He abruptly fell silent, seemingly realizing that he'd gone too far. He hurriedly backtracked and said, "I didn't mean it like that. I was just too mad—"Madeline didn't want to hear any more of his nonsense. She hung up without a word and blocked his number and his accounts on all her social media apps. Her heart raced with anger, and she had to take deep breaths to calm down. She slowly clenched her fists, which were resting on her knees.It had been six years, and she'd finally learned Isaac's true opinion of her. He didn't think there was anything wrong with dragging things out and refusing to marry her because she was an orphan. She didn't have a family to support her, so he had no qualms about mistreating her.Now, she knew all the excuses he'd given her were lies. He'd tricked her so that he wouldn't have to marry her! He was so confident that she wouldn't leave him—that no one but him would marry her.It disgusted her. When had the upstanding young man in her memories tur
Madeline didn't expect Elijah to ask her that. He hadn't gotten mad or told her off, which left her dazed. After a while, she shook her head and said, "My relationship with Isaac is a thing of the past. If it bothers you—""Why would it?" Elijah raised an eyebrow. He smiled a little roguishly. "It'd be weird if an outstanding woman like you didn't have an ex. Besides, you guys are already over, and I'm your husband now. Even if he wanted to compete with me for your love, he has no chance of victory."His light-hearted tone made her relax. She asked, "Why not?""Because I won't give him the opportunity to take you away." He leaned closer and chuckled. "It's a crime to ruin someone's marriage, you know."Madeline's face burned because of how Elijah was looking at her. She reflexively turned away. Still, she had to admit his attitude ad appeased her. Her originally tensed shoulders relaxed."Actually…" She thought about Isaac's call and said, "I don't know whether you can do this,
Rachel walked to Isaac and took the bottle of liquor from him. Her gaze was filled with heartache as she said, "I know you're upset over what happened with Dr. Snow, but seeing you so defeated breaks my heart! I know I shouldn't say anything because of your long relationship with her, but I'm still going to say it."If you want to have feelings for someone, you should pick someone who's worthy of your love! Someone who genuinely loves you wouldn't bear to see you hurting yourself like this!"She looked at him tenderly. Though she didn't mention any names, it was clear her words were meant to make Madeline look bad. She wanted to convey that she was the one who loved Isaac the most and that she was the one who cared about him.Isaac kept his gaze lowered without saying anything. It was hard to tell whether it was because he was drunk or because he agreed with her.This delighted Rachel. She leaned closer and said, "It's cold on the floor, Isaac. Let me help you up."The outfit she
It was none other than Isaac. He stood before Madeline with bloodshot eyes and his hair in a mess. His suit was crumpled, and he looked haggard. He was nothing like his usual neat self.He didn't care about the odd looks people were giving him, though. He was agitated as he looked at Madeline, and he stepped forward to hold her. "I've finally found you, Maddie. Let's head home."To his dismay, she moved away and dodged his hand. Then, she asked coldly, "What are you doing here?"That question alone was enough to make Isaac feel like a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. He froze on the spot, not daring to move.He never would've expected Madeline to respond so coldly upon seeing him after he'd tried so hard to find her. It scared him when he realized she didn't seem to be playing games with him. She genuinely didn't want him to be there.Isaac panicked on the inside but forced a smile and said cautiously, "Let's go home, Maddie. I've already told Rachel to move out. I
Isaac sat there stiffly. Then, he suddenly flung Madeline's phone to the floor roughly, making it shatter. His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at the pieces.Madeline grew angry when she saw this. "Have you lost your mind, Isaac?"He couldn't care less about anything else and frantically grabbed Madeline's hand. As he dragged her to the door, he said, "I won't accept this, Maddie. You can't marry anyone else! Divorce him! You want to get married, right? We can do that right away. You're my fiancée, so you can't marry another man!""What the hell are you talking about? Let me go!" Madeline struggled to break free, but Isaac's strength seemed to have increased in his insanity. He soon dragged her out of the coffee shop."Let me go! I'm not going anywhere, Isaac!" She kept hitting his arm, but he ignored it.She was wearing heels and twisted her ankle as she was being dragged away. Pain shot through her, and she almost fell. However, Isaac continued dragging her along without a care
Isaac didn't even know where to start voicing his grievances when Madeline snapped at him without giving him the chance to explain. He felt utterly wronged.Elijah had played dirty and attacked him in places that weren't on show. Isaac didn't have any injuries on his face but was in grave pain as he lay on the ground.With Elijah's skills, he wouldn't have had any problems dodging Isaac's punch, yet he'd taken it without protest. He'd done it on purpose!Almost as if verifying Isaac's suspicion, Elijah stood behind Madeline and raised an eyebrow while smiling. The provocation in his gaze was evident.Isaac flew into a rage at that and staggered to his feet. "He's putting on an act, Maddie. He just wants you to pity him!"Madeline saw him stumble forward. She was afraid he would try something again, so she shielded Elijah behind her. "I'll call the cops if you try to do anything!"Isaac felt like he'd been stabbed in the heart when he saw her defending another man with everything
