"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
They silently held each other's gaze until the man in the purple suit caught up and gave Madeline a once-over."Hey there, gorgeous."Bernard could not help but roll his eyes before quickly snapping back to his icy demeanor.Madeline held back a laugh as the man slid into the seat next to her. "Name's Yahir, manager and the big boss of the Raimundo Team. It's a pleasure to meet you."She figured he was quite the charmer.Ignoring the offered business card, Madeline simply smiled and replied, "Nice to meet you."Then, pulling out a small notebook and pen from her purse, she handed them to Bernard. "Could I trouble you for an autograph?"Bernard did not blink as he continued gazing at Madeline.Yahir chimed in, "Whoop! Sorry, Miss. Bernard here doesn't do autographs off the clock. Maybe another time—"Yahir had not even finished his sentence when Bernard grabbed Madeline's notebook and scribbled his autograph with a flourish."Thanks."Madeline took back her notebook and glanc
Yahir felt like he put his foot in his mouth.Inside, Yahir was kicking himself for his blunder, but he kept his cool and smiled. "Mrs. Gibson, you're here for Trevon? Funny, me too."Madeline gave him a curious once-over.If he were Trevon's lifelong bud, he would know that Trevon was all over Lydia. There was no way Yahir would be that chummy without a reason.However, Madeline did not get along with trust-fund kids, so a little distance could not hurt.Madeline just smiled, letting the conversation drop.Out of nowhere, Bernard blurted, "What's with the mark on your face?"Crap.Yahir mentally facepalmed. "Bernard, ever heard of tact? Please just zip it like you usually do."Yahir tugged at Bernard's sleeve, but Bernard ignored him, eyes locked on Madeline, waiting for her to spill.Suddenly, all eyes in the elevator were on her.Honestly, they were all dying to know.Madeline lightly touched the mark on her left cheek. "This? Early this morning, I got a slap from Lydia'
Trevon opened the kit, glanced at Madeline's slightly chilled face, and pursed his lips. "I didn't mean to… I'll talk to Lydia's mom myself. You don't need to worry about this. I'll make sure they leave you alone. Just... Just let it slide this time, okay?"Madeline smiled. It was just a slap, after all. What else could she really have expected?"I'll get something for that bruise," Trevon added.Madeline cut in sharply. "No, that's alright, Mr. Gibson. If you feel bad about it, just an ice pack will do."Trevon raised an eyebrow, pulled an ice pack from the fridge, and handed it to her.When the ice pack was wrapped around Madeline's hand, she shuddered fiercely in an instant. She quickly pulled back, then reached out again with a clenched jaw.Trevon felt a pang of concern. "You..."He stopped himself.He recognized that reaction—it was PTSD. He had been the same way with cars for a long while after his own accident.Carefully avoiding her hand, he took a second look at the
"Trevon," Lydia called out, her voice a tender mix of sorrow and hurt.Her wrist was swathed in thick white bandages, looped around her neck for extra support, making her look even more delicate against the October chill. She was dressed in nothing but a light blouse, which made her seem all the more fragile and endearing.Trevon's eyes landed on her immediately, and he almost went to her but checked himself at the last second.Lydia's heart sank a little more.Only when they were close enough to speak without raising their voices did Trevon finally say, "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be resting in the hospital?"Lydia hung her head dejectedly. "I... I just missed you," she murmured, knowing better than to make a scene out there.Trevon frowned. "Come on. Let's grab something to eat."He set off at a brisk pace.Lydia shot Madeline a challenging look and hurried after him.Madeline laughed softly and trailed behind, casually taking out her phone to capture a picture of Trevo
Madeline hesitated momentarily. "Is he really that quiet?"Over text, Bernard was anything but silent.She had even silently critiqued him before, thinking how his chatty nature did not quite match his stoic face."He's the king of keeping it short. If he can stay silent, he will. If he can get away with a single word, that's all you're getting."Yahir threw up his hands and continued, "I mean, even I can't get more than two words out of him, and I never shut up."Madeline let out a snort of laughter. So, Yahir was aware of his chatterbox tendencies.Trevon was seated right behind Madeline. The back of the chair hid her face from him, but he could sense her cheerful spirit.It reminded him of how buoyant she was when he first got out of the hospital—all patched up and new.However, their easy banter had dwindled to almost nothing somewhere along the line.Madeline had turned into a woman of few words, just like Bernard. Ever since Lydia returned, Madeline had grown prickly, as
A waiter approached the group with a warm smile. "Miss, I'll place the order for you."Lydia, though irked, could only shoot Trevon a look of longing and stay silent. Trevon, however, seemed oblivious to her, his attention fixed on Madeline.Madeline was the picture of poise as she ate.Her bowl was filled with a generous serving of beef, courtesy of Bernard's attentive offerings.She only intervened when the pile grew too high.Bernard had always been reserved, but with Madeline, he was a different man.As Trevon mulled over Bernard's earlier remark about beauty, a surge of irritation welled up inside him, and he abruptly set down his cutlery.Yahir blurted out, "Trevon, lost in thought? Not hungry? Pass that beef over to me! I can't get enough of it!"Trevon slid the beef across the table with a look of distaste. "This place is just so-so. Next time, I'll have someone bring in some prime cattle from Sheffield.""Ah, now you're talking!" Yahir said between mouthfuls. "Make su