CHAPTER 22
Madelynn was numb and detached.
“But you once loved Cecelia to your very core too, didn’t you?”
Oliver’s face twitched. He crossed the distance in a blink and gripped her chin roughly, forcing
her to look at him.
“I did,” he admitted. “But she’s dead now, and she meant nothing in the end.”
His voice dropped lower, almost pleading.
‘Maddy, as long as you don’t betray me… I swear I’ll never hurt you.”
He smiled, like he thought it was a kindness.
‘The plane lands in ten minutes. Just ten more minutes, and you’ll be mine. Completely mine.”
He reached out and stroked her cheek.
‘As long as-”
He didn’t get to finish his sentence before a deafening explosion rocked the estate.
The heavy iron doors of the manor burst inward. Smoke and dust choked the air. Glass shattered is debris rained down from the chandeliers.
Oliver’s head snapped toward the sound. “What’s going on?!”
A guard burst in, gasping. “Sir! A group just stormed the gates. They blew them open!”
n that instant, something shifted in Madelynn’s eyes. Only one person could bring that kind o lestruction with such confidence.
Sebastian.
Oliver’s eyes narrowed when he caught the change in her expression. Jealousy flooded his veins ike poison.
Maddy… you’ve only been with him for a few months. How could you forget me so fast?”
His voice turned hard. “But it doesn’t matter. I’ve planned for this. No one’s taking you from me
Not even him!”
Madelynn’s brows furrowed. Something was wrong. Too wrong.
‘What did you do?” she asked quietly.
Oliver’s face twisted into a smile that sent ice through her veins.
‘I’ve planted explosives all around this estate. If I can’t take you with me, we die together.”
Her body went still.
“If we can’t live together,” he hissed, “then we’ll die together.”
“Oliver!” she screamed. “You’ve gone insane! What about Aunty Polly? What about your
mother?!”
For a split second, something flickered in his eyes. But then the softness disappeared, replaced by that dead, burning emptiness.
“There’s no turning back,” he said simply. “Trying to guilt me won’t work.”
He raised the gun again.
“So here’s your choice. Either Sebastian leaves… or we all go up in flames. You decide.”
Madelynn’s hands curled into fists until her fingers dug into her skin. Outside, she could hear the unmistakable roar of jet blades cutting through the wind.
Oliver was running out of patience.
“Maddy, don’t make me force your hand.”
She stared at him. Then, slowly, she nodded.
‘I’ll go with you,” she said. “But you have to let everyone else go.”
His eyes lit up, like a madman who thought the world was finally seeing things his way.
‘Of course,” he said softly. “Anything for you.”
‘Then release me.”
He hesitated.
I want to see Ava walk out first,” Madelynn added quickly. “Once I know she’s safe, I’ll com quietly.”
Ava had been caught up in this by accident. Oliver didn’t need her and he knew it.
With a brief order, his men untied Ava and shoved her out the side door.
Moments later, Madelynn’s wrists were bound again lighter this time, and Oliver was escortin
er toward the waiting aircraft, hovering above the estate.
Maddy,” he said, “don’t try anything. You can’t afford the price.”
She said nothing.
As they stepped outside into the hazy evening light, Madelynn’s gaze swept the estate grounds.
She saw him.
Sebastian.
hey locked eyes across the chaos, and in that single, electric glance, everything passec ›etween them.
Oliver noticed and tensed. “Your legs aren’t stable. You go up first,” Madelynn said.
But Oliver narrowed his eyes. “No. You first.”
Without hesitation, she climbed onto the platform.
And that moment- those three feet of separation between them, was all it took.
A single gunshot rang out.
Oliver didn’t even have time to scream. He dropped like a marionette with its strings cut, the
bullet dead center in his skull.
The sniper, positioned ten meters away in a tree, lowered his weapon silently.
Sebastian was at Madelynn’s side instantly, wrapping her in his arms, holding her like the world
had almost ended.
“It’s over,” he whispered. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
The incident made headlines across the nation.
Oliver Kane, once heir to Kane Holdings? had died in a violent, deranged standoff. The family name, already riddled with scandal, collapsed overnight.
By morning, Kane Holdings had officially declared bankruptcy.
Madelynn was admitted to the hospital for observation. The blow to her head had left her with a mild concussion, and the doctors recommended rest.
Sebastian stayed by her side through it all. Feeding her, brushing her hair back gently, adjustin her pillows with tender care.
An assistant entered with a knock. “Mr and Mrs Wilde. Mr. and Mrs. Fontaine are outside. The wish to speak with you.”
Sebastian didn’t answer. He turned to Madelynn, letting her decide.
She glanced toward the doorway, catching a glimpse through the glass. Her parents looked lik hey’d aged ten years overnight. Harry’s shoulders sagged. Amelia’s face was hollow, all makeu inable to hide the toll.
Madelynn’s voice was soft but firm.
Tell them I won’t see them. I’ve already paid them for giving me life. From now on, tell them t top trying to bother me.”
The assistant nodded and handed her a small silver device. “Also, Ma’am. Mr. Kane left thi
ehind. He said it was for you.”
A voice recorder.
Madelynn stared at it.
hen, without touching it, she turned away.
Throw it away,” she said. “From now on, anything related to that psycho, throw it all away.”
The assistant nodded again and left quietly.
Madelynn leaned back on the pillows, her head still aching, but her heart finally still.
Sebastian placed the soup back on the tray and reached for her hand.
You okay?” he asked.
She nodded slowly. “I am now.”
