘Dalton Jardin.’
Madelyn got up, freshened up, and carried Dalton downstairs. On the table, she saw several items laid out. Kevin instructed the bodyguards to take these things upstairs.
Madelyn did not look at him and went straight to the kitchen. Margaret served her a bowl of oatmeal with fruits and informed her that Zach had taken Dalton out in the morning to amend his birth certificate. Madelyn found her identity card and some documents on the table. She immediately picked them up and checked. As she suspected, she was Dalton’s adoptive mother.
Madelyn pursed her lips, her face showing little emotion. Margaret noticed and assumed that she was unhappy. It was impossible for Madelyn to be happy in this situation. If this child truly belonged to her, in that case, she would have an obligation to take responsibility for him, care for him, and raise him to adulthood. However, she had very little time remaining.
Madelyn had thought that Zach was simply making a casual remark. She was still having the police investigate. Dalton’s background now and hoped he could return to his biological parents one day.
‘What if Dal had been abducted and abandoned? How worried must his biological parents be?’
Madelyn knew how painful it was to lose a child.
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 762
Thinking about it, Madelyn suddenly lost her appetite. At that moment, Zach came down from upstairs. After clarifying matters with Kevin, he walked over to sit beside Madelyn. Seeing the uneaten bowl of oatmeal with fruits, he asked, “What’s wrong? Is it not to your liking?” ॥
“Why… don’t you legally adopt this child yourself? Why do you place the responsibility on me?” Madelyn asked. Zach narrowed his eyes, “Is there a difference? Regardless of who legally adopts him, he’s our child!”
“That’s not how it works at all!’ Madelyn thought.
“There is a difference. He…” Suddenly, Madelyn stopped mid-sentence and looked away. She stood up, handed the child to Margaret, and said, “Nothing, forget it! You promised to take me to visit my father. I’ll go upstairs to change.”
“Stop!”
However, Madelyn did not stop her steps. Zach followed her upstairs, and the argument continued even to the middle of the stairs.
Margaret held the child and left discreetly. It was not anything unusual for these two to quarrel.
“Yes, that’s what I thought. People are fickle, always seeking the new and discarding the old. Everyone is like that! Jasmine, Yvonne, Cecilia… Zach, do you think you have a shortage of women? There are many people out there willing to raise your child for you. Why do you have to force this child on me?
“You’ve never even asked if I’m willing, and now you’ve unilaterally made me legally adopt this child. What would happen if you kicked me out one day?
I’ll still have to take the child with me. How can I get married and have a life of my own?” Madelyn shook off his hand, went upstairs, and firmly closed her bedroom door.
‘Kick her out? Get married?’ Since Zach had brought Madelyn back, he had never entertained the idea of letting her leave his side, not even for a moment! Not to mention the absurd notion of her marrying someone else!
The mere thought of her being with another man, even in a romantic sense, ignited a fiery rage deep within him. He forcefully banished the mental image, ‘ You won’t be able to escape from me in this lifetime. If a wedding is the best way to secure and keep you by my side, even if I… I can still marry you.’
After changing into fresh clothes, Madelyn headed to the hospital. Jasmine had been spending most of her time at the hospital taking care of Hayson recently. However, his condition was worse than Madelyn had anticipated.
Hayson had lost nearly half his body weight in just a few days. He lay in the hospital bed, seemingly conscious yet completely immobile. He looked alive and lifeless at the same time, devoid of any perceptible awareness. His hair had turned significantly whiter.
In the office, Kai smiled as he watched the monitor, “Just a few more days and everything will come to a perfect end. Hayson, I’ll make sure you live in agony while being fully aware of your helplessness.”
Suddenly, a nurse knocked on the office door urgently. Kai turned off the monitor and said, “Come in,”
The nurse said, “Dr. Stewart, the gentleman you brought in, Mr. Bond, has collapsed due to a heart attack.”
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 763
Kai rushed to the ward where Agustin had already regained consciousness. He had a gentle face, but his brows were furrowed. He was panting while clutching his chest.”You may leave for now,” Kai told the nurse.
The nurse said, “Alright, Dr. Stewart.”
Agustin lay in the bed and spoke hoarsely, “Don’t worry. It’s just an ongoing health problem.”
Kai fetched a cushion and placed it behind Agustin’s back. Agustin asked, “Has he awakened?”
In an instant, a coldness flickered in Kai’s eyes, “His awakening was only a matter of time. Agustin, rest assured; Hayson won’t live for much longer.”
