FreeNovelRain hammered against the floor-to-ceiling windows as a sudden clap of thunder exploded in the sky. Instantly, Dalton burst into inconsolable wailing.
Madelyn, who had been deeply asleep, woke up with a start. Zach let out a sigh, his arm that was wrapped around her waist loosened, and he repositioned it behind his head. Madelyn reached over to the nightstand and flipped on the light. She tossed aside the covers and got out of bed. Their room in the Southern Haven Villas was more austere compared to the extravagance they were accustomed to, and the villa itself had seen its fair share of years.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAdjusting her slipping spaghetti straps, Madelyn picked up the crying Dalton and carefully made her way to the kitchen, not wanting to disturb Zach. She murmured, "There, there. It's okay. Don't cry, my sweet Dalton." For some reason, Dalton was crying even more intensely than usual. Madelyn tried her best to soothe him, but it was futile. She moved to draw the curtains, but her eyes caught sight of a figure kneeling in the rain below. She froze, her hand still gripping the curtain. Dalton's cries seemed to fade in the background.
Madelyn failed to notice Zach's presence. She suddenly felt his arms wrapping around her from behind. He was wearing black- striped pajamas. His warm breath brushed her ear as he leaned down to plant a soft kiss on her shoulder. "Let me hold him. Why don't you get some sleep, hm?" Madelyn looked down at the figure kneeling in the rain. It was Yvonne, who seemed to have reached her breaking point, collapsing, then struggling back up to her knees. Madelyn asked, "Why's she down there?" "Do you feel sorry for her?" Zach murmured.
Something shattered in Madelyn's eyes, perhaps a recollection. She said, "She's the wife you married. Can you really bear to watch her like this and not feel a single shred of pity?" The scenario was all too familiar, a stormy night with flashes of lightning and peals of thunder. Just like the night when Madelyn had her first and last argument with Zach. A momentary lapse had led her to throw their wedding ring out the window, demanding a divorce to make room for Cecilia. But Zach had thrown Madelyn out of the villa, telling her she could not return until she found the ring. She had knelt outside all night in the rain, while Cecilia was present.
Whatever Zach's answer might have been, it did not matter anymore. Madelyn left Yvonne to her fate and returned to her bed.
Only when the rain finally let up did Dalton finally calm down.
Madelyn held him all night, her sleep restless and fragmented.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmEarly in the morning, as Madelyn was preparing to make some formula, she was met by a group of anxious servants in the hallway. "Ms. Jent, it's bad. Madam... the lady outside has collapsed," one said.
"Call an ambulance. Get her to the hospital!" Madelyn ordered.
"We can't do that without Master's permission," a servant responded hesitantly.
Madelyn paused, then said, "Fine. Bring her upstairs, change her clothes, and brew her some ginger tea to warm her up. Do we still have cold medicine?" A maid nodded. "Yes, we do." "If her fever doesn't break, take her to the hospital,” said Madelyn.
"As you wish, Ms. Jent." Just then, another person climbed the stairs. "Ms. Samford!" Cecilia nodded with a subtle smile. "Good morning." As Cecilia took the last step and saw Madelyn, her smile widened. "You should dress warmer. You don't want to catch a cold." It was directed at Madelyn.
"Is Zach around? I'm looking for him." Madelyn asked.
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