Chapter 4 Starting Over

"Even if you hadn't marry me, I still wouldn't have gone along with my family's idea to wed Evan. I didn't feel a thing for him, not even a flicker," Madelyn said, her voice weighed down by emotion. "I agreed to marry you because I fell for you, but now I realize how foolish that was."

A bitter smile curled on her lips, dripping with sarcasm. "I was never the one standing in the way of Rebecca and Evan getting together. You throwing yourself onto the altar for me was completely pointless; you're stuck with a woman you can't even stand!" she said, her words sharp as knives.

Every word she uttered cut deep, like a knife hammered out of heartbreak, plunging straight into Jason's chest.

Madelyn spun on her heel, her eyes bone-dry, clinging fiercely to her promise never to cry over him again. She had stuck to that vow, and even she found herself amazed by how strong she had become.

The living room stayed quiet for what felt like forever. It wasn't until Madelyn reached for the door that Jason's voice finally cut through the heavy silence. "The divorce papers say you're ready to walk away empty-handed?"

"Yes, I don't want a cent from you. See you at court first thing tomorrow!"

With a loud bang, she slammed the door shut. She drew in a deep breath, letting the fresh taste of freedom fill her lungs.

Once she tossed her feelings for Jason to the curb, she felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Right at that moment, her phone buzzed with a call from Daniel Flynn.

Daniel had been her friend back in her college days, when she majored in design. During those years, they had grown quite close. After they graduated, Daniel landed a job at a top global firm as a design director. Not long after, he branched out on his own and carved out a brilliant career for himself.

Through the years, Daniel had kept in touch, often asking her to come work with him. Every time, she had turned him down flat.

But things were different now. She was ready to dust herself off and breathe new life into her career.

The next day.

Inside the café, Daniel had on a pale gray shirt and a pair of sleek, silver-rimmed glasses. He beamed at Madelyn.

"Madelyn, you're still as breathtaking as ever. Time hasn't touched you at all!" he said warmly.

"Daniel, it's really good to see you again," Madelyn said, flashing a soft smile. "Quit flattering me. I've been a housewife for so many years, how could I have never changed."

"Haha, just speaking my mind!" Daniel laughed, sliding the iPad across the table toward her. "Professor Howard is starting a fresh brand full of bold ideas and sharp designs. We're planning to open a new studio, and I want to put your name forward as our design director! We've been waiting forever for you to come back, and now that you're finally here, we couldn't be more excited!"

As soon as Daniel mentioned Geoffrey Howard, the man who had once been her grandfather, Madelyn's smile wavered, and a deep sadness welled up inside her.

Many years back, she and Ashley Howard-the daughter of the couple who had brought her up-were kidnapped at the same time. During their desperate escape, they were caught up in a terrible car crash. Ashley did everything to shield Madelyn and, heartbreakingly, lost her life.

Ever since that day, guilt gnawed at Madelyn whenever she thought of the Howards. To ease her heavy conscience, she had been quietly sending them money year after year, hoping to repay a debt she could never truly settle.

But just recently, a truth hit her like a bolt from the blue.

The whole kidnapping and crash had been planned by someone on purpose!

Otherwise, how could a gang of cold-blooded kidnappers suddenly turn around and take their own lives after the job? There had to be a puppet master lurking in the shadows, pulling all the strings!

From that moment on, she had sworn to get to the bottom of it, no matter what.

She was deep in thought when a furious male voice suddenly snapped her back to reality.

"Madelyn, have you been cheating? Who's this man?"

The man marching toward her was none other than her second elder brother, Nate Clark.

Tall and wiry, Nate stalked up to their table, glaring at both of them with suspicion written all over his face.

Madelyn's brow creased just a little, her patience wearing thin.

She gave Daniel a small signal to stay cool, then rose to her feet, her face steady and her stance unshakable as she turned to confront Nate. "What's the matter?"

Nate shot her a fierce look, his eyes blazing with fury. "Madelyn, are you messing around behind Jason's back? Does he even know?" he snapped.

"She's not cheating. We're talking about work," Daniel said sharply, finally losing his patience and standing up to shield Madelyn.

"Since when do you even have a job?" Nate scoffed, his voice dripping with disbelief.

"Nate, I'm returning to my career," Madelyn said with a slight smirk. "And I'm divorcing Jason too-all thanks to your precious sister Rebecca."

"Are you still hung up on yesterday's drama?" he barked.

Nate knew bits and pieces about what had happened the day before, but it was obvious he had swallowed Rebecca's version whole and backed her up without a second thought.

Madelyn had seen it coming; it didn't shock her one bit that he chose to stand with Rebecca.

She just lifted her shoulders in a lazy shrug, as if it hardly mattered. "I'm talking business here. You're sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. My affairs have nothing to do with you or your precious family," she said coolly.

"How dare you mouth off to me like that? What's this talk about your things having nothing to do with us? Are you planning to cut us off?" Nate exploded, his anger boiling over.