Madeline had been in bed so long she felt stiff and achy. She rose and poured herself a glass of water. Glancing out the window, she noticed Trevon's absence and lifted an eyebrow. She was not exactly disappointed, just baffled by Trevon's recent antics.Lately, he had been finding new ways to bring her food. When she ate takeout with Willa and the others in Oralia, she barely managed a few bites before feeling starved. It made her unexpectedly look forward to Trevon's post-work meal deliveries downstairs.Trevon would not just drop off the food, he would stand there, waiting. He was clearly trying to melt her resolve.Madeline got it, but she was not sure if she should keep up the standoff. Despite her fussiness, Trevon had a knack for hitting the spot with his meal choices.Madeline rubbed her belly, wondering if the baby inside knew Trevon was its dad and was being extra agreeable.The thought made her chuckle. Her phone buzzed with a message from Yeneth, telling her he was stu
Lydia muttered a curse as she saw Madeline flee and immediately gave chase with the knife in hand.Pregnant and wounded, Madeline's movements were sluggish compared to Lydia's swift pursuit. Before she could lock the door, Lydia was upon her, slamming against it with brute force.Madeline's face went white from the impact, barely able to keep standing. Her arm was definitely hurt, throbbing with pain. However, no matter how much it hurt, she could not let go.Right then, that door was her only shield. The noise inside the room was bound to draw the neighbors' attention. If someone came, she might just make it.Lydia sneered and swung the knife at the door's glass, shattering it after a few hits.The sound of breaking glass filled the air. Madeline, terrified, saw Lydia's maniacal face through the broken pane. The knife, aimed through the gap, thrust savagely at Madeline.Madeline let go of the door and stumbled backward, retreating desperately. The chaos gave Lydia her chance, an
Lydia's trial was a no-brainer. Colt figured she would get slapped with a fifteen-year timeout, no surprises there. However, Madeline? She barely batted an eyelash. In her mind, Lydia getting a free ride in the clink for fifteen years was like a vacation she did not deserve.Colt just scratched his nose, keeping mum about it.Edith, ever the worrywart because of Madeline's tumble, would not take no for an answer. She had to crash at the Gibson Group's family mansion. Sure, Madeline's arm was in a rough patch, but other than that, she was peachy. The little bun in the oven? Fit as a fiddle. Edith, not buying it for a second, had Felicia practically frog-march Madeline over.Once there, Madeline's jaw dropped. The place was swarming with chefs—more than a dozen—whipping up dishes from every corner of the globe.Edith made a face. "Trevon just dumped them here one day, said it was to jazz up my meals."I was all heart-eyes at first, thinking I'd get to try some exotic eats."However
Skylar's smile vanished. "Don't spout nonsense. Kidnapping is a serious crime. However, if you're dying to know where your brother is, I might have a clue. It all depends on what you're willing to do for that info."Madeline fixed her with a steely gaze, weighing her words for any shred of truth.Back then, child abductions were rampant, and it was hard to tell friend from foe. The Sanders family had blocked Bella from searching for help. Even if they were not directly involved, they could not have been completely oblivious. Yet, all those years, not a peep from any of them.Madeline's expression turned frosty. "Your threats won't work on me. Lydia's in deep for a crime, and it's not up to me to let her off. She'll face the music in court, no matter what."However, I can promise you this much: once she's locked up, I won't let her suffer.""Ugh!" Skylar spat out with disgust. "You're the reason she's behind bars, and now you're plotting more trouble for her in there? Madeline, you
Lacee walked back into the Sanders household to find Skylar sprawled on the couch, tears streaming down her face.Between sobs, she hurled insults. "That heartless jerk! Doesn't even bother with his own daughter! Always disappearing!"Jerk! Tramp! She's definitely the one who stole him away! No shame at all! Flirting with a married man? She's not scared of being cursed!"Lacee knew she was talking about Cilix and his secretary.Cilix had just returned from the Southern Archipelago, and upon hearing that Lydia would be sentenced, he disowned her on the spot. He also strictly prohibited Skylar from using the Sanders family name to help Lydia.That day, Skylar and Cilix had a massive blowout, nearly wrecking the house. Lacee hid in the pantry, too scared to come out. By the time she emerged, Cilix was gone, rumored to have been whisked away by his secretary.Skylar was left alone, weeping in the living room, yet she still ordered Lacee to tidy up the chaos.Mid-cleanup, Yale stumbl
Skylar, with Gabriel Roberts in tow, went to see Lydia. It turned out Cilix had not completely washed his hands of them, he had even sent a lawyer. However, that did not make up for the bitterness that had settled in the hearts of mother and daughter, and they were not exactly warm to Gabriel.Gabriel did not seem to take it personally, just focused on doing his job.However, even he could not do much in the face of hard evidence.When Skylar mentioned insanity as a defense, Gabriel shot her a surprised look but kept quiet.Lydia, on the other hand, seemed to spark with a flicker of hope. Locked up in the station, haunted by tales of prison's terrors, she was worn to the bone.Her voice trembled with a mix of fear and excitement, "Mom, remember the Lowes have that crazy aunt? She's been locked up in that old straw hut forever."Skylar nodded in agreement. "Exactly! It's common knowledge in the village. She even thought about going out in a blaze of glory."Both turned their hope
By the time Madeline got back to her gig in Oralia, Lydia had been shipped off to a mental health hospital out in the sticks.Lydia had slipped into the scratchy hospital gown, her hair a tangled mess, and her face was marked with scratches she could not even remember getting. However, there was a defiant glint in her eyes that refused to be dimmed.She had pulled it off—she was free! No grim prison walls to hold her, no endless days of torment to endure!Skylar, bless him, had sworn he would hatch a plan to spring her from that place soon enough.She would not have to skulk around in the shadows, she could strut right up to Madeline and watch her jaw drop. Oh, she was itching to see the look on Madeline's face—it was going to be epic!The guard behind her nudged her forward, clearly out of patience. "Let's go, move it!"Lydia stumbled from the shove but quickly regained her balance and made her way toward the hospital.Behind her, the heavy iron gate clanged shut with a resound
Lydia groggily woke up on the hospital bed, relieved to find the two crazies gone from her side.A single tear rolled down her cheek.That was too much. It was only day one, and she felt half-dead from the ordeal. She could not bear the thought of staying any longer."I have to get out of here!"She bolted upright. "I need to call my mom."She was determined to have Skylar pick her up today! She could not stand the thought of staying another minute.The nurse, hearing the noise, peeked in and then called out, "She's up, come get her."Lydia felt a wave of dread: "Where are you taking me? No, I can't go! I'm hurt! I won't go.I'll be killed if I go back to them."The nurse gave her a steely look and said flatly, "You won't be. We've talked to them, they won't lay a hand on you again."However, Lydia could not believe her. They were maniacs!"No, no! I'm not going! I need to see my mom! I want to see her now!"The nurse chuckled. "Every patient here is a bit off their rocker.