CHAPTER 4
Madelynn’s heart was racing as she struggled to open the door. She banged on the unbreakable glass, feeling her panic rise every second.
All of a sudden, Cecelia emerged from the shadows, laughing like she was crazy.
“Tell me sister, how does it feel receiving second hand love?”
“Oliver has always been mine. He’s been in love with me since we were kids, and I’m back for good now, dear sister. That means you have to move out of the way.”
She smiled mischievously. “You really thought that if you showed up here with him tonight, you would steal my spotlight? Think again.”
Another jolt of pain attacked Madelynn’s stomach and she almost doubled over. A trickle of sweat ran from her brows down her face. “Cecelia, he’s yours. If you want him, you can have him I’m not stopping you.”
Cecelia didn’t believe her. “You really think I’m stupid? You think I will fall for your stupid lies: You’ve always tried to steal our parents’ love and now you want to take Oliver from me too? You think you’re all that!?”
Madelyn shook her head in pain. “Cece, you’re not making any sense. Please just let me out and we can talk.”
‘No, no no,” Cecelia laughed. “You’re spending the night here. And no one is coming to save you.
With an evil glint in her eyes, Cecelia dragged over the huge yellow sign that read “Restricted area- Under construction” and set it in front of the doors.
‘Cece what are you doing?” Madelynn yelled. “It’s cold out here and a storm’s coming!”
Cecelia ignored her and bounced back to the hall.
‘Fuck!” Madelynn groaned. They had all given their phones to the woman at the door because he auction was a private and exclusive one, so there was no way she could even call anyone.
With the storm coming, no one would even think to come to the balcony because of the cold and ain. Still she banged on the door. “Help! Somebody help!”
Thunder roared and she knew there was no way anybody could hear her. The pain was slowly overtaking her body, so she slid to the floor and laid there, thinking of a way out.
With the sign there, no one would even think of coming this way. Cecelia was right. No one was coming to save her.
She didn’t know how long she stayed there, uselessly calling out for help, but soon enough, the rain started beating on her relentlessly, and she passed out.
Oliver finally noticed Madelynn’s absence when the auction ended.
“How long has she been gone?” He asked no one in particular, his brows furrowed with concern. Cecelia pouted, masking her features and feigning ignorance. “Oliver, maybe she was really upset about me sitting next to you instead of her? This is all my fault. If I had known she would be so upset, I would’ve just stayed back home.”
Hearing her blame herself, Oliver frowned. “You’re the princess of the Fontaine family. The rightful heir. And I care about you. You really think I should’ve let my secretary sit next to me instead of you?”
“Don’t worry about her, Cece. Madelynn has had her head in the clouds a bit too much lately, it’s good to let her know her place. Let’s head home, she’ll show up whenever she wants.”
Madelynn never showed up at home that night, but Oliver barely noticed. And he definitely didn’t
care.
The next morning, a security guard finally unlocked the doors to the balcony at the auction hall. There, huddled in a soaking mess in the corner was Madelynn. Even though she was barely conscious, her body still trembled from the cold.
The guard immediately sprang into action, worried. “Ma’am? Are you okay? Did you spend the entire night here? How did you get locked out here? Ma’am? You don’t look okay. I’m calling 91 right now.”
Madelynn’s damp lashes weakly fluttered open as he gently shook her. She pressed her arn against the floor, pushing herself up with all her strength.
‘I’m fine, thank you. But there’s no need.”
‘How can you say that?” The guard asked. “Stay here. I’ll get a blanket and call the ambulance.”
The pain in her belly had eased. But it had rained on her all night. It was almost like even nature vas against her.
She had really thought Oliver would come looking for her when she didn’t return to the hall. Bu clearly, her expectations had been too high once again.
She clearly remembered one time when Cecelia left town without telling anyone. Oliver hac called the police and hired drones and helicopters to find her.
But now, even after a whole night without contact from his wife, he hadn’t even bothered to tr and find her.
True to his words, the guard had returned with a warm blanket for her and called the ambulance As they loaded her into the ambulance, she only had one thought.
So this is what it felt like when someone you loved didn’t feel even a shred of love for you.’ Her phone was handed to her just before they left for the hospital, and she checked it. Just as she had thought, there was no single call from or text message from Oliver.
nstead, she had several unread messages and missed calls from Sebastian.
Lynn, I don’t think I can wait a whole month. I’ll be in New York for business in a week. I’ll come and get you then.]
Warmth spread through her chest as she read the message. She immediately sent back a reply. [I agree. A month is way too long. Come get me in a week.]
‘One week.’ She said mentally. ‘One more week and she would finally be free of Oliver and all his problems.
