Madeline’s POV

I wanted to leave the dining hall, but I know it is inappropriate, and I realize his family will be against it. I tried my best to look unaffected by his gestures towards Kaye. I felt Lily’s hand squeezed my palm under the table, and I can’t help myself from smiling that this little angel is helping me beyond what she can imagine. I hope the dinner will be over soon, so I can go to my room and cry my heart out.

I don’t know if Hunter is doing this to punish me for what I have done this afternoon. He has no right to do this because I only met my friend, and I have done nothing wrong. I only asked Gina to be my maid of honor, and I think there is nothing wrong with it.

“Hunter, we plan to have a drink after dinner. I hope you can join us.” Kaye said as she looked at him while fluttering her eyes.

“Of course, I’d love to, because it has been a long time since the last time we see each other. I miss you, Kaye. I hope you know that.” Hunter said, and I am now officially in pain, and after tonight, I will talk with him and asked him to set me free. There is no reason I need to stay in this place. I need to speak with Lily privately, and I hope she can help me with my plan. I can’t deny I am falling for Hunter because I can feel the pain pierced my heart. And out of the corner of my eye, I saw Charlotte is looking at me with a sinister smile on her face, and I can tell she is having a good time, knowing her plan is working.

I may be poor, but I will never let this family humiliate me even more. They already insulted me, and now Hunter is doing his best to remind me that I am nothing to him. I am just a young woman that he bought from my aunt. I wish I have another option. Why did my father put me into this mess? I hate him even more for making my life so miserable. When I was living with my aunt, I am always tired every day since I wake up early to work and come home late for work. I can feel all the joints of my body are hurting, but it was okay. I am living my life with dignity.

My life here in this mansion sucks, especially now that Hunter is so cozy with Kaye. I don’t know what his relationship with Kaye is, and I don’t want to learn about it. And I think the best thing to do right now is to escape while I am still free. Besides, I now believe that this woman is here because she will stop Hunter’s craziness of marrying a woman he doesn’t even know. And his entire family is very supportive of Kaye, so why should I be here? He doesn’t need me anymore, and the more I will stay here, the further I will become in love with him, and right now, I want to stop my foolishness.

“Can I go to your room after dinner, Lily?” I asked her.

“Yes, of course, Madeline, I want you to go to my room. I like to watch the stars on my balcony, and I think we can have stargazing tonight.” She said excitedly, and even though my heart is aching, I find myself smiling at her.

I felt glad that the maid serves the desserts, and I eat the tiramisu, but it doesn’t feel enjoyable in my mouth, and I wonder why even my taste is affected by my broken heart. When we all stand up as a signal that dinner was over, I felt so relieved, and I felt so pleased that Lily pulled my hand in going to her room. I didn’t make another mistake of looking at Hunter because I know it will only hurt me to find him staring at Kaye’s beautiful face.

By the time I get inside Lily’s room, I sat on her couch, and I tried to stop myself from crying, but I can’t control my tears from falling on my cheeks, and the little girl sat beside me kneading my back, and I cry harder, that at least on my misery I uncovered comfort in this little girl’s hand.

“I am sorry, Lily, I know I don’t have any right to feel this way, but it hurts me that your brother ignored me the entire dinner, and I know you don’t understand what I am talking about right now, but when you are old enough you will discern all this.” I said as I try to stop myself from crying, and Lily handed me a white handkerchief.

“I may be a twelve-year-old girl, but I understand what Hunter did this evening, I don’t know if he is pretending to be nice to Kaye in front of our parents to stop them from telling him to enjoy Kaye’s company, or is he enjoying her presence, but one way or another I know he injured your heart. And I am sorry, Madeline, you are his fiancee, so, naturally, you will feel that way, and I couldn’t understand why he is doing all this to you.” She said and looked at me with tenderness.

“Wow! You are a brilliant girl, and I am so proud to meet you. Now, there is one thing I want to tell you, Lily, and I hope you can keep this secret.” I said.