Agustin inquired, “Is that young girl really Hayson’s biological daughter?”
He noticed her as early as four or five years ago. The first time he saw her, she bore an uncanny resemblance to Alicia! There was not a trace of Hayson in her to the point he had doubts…
“If not him, then who else could it be?” Alicia was only pregnant with one person’s child back then. If it were not for Hayson, the Hawk family would not have experienced such an event.
Agustin closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and felt much better, “Let’s start, but make sure not to leave any traces.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t.”
‘Everything will come to an end very soon.’
When Madelyn rushed to the hospital, the ward was empty, and fundamental care was lacking. Only the nurse would come in at scheduled times to check on their patients.
The nurse said, “The patient had a stroke, and the situation is still unstable. He needs to remain hospitalized for some time.”
Madelyn replied, “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
Madelyn glanced at the person on the bed worriedly and placed the flowers she had brought by his bedside. Her visit to the hospital was not only to see her father but also to take this opportunity to ask Kai about the man in the photograph. However, Zach had been by her side the entire time, leaving no chance for her.
Madelyn never expected Jasmine to do anything, either. She hired a nursing assistant for surveillance, ensuring a rapid response in case of unexpected events.
Zach had given Madelyn only half an hour for the hospital visit. She could not do anything either, so she left the hospital shortly.
Zach took a phone call downstairs at the hospital, and Madelyn was waiting nearby. Suddenly, she saw the same man she had encountered last time. He was in hospital attire and emerged from the elevator looking paler than before. Beside him was Kai.
Seeing them approach, Madelyn was surprised when the man took the initiative to greet her, “Young lady, we meet again.”
Madelyn looked at Kai beside him and then back at him, “Is the surgery successful? Are you feeling better?”
Agustin smiled kindly, “Thanks for your concern. The surgery was successful, and I’m feeling much better. Madelyn replied, “I’m glad you’re okay.
The bodyguards on the side suddenly reminded her, “Ms. Jent, it’s time to go back.”
Madelyn looked to the side and saw that Zach had finished making the phone call and was walking toward them, “Well, I should go now. Please take good care of yourself.”
Agustin nodded, “Young lady, what’s your name?”
Madelyn replied, “I’m Madelyn.”
“That’s a nice name. I’ll remember it.
Go back now so your family doesn’t worry.” Kai looked at her as he smiled, ” Madelyn, are you ignoring me now? I’ll feel hurt, you know?”
‘Hurt? Impossible,’ Madelyn found his behavior similar to Zach’s and felt utterly disgusted.
“Dr. Stewart, we’re not that close yet. Please show respect,” Madelyn retorted, then walked away.
Agustin kept his gaze on Madelyn until she got into the car. He narrowed his eyes as if he were seeing someone else,” Is this your child, Alicia?’
Madelyn sat in the car and watched the man standing at the hospital entrance. A slight unease crept into her heart when she looked at his saddened expression.
Madelyn only withdrew her gaze when Zach closed the car window. He asked, ” Do you know him? What did you talk about just now?”
“Nothing, just a casual chat.”
“Okay.” Surprisingly, Zach did not press for more details. Under normal circumstances, he would have scrutinized every word, questioning her thoroughly.
“I’ve applied for our visas to return to France. We’ll settle there with the child in a couple of days.”
“S-Settle in France?” Madelyn was shocked and took a moment to process, “Why are we moving to France all of a sudden? What about your company?”
The car’s air conditioning was on, but the heating function was making it a bit warm. Zach removed his coat and replied, “The main operations of Jardin Corporation are not based here. The majority of its assets are overseas. I’ll leave the affairs here to the others in the future.”
Madelyn asked, “Who?”
Zach answered, “Cecilia.”
‘It’s her!’
Zach noticed Madelyn’s unusual reaction and subtly smirked. He explained, “I’m employing her because she does have some extraordinary abilities. No matter where she is, she can bring profits to the company. Having someone like her has no downsides.”
Madelyn leaned back in her chair, her gaze shifting to the car window. She replied with a faint expression, “You don’t need to explain all this to me. Whether you employ her or not has nothing to do with me.”
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 764
Madelyn thought Cecilia was indeed better than her. Apart from her artistic skills, she knew nothing and did not know business matters. In her previous life, Zach and Cecilia had been the perfect couple, battling in the business arena. No wonder Zach fell for someone like Cecilia.
