Madeline’s POV

As I sat and watched the swan on the lake, I can’t stop myself from smiling, and I realized I love this place, and I only dislike the people living in this mansion. The beautiful lake before my eyes is breathtaking, and I felt delighted that I have this incredible view before me. I know Charlotte and her friends hurt me, and they also underestimated my personality, and what pained me the most is how they mocked me. I felt so hurt, and now that I am alone, I let my tears fall. I never imagine I am going to have this kind of life. I am free of debts, but my future in-laws are tormenting me, and I felt glad I have the little girl on my side. Lily makes my day complete and happy. I loved Hunter’s sister, and I realized Lily got his brother’s physical appearance since she is so beautiful.

I want someone to talk to, and I need to return my aunt’s cell phone. I felt excited when I call Calixto.

“Hello, dear Madeline, what can I do with you today?” He asked on the other line.

“I want to meet a friend, Calixto. Would it be possible if I will leave the mansion now? Besides, I also want to return my aunt’s phone.” I said, feeling nervous.

“Hmm, I will ask Mr. Divenson about that matter, Ms. Madeline.” He said, and I felt disappointed, and I hate being trap in this place, and why do I need to ask permission if I need to go out?

“I think we can cover that without Hunter’s knowledge because I will be there to teach you how to drive. After your driving lesson, you can meet your friend.” He said.

“Really? I thought someone from the driving school would teach me to drive and not you.” I declared.

“Yeah, it was the initial plan before your future husband meets you; Mr. Divenson doesn’t like the idea that some instructor from a driving school will teach you,” Calixto said, and I can’t stop myself from being thrilled. After all, my fiance cares about me.

“He was afraid you would bribe the driver and asked him to take you away from here, and you will go into hiding. You have to meet the end of the bargain, Madeline.” He said, and I felt so disappointed, I thought Hunter would be jealous.

“I will be there in less than an hour, Maddie, so you should prepare yourself, and we can have two hours driving lesson then text or call your friend to meet her after your practice.” He declared and hung up the phone. I felt so happy to see my best friend again, and I can’t wait to tell her about Hunter Divenson. I chose the most simple dress I can find since Calixto told me I should always wear a formal outfit when I arrived at the Divenson Estate. I always love mini and long dresses, but I don’t have enough money to buy fancy clothes. My income is not even sufficient to buy what I need.

“Hello! Maddie! Where are you going?” Lily asked me when I get outside my room, and I  didn’t know she was standing outside my bedroom door.

“Hi! Lily, I am going to have a driving lesson with Calixto.” And her eyes widened, and I can tell she is excited for me.

“How long have you been standing here? Why didn’t you knock on my door?” I asked her, and she smiled at me, and I can see her face lights up, and I can’t stop myself from taking her into my arms. I always love to have siblings, especially younger ones.

“I thought you were sleeping, and I don’t want to wake you up.” She said, looking up at me.

“I wasn’t sleeping, and I was sitting on the balcony watching the beautiful lake and the swans,” I said, and I am still smiling at her.

“We can go fishing sometime, and I will ask Hunter to come with us.” She said, and I smiled at her, and I can’t stop feeling thrilled thinking about Hunter being with us.

“That would be lovely, Lily. I couldn’t wait to go fishing with your brother, but you know Hunter is a busy man, and he doesn’t have time to have some fun.” I declared.

“I know, Maddie, that is why I am so happy that you came, my brother loves you, and he will do everything to make you happy.” She said, smiling at me, and I felt guilty because I wish what she had said was true, but his brother doesn’t love me, and it was the opposite. I want to know the truth why he chose me to be his wife, and the only person who knows all about this thing is Calixto.

Lily came down with me to the grand staircase, and we meet Charlotte and her friends. Kaye scanned my body from head to toe, and I saw her frowned when she realized I am wearing an expensive dress. I know I look good with my dress, and I don’t look like I came from a low-class family now that I wore this expensive clothing match with a luxurious bag and shoes. Lily holds my hand, and she smiled at her sister’s friends, and they all beamed at her, and they just ignore me, especially Charlotte.

