Jeremy’s sudden kiss stunned Madeline. He said he loved her. He loved a woman who looked just like the ex-wife he hated. It was ridiculous. ‘You never spared me a glance when I treasured you and regarded you as my one and only. ‘So how dare you tell me you love me when my heart has given up and there’s nothing but hatred left? ‘It’s too late, Jeremy Whitman.‘Even if you’ve fallen for me now, it can’t heal and mend the ruthless wounds you’ve inflicted on my heart.’Giving the excuse that she was unwell, Madeline turned away from Jeremy’s kiss. Still, she had ‘happily’ accepted Jeremy’s marriage proposal. Staring at the cerulean sea, Madeline found herself relating the hatred in her heart like the tides and waves before her. ‘This is what you owe me, Jeremy. It’s time you paid it back.’Jeremy’s heart tightened as he stared quietly at the enchanting smile on Madeline’s face, the spark in his eyes turning dull.Had he been even the slightest bit aware, perhaps he wo

Even though the ceremony was against her heart’s wishes, she was glad to at least have Jackson as her flower boy. Amidst the attendees, she found that Eloise and Sean had come to give their blessings as well. In a way, it could be said that she had gotten her parent’s approval. Meanwhile, Mrs. Whitman only seemed irked about the situation. One of Mrs. Whitman’s friends, who was also a rich man’s wife, came over to congratulate her. “What a great daughter-in-law this is, Mrs. Whitman. She’s rich, good at her job, and beautiful. You’ve got to be satisfied this time, right?” “So what if she’s rich? It’s not like the Whitman family is broke! You can find beautiful girls all over the world. Her appearance is only average!” Mrs. Whitman rolled her eyes disdainfully at Madeline who was drinking with the other guests. After turning around, she found Eloise and Sean and immediately went over to talk to them. “Mr. and Mrs. Whitman, I couldn’t believe Meredith was a fake when I hear

Madeline’s expression changed at her words. Birthmark. Her plan would be forced to end should Eloise speak of the birthmark on her body. “What birthmark?” Jeremy asked curiously. “It’s a but—” “I’m feeling a little dizzy, Jeremy…” Madeline’s brows furrowed just as Eloise began to describe the butterfly-shaped birthmark. She then leaned weakly against Jeremy. His attention immediately went back to Madeline. He carried her right away. “I’ll send you to the hospital.” “It’s alright, I think I’m just tired,” Madeline replied softly as she leaned against his shoulder. Eloise and Sean’s eyes shone inexplicably with concern as they watched Jeremy carry Madeline away. The night darkened while the evening wind rustled the leaves of the tree in front of the window frame. Madeline lay on the bed with her eyes closed, pretending to be asleep even though she was hardly even drowsy. Tonight was their first night as a married couple, and while she had no idea what Jeremy w

Madeline’s pink lips pursed as she indifferently took in the happy features of the man sleeping before her.‘I thought you said you were suffering from insomnia the past three years? ‘But you look well-rested this morning.‘Hmph. Have you ever felt guilty or uneasy about my death, Jeremy? ‘No, you’ve never.’ Madeline immediately washed up and changed after sparing a last glance at the man’s face. Walking out of the room, she was met with Jackson walking out of his as well. “Morning, Jack.’ She smiled and walked over. “Is it time for school already? Would you like Big Sis Vera to make you breakfast?” Jackson blinked and nodded innocently as he looked up at Madeline. “Yes, please.” Madeline’s emotions lightened immensely at the little boy’s adorable features. While a maid had already prepared breakfast, Madeline made another. It was a more simple and nutritional one for Jackson.Seated at the dining table, Jackson merely stared at the heart-shaped sunny-side up witho

Both Madeline and Eloise’s eyes widened at Jackson’s comment. Eloise Patton was a designer as well, so she could fully replicate Madeline’s birthmark on the A4 piece of paper. Madeline began to wonder if Jackson had ever walked past when she happened to reveal her birthmark. “You’ve seen this butterfly, Jack? Where?” Eloise leaned down to inquire, eagerness shining in her glistening eyes. “Why did you print so many search notices, Mrs. Montgomery? Are you trying to look for your daughter?” Madeline calmly changed the subject. Eloise nodded. “I’ve posted it on the internet as well, but these flyers are merely another option. I’d try anything if it meant that I could find my daughter!” Her words held nothing but hope and sincerity. She truly wished to find her long-lost child. Madeline felt her heart tremble and clench in her chest. ‘Perhaps my parents are not to blame, not when they too were victims of Meredith’s family’s lies. ‘They were used for their desire to fin