“I won’t go with you to settle in France. My home is here, and I won’t leave!” said Madelyn.
‘Even if I’ve to die, I won’t leave my home.’
“Just go and take a look. If you don’t like it, we can come back.” Zach held her hand and kissed it gently, “We’ll set off in a week after I finish handling things here. When the time comes, I’ll be there with you wherever you want to go.”
Madelyn pulled her hand away, rubbing it vigorously, “I’ve said it. I won’t go!
Even if you want to go, I won’t follow you!”
‘When Zach loves me, he is willing to give me everything. However, when I offer him my love when he no longer loves me, he doesn’t cherish it anymore. That’s the kind of person Zach is! It’s me in the previous life and Yvonne in this life. He only truly cherishes it when he loses it.’
“There are some things you won’t have the choice to make.” She could only accept it. If she refused when the time came, Zach would even force her onto the plane if necessary.
In Southern Haven Villas, a servant discreetly wrapped something in a handkerchief, “Ma’am, this is what you asked for. Why do you need Ms. Jent’s hair?”
Yvonne took it and put it in her bag. She was wearing sunglasses, “It’s none of your business. Don’t pry into things you shouldn’t know.”
The servant remained silent, looking somewhat embarrassed. It was the brush Madelyn usually used that provided the source of this hair. Otherwise, it would have been quite challenging to get it.
After handing over the item, the servant hurried back stealthily, ‘If Mr. Jardin found out I came out to meet Yvonne, the consequences would be unimaginable.’
Unexpectedly, two bodyguards suddenly appeared at the corner as she turned to head back. One of them immediately covered the servant’s mouth. Lily Gold could not make a sound; her eyes widened with fear.
However, Yvonne clung to a glimmer of hope as she carefully placed the collected strand of hair into a transparent plastic box. Soon after, she headed to a private hospital where she had scheduled an appointment with a genetic testing facility. With everything now in her hands, she only needed to wait patiently.
Indeed, Yvonne was trying to confirm the truth about the relationship between Zach and Madelyn. Yvonne anxiously waited outside. However, she did not know that the moment she discovered the reality would be the beginning of her nightmare.
After more than forty minutes, Madelyn got out of the car. Her first thought was to check on the child. Whenever she left, even for a moment, Dalton would cry incessantly.
Zach held her hand and guided her to the entrance. One of the bodyguards approached them. Zach glanced at Madelyn, then said, “Go upstairs. I’ll come to you shortly.”
Madelyn did not give any reaction. She removed the suit jacket draped over her and headed upstairs without looking back. Zach hung the suit jacket in the hallway on a coat rack and asked, ” Where is she?”
“She was locked up.”
A few minutes later, the bodyguard opened the door. Zach, exuding an intimidating presence, entered a dimly lit room that resembled a prison cell. In a windowless room with only a door, Lily trembled as she crawled toward Zach when she heard the door open, “M -Mr. Jardin, please spare me. I confess! I’ll confess to everything!”
Zach remained silent, his expression dark and menacing. His chilling presence made it clear that he posed a threat. A bodyguard fetched a chair, and Zach sat down. He took a cigarette from his pocket and placed it in his mouth, exhaling a cloud of smoke, ” Speak!”
Zach’s aloof and disdainful demeanor, looking down from a position of authority, reminded one of the attitudes he used to have when he first took control of the underworld, with a hint of roguishness.
Lily confessed, “Yvonne gave me a sum of money and asked me to provide Ms. Jent’s hair. I didn’t know what she wanted to do, but she asked, so I gave it to her. Mr. Jardin, I really didn’t mean to do anything that could harm Ms. Jent. Please don’t fire me. My son has kidney failure. He needs a lot of money for treatment. I had no other choice!”
Zach’s lips formed a sharp line, his demeanor exuding danger. His eyes narrowed with an icy intensity.
One hour later, the doctor handed Yvonne the test results. She eagerly opened it, and her gaze moved fast until it settled on the last line, which displayed the results.
Yvonne’s eyes widened in an instant, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief. The documents slipped from her hands, “H-How is this even possible? Doctor, there must be some mistakes in this report, right?”
The doctor looked at her seriously, ” Ma’am, we don’t make jokes about matters like these, and we certainly don’t falsify results. The test data indicates that these two individuals do…”
Suddenly, the doctor noticed a group of people approaching with an imposing presence halfway through his words. Yvonne’s peripheral vision also caught sight of the approaching men. The dangerous aura was gradually closing in on her.
