Chapter 4 Starting Over

"Even if I don't marry you, I would never agree to the family's arrangement to marry Evan-I don't have any feelings for him at all." Madelyn spoke again, her tone heavy. "Agreeing to marry you wasn't just because of the family's arrangement-it was because I was foolish enough to fall for you back then!"

Her smile turned mocking. "I was never the obstacle preventing Rebecca from marrying Evan. Your so-called sacrifice in marrying me was meaningless. All you did was marry a woman you never even liked!"

Her words cut through Jason like a blade, forged from her broken heart.

Madelyn turned away again, her eyes dry. She had vowed never to shed another tear for this man, and now she had finally kept that promise.

The living room fell into a long silence. Just as Madelyn opened the door to leave, Jason's voice came from behind her. "The divorce agreement says you'll leave with nothing?"

"Yes. I don't want a single cent from you. See you at the courthouse tomorrow morning!"

She slammed the door shut and inhaled deeply, savoring the taste of freedom.

When she finally let go of Jason completely, even her body felt lighter.

At that moment, her phone rang. It was Daniel.

Daniel had been her classmate during her university days when she studied design. Back then, they had been close friends. After graduation, Daniel joined a top international company as a design director and later started his own brand, achieving great success.

Over the years, Daniel had repeatedly reached out to her, hoping she would join him.

But she had always declined.

Now, however, she was ready to rebuild her career. ---

The next day.

"Madelyn, you're as beautiful as ever. You haven't changed a bit!"

In the café, Daniel, dressed in a light gray shirt and wearing refined silver-rimmed glasses, smiled warmly at her.

"Daniel, it's great to see you." Madelyn returned his smile, tilting her head thoughtfully before adding, "You're not about to say I don't look like someone who's been a housewife for years, are you?"

"Haha, I'd never say that!" Daniel pushed the iPad in his hands toward her.

"Professor Geoffrey is planning to launch a new brand with a cutting-edge concept. We're setting up a studio, and I want you to join us. I'd like to recommend you as the design director!

We've been hoping you'd come back all these years, but you kept turning us down. Now that you've finally changed your mind, we couldn't be happier!"

Hearing Geoffrey's name, Madelyn's smile faltered slightly, and a wave of sadness washed over her.

Years ago, she and Ashley, Geoffrey's granddaughter and her nominal sister, had been kidnapped together. During their escape, they were involved in a car accident. Ashley had sacrificed herself to save Madelyn and tragically lost her life.

Ever since, Madelyn had been burdened by guilt toward the Howard family. After returning to the Clark family, she had been sending money to them as a form of atonement.

But not long ago, she had uncovered a shocking truth.

The kidnapping and car accident had been orchestrated by someone.

Otherwise, how could a gang of ruthless kidnappers have mysteriously ended their own lives? There had to be someone pulling the strings behind the scenes!

From that moment on, she had vowed to uncover the truth and bring justice for Ashley.

Lost in thought, she was startled by an angry voice behind her.

"Madelyn, are you seriously cheating? How could you betray your husband like this?"

The man striding toward her was none other than her second brother, Nate.

Tall and lean, Nate approached the table with a frown, towering over them as he scrutinized the pair.

Madelyn frowned slightly.

She gestured to Daniel to stay calm, then stood up, her expression composed but firm as she faced Nate. "Is there something you need?"

Nate glared at her, his eyes filled with anger. "Madelyn, are you seriously cheating? How could you betray your husband like this?"

"She's not cheating. We're discussing work." Daniel, unable to hold back, stood up to defend her.

"Work? Do you even have a job?" Nate sneered at Madelyn, clearly unconvinced.

"Nate, I'm returning to my career." Madelyn's lips curled into a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm divorcing Jason, and it's all because of your dear sister Rebecca."

"Are you still not done with yesterday's drama?"

Nate had heard about the events of the previous day, but it was clear he had only heard Rebecca's version of the story. Regardless of the truth, he was firmly on her side.

Madelyn wasn't surprised by his reaction.

She shrugged. "Who I talk to about work is none of your concern. You're overstepping."

"How dare you talk to me like that? Are you planning to cut ties with us?" Nate let out a laugh, more out of disbelief than amusement.