Sean looked at Madeline in confusion. “Why did you send my wife to the hospital, Miss Quinn?” “That’s because…” Madeline was just about to explain herself when sobs suddenly rang out from inside the room. Sean’s expression changed and he immediately turned around to enter. Taking a deep breath, Madeline entered the room as well like nothing was wrong. Eloise had indeed woken and she was currently crying her eyes out. Sean approached her worriedly. “What’s wrong, Ellie? What’s got you so sad?” Only then did Eloise seem to realize Sean’s presence. She looked up at him with eyes reddened from all the crying. There was irreparable and incurable pain in her sad gaze.“Why must the Heavens punish us like this, Sean? Why…” Her voice trembled as tears fell like pearls from her eyes.Confused, Sean felt his heart grow frantic. “What are you saying, Ellie? Don’t cry. Shh, relax. Talk to me.” Eloise gave a self-deprecating chuckle amidst her tears and looked up to meet Sea

In a split second, Eloise and Sean heard Madeline’s shouts.Although she had been determined to follow her daughter to where she was just a moment earlier, Eloise turned around in shock and climbed back inside upon hearing Madeline’s words. Tears streamed freely down her cheeks as she stared at Madeline who stood not too far away. She was in a daze. Through her glistening tears, she realized that the woman had the same appearance as the one buried deep and painfully in her mind. “Your Eveline’s still alive, Mom. You don’t need to die for me,” Madeline said with a soft smile. “Come down. Dad’s getting worried, hmm?” “Eveline…” Eloise walked away from the border of danger as she stared at Madeline in a trance. Sean blinked blankly at Madeline for a while before snapping back to pull Eloise into the safety of the hospital room. Then, he bolted the door to the balcony. “Are... Are you Madeline? Are you really Madeline?” Eloise ran up to Madeline eagerly and gripped her hand.

When you looked out from one side of the transparent floor-to-ceiling windows, you would see a thick riverbank. The other side allowed those in the office to oversee every inch of the city below. It was a great place for an office, and most certainly not somewhere any Tom, Dick, or Harry could own should they wish. She had once been stripped away of the right to visit this place.He was her husband, and while she was never allowed into his office, he would let another woman come and go as she wished. Madeline’s lips quirked at the thought as she quietly took out the food she had bought. She would never wear an apron and cook for him again, for whatever willingness to give she once had no longer existed. Jeremy was obviously in a great mood as he ate away happily without suspecting if Madeline had indeed made the dishes or not. Rays of the mid-autumn afternoon sun scattered over the man’s black button-up shirt, casting a gentle light over his deep gaze. After lunch, Madelin

Madeline had no time to stop her when Eloise already blurted out such a sentence.The surrounding air seemed to quiet down for a moment, and Madeline looked at Jeremy's reaction out of the corner of her eyes. His expression was a bit complicated, as if he had just heard an unexpected piece of news. However, it also seemed calm.Madeline pondered for a few seconds before breaking the silence. "Mr. Montgomery, Mrs. Montgomery, do you really think Madeline is your biological daughter?"Eloise stared at her, saying, "Although there’s no scientific verification yet, I’m already 90 percent sure that Madeline is my daughter!"Her tone was very positive, and her eyes that were glazed over with a fog looked at Madeline's face with incomparable nostalgia."Miss Vera has a daughter, yes?" Eloise asked all of a sudden.Madeline nodded. "Yeah.""When I saw your daughter at the entrance of the kindergarten, I was surprised. Your daughter looked really similar to my daughter when she was born.

Madeline smiled and was about to say something when the phone rang.She looked at the screen and saw that it was from Felipe.She answered the phone naturally and hung up after a few brief sentences."Jeremy, something has come up at my shop. I have to go back now.""I’ll see you off.""No, we’ll see each other tonight,” Madeline said as she turned around. As she was about to leave, Jeremy stretched out his hand to hold her. When Madeline looked back doubtfully, Jeremy lowered his head and kissed her lips."A goodbye kiss.""..."Madeline accepted with a smile despite her rejection.After seeing her turn around and leave, the smile on the corners of his lips gradually disappeared while the sharpness in his eyes faded away, leaving only a touch of regret.When Eloise said that Madeline was actually her biological daughter just now, the assumption had given the most perfect answer to the entangled questions in Jeremy's heart."Linnie..."The name was gently uttered from betwe