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 765
As Zach approached, Yvonne’s heart raced. She was speechless, both from seeing him at the hospital and the realization that he knew she was there. He took the test report from her hands, his icy gaze fixed on her. Before she knew it, Zach’s bodyguards were escorting her away. The weight of his silent intensity filled her with dread about what might come next.
Zach did not like it when people nosed around in his private matters. Yvonne had done just that by finding out a secret he shared with Madelyn. She remembered a night when she knelt outside the Jent residence in the rain. Zach had ignored her, showing that he really did not care. She felt that if she vanished, Zach would not care about that either.
“Zach, tell them to let me go!” Yvonne pleaded, her panic evident as she struggled. She looked at Zach’s distant back, “Where are we going, Zach? What are you going to do? I’m so sorry for snooping! I promise I won’t tell anyone about it. Please trust me.”
‘Zach and Madelyn are siblings. It’s hard to believe… Zach must be aware of their relationship.
Yet, he still has an intimate relationship with her that wasn’t appropriate. Why doesn’t he worry about the repercussions? These emotions between siblings are unheard of. How could Zach do this?’
The doctor watched as Yvonne was escorted away. Shortly after, his phone buzzed with a call. Answering, he said, ” She saw the fake report.”
Kai replied with a hint of satisfaction,” Good job. I’ll make sure the new hospital tools arrive tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Dr. Stewart.”
Kai leaned back in his chair after ending the call, ‘Zach, I’m curious to see the lengths you’ll take to keep your secret for her sake.’ He once believed Zach had no weaknesses. Kai held the real report in his hand, while the one Yvonne saw was fake.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock. The door opened, revealing a nurse, “Dr. Stewart, this came from Hope Haven Community Hospital.”
“Give it to me.” Kai swiftly tore open the document. His eyes widened, ‘They aren’t related by blood?’ he thought. ‘I was sure about Zach’s blood test. He’s Hayson’s son. Then why isn’t he related to Madelyn?’ Feeling puzzled, he paused to think, ‘Did I get something wrong? No, I couldn’t have.’ He then had a sudden realization, ‘If everything else is correct, maybe Madelyn isn’t really Hayson’s daughter after all.’
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 766
Suddenly, Kai’s eyes opened wide, showing a deep emotion he usually hid. He quickly grabbed his car keys from the table and left the hospital, heading to a place he had promised himself he would never return to. He was lost in a whirlwind of thought.
‘If Madelyn isn’t Hayson’s daughter, then who is she?’ The gravity of this idea troubled Kai deeply. Overwhelmed with frustration, he slammed on the steering wheel. ‘Damn it!’
At the Jent residence in Southern Haven Villas, Madelyn was cleaning Dalton’s mouth after he spat out some milk. Suddenly, a wave of unease came over her.
Margaret entered and said, “Ms. Jent, how about taking your noon nap? I’ll keep an eye on Dal.”
“Thanks, I’ll do that.” Madelyn stretched her shoulders, and as she did, a maid came in.
“Ms. Jent, Dr. Stewart is here to see you.
‘Kai?’ Madelyn glanced around, wondering, ‘What’s he here for?’
“Alright, I’ll be right down,” she said. Wanting to discuss something with him, she grabbed a certain photo from under her mattress and went downstairs.
Seeing her, an anxious Kai asked, “Can we talk privately?”
She noticed a seriousness in Kai’s gaze, different from his usual mischievous demeanor. She nodded and signaled for the nearby maid to leave, and both of them took a seat on the couch.
“When’s your birthday?”
“May 20th. Why?” Madelyn replied, raising an eyebrow. Kai hesitated, seemingly puzzled. ‘May 20th? That wasn’t what I heard.’ Without warning, he pulled out a strand of her hair.
“Ouch! Kai, what was that for?”
“Madelyn,” he began, taking a deep breath, “are you certain you’re Hayson’s daughter?”
Her heart raced. “Why would you ask that?”
‘Is he trying to tell me something?’ she wondered.
“The evidence seems to suggest otherwise.” A flood of memories rushed back to her. “What evidence? What are you talking about?”
“You’re just a trapped bird now.” He handed her a notebook. “Everything you need to know is in here.”
Kai stood to leave, having retrieved what he came for.
“Hold on,” Madelyn said, “Who’s the man in the photo from the secret chamber? How’s he connected to my mom?
