+25 BONUS
Chapter 17
“She might have loved you a little, but it’s not as deeply as you tell yourself. She wanted to marry you because you were Taylor’s fiancé. She’s doing this to piss her off and take everything from her.”
Edward smiled cryptically, “Come on. Taylor told you that, didn’t she? It’s not true. Maddie’s a guileless, innocent little girl. She’s a bit impulsive and stubborn, but she’s not schemer.”
The expression on Jean’s face was utterly indescribable. “God, here’s a man who thinks he’s big–brained suddenly getting his 10 dropped to room temperature. Wake up, dude. A pick–me girl is playing you like a fiddle.”
I blurted out a laugh.
Edward’s face darkened even more, and he began to look humiliated. He turned away.
Jean wasn’t about to let him off so easily. “Maddie has always been jealous of everything Taylor has. She absolutely can’t stand Taylor getting anything nice for once
“She’ll do anything to snatch whatever Taylor has. If she can’t do that, she’ll destroy it just to make sure Taylor loses it.
“Don’t you get it? To Maddie, you’re simply one of Taylor’s possessions. That’s all your worth amounts to
“Or maybe you’re even less than that–now that Taylor doesn’t even want you anymore.”
“Don’t get carried away, Valentine! Our families work in the same business sectors. You should remember that whenever you open your mouth!” Edward snapped.
Jean was unfazed. “I was just giving you a friendly reminder, dude. Why are you so pissed? Besides, I didn’t make this up.
“My aunt heard it from Cameron and Maddison herself. I wouldn’t have cared to tell you this much if I didn’t feel bad seeing a clown being played to such a pathetic level.”
I was a little surprised. So this was the truth!
Edward leered at her. “You really think I’d believe you without hearing the other side? Please. You’re just trying to drive a wedge between Maddie and me.”
Jean made a sweeping gesture with her hand. “Oh God, why the hell did I waste my breath on a simp?”
Edward considered her a little longer.
Something changed on his face–had he become a little more suspicious of Maddison?
His phone rang, and he answered it.
“Maddie? I’m on my way to the hospital after work. See you”
He looked at me when the call ended, as though he had something he wanted to say. But in the end, he just turned to Jean.
“I know she’s been staying with you these days. Thank you for that. Please take care of her for a few more days,”
he said.
I was stunned. He changed his mood in an instant! Was he for real?
Jean was just as baffled. “Who the hell do you think you are, huh? I don’t need you to tell me what to do.”
Edward’s face turned a little red.
KHA
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Chapter 17
“Insufferable.” He scoffed and stormed away.
A few colleagues working overtime witnessed everything. They shot me looks of sympathy.
I waved at them, told them to go home as soon as they could, and left with Jean,
“Was all of that the truth, Jeannie?” I asked curiously as I fastened my seatbelt.
The topic seemed to have invigorated her.
She sneered. “Tay–Tay, you have no idea. What, you think I was just making things up to drive a wedge between them?
“Have you already forgotten? Aunt Patricia’s the head oncologist. She’s the one treating Maddison. She overheard all of that when Maddison was talking to Cameron.”
I cringed.
“I thought she genuinely loved him. She was declaring her love like she was acting in a movie’s final act on her eighteenth birthday, man. Even I was impressed!” I replied.
I still remembered how that went. Everyone had been applauding, too!
Chapter 18
+25 BONUS
Chapter 18
