Chapter 71
1 expected this, and yet it still hurt.
+25 BONUS
In my mind’s eye, Soren’s silhouette was so vivid–we had only just met, and yet every expression he made, his smile, his gentlemanly gestures, and his kind mannerisms were etched into my memory.
My melancholy lingered for a while, but when it was time to leave, I rose and mentally prepared myself for the hospital visit.
Fighting the Joneses was an uphill battle. I had no time to waste lamenting feelings or sentimentalities. Time was the only relief I had now.
When I arrived at the hospital, I saw Harry and Cameron waiting. These two should have been locked up, and yet here they were, free as ever. Edward had to be behind it.
Maddison’s condition was as bad as they had claimed. She was hooked to all sorts of equipment–wires and tubes obscured her, and she relied on a respirator hooked to her nose.
Her eyes lacked vitality. Her skin was sallow. She turned slowly and shot me a glare of resentment.
Edward looked no better. Dark bags hung under his eyes, exhaustion weighing him down. Maddison had tormented him enough.
“Did you bring the bracelet?” he asked.
I looked at them all placidly and raised my wrist. “I’m wearing it now. Where’s the contract?”
Harry sneered and grabbed some documents.
I pouted, took pictures of the papers, and sent them to my lawyer for confirmation.
Cameron scowled. “What the hell?! Why are you acting like we’re lying?”
Well, well. I could bet she was itching for a fight after I’d sent her on a little vacation in our country’s prison system for a few days.
“Hmmm, maybe it’s because you’ve done this a few times already?” I replied.
My lawyer confirmed that the documents were legitimate. Isigned my name and kept them.
“When will this be announced to the board of directors and the public?” I asked.
“The meeting on Monday,” Harry replied dryly.
“I’ll show up as early as I can,” I said, nodding.
Cameron extended her hand. “Bracelet. Now.”
I ignored her and approached Maddison.
Edward tensed up, probably worried that I’d do something to her.
I considered his expression and laughed. “Oh please. Why would I do anything to someone who’s half–dead? I wouldn’t dirty my hands with something so certain.”
Edward gritted his teeth. “Mind your language for once, Taylor.”
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Chapter 21
-25 BONUS
I showed my wrist to Maddison “Do you really want this bracelet?”
She stirred. Edward carefully helped her sit up, placing a pillow behind her back to support her spine.
It was a very kind, considerate gesture, wasn’t it? Because used to do this–and more–for Edward when he was sick.
Now, he was just mimicking what I had done for him, showing care for Maddison, the homewrecker who had come between us.
The irony was painful.
The position seemed to help. Maddison took a few deep breaths before finally speaking. “I will like everything you want, Taylor. Anything you want, I want.”
I laughed in disbelief. “Did you hear that? You said I was overthinking when I said this was exactly what was wrong with her. You called Maddison a naive little cinnamon roll who could never harbor such twisted intent. Do you still think that’s true?”
Edward looked embarrassed.
Chapter 72
