Madeline lowered her gaze. "Go ahead, Mr. Gibson."Trevon watched Madeline's calm demeanor and felt a wave of annoyance wash over him. He yanked at his tie, his voice low and firm, "The divorce is off for tomorrow."Madeline remained still, her posture unchanged. She had sensed that after today's drama, the divorce would not be easy. Yet, when Trevon voiced his decision, it weighed heavily on her.She paused before speaking softly, "If you're not divorcing, what happens to Lydia?"He had figured it out in the hall and replied icily, "That's between her and me. Stay out of it."Madeline nearly burst out laughing from frustration. "So, Mr. Gibson, you expect to keep our marriage while rekindling things with Lydia? I'm sorry, but that's not happening.""Do you really see me that way?" Trevon asked."Aren't you that way, Mr. Gibson?" Her tone was gentle but laced with sarcasm."I..." Trevon's irritation showed as he loosened his collar, trying to contain the growing anger inside hi
Trevon was about to retort, "You're in no position to make demands," but something about the way she looked stopped him dead. He reluctantly backed down, "What is it?""I'll go along with this charade, but I'm not playing housewife—I'm getting a job," Madeline declared.A frown creased Trevon's forehead. "What job could you possibly do with your skills? Greet people at a desk, or wait tables? Don't make me laugh, you'll just make me look bad."Madeline bit back her frustration.What then? She was itching to give him a piece of her mind. She remained composed, "I have a degree from the Arts Academy. Do I look like someone who's just going to pour coffee?"It was then Trevon remembered her background. She was not just any graduate—she had talent, a piece of art that had made waves.He raised an eyebrow, "Fine, go work at Xystos Tech, in the art department.""No way!"Madeline rejected the idea outright.She was already incognito, working for Skylandia, she was not about to bec
Madeline slipped past his outstretched hand and headed straight back inside.nWith anger boiling inside him, Trevon lost all appetite. He grabbed his phone, pondering, then decided he needed to see Lydia. He had barely taken two steps when Madeline's head popped out from the doorway, taunting him with the contract in hand. "Careful, Mr. Gibson, wouldn't want to disappoint."Crap! Trevon cursed out loud and spun on his heel, striding back.Madeline, startled, quickly retreated, locking the door behind her and diving into her bed, hiding under the covers.Seeing the keys still dangling from the lock, Trevon could not help but laugh at the absurdity of his own rage. He unlocked the door effortlessly, catching Madeline before she could react. He gripped her wrist, his eyes flashing a warning. "I think it's time we add a new rule. As long as we're married, we're both expected to hold up our end of the bargain."Mrs. Gibson, your thoughts?" Towering at six feet, Trevon's presence was over
Lydia fidgeted, her throat tight. Trevon's anger was palpable, but she clung to hope. She could turn that around."Say what you need to," she encouraged him.Trevon's next words fell like a hammer. "Lydia, we're done.""What?" The room spun as she looked up at him, disbelief etched on her face. "Trevon, what are you saying? Is this about the Twitter post? Are you upset I went ahead and posted without asking? I've done it. I've erased everything, just like you told me to. It wasn't on purpose, you know. I was just standing up for you. Madeline was behind everything today. I couldn't let her get away with her plot."Her words tumbled out in a jumble, and tears started to stream down her face without a sound. Trevon's heart ached for her, she was the girl he had cherished for years. However, he could not keep leading her on, not then."Madeline had nothing to do with what happened today. She got her papers from her grandma yesterday, ready to make it official with me tomorrow.""Is
Trevon did not glance back as he marched ahead. Lydia bit down hard and drew a line across her wrist with a knife. The sharp pain forced a scream from her lips. Trevon spun around to see her wrist smeared with blood. He rushed to her, pressing on the wound. "Are you out of your mind?"However, Lydia just threw her arms around his waist. "Trevon, you do care. You still love me, don't you?"Ignoring her plea, Trevon signaled for a security guard to bring a first aid kit. Lydia watched him with longing, unable to tear her gaze away. Even at the hospital, she clung to Trevon. "Don't go. If you leave, I won't let them treat me."With no other choice, Trevon stayed by her side through the stitching, until a sedative lulled her to sleep. He exhaled deeply and instructed Daniel, "Get someone to keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn't do anything rash."And call Sanders. They need to come and talk some sense into her.""Understood.""Mr. Gibson, it's late. I should drive you home," Dani
The news hit Madeline like a freight train: Lydia had tried to take her own life over Trevon."Is she... all good?"Trevon rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the situation. "She's fine. It wasn't a deep cut."Madeline's mind raced as she pieced it together. Lydia's desperate act was nothing but a twisted play for attention. Was Trevon strong enough to handle that?Madeline could not decide what she wanted more: for Trevon to crumble and get that divorce, which would play right into her hands, or for him to stand strong. Either way, she would not exactly be celebrating. It was all for the Gibson family, or maybe something else. Her thoughts were a tangled mess.However, Trevon was already onto the next thing, talking shop. "Daniel said Xystos Tech is short on artists for a bunch of projects."If you're thinking of getting back to work, you could pick one and dive in."Madeline glanced up from her sizzling eggs. "Are any of those projects better than Skylandia?"Trevon pau
"Grandma, Madeline's not cut out for a secretary role in the executive suite.""How can you say that when she hasn't even started? With yesterday's scandal still simmering and Madeline stepping into a job today, especially one that's not high-profile, what do you think that looks like to everyone else?"Trevon fell silent, pondering the implications."Keep her close, and it'll look like you two are the picture of domestic bliss," Edith said, noting his silence as agreement. It's perfect timing—there's a charity auction tonight. You should both make an appearance."Madeline's gown is all set. Go with her to pick it up."With that, she ended the call before he could get a word in. Trevon could only muster a wry smile.Once Trevon was gone, Madeline took her time starting on breakfast. She was not dealing with any overcooked eggs, but rather savored a bowl of silky-smooth egg custard.Halfway through, the doorbell interrupted her. With a furrowed brow, Madeline went to answer it. T
A shiver crept from the depths of the open freezer, wrapping around Madeline's heart like frigid fingers. The haunting memory of her strength ebbing away in the biting chill crept back into her mind.Her body shook with a slight tremor, the terror of a near-death experience blooming anew within her.With a startled gasp, she slammed the fridge shut and leaned against it, her breaths coming in ragged pulls.She had thought she was over the horror of being trapped in that icy tomb, but her trembling limbs betrayed her lingering fear.The shrill ring of her phone snapped Madeline back to reality.It was Edith."Trevon told me about the decision to put off the divorce. I know it's another sacrifice on your part."Madeline attempted a smile, but a twinge of pain stopped her short. "Grandma, I understand. I've spoken with Trevon too. We'll wait until things are more stable before we go through with the divorce."Edith let out a weary sigh on the other end."As long as you two have a