Kai replied, “That’s Agustin Bond. He was adopted by the Wood family and was your mother’s childhood sweetheart. You actually met him not too long ago.”
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 767
Madelyn shivered, grappling with unfamiliar emotions. ‘Mom’s childhood sweetheart? But Rosario said Mom was an orphan and Father took her in, right?’
Even in the warm living room, Madelyn felt a chill go down her spine. She made her way to the study and opened the pink leather-bound notebook. As she leafed through its pages, she paused at one with precise, fine handwriting.
[January 20th, 1975, sunny. I turned sixteen today! Agustin gifted me a necklace and a stunning white pony. Can’t wait to ride it around town. I wonder what Mom and Dad have planned for my birthday.]
[January 21st, 1975, cloudy. I was out riding Agustin’s pony when a man on a large horse, sporting tall boots, startled me. He snarkily called me a “whiny little kid.” And my new outfit from Mom? It got ripped.]
[March 28th, 1975. That man from before returned, asking Dad for money. From the doorway, I caught his eye. His towering height and intense look sent me hurrying back to my room. Mom says he’s around to protect Willowbrookshire, and Bethany seems to be smitten with him. She’s even mentioning marriage. But after he yelled at me that one time, I just see him as a bully.]
‘Willowbrookshire? Where’s that?’ Madelyn had never heard of the place. She flipped through the pages, which seemed to chronicle her mother’s teen years.
[July 12th, 1976. He still didn’t come home tonight. Where could he be? I’m sorry, Erick. I won’t snap at you again, promise. Can you please come back?]
‘Erick? Not coming home? Was Mom living with this guy when she was just seventeen?’ It was not unusual for young couples to be living together at that age. Madelyn read several pages, then moved further ahead in the diary.
[May 20th, 1978. He finally agreed to marry me! Soon, his wealth, including those shiny diamonds, will be mine. I’ll be the center of attention in Willowbrookshire. However, last night, while he was sleeping, I spotted another wrinkle on his face. Why is he aging so quickly? He might find it hard to match my pace soon. He’s keen on us having a baby, but I think I’m not ready yet.
The idea of childbirth is intimidating. But now that I think about it, having a child together might not be so bad after all. He said there’s a special diamond waiting if I decide to. The notion of having multiple children for more diamonds did cross my mind. If we had a daughter first, Madelyn might be a fitting name. Tonight, he took me out to see the moon, and its beauty was unmatched. I hope our daughter, if we have one, shines as brightly as I do.]
Some pages were faded and others smeared, leaving them almost unreadable. There was a brownish stain that looked like dried out blood, seemingly soaked through from another page.
Madelyn’s expression changed to a serious one. The information in front of her was significant. While the exact date and time on some pages were unclear, she could still decipher them. Most entries in the dairy mentioned a man named “Erick,” but there was no mention of her father’s name.
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 768
‘Why isn’t father’s name in here?”
As Madelyn flipped through the pages, the diary’s tone shifted. It started out cheerful but soon turned somber, leaving her feeling heavy-hearted. The diary mostly recounted events from Silverbrook.
Growing up, her mother had been the cherished daughter of a wealthy family. Her grandfather led a major business group, while her father was his right- hand man. The family was quite well- known in their town. Agustin was an orphan boy that her great-grandfather had rescued from a battlefield. He joined the Wood family when he was six. Growing up, Madelyn’s mother, being a few years older, taught him to read and write. The two shared a bond tighter than most friends. It seemed her great-grandfather had hopes of Agustin marrying her mother to make him an official Wood. However, some diary entries were illegible, leaving Madelyn with lingering questions.
At sixteen, her mother met the well- known military leader, Erick Blinken. By twenty-six, Erick was a respected general, and he certainly noticed her mother’s beauty. Her great- grandfather seemed interested in building a relationship with Erick as well. Yet, during that time, her mother and Agustin shared more than a typical childhood bond; they were deeply committed to each other.
When she was seventeen, her mother moved in with the Blinken family because of Erick. Over the years, their relationship had its ups and downs. Sometime later, her mother had a baby.
‘Was I that baby? What happened next? Why did bad things happen to both the Blinken and Wood families? Where’s Erick been? And how does my father come into this story?’
Finding answers was tough since the next few pages were gone, seemingly torn out. ‘Is the man I met at the hospital really Agustin? He doesn’t look like the guy in the photos at all.’