“No matter how fancy the dress she wore, she will never belong to our society, and we all know Madeline is just trying to climb the social ladder, and her kind will never have a chance to associate with us, she better leaves this house.” Charlotte said in a loud voice after they get past us, and I know she really meant to raise her voice so I could hear it. Her friends chorused in agreement, and I felt Lily’s soft hand squeezes my palm.

“Don’t mind them, Maddie; I know Charlotte is my sister, but I don’t like the way she treated the maids. She always gets angry with me because I love spending my time with the mansion’s staff. I mean, why it has to be that way, Madeline? I think there is nothing wrong with it.” She said, and I felt touched by Lily’s point of view.

“I agree with you, Lily; it is alright if you will talk to them, there is nothing wrong with it, but next time makes sure no other member of your family will see you. I don’t know their reasons, Lily, but I just want you to know I am proud of you, and I am thankful that you made friends with me.” I said, and I smiled broadly at her.

“Of course, I like you from the first time I saw your lovely face, Madeline, and I am so thankful that Hunter is not marrying Kaye. I was terrified when I hear my mom and Charlotte talking about Kaye being our future sister-in-law. I know she came from a wealthy family. Still, I don’t care about her status. All I want is my brother to find love, don’t worry, I know my sister is trying her best to set up Charlotte and Hunter to be together, but I know it will never happen because Hunter likes you.” She said, and I wish it were true.

I said goodbye to Lily the moment Calixto arrives, and he climbed out of the car immediately and opened the passenger’s door for me. I am glad he didn’t let me drive yet. I didn’t tell him I have a basic idea about driving since my best friend Gina taught me, and she allowed me to drive her car sometimes, it was only an ordinary car, but it helped us a lot during the graveyard shift. Calixto was surprised that I could drive well, and I didn’t tell him anything.

“Wow! Hunter will be amazed by your wit and skills, Maddie. I know you are an intelligent woman, but I never thought you are this good. But I won’t let Hunter know about this. You don’t need to tell me what is happening at the Divenson mansion Madeline, but I know you are having a hard time. So, I will just tell him we need to practice every day so you can leave that house, and you can meet your friend. I will let you talk with your best friend and see you after two hours.” He said, and I can’t thank him enough.

“Thank you so much, Calixto, for doing all this,” I said.

“You don’t need to thank me, Maddie. You are like a daughter to me. I know what you have been through, and it was hard to be picked up by strangers in your house one afternoon and told you, you are marrying someone you don’t know. I know it wouldn’t be easy to be part of the Divenson family, but believe me when I say Hunter needs someone like you, Madeline.” He declared, and I become more confused.

“Calixto, can I ask you something?” I asked him, and he looked at me sideways. We are in front of the cafe where I will meet Gina.

“What it is, Madeline?” He asked in return.

“Why Hunter Divenson chose me to be his future bride? I am in this situation right now, but I am so blind, and I want to know the truth before marrying him. Please, Calixto, just tell me about why he wants to marry me when there are a lot of women out there chasing him as what you claim.” I said as I leaned my back on the backrest.

“Well, it is not my story to tell, but I know Hunter is unfair to you, even though I know you are falling for

him.” He said, and I raised my eyebrows.

“You don’t need to hide it from me, Maddie. I told you on the first day that we meet, you will fall for Hunter. And I am certain of it. Well, there is nothing wrong with falling in love with your husband. It should be the number one reason why a person will get married, right? I know you have so many questions, and since you fall in love with Hunter. I will tell you the main reason he wanted to marry you.” Calixto said as he glanced at me intently.

I felt so nervous to know the truth, and I hope it will not make me hate my future husband. Still, I am sure whatever Calixto will say, my feelings for Hunter will stay since this is the first time I feel this way, the need to be with someone.. I can’t stop thinking about him every waking moment of my life from the first moment I have seen him, and I realized my plan of walking away from his life is now gone because I am helplessly falling in love with Hunter Divenson.