The doctor had said, "We found a tumor in your head, which is benign for now. We recommend taking medication to see if it gets smaller. Please return in three months for a check-up. If it grows, surgery might be the next step. Just know that getting treated early often means better results."Today marked the three months since the doctor's warning, and Madelyn was due for her check-up. Yet, shortly before Zach found her, she had gotten the tough news: her brain tumor was getting worse than initially believed.'I thought I had a new beginning. But with Zach always looming, it feels like I'm stuck in the past. What's the point if things are like this?'Feeling the start of a nosebleed, Madelyn quickly took a few pills. She leaned on the wall for balance and went to the bathroom. When Zach showed up, she was already wiping away the blood."Madelyn, open the door! I'll only count to three!"It was unusual for Zach to get this mad. Given who he is, shouting at her was just not his styl
"What happened?" Zach asked, his eyes softening as he looked intently at her."It's nothing. You're overthinking," Madelyn replied, her voice flat.Zach, sensing she was hiding something, moved closer. He gently wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her onto a table. Reminders of their previous night together were still evident on her skin."Don't challenge me like this; I don't appreciate it. Got it?" His voice may have been soft, but the cold warning in his eyes was clear. Nevertheless, he seemed gentler now than before. Taking a moment to touch her hair, he gently lifted her chin, ensuring their eyes met, "Hungry? Tell me what you'd like, and I'll order from the restaurant."Feeling a bit drained, Madelyn replied, "Anything's fine." Her attention wandered to the white bedsheet."That's more like it," Zach murmured, giving her a soft kiss on the forehead. He then made a call to the hotel's restaurant.It was not long before a waiter arrived with a cart filled with snacks a
"Ethan, no... Don't go, please." Tears streamed down Madelyn's face as she murmured, clutching the hand she feared she would lose. Engulfed in a nightmare, she saw a frail Ethan lying alone in a hospital bed. She dashed into the room, searching for a doctor, but everything was eerily quiet. Ethan's voice echoed, revealing he was on the brink of death and saying his final goodbye. The pain she felt was piercing. Despite her frantic efforts, she could not get to him. As he faded away and the surroundings dimmed, total darkness overcame her.Zach's cold and intense gaze never left her, his face as tense as a storm building on the horizon.A sharp pang in her chest woke Madelyn. As she sat up quickly, she accidentally tore a page from the book she had been holding. She noticed Zach beside her, his gaze dark and intense. The intensity in his eyes unsettled her, but it faded almost as quickly as she noticed it, leaving her questioning what she saw. Zach reached out, gently tucking stray st
Madelyn seemed distant all day. But for Zach, having her nearby was all that mattered. Unaware of Zach's approach, he suddenly lifted her and seated her on his lap. She did not resist and appeared calm."I just want to be alone right now," she said softly.Zach took off his suit jacket, leaving him in a rolled-up black shirt that showed off his toned arms. They starkly contrasted with Madelyn's delicate hands, which looked so fragile as if they could easily break. He tenderly stroked her hand, leaning down to gently kiss its back. He could tell she was not feeling her best today. Despite the strong feelings stirring within him, he held back, respecting her mood."I got Kevin to pick up all the jewelry from tonight's auction. They'll be sent to you soon," Zach said.Madelyn's voice wavered, "I can't accept them. It'd look like... like you're supporting me. I won't be with you again in that way, not after everything." She paused, searching for the right words. Sensing her uncertainty
'My father chose Zach as his successor since I wasn't born a boy. Now that Zach's here, I'm just like an afterthought. Thanks to Cecilia, Zach's back in charge of Jardin Corporation. It seems like everyone's path is changing except mine. Going home would mean facing loneliness; I have no family waiting for me there.' Madelyn was swamped with feelings of heartbreak, suffocation, and loss. 'I wish things were easier. No matter how long they're away, most people always have a family to return to.'Zach tried to figure out what she was thinking about so intently. He had always been patient with the Jent family. He could have taken action against Hayson years ago if he had wanted to. But after waiting so long, what was one more day? Distractedly, he played with her hair."You don't need to hurry and grow up. Just rely on me," he said.Madelyn's eyelashes fluttered, but she did not speak. A sharp feeling of pain gripped her heart. Zach had effortlessly defined her destiny, making her feel
"What did she tell you?"Madelyn tried to read Zach's expression in the mirror, looking for signs of guilt. But Zach appeared calm as if he already knew.When Cecilia approached Madelyn, she shared that she had memories of her past life, just like her. Knowing Cecilia's honesty, she likely told Zach everything—about their past relationship, their secret meetings, and even their child. With this knowledge, Zach could be thinking about rekindling their old relationship."It doesn't matter what I know," Madelyn turned to face him, "Jadie or Cecilia, they're the ones important to you. You're wasting your time on me.""I've booked a flight in three days.""I'm done running," Madelyn said firmly. "You keeping an eye on me won't change a thing. I don't need a home or family to stand on my own. Since you've pulled away from the Jent family, I have no reason to show respect like I used to. Our past should stay in the past."Zach replied sternly, "Ending this isn't your call. Accept it for
Their relationship wasn't clear, but it seemed destiny always intended for Madelyn to be by his side. For the next few weeks, Madelyn did not see Cecilia. It seemed she had left France.Madelyn missed the anniversary of her mother's passing. She had been hiding her illness the entire time she was with Zach. After spending an evening with him, she woke up to find that dusk had set in.Marie Durand, hired by Zach to look after Madelyn, truly cared for her. She could tell that even though Madelyn was beautiful, she was unhappy. Handing Madelyn a shawl, Marie said, "There's a fountain show at the hotel today. It'd be good for you to see. You shouldn't stay in your room forever."Madelyn replied, staring into the darkness, "I've been sick for a while now, Marie. You can go. You don't have to stay here with me.""But Mr. Jardin asked me to be with you.""He'll understand. I just need to be alone for a bit.""Alright. Call me if you need anything. I won't be far."After Marie left, Mad
Dressed in a sharp suit, Zach approached Madelyn with a sure stride. Startled, she stepped back, and her shawl slipped off."You heard me?" she asked, voice trembling. "Zach, I'm not making it up; I swear, I saw my mom."Zach picked up the fallen shawl and placed it on the couch after brushing it off. He then took off his coat and draped it over Madelyn. After adjusting a few loose strands of her hair, he hugged her gently, "If you want to head home, we can. Kevin's already booked our flight to Ventropolis for tomorrow."Madelyn nestled into Zach, feeling his steady heartbeat. She could not figure out why he seemed different; his eyes were lost in the night's darkness. An unfamiliar scent clung to him. It unsettled her, but she did not move away. She had initially believed he was joking, but it became clear he was not.By 8 a.m., they boarded a private jet. Zach cradled a sleepy Madelyn, her head on his lap. As he softly played with her hair, he would sometimes drop a gentle kiss o