Loving Madeline

Madeline's POV

I promised myself that I would never cry again, but it is hard to keep my promise. After dinner, Lily asked me to join her to watch some movies, but I ended up crying even if we were watching a comedy movie because in the story, there is a husband and wife, and I couldn't stop thinking about him. I miss Hunter terribly that I can't contain myself from crying, and it made Lily felt so guilty that she ended up crying with me.

Trying to have some sleep is the hardest thing to do after what happened to my husband. I find it so hard to sleep every night, and tonight is not an exemption. No matter how I tried to close my eyes, I remained awake. I don't have a choice but to get up from bed and go downstairs, and I hit the bar. And I was shocked to find mom drinking some liquor, and I couldn't tell what she was drinking, but I am sure she is not drinking wine.

"Hello, mom," I said, and she was surprised to see me.

"Oh, Madeline, I know you can't sleep as well, and in times like this, no more excellent company than alcohol. I know we need to go early to Hunter's office tomorrow, but I can't sleep. I may look strong, but as Hunter's mom, it is killing me that we don't know what is happening to him right now, but I won't give up hope, and I still believe my son is fine." Mom said, and I sat on a barstool next to her after I get the wine glass and some bottle of red wine.

I become a mess, and I felt like I am living my life with no direction at all. I hate that I couldn't stop blaming my ego because I should have forgiven my husband sooner, so I spent more time with him before he was gone missing. There is no update for today, and it means the rescuers continue digging without any sign of life beneath the grounds. I don't want to watch, listen to the news, or read updates about the rescue operation on social media, but I couldn't stop myself because I am hoping there is some development.

And I felt happy many prayed for my husband's safety on their posts while others are telling me to accept the reality that he has died during the explosion. Some said it would be impossible to be alive without food and water. And it hurts me so much, I can't accept he is gone, and they don't have any right to tell me my husband is dead because they don't have any idea how much I am hurting right now.

"Do you how happy I was when I found out I was pregnant with Hunter?" Mom said, and I can see a beautiful smile on her face as she looked back on the past while shaking my head.

"You will know what I mean the moment you will get pregnant with your first child, Madeline, and I can't wait to hear that news, and that is something that we should celebrate." She said, and I felt a pang on my chest as I realized how can I conceive if Hunter is no longer around, but I smiled at Hunter's mom, and she took her drink in one gulp, and I can tell Leticia Divenson looked so regal even she is having a hard time. It was painful on my part that something like this happened to Hunter, and I couldn't imagine the pain she is having right now because I know how much she cares about her eldest son since I know among her children Hunter is closer to her.

"I will go to my bed now, Madeline, I already have enough, and I still need to work tomorrow. Good night, my dear." She said.

"Goodnight, mom," I replied, and she left me alone at the bar counter, feeling so lost and alone. I was drinking wine while I can feel my tears are pouring down on my cheeks, and I hope the next time I will be drinking wine is because we are celebrating his return. After a couple of shots, I started to feel light-headed, and I decided to stop drinking because I need to work tomorrow, and I don't want to disappoint mom. When I looked at the wine, I smiled when I realized I almost consumed half of its contents, but I am still glad I am sober.

When I stood up, I lost my balance, and I felt someone grabbed me from behind. And when I turn around, I was horrified to find Parker inside our house.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, and I tried to push him away, and I felt glad he let me go. I hold on to the bar counter for support. And I was wondering how did he manage to get inside our house? And I want to run away from him, but I know he is stronger and can move faster than me. I can hear the loud thumping of my heart as I looked at him in horror.

"Relax, Madeline, I come in peace. And I am sorry if I hold your waist; I don't intend to touch you; you almost stumble on the ground. That is why I held you." He declared, and I can't tell if he was telling the truth or not because I know he was Charlotte's pet.

"And how can I believe you when you tried to hurt me before," I said, and I can see something on his face that I want to listen to him even if at the back of my head I want to tell him to get out of our house.