Blood dripped from Madelyn’s nose. She quickly covered it, got up, and rushed to the bathroom. As she did, the glow from car headlights briefly lit up the bathroom window. After stopping the bleeding and wiping her nose, she hid her notebook in her father’s secret chamber.
Zach, wearing a stern face, scanned the empty living room. He turned to the maid and asked, “Where is she?”
The maid, a hint of anxiety in her voice, replied, “Ms. Jent is in the study reading.”
Zach’s gaze landed on the untouched dishes on the dining table. He checked his watch: 7:30 on the dot. As he was about to head upstairs, Madelyn came down the stairs holding Dalton.
“You just got home? Where’ve you been?” Madelyn asked.
“Just handling some business,” Zach replied, stepping forward to take the child. “Let’s not eat dinner so late again.”
“I… I understand.”
With Dalton cradled in one arm, Zach took Madelyn’s hand and they sat down. The maid quickly reheated the – food. Madelyn noticed a tear in Zach’s shirt. She extracted a shimmering shard of nail sequin from the cut and set it on the table. She shot him a questioning look, but remained silent and began to eat.
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 769
At dinner, Zach noticed Madelyn was lost in thought. He added some mashed potatoes to her plate. “What’s on your mind?” he asked.
“Nothing,” Madelyn said, fidgeting with her fork.
Zach just watched her, not pressing further. After dinner, the two shared a close moment in the bathroom. When they came out, Zach was supporting a tired Madelyn. He wore a dark robe, loosely tied, revealing a bit of his toned chest. He helped Madelyn into bed, making sure she was comfy in her pajamas. After giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead, he headed to the study.
In the dimly lit study, Zach stood by the large window. His reflection showed piercing eyes that had a mysterious aura about them. The phone rang, and he answered.
“Mr. Jardin,” the voice on the other end said, “Everything’s been done as you asked. Tomorrow, Ms. Young will be on the plane with him.”
Before the voice finished speaking, Dalton’s cry interrupted it. Zach quickly hung up and looked toward the door. Outside, he found Madelyn, her blanket fallen, revealing her pale skin. He carefully covered her and adjusted the room’s heat. Hearing the noise, Madelyn asked with sleepy eyes, “Is Dal crying?”
“Yeah,” Zach replied. “I’ll see what he needs. Rest up.”
Still drowsy, Madelyn murmured, “He might be hungry. There’s milk in the kitchen.”
After hearing Dalton’s cries from the next room, Zach quickly went to check on him. He found Dalton sitting on the floor, looking upset. Zach gently lifted Dalton onto the bed.
Trying to comfort him but still looking a bit annoyed, he said, “It’s okay, try to calm down.”
Dalton stopped crying for a brief moment when he caught Zach’s gaze, but then he started up again. Soon after, Zach, with Dalton in one arm, walked into the kitchen. Using his other hand, he prepared some milk. Dalton, smelling the milk, drooled on Zach’s robe.
Margaret entered and looked stunned. ‘ 1 Well, this is a surprise!’ she thought. She then said, “Mr. Jardin, do you need my help?”
Zach answered, “I’ve got it, thanks.” He tried to offer the milk to Dalton, but the baby pulled back as if it was too warm. With a hint of frustration, Zach said, “If it’s too hot, just wait.”
Margaret gave Zach a look. “Mr. Jardin, he’s only four months old. He doesn’t get what you’re saying. Want me to take over for a while?”
Margaret had intentionally arrived now, aware of the baby’s habit of waking up at night. She recalled the hefty bonus she had received for her help during those hours. For her, the extra money was worth all the sleep she had sacrificed, as long as Zach got some rest. Zach said, “I’ve got it handled. Thanks.
Margaret responded, “Alright. Remember, babies can be challenging, but they’re a joy.”
She left quickly, thinking, ‘It’s easier for me if he declines my help.’
Zach carried Dalton upstairs. Standing outside his bedroom, Dalton fussed, tilting his head toward the direction of Madelyn’s room. Zach, however, was determined. He took Dalton to his own room, laid him on the bed, and gave him a bottle of cool milk.
“If you don’t settle down, you’ll be sleeping by yourself tomorrow.”
Understanding Zach’s tone, Dalton stopped crying and began to sip on his milk. It did not take long for him to find comfort and calmness.
Madelyn peeked into the room, worried Zach could not soothe Dalton. She overheard his stern words and thought, ‘Is he willing to cast Dalton aside just because he’s not his?’
