"You're so kind! I'll be super hungry when I get home. I'm not sure about her, but Rosario's going through a lot. She barely eats, just had a costly surgery, and is now dealing with kidney disease. Nobody's there for her. I could barely recognize her the last time I saw her. Even with some savings, she chose to donate it all. Now, she's at home, just waiting for what's next."Madelyn's smile faded. Rosario and Zach had drugged her for over ten years, causing her to miss out on motherhood. She'll never shake off that regret.A custom pink Bentley pulled into the driveway. Out stepped Zach, looking sharp in his suit. Spotting Madelyn's smile, he approached with a key in hand and his other hand tucked in his pocket. "What are you two laughing about?"Madelyn's smile disappeared. "We were just talking," she said. As he got closer, she noticed an odd, musty smell coming from him. "Maybe you should take Dalton to his room. He's fallen asleep," she suggested, her tone soft as she glanced d
Madelyn felt trapped and believed that accepting the situation would protect her loved ones.After she told Zach how she felt, she expected him to be mad. But he just smiled, pulled her closer, and gently played with her wavy hair. "So, how do you see us?"Hesitantly, she lowered her eyes. "I wish we could just be brother and sister," she said.Zach chuckled, a wicked look in his eyes. "Since when do siblings share a bed?" His gaze was icy and there was something unsettling about it, like a wild animal trapped behind bars. "You'll see things my way eventually. And one day, we'll watch our child grow up together.""Dal isn't our child. It was all make-believe," Madelyn said. "If you want a child, you and Yvonne should have one. That would be your true child." She felt her life was confusing, but she thought Zach seemed even more lost. "I know this might upset you, but it's the truth.""You've become pretty good with words, haven't you?" Zach teased, pinching her cheek lightly befor
A bodyguard approached. "The demolition crew called. They said they'll be here in an hour and a half."Zach replied, "No rush."Marta's legs felt numb, and she pointed a trembling finger at Zach. "Mrs. Arnold Sr. died because of you!" she exclaimed. "You're a monster! You'll pay for this!"Zach smirked, a hint of menace in his eyes. "I should be thanking you. If not for you giving the deed to Frida, its whereabouts would've remained a mystery. You were instrumental in my success."His words stung. Evelyn's death was caused by extreme stress and anger. Marta had gone to great lengths to safeguard the Arnold residence. 'He's right. It's my fault.' Marta had devoted decades of her life to Evelyn, loving her as family. Now, the heavy burden of her role in Evelyn's death and the barrage of emotions—guilt, pain, regret—were too much."I might be doomed, but so are you!" Marta's eyes blazed as she pulled out a kitchen knife and lunged at Zach, yelling, "Die, you demon!"She did not make
'Father probably never guessed anyone would enter his room,' Madelyn thought. She noticed shoes beneath the door and the sound of approaching footsteps. Hurrying, she sat in her father's chair and accidentally hurt herself. Wincing from the pain, she tried to stay still as Zach walked in.Zach came in with his clothes speckled with water droplets and closed the door. "Did Dal wake you?"Madelyn looked down. Dalton was not crying anymore, but his little face was flushed, and he gave a small cough."Let me hold him. Your hand is still injured."Madelyn tightened her grip on Dalton. "Why do you smell like gas? What happened?"Zach replied, "My car broke down on my way back. I fixed it. I'm going to hop in the shower now.""Okay."As Zach walked off, a nagging feeling told Madelyn he was hiding something. Once she was certain he was upstairs, she placed Dalton gently on the comfy couch. She hit a switch under the desk, and moments later, a shelf with an antique figurine started to s
Madelyn sensed there was something unusual about the man's relationship with her mother. Convinced Kai knew more, she quickly took the photo and left. She closed the secret chamber and hid the picture inside a book, planning to retrieve it the next day.As she opened the door, she saw Zach with wet hair, clearly having just showered. Seeing her without Dalton, he asked, "Where's Dal?""Dal?" Madelyn responded, her surprise evident. 'I'm sure I left him on the couch. Where is he?'Out of nowhere, a tiny head appeared from under the desk. Dalton giggled, babbled, and drooled. As he crawled on the soft carpet, Madelyn's voice was tinged with both urgency and frustration. "Didn't I just give you a bath? Look at the mess you've made."Carefully using her left hand, she lifted him, trying not to strain her still-recovering right hand. Zach had been taking good care of her injury, often using a cold compress to soothe the pain. When it came to personalities and tastes, they were like op
The butler knocked on Frida's door. "Ma'am, it's urgent. You need to see this."Frida followed the butler outside. As she laid eyes on the person in the casket, a storm of anger welled up inside her. "Zach Jardin, you bastard! How could you?"The casket holding Evelyn went without refrigeration, letting out an unbearable stench within hours. Nearby, Marta, dressed in black, had a pronounced wound on her forehead. It was difficult to discern if she was dead or alive.Frida spoke with resolve, "See if she's breathing."The butler hesitated just for a second before leaning in to check Marta's breath. Registering the reality, he muttered in disbelief, "She's gone. Ma'am, they're both gone."Noticing the blood near the casket, Frida deduced there had been some kind of impact. "Get in touch with the funeral home. Make sure they deal with this discreetly. Let them know it's at the request of the CEO of Jardin Corporation.""Right away, Ma'am."As she stood there, Frida thought, 'Zach i
After lunch, Kevin came over with some paperwork to sign, and they headed to the study to discuss the business. Not long after, Zach thought it would be a great opportunity to teach Madelyn to drive.He was all in on the driving lesson. He had transformed a storage space in their home into a garage filled with luxury cars. A standout was the custom pink Bentley, distinctly different from the others."Zach, I can't practice driving today," Madelyn explained. "I've got a new order at the studio I need to finish. How about we reschedule?""Can you spare two hours?" Zach asked, not ready to give up.Once they got into the car, he gestured for her to take the driver's seat. With a hesitant grip on the steering wheel, Madelyn asked, "Shouldn't I start with the basics? I've never driven before.""Don't worry, the basics will be a breeze for you." Zach assured her. "Let's get straight to hands-on practice."In the car, Zach explained the essential features, and Madelyn caught on immediat
Madelyn avoided Zach's dark gaze and left swiftly.Zach, clearly annoyed, came inside, tossing the car keys on the entryway table. He sank into the couch and lit a cigarette before calling the car service for repairs.Margaret, seeing Madelyn's hasty exit, hurried upstairs to avoid a potentially irate Zach. On her phone, Madelyn opened an email with client requests. In her studio, she began preparations, sure she could finish within the week. Dalton was in his crib, quietly using his pacifier and observing Madelyn, whom she would occasionally soothe."Ms. Jent, you should be careful with that hand. It's not healed, and you might overdo it.""I know, but everything in this place is his. I need to pull my weight." Just then, her nose started to bleed, dropping onto her shirt."Madelyn, are you okay?" Margaret asked, handing her some tissues. Madelyn ran into the bathroom and locked the door behind her. When Zach walked in, his gaze immediately fell on the drop of blood on the ti