Outside the hospital room, a tree grew tall and strong. A few birds sat on the branches with their heads under their wings due to the cold. The aura Ethan was emanating was just as cold as the weather outside."I will not agree to breaking up!" His tone was cold and assertive.Madelyn crossed her arms and retracted her gaze before stepping back, " That's not what I meant. I just want to give us some time to sort things out. Having some time away from each other should let us know whether we're suitable for each other or not!""There can never be a third person in a romantic relationship. When you knew Donna was in danger, you chose to save her. I know you still can't let her go due to what happened in the past. I'm not a heartless person, but you and I wanted to only have each other in our hearts," Madelyn continued.She smiled and said, "Ask her properly. If it turns out to be a misunderstanding all along, it might give you some closure. Regardless, we'd be the same as we were."
Madelyn did not return to the Jent residence. Instead, she went to the unit she rented. As she took out the key to open the door, a grassy and earthy fragrance wafted through the air. Madelyn walked in and saw that the plants on the balcony were in bloom. The house was clean, with only a uniform that was obviously not hers lying on the blue sofa.It reminded Madelyn of Forrest. She walked over and held the uniform. She wondered how he was doing and started to reminisce about the past. This house was filled with memories of her and Forrest, memories of him cooking in the kitchen and doing homework on the dining table. When he was exhausted, he would lie on the sofa and sleep until the first afternoon class started.In the blink of an eye, a week had passed. During this period, her phone was off. She never left the room, so she was clueless about whatever happened outside. She shut herself in that tiny house, sitting cross-legged on the floor. She numbed herself by drawing. Sometimes,
"Stop interfering in my life from now on. I have no need for your fake concern," Madelyn said.Zach's gaze landed on the can that held the water for Madelyn to wash her brushes. Her cellphone was totally submerged within it, with its motherboard removed.Zach pulled open the curtains to let the sunlight shine in. Madelyn, who had not seen the sun in days, squinted as she put her hand up to block the glaring sunlight."What are you doing? Close the curtains!" Madelyn yelled as her temper suddenly rose."I'm giving you an hour. Clean yourself up and follow me home," Zach ordered."Are you crazy, Zach? Why would I follow you home? Do you really think that place is my home? That house is Jadie's and your home, not mine," Madelyn retorted."Rosario is probably one of your lackeys, too! Only she could have put those drugs in my milk for all those years," Madelyn yelled.Whenever Madelyn saw Zach, she was reminded of certain harsh truths, some of which she still could not bear to think
"You've really come into your own, haven't you?" Zach stood up.Madelyn averted her eyes in panic and refused to look at the thing between Zach's legs. "Put your clothes on and get out."Zach casually picked up the bedsheet from the floor and wrapped it around his lower body, revealing his perfectly toned upper body with six-pack abs. Then, he silently headed for the living room, surprising Madelyn with how easygoing he was today.Madelyn quickly got out of bed and closed the door. Then, she went to her closet to put on her clothes. The sleeping pill she had taken made her almost forget how Zach had ended up in her bed.'This room has poor sound insulation.'Suddenly, Madelyn recalled something. After getting dressed, she walked to the living room to continue working on the unfinished painting. A few days ago, she had seen a notification about an art competition and decided to enter. Today was the deadline for submitting the draft, and the organizers would send someone to collect
Madelyn was near Ventrocloud High. She had not been outside for days, so her mood brightened as she watched the bustling street. Without a phone, she realized she had no one to worry about or to contact, making her world exceptionally quiet.Unconsciously, Madelyn walked into a familiar alley, the same one Forrest had taken her for a meal before. She had no idea why she had come here. As Madelyn was about to leave, a woman in her forties or fifties walked out carrying a basin with water. Upon seeing Madelyn, she immediately recognized her, "You look somewhat familiar. You're a friend of Forry, right?"Madelyn nodded in response."Well, he gave me something last time and said it was for you. It's been so many days, and I haven't seen you come to pick it up. Just wait here. I'll get it for you."Madelyn had no idea what it was. During their last meal, she had only seen the owner, not his wife. So, she was puzzled by how the owner's wife recognized her.After a short wait, the owner'
Madelyn had initially expected to face Hayson's scolding, but it seemed he was not at home since Jasmine was pregnant. Zach mentioned that she had been pregnant for over two months, and Hayson was confident that it was his child. Hayson had taken Jasmine to Sinagora to ensure a healthy pregnancy, so Madelyn would be the only one left at home from now on.'It turns out that Father hasn't cared about my well-being these past few days.' The expectations she had disappeared in an instant.Approaching the familiar yet unfamiliar living room, Rosario came over with teary eyes. "Madelyn, you've been through so much these past few days..."Madelyn looked at her with indifference. 'I don't understand. If Rosario truly cared for me and treated me like her child, why would she put something in my milk? And now she has to pretend to care about me! What's the reason for all of this?'Rosario was also one of Zach's trusted individuals, which left Madelyn wary about who around her was truly since
Taking advantage of Kai's momentary distraction while answering the phone, Lana hurriedly adjusted her skirt in humiliation. Her eyes welled up with tears as she pushed him away and fled the office.Kai's gaze followed Lana as she left. He walked to the desk, took a cigarette, and lit it. He attempted to soothe his inner turmoil. "Depends on the situation. Treatment usually involves medication and psychotherapy, but it mostly depends on the patient. If she can't get through it herself, no matter how many pills she takes or how much therapy she undergoes, it won't help. So, have you become soft-hearted?"Kai laughed heartlessly. Without getting any response, he continued to mock Zach with reckless laughter. "I knew this day would come. Zach, don't forget your purpose! Do you think you can back out now? You've been drugging Madelyn for twelve years. Even if you treat her well now, she won't forgive you. Do I need to remind you of everything you've done to her? Once you release the bows
"Mom, where'd you go? Please don't leave me behind," said Madelyn.Zach looked at the scene before him. It seemed he was witnessing a Madelyn who had already gone mad. His imposing figure loomed over her as he slowly approached. "Why are you kneeling on the ground? Get up.""What are you here for? You scared my mom away," Madelyn said calmly.Zach pulled her up with one swift motion. "Take a good look. There's no one else in this room besides you and me.""You're talking nonsense. I clearly saw my mom. She talked to me a lot. She said that if I'm tired, she'll take me away from here. It's all because of you. It's all your fault! You drove my mom away! Why'd you come in?"Zach seemed to experience heartbreak for the first time as he watched how he had driven Madelyn step by step into madness, pushing her into hell to achieve his goals. He should never have crossed that line. Now it allowed her to manipulate him easily.Zach had faced numerous shootouts, never losing his composure