When Madelyn returned to the classroom, everything seemed as usual. There were no noticeable differences, except for Jadie taking over her spot in the Math Olympiad team. It was also something that gave her a headache. After putting in so much effort, it all came to naught eventually.Class One's curriculum was progressing rapidly. The teachers had covered all the textbooks' content, and now everyone was in the revision phase. After being absent from school for so many days, Madelyn needed to catch up on what she had fallen behind. However, what bothered her the most was Forrest.Jadie had been in Class One for a few days now. The class's learning pace was so fast that there was hardly any time to spare. As the last morning class ended, Jadie took an opportunity and approached Madelyn during lunch break. "Madelyn, let's have lunch together!"Madelyn looked at her, "I still have something to do. You go ahead."Jadie tilted her head and noticed what she was busy about. "Study plan? W
Forrest showed up as well. As expected, this was something that caught his attention. He slammed down his backpack, nearly causing it to slide off the table. Madelyn intercepted it and set it down on the chair beside her. "Now that you're here. Let's begin."Forrest straddled the chair and crossed his legs casually.Madelyn asked, "Should we start with the tutoring or have a chat?""Can't you tell?"Madelyn smiled. She knew if she did not tell him, he probably would not be in the mood to study. There was no one in the library now. So, Madelyn took an art book from her backpack and pushed it toward him. "You're the first to see this art book besides me."Forrest flipped through the pages one by one. They were all landscapes sketched with pencil lines, and Madelyn labeled each with a location."Is it nice?" Madelyn asked."Not bad.""Besides that, what do you think is missing?""What exactly do you want to say?" Forrest asked."These are real places I want to visit. That's why
Ethan's voice was calm as he spoke, "I've mentioned before that I respect your decision. That's between him and me. It has nothing to do with you."Madelyn would not take sides or develop feelings for either of them. No matter if it was Forrest or Ethan. She belonged to herself alone."Thanks!" said Madelyn.Ethan looked down at her, "Thanks for what?"Madelyn met his gaze. "You know what I mean."Ethan smiled, "Let's go back!""Sure." Getting into the car, the heating function of the air conditioning inside quickly dispelled the cold from her body."I asked George to prepare some supper. What do you want to eat?" Ethan asked."Just have the gnocchi that Rosario made. Being frozen for too long might affect their taste.""Sure. Anything else?"Madelyn said, "That's enough. Eating a lot at night will make me gain weight."Ethan nodded with a gentle smile in his eyes. However, the smile didn't quite reach his gaze. "I'll listen to you."In the blink of an eye, Madelyn had been
Madelyn followed behind Zach. Just as they left the school gate, she received a call from Ethan. Glancing at Zach's back, Madelyn hesitated before answering, "Hello?""You have a long break starting today, right? How about I ask Leyton to pick you up and have lunch together?" asked Ethan.Madelyn said, "I... need to go to Zach's place. Rosario is ill. I want to check on her.""I see. Well, be careful on your way. You can stay a bit longer, and I'll come to pick you up in the evening.""Okay."After ending the call, Madelyn approached the car. As she was about to open the door for the back seat, Zach's cold voice came through, "Sit up front."Reluctantly, Madelyn put down her hand and settled into the front passenger seat. Suddenly, Zach, who was in the driver's seat, leaned over and fastened her seatbelt. Madelyn felt nervous and was unable to breathe. She had an ingrained fear of him. It intensified after learning about Julia's death. The car started moving slowly, and neither o
Madelyn replied, "I haven't been treated badly there. Ethan is really nice to me. He gives me rides to and from school every day.""That's great," Rosario replied, squeezing Madelyn's hand and giving it a little pat."Did Mr. Jardin come back with you?""Yes.""Are you hungry? I can make something for you."Right as Rosario was about to get up, Madelyn gave her a gentle push, settling her back down. "I've got this. I cook whenever I've got free time at the Arnold residence," Madelyn said."You're from the Jent family. You shouldn't be cooking for a servant like me.""At the Jent residence, I'm a daughter of the Jent family. But here, I'm just Madelyn. Don't worry. It won't take long."Madelyn left Rosario's room and closed the door behind her.She headed to the kitchen, where she found an apron hanging nearby. She put it on and took some ingredients from the fridge.Since it was getting late, she decided to make a simple meal. She chopped up some garlic, broccoli, and chicken
After waiting for a whole hour, Rosario finally got her meal when Zach brought it to her.When Zach returned to his room, he saw Madelyn trembling on the bed. Her school uniform was all crumpled and messy. He realized he had been too rough – her shirt was missing a few buttons, and the faint red marks below her neck were a lingering reminder of his actions.Tears streaked her face, making her appear pitiful.Upon seeing him, Madelyn hurled a pillow at him. "Zach Jardin, you monster!"Zach caught the pillow with a smirk. "But you didn't mind that, did you?""Just how many times I have to repeat myself. Listen, Zach Jardin, I DON'T LIKE YOU ANYMORE!" Madelyn cried out in a hoarse voice."That isn't your decision to make. Don't think that just because you're at the Arnold residence, I can't do anything to you!"Zach walked up to her, reaching to brush aside a few strands of hair stuck together by her tears. "Do you really think you can stay at the Arnold residence forever? Don't fo
Madelyn sat on the bed with empty eyes like a broken doll.Zach pulled out a black shirt from the closet and tossed it onto the bed. "Take off your clothes and give them a wash. Change the dirty sheets and bed covers together."He walked to the doorway, picked up her pair of long white socks from the floor, and hung them on the back of a chair before leaving the room.Madelyn didn't stay in his room for long. She dashed into the room she had shared with Jadie. She removed her school uniform and put it in the trash bin. In the shower, she scrubbed herself vigorously, trying to wash away the feeling of his touch from her skin. Her thoughts were haunted by the disturbing scene of what he had subjected her to.Tears welled up in Madelyn's eyes as memories of that moment replayed in her thoughts. Though their physical intimacy fell short of intercourse, Zach's actions had left an everlasting mark—a terrifying experience from which she believed she would never recover.'If he had done i
Zach's car pulled up at the carpark of the mall.Madelyn followed behind Zach, thinking they were heading straight fifth floor. But he went to the first floor, the jewelry section.Zach walked up to a counter, where the salesperson seemed to know him. "Mr. Jardin, the Cartier you ordered last week has arrived. Please take a look and see if it meets your satisfaction." As she spoke, her gaze landed on Madelyn with a smile. "And is this lovely young lady your girlfriend? She would look stunning with it on."Madelyn quickly denied, "You've got it wrong, I'm his sister." She thought to herself, 'Girlfriend? Ugh, no way!'"Brother, I'll go upstairs first."Just as she took a step, Zach grabbed her wrist. He pulled out a beautifully crafted diamond necklace. "Why not give this a try?""I don't want it!" Madelyn struggled, trying to free herself from his grasp. His expression darkened. He then spoke to the salesperson, "I'm sorry, she's been in a mood lately."Madelyn thought to hersel