Chapter - [ 4 ]

[ Madeline Parker ]

“Mom, Dad, do not sympathize with me because you are the one who gave me the most painful betrayal. How could you hide this from me all these years when I used to share my plans with you and expressed my love for Logan? You never felt bad for me?” I gave them an accusing glare.

My anger and hurt were coming on the surface.

“Maddie, we’re sorry for keeping you in the dark for six years but trust me, when we saw you happily living with your son, we couldn’t muster up the courage to tell you about Logan’s marriage. We thought with time, your love will slowly fade away and you’d find someone who actually loves you.” Dad said.

I scoffed looking away, “If you have really cared for me, Dad then you would have told me the truth a long time ago.” I said.

“Honey, I think we should tell her the reason of her marriage with Logan. We have hidden the truth from her for a really long time. I can’t lose my daughter. Madeline and Chris are our everything.” Mom said to Dad in a weak voice and it drew my attention on her.

“Now what else is there which you haven’t told me?” I looked between them.

Dad took a deep breath, suddenly he looked old and weak.

“Logan said the truth to you. He wasn’t ready to marry you because he always saw you as his friend but his parents forced him to marry you because his grandfather wished and he’d never name Logan his heir until he marries you. Mr. Henry Wesley was very fond of you. So, Desmond and Lillian Wesley had no other choice except to make their son agree to marry you.” Dad revealed another dark chapter of my illusive fairy love tale.

I supressed another cry. I thought Logan’s parents were happy to have me as their daughter-in-law. They treated me nicely but it turned out, they were good at hiding their thoughts.

“But it’s not the whole truth, Madeline. They came to us first with a proposal in exchange of letting you marry to their son.” Mom added.

“I lost many projects a few years ago. So, I had to take loan from the banks which I was unable to pay. We could lose everything if they hadn’t offered their help in time so we could survive the temporal turbulence in the business.” Dad revealed.

I felt like someone had poured molten lava into my ears.

I blinked my eyes, unable to digest what I just heard. I tried to speak but nothing came out. My own parents used my love for Logan as a key to save our falling business.

“Maddie, we’re sorry. Please, forgive us. We have been living with this guilt every day but we thought if we didn’t take their help, we would have left nothing for you. We also thought that you’d be married to the man you love and one day he’ll also fall in love with you. It was the biggest mistake we committed.” Dad apologized for their sins.

I sprang up on my feet and wiped my tears. I was betrayed by everyone I love. I felt empty. The scars were deep and painful.

“I am leaving with Chris. I need some space from you both.” I said flatly to them. Panic contoured their faces. Mom grabbed my hands. She was already crying.

“No, baby. Please, forgive us. We can’t live peacefully knowing we hurt you badly. Chris is our everything, please don’t take him away.” She begged me but I yanked my hand out of her grip.

“Doris, let her go. I think we should give her time to process everything. We have no right to meddle in her life anymore. We made wrong decisions in the past, let’s not repeat the same mistake again.” Dad said pulling her by his side.

“Good bye.” I said and stormed out of there while tears ran uncontrollably from my eyes. Everyone used me as their pawn whereas I thought this world is really beautiful and one day, I’ll have my happy ending.

I met Ava and Chris in my way out of the house. I quickly wiped my tears so Chris won’t be worried again. He is very sensitive when it comes to me.

“Chris, let’s go. I’ll treat with you with an ice-cream and burger before we head home.” I smiled at my boy. In this world of deception, he’s the only positive ray in my dark and tainted life.

A wide smile spread on his lips and he jumped into my arms.

“Yes, Mom!” He clapped his hands in excitement unaware of his mother’s bleeding emotions.

“Maddie, are you okay?” Ava asked me in a low voice, her eyes scanned me intently.

“Yes, finally I feel I am reborn today. I have to bury old, naïve Madeline in the past and face this world bravely for Chris. I’ll only live for him from now onwards and no one will be able to take him away from me.” I said with a new determination.

“That’s like my girl. I have been telling you this for last six years, Maddie but anyways, I am happy. It’s not too late to start a new life.” Ava said with excitement.

She’s the only person who understood my pain and the mental trauma I am facing yet she lifts up my mood.

“We’re going to club tonight, Maddie and I don’t want to hear any excuses. We must celebrate your freedom from your stupid obsession.” She suggested, I was still trying to process what I witnessed today.

“I am not going anywhere, Ava. Please, understand that I just lost everything. The hope which helped me to keep going, it’s gone now.” My eyes teared up again.

Chris had dozed off at the backseat of the car. We took him to his favourite burger shop.

“Madeline, I know how are you feeling right now. I would have killed my boyfriend if he had done something as horrendous as Brandon fucking Wesley. But you can’t stop living. Come on, he has moved on a long ago, you saw him screwing his second wife in his office. He is a despicable asshole, don’t let yourself effect by him anymore. We’re going out for clubbing, Maddie and that’s final. My mom will look after Chris. They love each other’s company. It’s final. I won’t listen to any of your grieved excuses.” She said stubbornly.

I didn’t want to do anything but coop up in my room and cry until this pain subsides but I know it’s not easy. True love never fades.

“Madeline?” She raised her brow at me.

“Okay, I am coming but we’ll come back before eleven. I have an early shift tomorrow and I also have to drop Chris at his school.” I agreed to go to club with her. I wanted to see where my life would take me.