Loving Madeline

Hunter's POV

I hugged my sister, and I caressed her back as she continued to sob while I saw Gina holding on to the railing of the staircase as; she got down on her knees while she put her hand on her chest and her tears fell on her cheeks continuously.

"Hunter, how could this happen? Who did all this to Madeline?" My sister asked me as she looked up in my face.

"There was a fire, and the entire ship was engulfed with fire, and there were only a few survivors, others burned alive, and their charred bodies are unrecognizable," I said, and my sister's arms tightened around me as she continued to cry.

"Did you find her body?" She asked, and I shook my head.

"I am still waiting for the result of the DNA, and I don't know if they will be able to determine her body," I replied as I felt my tears pour down on my cheeks.

"She can't be dead and her baby; this is all a nightmare, Hunter. Tomorrow when we wake up, Madeline will already be here with us." My sister said as she let go of my hold, and how I wish Lily were right, but I was there. I saw how big the fire was, and Roman helped the rescuer find my wife, but he came back to us empty-handed.. They haven't recovered her body, but at least six charred bodies that the authority couldn't even identify their genders.

Lily walked towards Gina, and my sister pulled her up while Gina was crying hard on the stairs, and she was almost crawling on the steps. And I can feel Gina's pain as I look at her.

"This is all my fault, and I should have never left Madeline out there. I should have stuck with my best friend till the end. And I wish I hadn't listened to her no matter what happens, and I should never care if she will get angry with me. I could take her anger." I heard Maddie's best friend say.

"No, it was my fault; if I have been careful, Madeline should be here with us. Because of me, she was gone with her baby. I can't forgive myself." Lily responded, and I couldn't believe that they blamed themselves for what happened to my wife.

"Gina, Lily, it was no one's fault why it happened to Madeline. It was my wife's decision, and you know how selfless she was. She always puts the safety of others first before herself. That is what she is, " I said, and I could no longer stop my tears from falling while my mom moved closer to me, and she took me into her arms. I cried my heart out, and we were all crying for Madeline. I don't know how long we stayed like that, crying and consoling each other.

We all stayed in the living room, and no one dared to leave; it felt like we were drawing strength from each other. When dinner came, Cerila joined us, and I could tell by her swollen eyes that she was also crying. I am aware of how much my wife cares about her. Madeline was the one who asked me to help Cerila so she could continue her college education, and I know how deep is their connection with each other. I know my wife has only a few friends because of her busy life growing up. Having different part-time jobs made her lose her chance to mingle and have fun with girls her age, and I am just glad she has a best friend who cares for her more than a sister.

We all stood up to eat our dinner, and for the first time, I realized how empty the house was, and without Madeline's presence, I don't know how I could live my life now without her. I know I felt hurt when I thought I had lost Rebecca, but nothing can compare to the anguish that I feel at the moment, knowing that the person I love the most was gone.

We all ate our supper in silence, and after saying good night to them, I went upstairs, and I avoided looking at our room. I couldn't stop myself from getting inside the nursery room, and I cried again as I looked at the stuff my wife had prepared for our baby. And it felt too painful for me to lose Maddie and our child, and I slowly got down to my knees, and this time I allowed myself to cry harder. If I controlled the sound of my crying episode in front of my family when we were in the living room, now as I watch the baby's crib, I wail as I call my wife's name.

I cried until there were no more tears left for me to cry, and I lay on the floor. The excruciating pain I felt was too much, and I know I will never be the same again. I was thinking about her beautiful smile, her sweet voice, and her laughter. I miss my wife so much that I wanted to shout and release all the pain that I am suffering at the moment.

It was past midnight when I woke up, I didn't realize I had fallen asleep on the floor, and I could feel the aching of my neck because of my sleeping position. I got up and went to the guest room where I temporarily stayed. I took a hot shower, and then I put on my sweat pants and a loose white shirt. I lay on the bed, but no matter what I did, I could no longer go back to sleep because I couldn't stop thinking about my wife. I am in deep pain, and I wonder if this pain will ever go away.

I know there is one place I want to be to forget what is happening in my life temporarily. I walked out of the guest room and strode through the hallways of our mansion. And as I descended onto the stairs, I realized the entire house was so quiet, until I was startled when I heard the breaking of glasses, and I realized someone beat me to the bar. And my heart pierced when I saw Gina sitting on the barstool while her head was on the counter, and I could see the broken pieces of the vodka bottle on the floor. I have never seen Gina this way.

"Gina, " I called her, but she didn't respond as she continued weeping.

"Gina!" I called her again while I touched her shoulder, and she jerked and raised her head and looked at me."

"Hunter, I am so sorry, I, I will clean my mess, and I will pay you the vod-ka bottle. It slipped from my hands." She uttered, and I could tell Gina was drunk.

"It is okay, Gina. I will clean it for you; you need to stay on your seat because of the broken pieces of the glass that could harm your feet." I said, and she smiled at me before she returned her head on the bar counter. And I could tell my wife's best friend was already drunk.

I leave the bar in haste, and I get a broom and dustpan, and I felt so glad Gina remained seated on the stool, and I could tell she was still sobbing.

"I want to drink more, Hunter, and I couldn't sleep after knowing Madeline was gone. I can't just accept it; for me, my best friend is still alive. We have to see each other again. I will hate her forever if she doesn't show herself to me." She said in between her sobs while I was speechless because I didn't know how to comfort Gina.

"This is too much, and this is so unfair. How could Maddie be gone without saying goodbye to me, Hunter? She promised to go back to us, and there is no way I will accept her death that easily. Can you take me there?" Gina declared, and even if she was drunk, I could see the pain on her face.

"Gina, you need to go back to your room now. You are already drunk." I softly said.

"No, I still want to drink; I am waiting for Madeline to come. I know she is not dead yet; unless I saw her dead body, that would be the time I will accept her death." Gina said, and I know my tears had dried up, but now as I listened to Gina, I couldn't stop myself from crying again, and I felt the same

way too, I am in denial, and I don't want to believe that she is gone.

"What are you waiting for, Hunter?. I want to drink all I can until Madeline comes back to us. Do you know that I was so happy when she told me she was in love with you? You were the luckiest man on earth for having Madeline in your life." Gina said, and I nodded my head.

"Of course, I know that, Gina," I replied.

"Yeah, you knew, yet you kept hurting her innocent heart. Madeline endured all the pain she had been through because of how much she loved you. You don't know how much my best friend suffered because of her great love for you, and now you quickly accepted just like that, that Maddie has gone. I hate you, Hunter Divenson." Gina said, and I was stunned that Gina was telling me all this now, and I realized how much she hated me for hurting Madeline so many times. And I know she poured out all her emotions right now because she was drunk, and I doubt if she will remember this conversation we have tomorrow.

"I am sorry, Gina, I already asked for forgiveness from Madeline, and I know I deserve all the pain that I feel right now, but I want you to know I don't accept it yet, that Madeline was dead. I will hire a private company to help me find my wife." I said, and she looked at me, and I could see the happiness on her face.

"Are you sure about that, Hunter?" She asked, and I nodded my head.

"Yes, Gina, like you, I still believe that my wife is alive, and I don't care if I will spend millions to find her. Madeline is my everything." I declared, and I wanted to add God knows how much I love my wife. And just like Maddie's best friend, unless there is no proof that Madeline is dead, I will stay hopeful that one day she will come back home to me, even if it was the impossible thing to happen.