“Of course, Madeline, I am your best friend now.” She replied, and I smiled at her.

“I am in love with your brother.” I said.

“That is not a secret, Madeline. I can see it the way you look at Hunter.” She declared, and I laugh.

“Am I that obvious?” I replied.

“Of course, but there is nothing wrong with that because you are his bride-to-be.” She responded, and I nodded.

“Yeah, but I am not his girlfriend, and your brother is not in love with me. I know I should not be telling you all about this, but I know you are smart, and your intelligence doesn’t belong to a twelve-year-old.” I said.

“I don’t know if I need to be happy with your compliment, Madeline.” She replied, and I can’t stop myself from hugging her.

“You need to know he is only marrying me because he wants to have an heir. I am in this situation now because your brother paid off my aunt’s debts. I never knew about your brother until Calixto came and informed me that I needed to come here to meet his family because I will be his bride without even meeting him. But sad to say, I fell in love with Hunter on the first night I met him. I know it was crazy to fall for him knowing he doesn’t have feelings for me.” I said, and her eyes widened, and she hugged me.

“Oh, Madeline.” She said, and I cried again.

“I came from a low-income family, and I haven’t met my dad. He left me when I was three years old, and now that I saw your brother being so close with Kaye, I felt so hurt. And I can’t stop myself from being jealous, and I know you are the only one in this entire mansion who likes me, and I will be forever grateful for your friendship, Lily.” I declared.

“As much as I want to spend time with you, I need to leave this house, and I can’t take the insults of your parents, and Charlotte’s hatred towards me is very apparent, especially now that she invited Kaye to be in this house to humiliate me.” I added.

“You are the only one who can help me, and I don’t want to feel this way anymore. I need to stay away and forget your brother, but don’t worry; I will continue to communicate with you.” I said.

“Don’t worry, Madeline, I will help you, now that I know what my brother did to you; I hate him for doing all this to you, and how could he play with your heart like that?” She said, and I almost laugh; where did she learn all these things about love?

“Thank you so much, Lily.” I said.

“Your welcome, but please promise me, you won’t forget me.” She said.

“Of course, there is no way I am going to forget you, Lily, and you will always be here in my heart.” I said.

“I want you to be my sister, Madeline, but I know you are miserable here, and I won’t hold you back. I wish for your happiness, Maddie.” She said.

“Can I sleep here in your room tonight?” I asked.

“I’d love to, Maddie; please sleep here tonight.” She said, and I can see the excitement on her face.

Lily came with me to my room. She is patiently waiting for me while I take a hot shower, and since I am sleeping in her room, I want to wear decent sleeping attire, so I opted to wear my pajamas. And after I blow dry my hair, I get my phone, and we go back to her room. We spend almost two hours on her balcony watching the stars and waiting for some falling stars. Then, she yawned several times, and that is when I call it a night, and she agreed with me. She must be so sleepy since after hitting her soft bed, she immediately falls asleep.

I got up from bed and texted Gina not to come to the Divenson mansion tomorrow. She replied immediately, and I can tell by Gina’s text messages she was disappointed that she can’t see the Divenson mansion, but I can tell she feels guilty after I texted her what happened tonight.

“Oh, you better leave that mansion immediately, Madeline.” She replied with angry emojis, and I can’t help but smile.

“Yeah, that is my plan, Gina, and thank you so much. I don’t know what to do without you.” I replied.

“That is what friends are for, to be there for each other, especially in times of troubles. Good night, Madeline.” She texted.

“Good night, Gina.” I replied, and I get back to Lily’s bed; she is sleeping like an angel, and how I wish she is my real sister. I find it so hard to sleep because I keep thinking if I am making the right decision, but I don’t think I have other option; besides, I am willing to endure the pain as long as Hunter is with me, but judging by how he flirts with Kaye, I don’t want to be in so much pain anymore. While it is still early, it is better to leave this place while I still can.. My decision is final, and I need to run away and forget Hunter Divenson.