Now, Zach had his answer. But Cecilia's words did not match what Madelyn had said when she was sick four years ago. He started to look into it only because Madelyn had said Cecilia's name.
‘Did Madelyn know Cecilia before?" Zach thought about his and Madelyn's child. He did not know many details. Everything felt as confusing as trying to see through a fog. But he wanted to hear what Madelyn had to say more than he wanted to hear Cecilia's hard-to-believe words.
Jardin Corporation had grown a lot. It spread in the past few years, reaching different areas like stocks, finance, property, entertainment, and health care.
At noon, just like they planned, Zach went to pick up Yvonne for lunch. He chose a simple Audi, a car he used to drive a lot four years ago. A silver-chain watch hung on the car's rearview mirror. Behind its ornate facade, it concealed a picture of Madelyn wearing a black school outfit from her high school days. The photo looked aged and preserved for many years. Stopping at a red light, Zach's hand moved to gently touch the girl in the photo, his eyes filled with sadness.
‘Four years... Madelyn, it's time to come back." Clatter! Madelyn's sketchpad slipped and fell to the ground. She quickly scooped it up. Leonardo's serious face turned to her.
"What's up? You've been acting strange lately." While Madelyn cleaned water stains off her paper, her brush accidentally made a mark. She quickly stood up and said, "I'm sorry, professor. I'm slightly off because | didn't sleep well last night." "You should rest," Leonardo advised. "The other students can finish up.” "No need. | can handle it." It was a small mistake, but Madelyn looked worried. Leonardo, usually not so strict, noticed. "Alright, take a break," he said kindly. "You need to be fresh for the art exhibition tomorrow.” Madelyn looked down. "I understand, professor." Her thoughts were in turmoil. Lila had shown her a newspaper, its contents igniting a wave of anxiety within her. It hinted at a threat to her hidden existence of many years. Leading the art exhibition the next day felt daunting. The fear of being recognized, particularly by Zach, gnawed at her. In a crowd of renowned individuals, she feared standing out and facing a past she had fled from. She was unprepared to return.