"I know, Madeline, I have been a fool for listening to my sister's words, and it was too late for me to realize they were only using me. I don't want to hurt you that time, Maddie, I swear. I came because I want you to know I felt bad for what happened to Hunter." He said.

"And why do you come at this hour of the night, Parker?" I asked.

"Because I don't want mom to see me. I know I hurt her, Madeline. I came to tell you to be careful. I already informed Roman. I think father and Charlotte wanted to take over the company now that Hunter is gone. I am telling you this because they have been planning to kill you, Maddie. Roman is there watching my every move, and I beg him to talk with you after I told him everything." He said, and I can feel my limbs are trembling; what have I done to them that they need to kill me.

"You are Hunter's wife, and father is aware you are Hunter's beneficiary, and he doesn't want you or mom to take over the company, especially after mom filed the divorce." He said.

"And why are you telling me this? How can I believe you?" I asked in disbelief, and I don't know how I am going to sleep this time, knowing they wanted to kill me.

"Because I am in love with Rebecca, I hate what father did to her, and I know Hunter helped her everything he can, and I am grateful to him for what he had done to her, Madeline, and I need Hunter's help, I want to run away from them because I am afraid if they are going to hurt her again.." Parker said, and I can hear the sincerity in his voice.

"I hated Charlotte after what she has done to Rebecca, she was the reason we lost our child, and I never thought she would use Rebecca's pregnancy to blackmail your husband. I know how much my brother loves you, Madeline. Hunter loves you more than he loves Rebecca. You have to believe me because I was there. The only reason he kept her memories when he thought Rebecca died, because of his guilt. He thought he was the reason Rebecca got into an accident." He added.

"What do you know about their plans?" I asked, and I am trying to look brave.

"I don't know the latest, Madeline, because they are now suspicious of me. After what happened to Rebecca, I can't hide my hatred towards my sister, but I am sure they have something to do with what happened at the mining site. That explosion was planned, and it was not an accident, though I don't have proof. I can tell because I heard dad talking with someone over the phone, but he will stop when he noticed my presence." Hunter declared.

"All I want to ask from you is to be careful, Madeline." He said.

"Thank you for your concern, Parker, I appreciate what you have done, and I hope you will leave the Divenson mansion as well. And in the meantime, you can bring Rebecca to one of our properties in Magnolia. Leave while you still can." I said.

"Thank you, Madeline. No wonder my brother is so in love with you. You have a pure heart even if Rebecca and I hurt you." Parker responded.

"Don't mention it, and I hope your father doesn't know you came here. Just contact Roman when you already left the mansion. I am afraid for your safety, Parker." I said.

"He knew I am here because he ordered me to kill you, Madeline." He replied, and I froze, and I became speechless, and I felt my entire body shook.

"But don't worry, I will never do that to you. I am sorry that this is happening to you, Madeline. I know you have done nothing wrong. You are innocent, and after what Hunter sacrificed for Rebecca. I am forever indebted to my brother, and in return, I want to protect you as well." He said, and he smiled at me, and I felt better.

"That is why I am warning you because I can tell father will order someone to do the job if I can't do it, and for now, I have reasons why I wasn't able to do my mission, but I am afraid dad will never believe me next time. I Don't want to kill anyone, Maddie, but he threatened me that he would do something to Rebecca." He said, and I can feel the sadness and worries in his voice.

"Parker, you should leave that mansion the soonest possible time. If you worry about money, you don't need to worry. I will provide for you." I said because I know his father will freeze his account the moment he will leave home.

"Thank you, Madeline, I will do that because I want to have a peaceful life with Rebecca, and I don't care if we will have an ordinary life as long as I am not doing bad things because I want to have a normal life away from my father's scrutiny." He said, and I smiled at Parker, and for the first time, I looked at his face without fear but with understanding and pity, and I realized he is a handsome man like his brother. And I realized love could really do wonders even for a hard-hearted man.