Loving Madeline

Madeline's POV

It is still early in the morning, and I was awake, and whatever I do, I couldn't get back to sleep. I only have a little sleep because I was thinking about Hunter. And I believe no woman can sleep soundly after her fiance ran away on the day before her wedding day. I hope Hunter's mother could have continued the story of Hunter's romance with Rebecca. I am so eager to know what happened between them that it seems Hunter could never get over her, but he wants to marry me, and it made no sense to me, and it drove me more confused.

I received a message from Gina, and she was asking me if I am already awake, and I know I should talk to her because she was worried about me last night. After all, Gina is my best friend, and she will always be the one that I can turn to, not even my aunt. I replied to her text that I am ready to talk with her, and after three minutes, she arrived in my room, and I can see the worries in her eyes.

"Are you alright, Madeline?" She asked me, and I shook my head.

"No, I am not okay, Gina, but I will not cry." I said.

"Maddie, tears are not a sign of weakness. It would be best if you release the pain that you are feeling inside. I know you are hurting, don't hide it, Madeline." Gina said, and my tears fell on my cheeks as I remember the horrified looked on Hunter's face and then the hard stares he had given me before he walked away.

"Gina, all my life, I felt the pain. Growing up without my father was hard enough, and watching my mother dying in front of me was too much for me to handle, but I don't have a choice but to face all of it, and now I couldn't believe I will feel this way. I am in love with the person who is not capable of loving me because he was in love with his ex-girlfriend." I said, and I could no longer restrain myself from crying, and my shoulders shook as I cried harder. She takes me into her arms, and she caressed my back as I cried my heart out.

"Do you want to leave now? I think we can find a way." Gina said.

"Hunter will still find me, Gina. He is rich, powerful, and influential. While he still wants me in this house, I can't run away from him, besides I can't let my aunt suffer the consequences of my actions even though I know I am in this predicament because of her." I said as I try to calm myself.

"Hunter humiliated me in front of all the guests by walking away from me, and I understand why. His mother told me everything. I didn't know the gown, the shoes, and the necklace that I wore belonged to Rebecca. I thought Hunter was the one who gave me the box. And now I understand someone in this house was trying to ruin my relationship with him. That is why I am not running away. I need to find out who was behind it, and I want to show this person I can't easily be threatened. And I will do my best to win Hunter's heart even if it means I need to endure all the pains." I added, and Gina's face softened.

"Wow, so you are trying to be a detective now, Madeline?" She asked, and I know Gina was trying her best to make me feel better, and her presence is enough to give me the courage, and I felt stronger, and I felt so glad I am not alone.

"Kidding aside, I am so curious about this Rebecca girl, maybe she was here, and she was the one who gave you the dress. But we don't know what happened to Hunter's ex-girlfriend. All we can do now is find out who was the mastermind of ruining the supposed to be an unforgettable night with your fiance. And you are right, Hunter needs you, Maddie, but I think you should be careful because someone wants to hurt you." She said.

"Of course, I know, Charlotte and Parker are on my list, and Kaye, I heard their laughter last night after Hunter walked away, and I am sure Charlotte has something to do about the gift." I said.

"Yeah, if you ask me, I can tell my primary suspect would be Charlotte too since she wants her friend, Kaye, to be Hunter's wife, and the best thing you can do is show her you are not afraid of her," Gina said, and I smiled at her.

"Yes, that is my plan, Gina. I know Hunter is still hurting, but I know he is sweet, Gina. I can feel that he has a soft spot for me." I said, and she smiled.

"Of course, I know. I have seen it with my two eyes. I can tell Hunter feels something for you." She declared.

"How I wish you were right, Gina, but I am sure his ex-girlfriend was the reason behind his inexplicable treatment towards me because I can feel his coldness, but I can feel his warmth through his kisses and caresses.

Gina and I looked at each other when we heard a soft knocking on my door and I walked to my door and open it gently, and I am shocked to find Leticia Divenson in front of my room.

"Good morning, Maddie. I am so glad you are awake already. I am sorry for I didn't come back last night even if I wanted to. Clark asked me to stay by his side. Can I come in?" She asked, and I open the door for her.

"Good morning, Mrs. Divenson. Please come in, and it is okay if you didn't come back last night since I know it was a bit late," I replied.

"Oh, Gina, I am glad you accompany Madeline here in her room because I know she needs you this time." Leticia said, and she sat down on my bed while Gina was staring at her beautiful face, and I can tell my best friend was mesmerized by her natural beauty.

"Now, I came early to tell you everything about Rebecca before you will get married to my son. I know it was not my story to tell, but you need to learn the truth, so you can decide if you still want to marry, Hunter, and if not, I will help you run away from this place because I need someone who can love Hunter for what he is." Leticia declared, and I can't stop myself from feeling nervous about learning the truth.

"I already told you they became so in love with each other until Rebecca got pregnant. Hunter brought Rebecca into this house because he wants to marry her, and my son begged me to ask his father to give them his blessings. Then I implored Clark to help Hunter, and I felt so happy when my husband gave them his blessings. Rebecca stayed with us, and since it is our family tradition to have a Pre-Wedding Ball, I prepared everything for the party." She declared.

"But on the night of the ball, someone bribed the gardener to kiss Rebecca on the lips in the garden, and my son caught them kissing and hugging intimately. And it made Hunter so angry that he walked out of the party in haste, and it was the same as what happened last night."She added and looked at me with sadness in her eyes.

"Then, on the following day, the gardener confessed to me that someone paid him to ruin Hunter and Rebecca's relationship. But it was already too late, my son's anger towards Rebecca made him drove away from the Divenson mansion, and he told her hurtful words, and she left at dawn.

"I called Hunter and told him everything, and he was so frustrated with himself, and they searched the entire city, but they couldn't find Rebecca, and Hunter called his father and begged him to help him find his fiancee." Leticia said, and she took my hands.

"Madeline, Calixto find Rebecca, and he called Hunter immediately, but when Rebecca saw my son, she ran away from him because I know she was so hurt and angry with him, for Hunter didn't give her a chance to explain herself. And then she crossed the highway without thinking there were many vehicles, and she was hit by a car in front of Hunter, and she didn't make it to the hospital. She was declared Dead On Arrival (DOA) in the hospital." She said, and I can feel goosebumps covered my entire frame, and I couldn't believe I was jealous of a dead girl.

"That is the reason why he can't get over Rebecca, even her stuff. He blamed himself for what happened to her. That is why I am asking you to stay, Maddie, and make my son live again. His past has imprisoned him, and I know you are the only woman he likes because this is the first time he brought a girl into this mansion, and I can see it in his eyes that Hunter has some feelings for you, but he was trying to fight it, Madeline." Mrs. Divenson declared, and I am still shocked by what I heard, and I can see how Gina's eyes turned so big in disbelief.

"And now that you know the truth, I hope you will stay by his side, Maddie." She said,

"Mrs. Divenson, don't worry, I will never leave your son." I said as I squeezed her hands.

"Thank you, Madeline, this means a lot to me, and I am so happy that you are in love with Hunter." She added, and I blushed.

"Now, let us go to the dining hall to eat out breakfast so you can prepare yourself for your wedding after we eat." She declared, and I am still stunned by what I have learned that Hunter's first love was dead, and now I realized why Hunter has some nightmares.. He was calling her name in his sleep because of that dreadful experience, and I became so eager to help him ease the pain, and I will help him forget the bitterness of yesterday.