Loving Madeline

Charlotte's POV

"You looked so beautiful, Charlotte," my brother said as he opened the passenger's door for me.

"Thank you, Hunter; you looked dashing with your business suit as always," I replied, smiling at my elder brother.

"I wished to wear jeans and a shirt, but I know you, you always wear fancy clothes every time you go out. I don't want to look like your driver." He stated, and I shook my head.

"Not anymore. I now realize fancy clothes and shoes, even bags and perfume, don't matter," I replied, and he looked amused by what I said.

"What do you mean by that?" He asked as he started the car.

"After you cut off my cards and all means I can use to buy anything I want, I realized expensive things are no longer important. I hated you after you froze all my cards and accounts." I responded.

"I am sorry, Charlotte. I don't want to see you suffer, but I needed to do it," he replied as he darted a glance at me.

"You don't need to apologize, Hunter; the spoiled old me would have yelled and cursed you, but now, I understand why you did it to me. I thank you for making me realize that there is more to life than partying and socializing with fake friends." I replied.

"I learned so much, and Barcelonia taught me so many things," I added, and he nodded his head as he returned his focus to the road.

"Can you tell me what have you learned?" He asked.

"I realized the love and support of my family is what I needed in times of trouble, and I never felt so alone my entire life, and basic needs are all I need to survive in this cruel world," I replied.

"I don't need fancy clothes, and what I need is to learn to do basic chores to survive. Money makes things easier, but I learned it is wonderful to work to earn money of my own." I added.

"It was hard, and I thought making money was that easy; I am sorry if I had been a spoiled brat. I did so many things that upset you, and I made you angry countless times every time I opposed your decision." I continued.

"I know I wasn't a good sister to you and Lily. I had been a bad daughter to Mom, and I hope you will give me another chance. And I wish to see Mom. I hope you will allow me to see her again, Hunter." I stated, and my brother looked at me again with tenderness.

"Charlotte, Mom misses you so much, and she was worried sick about you, but I assure her you are doing fine. Don't worry, and I will bring her and Lily here in Barcelonia soon." Hunter replied.

"Is she not angry with me? I disappoint our mother, and I don't have the heart to face her." I responded and let out a soft sigh.

"No, our mother loves you so much, and she kept blaming herself for why you left, and she wished to see you again, Charlotte. I felt glad you are now mature, and I am sure Mom would be happy to see you like this." My brother declared.

"You are a better version of yourself now, and I am so proud of you," Hunter said.

"Does it mean you are giving me another chance, Hunter?" I asked to feel anxious.

"Charlotte, I only did it for your good, and the truth is, it broke my heart to cut you off with everything and make you suffer financially for months, but you showed me that you are a strong woman and can take care of yourself." He replied as he looked at me sideways.

"Of course, you are my sister, Charlotte. I am giving you another chance; you don't need to worry about money anymore. I will ask the bank to unfreeze all your cards by tomorrow." He replied, and I shook my head.

"I don't need my cards anymore, Hunter. I don't need any money from you from now on. I want to stand on my own. I now have my own business, and I am trying my best to make it work, and I hope I will succeed." I said.

"I want people to recognize my own hard work and not because I am a Divenson," I added, and he beamed at me.

"I want to make my own name in the business industry and make you all proud." I continued.

"Wow! I told you, I am proud of you. I don't know what to say about your cards; they are yours, and it will be up to you if you will use them or not." He responded and looked astounded by my words, and I laughed.

"Don't be so surprised, but I couldn't blame

you. I was even shocked that one day I would be saying this to you." I declared as I leaned on my seat.

"I understand if you don't want to use your cards again, but they are all yours, Charlotte. It is up to you if you will use them or not, but I will still order the activation of your cards." My brother replied, and I smiled at him.

We arrived at the most expensive and fancy restaurant in Barcelonia, and he was confused when I told him I didn't want to eat there, and he became more surprised when I brought him to the place where Cecily brought me.

"Are you sure you want to eat here?" He asked, and I nodded with a wide grin.

"Yes, I love this place. Are you okay if we will eat here?" I asked back.

"No problem with me," Hunter replied, and I could see the amusement all over his face.

After we ate dinner, Hunter brought me to a bar, and I loved the cozy atmosphere; we drank cocktails and listened to some acoustic band playing at the center of the stage.

I noticed women keeping an eye on my brother, and I couldn't stop teasing him.

"Your charm never wore out, and I could see girls at their table looking at you, hoping you would look at them, big brother," I said before I sipped my Margarita. He chuckled, but he didn't say a word as he looked at me.

"You miss Madeline?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Yeah, I missed her and our son. I wanted to bring them with me, but I wanted things to be okay between us. I don't want you to throw your anger towards Maddie." He responded, and I blushed since I felt guilty.

"Hunter, I don't hate Madeline. It was Kaye who poisoned my mind, and I was a fool who listened to my fake best friend. I was too naive to believe in her lies. She only used me to get closer to you, and she did everything to make me believe in her lies." I declared.

"I knew I had done terrible things to your wife, but I never dreamed of hurting her physically. I couldn't blame you if you think I planned to do something bad to Madeline. You have all the right to hate me, and I couldn't blame Maddie if she hates me." I added.

"I want to know her, Hunter. I wished to be friends with Madeline, and I knew it would be hard to believe, but I really do." I continued, and my brother took my hand over the table.

"Charlotte, I believe you and my wife would be happy to be friends with you. Madeline doesn't hate you, and she wanted to get close to you and be your friend." He responded, and my eyes widened.

"Are you sure about that, Hunter?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yes, you know my wife, Charlotte, she has a kind heart, and Madeline will never hold a grudge towards anyone. She always believed everyone deserves a second or even third chance in life." I replied.

"When the perfect time comes, you will see each other; when your business is stable, you can visit us anytime." He said.

I never felt so happy like this, not because my brother was giving me back all the privileges that I have as a Divenson, it wasn't about the money, but because he accepted me as his sister, and hearing him say he is proud of me made me feel so ecstatic.

"Char, I guess we should call it a night; you have work tomorrow," my brother said, and I agreed with him since I felt a little tipsy, and I didn't want to disappoint my brother even if I was now in the mood to party.

"Are you okay?" He asked after he helped me fasten my seatbelt.

"Of course, I am okay. I still couldn't believe we had so much fun, and I realized I am so lucky to have you as my brother. I thought you were so boring to be with, but I was wrong." I said, and I giggled.

"You thought I was boring?" He asked, and I nodded.

"Yeah, but you are super funny, and I loved to see you like this, less serious, and you made me feel you are my brother and not the CEO of one of the biggest companies worldwide," I responded.

"I never got the chance to see this side of you, and I was such a fool for thinking you are my competition. I didn't realize you were my protector and the only person who would stand by me. I am sorry, Hunter. I wished I realized it sooner." I added, and my brother shook his head.

"Charlotte, stop saying sorry. I am happy you realize it by now; it is never too late. I enjoyed tonight too, and I am thankful to God I got my sister back." He responded.

I smiled at Hunter as he drove away from the bar, and I am so thankful to have this chance to be with my brother and realize it would never be too late to accept your shortcomings and learn from your mistakes.