"H-How did you know my shoe size?" Madeline couldn't understand it. She and Elijah had only known each other for less than a month. How had he known what her shoe size was?He didn't stop massaging her ankle. In fact, he didn't even seem to think her question was a legitimate one. He said casually, "From looking at your shoes, of course. Since we're married, it's only right for me to get to know you better."I went through your social media, so I know you like grapes and strawberries but hate bananas. You like white but not yellow. Your birthday is on the 22nd of March…"His voice was slightly muffled because his head was lowered, but that didn't stop his words from going straight to her heart. She hadn't expected him to know so much about her likes and dislikes—he hadn't gotten any of them wrong, either.While she was dazed, he looked up at her. Then, he smiled. "So, did I get it right?"Her heart softened. "Yeah."It turned out one only needed to have the intention if they want
The atmosphere in the car immediately turned amorous. Madeline blushed furiously and glared at Elijah without saying anything.He didn't move, either. He smirked lazily, looking like a cat who'd found a mouse to play with.In the end, his phone broke the silence. He answered it and got out of the car.Madeline watched him. She saw his expression turn severe after he listened for a while."Got it." Elijah hung up and returned to the car. He carried Madeline to the front passenger seat before getting into the driver's seat. Then, he looked at her apologetically and said, "I'm sorry, but our wedding might have to be delayed. I'll take you home first."She looked at him uneasily. "Do you have a new mission?"He started the car. "Yeah. There's some unrest in Zohn City, so I need to make a secret visit there. All you need to do is wait for me to return."As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he felt her hold his hand tightly. He turned to look at her in surprise. She said so
The 22nd of March was a good day. It was Madeline's birthday and also her wedding day.Elijah had completed his mission, and Madeline had Marie to represent her family. The wedding wasn't as simple as they'd originally planned. On the contrary, it was a grand affair.The most lavish hotel in Halston City had been reserved for the occasion, and fresh flowers imported from various places filled the banquet hall. The place looked like an ocean of roses.Madeline had already changed into her diamond-embedded wedding gown and veil in the powder room. Marie was by her side too. She kept complimenting Madeline. "You're gorgeous, Maddie. That Quilton chap has lucked out with you! Alas, it's too bad you can't be my granddaughter-in-law."Elijah's grandfather, Philip Quilton, was present for the wedding. He wasn't happy to hear Marie's words. "Now, I'm not happy to hear that. I think of you as my in-law, but you're trying to snatch my grandson's wife away!"Marie wasn't afraid of him. The
Madeline took Elijah to Shorestone City after he was discharged. Her parents had been buried at Verdano Cemetery, which was located atop a hill. The journey there could be made by cable car, but visitors could also climb the steps up the hill.The weather was nice that day, and Madeline was in a good mood. She suddenly asked, "How about we climb up?"Elijah raised an eyebrow. "I'll do as my darling wife says."They held hands and slowly climbed the steps. Madeline told him about her childhood and breathed in the fresh air. It had been a long time since she'd last felt so relaxed.Elijah watched her dotingly, occasionally stopping her from falling over in her excitement.They reached the top of the hill after a 40-minute climb, and the cemetery's entrance came into view. Madeline stood before it for a while before holding Elijah's hand and heading forward.It had been a long time since she'd been there, and she thought she wouldn't remember where her parents were buried. However,
Elijah had a blissful week after the surgery. Madeline was his attending physician, so he could be affectionate with her daily while admiring her as she worked. Life was great, and he couldn't help thinking he should've gotten injured ages ago.On that day, after making her rounds, Madeline entered Elijah's hospital ward. As soon as she entered, she saw him looking at her with bright eyes. He looked like a dog waiting for its owner to pet it. She approached the bed and asked helplessly, "What now?"He raised an eyebrow and tapped his lips. "You haven't given me my good morning kiss yet."She couldn't stand it when he acted like that. She put on a stern expression and said, "I'm working. Now, lift your shirt so I can change your bandages."He mumbled something about her being heartless but stopped teasing her and lifted his shirt obligingly.After quickly changing his bandages, she looked up to see him watching her with a hint of resentment. She chuckled and leaned down to peck h
