As Trevon absorbed the story, he realized Madeline had actually been pretty decent to him.Given her recent streak of being all claws and fangs, it was nothing short of a miracle she had not attacked him.He shut his eyes tightly, a new weight of helplessness settling in his chest.The tension between them was already thick enough to cut with a knife. Then, it seemed like the chances of patching things up had gone from slim to none.He patted the box in his pocket and stood up abruptly."Mr. Gibson?"Trevon bit his lip. "I need to clear the air with her."Daniel let out a sigh. It was about time Trevon had a heart-to-heart with Madeline.However, just as Trevon made it to the door, he collapsed."Mr. Gibson!"Daniel rushed to his side and felt the heat radiating off him. Trevon's chest wound must have gotten infected.Without wasting a second, Daniel called for a ride and whisked Trevon off to the hospital.In the chaos, he completely spaced on helping Madeline, even forget
Madeline's eyes were void of emotion, making her seem even more distant and icy. "Should my mother's journey to the afterlife be delayed for someone who's practically a stranger?"None of the people Bella cherished—her son, her parents—had come.Madeline figured Bella would not have wanted to see anyone else, anyway.Trevon was not worth the wait."Go ahead with the cremation."'Stranger…'Yahir's heart skipped a beat, and he opened his mouth to speak, but a single look from Madeline's indifferent gaze left him mute.'Damn, she's frigid.'No one could speak up against Madeline's chilling stare.Yahir had his suspicions that if he kept talking, Madeline might just have the funeral staff escort him out.He had done all he could.Right when the funeral workers were about to take Bella for cremation, Trevon finally showed up, leaning on Daniel and Liam for support.Daniel caught sight of Bella's body still lying there and let out a relieved breath.He had made it just in time.
Despite the early stage of her pregnancy, Madeline felt its toll on her body, making every movement a challenge.She gingerly sidestepped her tender belly and eased herself down with a bit of a struggle, resting against Bella's headstone the way she used to snuggle into her mom's arms as a little girl.Her gaze was distant, looking through the world in front of her, lost in thought or maybe lost in the absence of it.It took a while, but she finally found her voice."Mom, you're gone now, so let go of this world's worries. I'm all grown up, I can look after myself. I know you were always worried about Kayden. I'm sorry I couldn't bring him to see you before you had to say goodbye."Don't worry, though. I'm on a mission to find him, and someday, I'll bring him right here to you. Just wait for the good news, okay?"Madeline lapsed into silence once more, a long, heavy pause before she glanced at the photo on the gravestone.Bella's smile in the picture was radiant, as if untouched
Stephen had made the trek back up the mountain with one goal in mind—to clear the air with Madeline about where they stood with each other.He was not looking to make her feel indebted to him or the Fergusons. He just wanted her to trust him, to lean on him, especially when things were looking pretty complicated.However, after he arrived and overheard her chat with Bella, he was at a loss for words.Madeline looked up, surprised to see Stephen. "Mr. Ferguson, you came back?"He held up the bottle of water. "Thought you could use a drink."She paused, and a smile broke through. "Thanks," she said, accepting the water.Stephen sat down next to her, nodding toward the horizon. "You know, your mom would hate to see you beating yourself up like this."Madeline looked down, her voice neutral. "Didn't peg you as the type to eavesdrop."Stephen winced, coughing awkwardly. He had not meant to listen in."So, what's your next move, Mrs. Gibson?"She quickly corrected him. "Just Madeli
The offer was just too tempting. Madeline felt her heart skip a beat with excitement."My mom's funeral is over, but there's a bunch of stuff I still need to sort out, so I might have to join Oralia a bit later."She had accepted the offer.Stephen let out a sigh of relief. "That's totally fine. Take your time, Madeline, and come over when you're ready."Madeline gave a small nod. With everything going on, she was not in a sorrowful mood and stood up to leave.Stephen quickly offered his hand. "Careful now."He glanced at Madeline's stomach. The black dress she wore hid her pregnancy well, making her just seem a little round in the middle.However, the medical report made it clear. Madeline was three months pregnant, and soon enough, there would be no hiding her baby bump.The real mystery was the father's identity.Stephen struggled to believe that Madeline would cheat on her husband. However, the thought of Trevon being the father irked him.He would much prefer Caleb to be
Stephen glanced at Madeline, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.He knew his cousin had a soft heart. Sure, she had been ticked off at the Sanders family before, but her usual approach was a stern slap or a sharp tongue-lashing, nothing more.Her quick pivot to wanting to throw a knockout punch was unexpected, but he was all for it and quite pleased.Stephen gave Chandler a nod to go ahead and spill the beans.Chandler laid it out."Here's the list of everyone who showed up at the hospital yesterday looking for a payout, complete with their digits. I've got eyes on them. Ms. Sanders, so you can reel them in whenever you're ready."Madeline's eyebrows shot up in surprise.Chandler cracked a smile. "Things went sideways fast yesterday, and I figured you were swamped, so I jumped in. Hope that's cool with you."Madeline was far from miffed—she was thankful."This info's a goldmine. Thanks a bunch, Mr. Ferguson."She remembered Chandler mentioning that Stephen had sent him to lend
Madeline clapped a hand over her mouth as her stomach did somersaults. She could not stand it anymore and bolted for the bathroom.Yeneth was right on her heels, ready to help."I handed over the Sanders family when they asked, and Trevon too. However, why can't they just leave me alone? Why are they so set on taking down my mom?"After Madeline was done throwing up, she looked at Yeneth, drained, hoping for some kind of answer.Yeneth gritted her teeth. "Some folks just have a mean streak a mile wide. You can't measure them by normal standards. Not one of them is worth a darn."Madeline did not say a word.Together, they helped Madeline back to her feet.Stephen watched as Madeline's face grew even more pale and thin, his own expression turning to ice.He never used to give women like Lydia a second thought. However, after they messed with Bella and Madeline, piling up a list of wrongs, he knew he had to settle the score, bit by bit."Chandler, show me what you've dug up.""
In that moment, Trevon felt a wave of inevitability wash over him, like he had known all along that it was coming.Madeline had only one word on her mind when it came to him.Divorce.Trevon felt a pang of bitterness, but managed to keep his composure, his expression darkening just a touch. "Today's not the day to talk about divorce."Madeline simply gazed at him, her voice steady. "Any day's as good as the next. Plus, look at this weather—clear skies and sunshine. It's perfect for signing those papers."The morning was gloomy, threatening snow. However, the clouds had scattered, leaving behind a hint of blue and a touch of gold in the sky.For a Redenbaugh City winter, it was a rare treat.'Good weather for a divorce, huh? She must really want to be free.'Trevon's confusion was written all over his face, his forehead veins popping. "Stop joking around!"Madeline insisted, "I'm dead serious. Remember, Trevon, you're the one who brought up the divorce. You told me not to get g