"Your shirt's a little wrinkled; let me smooth it out for you." Cecilia made her way down the stairs, straightening out the creases on Zach's striped pajamas. She then looked toward the kitchen and said, "See you at our usual place tonight. Don't bail on me, okay?"Madelyn chose not to react to Cecilia's words. After washing and drying the pan, she returned it to its spot.When Cecilia was gone, Giovanna came downstairs, cradling Dalton she had just fed."Ms. Jent, Dal's up," Giovanna announced. "I get the feeling he's looking for you whenever he cries."Madelyn dried her hands. "Pass him here," she said, taking Dalton into her arms. "Did he get his meds?""Yes, he did."Madelyn moved to the couch, clutching Dalton tightly, while doing her best to disregard Zach. Seeing this, Giovanna wisely backed away to give them room.Zach noticed Madelyn's deliberate attempt to keep distance. Yet, in his mind, everything was falling into place: they had a child together, and he believed tha
Zach would have gladly given her anything she wanted. But now, Madelyn seemed distant and pushed him away more than anything else. People would often crave more, even when they had plenty. But he never got the one thing he truly desired.Yvonne, along with the maids she hired for the Jent residence, had been shown the door. Eager to restore the past, Zach rehired the original staff and also brought back Margaret. What Madelyn did not realize was that the mansion was actually in her name.Margaret was doing laundry in an old building when a few bodyguards approached her. They said they wanted her back at the mansion. She looked scared and quickly refused, but her eyes widened at the mention of the salary, and she could not resist getting into their car.Once seated, Margaret shook her head in disbelief, thinking, 'I can't believe I'm going back to that creepy house. Oh yeah, Yvonne Young fired me out of the blue and even docked half my pay. What am I getting myself into?'It felt li
A bodyguard walked in, holding a food container. Seeing it, Madelyn felt uneasy."Mr. Jardin," the bodyguard said, "we found this in Ethan's room."Zach glanced at the bodyguard and smirked, "Oh? What's in there?""It's pumpkin cream soup," the bodyguard replied, opening the container to reveal it was half empty.Madelyn felt nervous.Zach's voice chilled. "Who helped her deliver this to Ethan?""It was Ms. Jent's maid."Zach responded quickly, "Break her hand. Make Ethan throw up whatever he ate. From now on, he gets no more food without my approval."Giovanna paled. "Ms. Jent told me to do it. It wasn't my idea," she stammered. "I have a family to feed. I swear it won't happen again." Tears welled in her eyes as she pleaded with Zach.She then turned her gaze to Madelyn. "Please, help me."Madelyn stepped forward. "Zach, it was my call. Don't take it out on her. Ethan barely woke up, and you've already locked him away. He—""Upset about it?" Zach cut in, his voice dripping
Zach let go Madelyn and she hit the ground hard.Nearby, one of Zach's bodyguards pulled Ethan toward them. He looked beaten down, his messy, dark hair covering his empty eyes. His arms were full of bruises, and spots of blood dotted his shirt.Zach snatched a golf club from the ground, advancing toward Ethan with a threatening glint in his eyes. Seeing this, memories flooded back to Madelyn of the tales she had heard about Zach's time with Hayson, filled with dangerous confrontations. It was evident in his gaze: he wanted Ethan out of the picture. With his control over Ventropolis, nobody would dare oppose him, even if someone vanished. And this was not the fiercest she had seen him.As Zach raised his arm, Madelyn scrambled to her feet, darted to Ethan, and hugged him tight, using her body as a shield. A sudden numbness raced up her shoulder, soon replaced by a sharp, searing pain that left her arm feeling heavy. The pain was so overpowering that a ringing sound echoed in her ears
The nurse set up an IV for Madelyn."Could you call Dr. Stewart? I need to speak with him," Madelyn said.The nurse replied, "He's in surgery and won't be available for another two hours. I'll let him know once he's free.""Thank you.""You're welcome."Madelyn's face was pale, likely from pain. She closed her eyes, seeming miles away. Just then, Zach walked in after making a phone call outside. He settled beside her."Father will be back in a few days," he said while adjusting her blanket.Madelyn was taken aback to hear Zach still calling Hayson 'Father,' considering their history. She kept her thoughts to herself. They often had these stretches of silence between them, and this time, after letting it linger for a bit, she was the one to break it."When will you release Ethan?""Madelyn, don't make things more difficult. What if you acted like you were in the dark? Just follow instructions, and you'll regain your freedom, living life on your terms."Madelyn opened her eyes,
The medicine took effect quickly.After receiving a call, Kevin drove Yvonne back to the Young residence and showed her some alarming photos. The images showed Ethan looking severely injured, and it distressed her deeply."How could anyone do this to my son? Zach Jardin, you monster!" Although Frida was already mentally fragile, seeing the pictures heightened her anguish.Kevin, keeping his composure, said, "You're aware of what Mr. Jardin wants, aren't you?"With emotion in her voice, Frida replied, "Is he doing all this for the Arnold residence?"Kevin merely smiled, affirming her guess."I'll give it to him. But he has to stop hurting Ethan." Frida retrieved the long-stored deed from upstairs and handed it to Kevin. "I want my son. Whatever he demands, it's his."Kevin accepted the deed. "You'll have him back in three days.""Three days? I need him back now, Kevin!"As Frida tried to chase Kevin, her high heels betrayed her, causing her to trip. A nearby maid was quick to a
Every time Kevin showed up, Madelyn felt uneasy, worried about what Zach might be up to.After giving Madelyn her medicine, Zach assisted her with her clothes. "I'll be back in a flash," he said. He threw the used cotton swab in the trash and then poured some water into a cup, placing it on the nightstand. Once he had settled things in the room, he made his way out. As he did, Kevin handed him a package.Kevin said, "On my way over, Ms. Samford came by the Young residence. She said you wanted her to hand-deliver the deed of the Arnold residence to you."Zach examined the item Kevin gave him, nodding in approval. "Good job. Once we finish up here, I want you to take a three-week vacation. However, I've got one last task for you first.""What's our plan?"A determined glint appeared in Zach's eyes. "Within two days, I want everyone out of the Arnold residence," he instructed. "Then, I'm taking over.""You got it."Zach stepped into the room, finding Madelyn lying on the bed, her e
Madelyn began to sit up. "Okay, I'll take the medicine, just let Ethan go," she said. Zach helped her sit and showed her a pill."I can do it," she said, trying to grab the pill.Zach shook his head. "I've got this."Seeing Zach's stern look, Madelyn hesitated briefly before accepting the white pill. As she did, his eyes flashed with a deeper intensity. When she tried to take a sip of water, he abruptly took the glass away and overwhelmed her with a passionate kiss.Concerned about Ethan, Madelyn didn't push Zach away.Being mindful of her injuries, Zach was careful in his approach. Madelyn, though, was clearly uncomfortable, her teeth gritted with every move he made. Zach noticed and kept trying to find a better position for her, but in the end, exhaustion took over Madelyn.Every time after, Zach would clean her up and take care of her.Hayson was supposed to be back in Ventropolis in three days, but a major rainstorm delayed his flights. Madelyn saw Ethan return to the Young