Madeline and the nurse ran to the operating theater. When the former saw Elijah covered in blood in the quarantine room, her mind started buzzing. He lay there, unmoving and unconscious. It was almost as if he wasn't even breathing.As a doctor, Madeline was used to seeing death. She shouldn't have been afraid of blood, but at that moment, she was undeniably terrified. She was afraid Elijah would no longer be by her side—that she would no longer see him raise an eyebrow and smirk mischievously at her.Her tears started flowing, and she became numb all over. She couldn't move. In the end, the nurse had to guide her in signing the consent form. Her hand trembled so badly that she could barely hold the pen.Soon, the red light above the operating room turned on. Madeline sat in the corridor and waited. In the past, she'd always been the one inside the operating room, but it had never felt this torturous on the other side of those doors.After an hour, the surgery was over. When the
Isaac barged into the hospital ward and looked at Madeline. His eyes reddened. "Maddie, you're back."Things didn't seem to be going well for him. His cheeks were sunken, and he'd lost so much weight that his handsome face looked haggard.Madeline frowned at the sight of him. She didn't want to have anything to do with him, so she stood up and said to Marie, "I need to head back, Grandma Marie. I didn't ask for too many days off, and I have patients waiting."Marie smiled and nodded. "I'll have the driver send you. Remember to call me before your wedding."Madeline hugged her, reluctant to part. Then, she turned to leave. Marie's assistant followed her out and said, "I'll arrange the driver for you, Ms. Snow."Madeline nodded. She walked past Isaac without sparing him a glance. He hurried forward, wanting to grab her. "I'm sorry, Maddie. Please don't go!"Marie's expression darkened. "Stop him!"Her bodyguard pinned Isaac to the floor. He could only watch as Madeline left, strug
Madeline's new phone clattered to the floor and almost broke. She hastily picked it up and said, "I'll be right there. Please do your best to save her, and tell her to wait for me!"She was almost in tears toward the end of her sentence. Why was Marie suddenly in critical condition?A familiar ringing filled her ears, but she dried her tears and hurried to her superior's office to ask for time off. Then, she booked a flight back to Shorestone City.During the journey, she didn't sleep a wink despite being exhausted. Her heart was at her throat, and she was on the edge of her seat. She was terrified by the thought of not being able to see Marie one last time.Not being able to see Shirley one last time would always be a regret in her life, and she was afraid she would have the same regret with Marie. They were the only two elders who loved her the most in this world!Madeline hurried to the hospital after arriving at the airport. She urged the driver to be faster and ran to the VIP
Sean pushed his glasses up as he stood to one side. He said coldly, "I would advise against kicking up a fuss, Ms. Livingston. Mr. Chance only allowed you to stay here temporarily. Now that he wants you gone, you can't refuse to leave. We won't take anything that belongs to you—you should do what is smart."The workers soon emptied the place and chased Rachel and Queenie out of the residential area. Rachel didn't want to give in so easily and tried to head back inside, but the security guards weren't just for display. They whipped out their electric batons to chase her off.She was scared when she saw how burly they were, so she had no choice but to leave with Queenie and their things.Rachel couldn't find a place to stay because she had no money, so she and Queenie could only squat underneath a bridge somewhere. They stayed there until the next day, when Queenie suddenly burned up with a high fever.Rachel panicked when she felt Queenie's forehead. "Queenie, don't scare me!"Sh
Isaac's heart sank when he recalled the outrageous things he'd said. Madeline probably didn't know about them… Right?As his unease grew, he saw Rachel's phone and grabbed it. Then, he ordered, "Unlock it!"Rachel's face was covered in tears, making her makeup run everywhere. She still harbored a sliver of hope and weeped as she said, "There's nothing on my phone, Isaac. I didn't say anything to Dr. Snow!"He didn't have the patience to argue with her, so he tapped on the screen and gripped her jaw. He forced her head up so he could unlock the phone.Then, he opened her WhatsApp. He didn't find Madeline's number among the conversations. He was about to relax when he suddenly thought of checking Rachel's Instagram.As he went through her archive, he saw an Instagram story he'd never seen before. It was a photo of him sitting before the bed. He saw the video she'd recorded and watched it. Then, he heard his mocking voice ring out."She's just an orphan. Where can she go? At most, s
Isaac's tone was matter-of-fact when he asked the question. He didn't expect it to piss the nurse off.She slammed her instruments onto a tray and glared at him. "Who told you this patient is unconscious because Dr. Snow made a mistake during the surgery? She's like this because her family concealed her medical history beforehand!"She has a congenital heart disease, but her mother didn't inform us before the surgery. Now, she's unconscious because the dosage of anesthesia used was too high!"Isaac's blood ran cold at that. He mumbled, "It's not because of a mistake during the surgery? How can this be?"The nurse rolled her eyes as she picked up the tray. "And why not? Dr. Snow immediately knew something was wrong that day and told me to extract this patient's blood for a blood test."I saw the report myself! I didn't even get the chance to give Dr. Snow the report because she quit. Honestly, this patient is unfortunate to have such a mother!"She stormed out of the hospital ward