Chapter 7

After getting out of bed, Madeleine called her friend, Daphne Holt.

"Daph, Sawyer was down with a fever last night. I'm not staying at Clearwater Bay anymore. If you're free today, can you drop by the villa and check on him for me?"

Madeleine and Daphne went to the same university. Daphne was also one of Jonathan's secretaries.

After Sawyer was born, Madeleine asked Daphne to be his godmother.

Daphne adored Sawyer. She often went to Clearwater Bay to help Madeleine take care of him whenever she was free. Therefore, aside from Madeleine, Daphne was the only person who could calm Sawyer down when he was sick.

"Mr. Hartley sent me a message in the middle of the night and asked me to come over this morning. I'm already at Clearwater Bay."

Daphne lowered her voice. "Leni, what's going on? Why did you run away from home?"

Madeleine's thoughts churned—had Jonathan told Daphne she had run away from home, and was he still thinking that she was merely throwing tantrums?

"I didn't run away from home. I told Jonathan I want a divorce."

"What? Have you lost your mind? Why would you want a divorce?"

"I've had enough of that life," Madeleine said simply.

"What about Sawyer? Are you leaving him behind as well?"

Madeleine dropped her gaze as she hummed in acknowledgment.

"Wait, Leni… I know your marriage with Mr. Hartley has issues. Even if you're disappointed in him, shouldn't you reconsider for Sawyer's sake?"

Daphne sounded agitated as she continued, "If you get a divorce now, Allison will definitely marry Mr. Hartley. You know how much he indulges her, and you know what she's like. Aren't you worried she might mistreat Sawyer once she becomes his new wife?"

Madeleine had already considered that possibility. But another thought kept echoing in her mind. She needed to learn to love herself before she could love anyone else.

"Sawyer is Jonathan's eldest son. He's in line to be the next head of the Hartley family. With Jonathan's grandmother around, Allison wouldn't dare lay a hand on him.

"Besides, Sawyer likes Allison more than he likes me. So why should I stay with people who don't care about me at all?"

Madeleine then told Daphne about the incident where Sawyer had caused her allergic reaction and landed her in the hospital.

Daphne gasped. After a moment, she said, "Sawyer is still young and immature. You shouldn't take it to heart."

Madeleine let out a soft laugh. "Daph, you've watched Sawyer grow up. I know you love him as if he were your own. But Sawyer's life will go on with or without me. There are plenty of people who love him. And even after the divorce, I'll still be his mom."

But that would be the extent of their relationship. Madeleine no longer intended to center her entire life around Sawyer as she once had. She would no longer devote all her time to Jonathan and their son.

As she listened to the dead line, Daphne's face tightened in a frown.

A deep male voice suddenly spoke behind her. "Were you talking to her just now?"

Daphne turned and met Jonathan's gaze. She hummed in acknowledgment.

Jonathan looked pale, having barely slept. He never imagined Madeleine could be so cold-hearted—so indifferent to her own sick child.

Was she really waiting for him to grovel and beg her to go home? Well, she could keep dreaming.

"Mr. Hartley, if Leni is serious about getting a divorce, are you planning to marry Allison?" Daphne asked, her eyes unreadable.

Jonathan looked at her and said frigidly, "That's none of your concern."

Madeleine, serious about a divorce? Even if the world ended tomorrow, Jonathan would never believe that.

…

At Evergreen Residences, Madeleine received a call from Kristopher around noon.

"There's a reception at The Pristine Hotel tonight. The representatives of the sponsors we're trying to meet will be there. I'll have someone send you a dress. Just focus on getting ready. I'll pick you up tonight."

"Okay." Madeleine felt genuinely grateful for Kristopher's thoughtfulness. He already knew she had moved out of Clearwater Bay and was determined to divorce Jonathan.

As her long-time friend, Kristopher fully supported her decision. He knew how miserable her married life had been.

Jonathan and Madeleine's marriage had always been kept secret. In the past five years, not once had Jonathan brought her to any events or gatherings.

Kristopher arranged a dress for her because he knew she probably didn't have anything suitable for such an occasion.

At 3:00 pm, the dress arrived. With it came a makeup artist carrying a massive case.

Kristopher had hired a make-up artist for Madeleine as well. Warmth bloomed in Madeleine's chest.

After greeting the makeup artist and exchanging a brief hello, she sat down and let the makeup artist work her magic.

At 5:00 pm, Kristopher arrived at Evergreen Residences to pick her up. His eyes lit up the moment he saw her.

Madeleine looked elegant and sophisticated in a pale yellow, off-shoulder gown. Her hair was tied up in a loose ponytail, with soft, curled strands framing her face.

Her complexion was fair, her eyes bright. Even without accessories, she radiated a quiet grace that was hard to look away from.

"You're reminding me again of the importance of dressing up. For a moment, I thought I'd run into a celebrity," Kristopher teased.

Madeleine chuckled. "It's because of the amazing makeup artist you hired. Even if I were terribly ugly, she could still turn me into a beauty."

Kristopher opened the car door for her. He disagreed with her. "I don't think so. I'd say it's mostly because you're already beautiful."

Madeleine lifted the hem of her skirt and climbed into the car. She was suddenly reminded of her first public appearance after the Smiths had found her and taken her home.

It was during the summer, nine years ago. She had been 16.

To welcome her home, the Smiths hosted a party.

At the time, Allison appeared with a pink gown and an armful of exquisite accessories. She kindly offered to help Madeleine prepare so that she could make a favorable first impression on the guests.

Everything was new and unfamiliar to Madeleine, who had only recently reunited with the Smiths. As such, she quickly warmed to the sweet, bubbly Allison.

She never expected Allison to be a two-faced snake.

Allison deliberately instructed Madeleine to pile on every accessory, resulting in a disastrous, overly adorned look. When Madeleine appeared before the guests, she was instantly ridiculed—she looked tacky, unsophisticated, and was instantly the laughingstock of the party.

She even told their mother that Madeleine had insisted on wearing the expensive diamond necklace that she was supposed to wear.

From that day on, the Smiths and all who attended believed Madeleine was shallow, narrow-minded, and uncultured.

Madeleine curled her lips. It wasn't until they pulled up to their destination that she finally snapped back to attention.

Inside the grand banquet hall, dazzling lights reflected off the enormous crystal chandelier.

Men wore suits and ties, whereas women glowed in their evening gowns. The atmosphere was lively.

Kristopher led Madeleine in. Whenever he encountered acquaintances, he greeted them politely and introduced her.

On the second floor, Alec cut a striking figure in a dark suit. In his hand was a glass of wine. Shedding a glance downward, he noticed Kristopher's hand hovered lightly behind Madeleine's waist. His eyes darkened.

His close friend, Morgan Stark, joined him just then. Following Alec's gaze, he spotted the pair below, and his eyes twinkled in amusement.

"Al, that woman beside Kristopher must be the one Tessa mentioned. She's the beloved Maddie you've been dying to meet again, right?

"She's gorgeous. No wonder you've stayed single all these years. You'd even swallowed your pride and were ready to be her lover?"

Alec took a sip of his wine and said nothing, his gaze fixed on the woman in the pale yellow gown.

Morgan continued, "By the way, I just saw her husband, Jonathan Hartley, walk in with another woman. Think we'll get to witness a battle between the wife and the mistress later?"