She stepped in, saying, “Dalton’s usually good. He just cries when he’s hungry,”
“Why are you up?” Zach asked.
“Just checking on things.”
Upon seeing Madelyn, Dalton’s cries intensified Madelyn, with her tousled hair and slipping shawl, sat beside Dalton. As she held him close, a motherly tenderness was evident in her.
“You should get some rest,” she told Zach. Deep in thought, she wondered, ‘Does Zach even care for this child? Why’d he bring Dalton here?’
The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 770
Having baby Dalton around was becoming a challenge for Madelyn. While Zach could easily tune him out, Madelyn felt a strong pull toward the child. She took Dalton for a stroll in the backyard, patting his back and hoping he would drift off to sleep. After their walk, she settled him on the couch. As she did, Dalton nestled against her, gazing up at her. Yet, the moment she met his gaze, he playfully pretended to be asleep.
Madelyn gazed into the distance, lost in thought. ‘What mysteries lay within the torn pages of Mom’s diary, and what stories did those stained sections hold? When she was around sixteen or seventeen, Mom was with Erick. If I’m their child, then why does Kai hold so much resentment toward me? Perhaps he thinks I’m Hayson’s daughter. But he read the diary; he knows its contents. What’s he hiding from me?’
At Portsmouth Fishing Village, in a small, smelly room, Kai stood under a flickering bulb, eyes locked on a woman on the bed who seemed really sick.
“Who are Madelyn’s real parents? Did you take pages out of Alicia’s diary?”
Holding a paternity report, Kai questioned what he once knew. He had always thought Zach and Madelyn were family. But when Yvonne got suspicious about them, Kai started to doubt their connection. His doubt grew even more when he learned Yvonne got a report that someone had messed with-a change he had not known about.
Two days ago, during a phone call at Hope Haven Community Hospital, after discussing some unrelated topics, Kai instructed, “If the report confirms they’re not related, hand her this fake one.”
The person on the other end asked, ” Dr. Stewart, you want her to believe they’re siblings?” Kai said, “Exactly. I want everyone to believe that, whether it’s the truth or not. Just do what I told you.”
“I get it.”
However, Kai realized he had not actually confirmed if Hayson and Madelyn were related, until now. Seeing the genuine final report left him stunned.
Rosario looked so frail that she was almost unrecognizable. With hazy eyes, she lay on the bed and whispered, Madelyn… don’t climb so high up, you’ll fall…Come here, I made your favorite pastina…”
Seeing Rosario’s condition, Kai realized he would not get any more information from her. Later that night, after Kai had left, a shadowy man entered her room. Shortly thereafter, flames erupted, and the building was engulfed in fire.
It was a frosty morning, colder than the night before. Despite drifting off on the couch, Madelyn found herself on her bed upon waking. Breakfast awaited her downstairs. Just as she was about to dig in, Margaret rushed in, bags in hand.
“Ms. Jent, I have an emergency at home. May I leave for a while?”
Madelyn said, “Certainly. Come back once things are sorted.”
Madelyn was eating when one of Zach’s bodyguards came in and whispered something to him. She noticed Zach’s expression did not change and thought it might not be serious.
However, after a brief pause, Zach said calmly, “There was a fire in Portsmouth Fishing Village last night. Rosario was caught in it.”
Madelyn stopped, her fork still in the air. “How did it start?”
“An electrical problem. The police want a family member to come identify her.”
‘So, Margaret’s handling Rosario’s affairs?’ Madelyn mused. The memories of Rosario’s motherly affection rushed back, but they were shadowed by a harsh reality. The person she had trusted so deeply, Rosario, had given her a dangerous drug. This had led Madelyn to need a major surgery to remove her uterus, and her cancer had spread. Given everything that had happened, forgiving Rosario was a challenge for Madelyn, even with Rosario no longer around.
“If you want to go, I’ll come with you.”
Madelyn’s gaze was icy. “You had Rosario drug me. You’re just like her. How can you suggest I visit her now?”
“She got what she deserved. I don’t feel sorry for her.” Zach said curtly.
“That’s ironic, coming from you,” Madelyn snapped, her voice filled with anger and pain. “You can go see her if you want, but I’ll never forgive her for taking away my dream of being a mother.”
The weight of her words lingered in the air. Suddenly, her appetite vanished.
“I’m full. Enjoy your meal on your own.