Chapter 2

"You seriously called his parents over something this private? Do you have no shame?" Linda finally snapped and yelled at me, furious.

I covered my mouth in mock surprise, then slapped her across the face.

"So you do know this is private," I shot back. "Then why did you think it was okay to hide under my bed?"

The moment she got hit, Hendrick forgot all about his parents and rushed forward, shoving me back.

"Madeline! That was way out of line! Linda's just straightforward. She was curious but didn't want to say it, so I let her listen in. It's not like anything happened to you. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

Linda leaned into his arms, glaring at me like she wanted to tear me apart.

"Madeline, right?" she said coldly. "Cute name. Funny how you didn't sound so innocent earlier. Maybe I should send that recording to the group chat. Let everyone hear what you're really like."

My head went blank for a second. I turned to Hendrick.

He just stared back at me, his expression cold, like he actually thought I deserved it for hitting her.

The three of us froze there in a standoff, but his parents didn't.

They rushed in like a storm.

Dave West's fist slammed straight into Hendrick's face. Julie West followed with a sharp slap that sent Linda crashing to the floor.

"What is wrong with you two?" she snapped. "Do you even hear yourselves?"

Hendrick and Linda were both stunned.

Linda tried to say something, but Julie grabbed her by the hair and dragged her toward the door, kicking her out without hesitation.

Hendrick moved to follow, only to take another solid punch head-on from Dave.

"I told you before," Dave barked, "any girl who sticks around a group of guys like that under the excuse of being 'one of the boys' isn't there for the right reasons. She's already humiliated Madeline, and you still want to chase after her? What's wrong with you?"

Hendrick clenched his jaw, refusing to back down.

"Who I choose to be friends with is my business," he shot back. "I'm an adult. Can you stop controlling me?"

The words had barely left his mouth before another slap landed across his face.

"Do you think we care about controlling you? We're standing up for Madeline!"

What Hendrick didn't know was that years ago, Dave and my father had served together. Dave had been badly injured and lost the chance to have children of his own. My father had risked his life to bring him back.

He adopted Hendrick later on.

In the Wests' eyes, I mattered far more than the son they had taken in.

Faced with his parents' anger, Hendrick finally backed down.

"Madeline, Linda really didn't mean anything by it," he said, forcing the words out. "If she crossed a line, I'll apologize for her, okay? I've already taken enough hits today. Can you just let it go?"

Under his parents' expectant gaze, I let out a quiet sigh and nodded.

My parents had appointed Dave and Julie as my godparents since I was a kid. The Wests had built a massive business empire over the years. Worried Hendrick would run it into the ground, they came to my family, hoping to tie us together through marriage.

Back then, they had promised my parents that no matter what Hendrick did, I would never be wronged.

Looking at things now, at least that part was true.

Afterward, Hendrick's allowance was cut off. Whether he had actually learned his lesson or was just putting on a show for his parents, he eventually cut ties with Linda.

Seeing him fall in line, I got my things in order and decided to focus on becoming the Wests' future daughter-in-law.

The two families quickly settled on a wedding date. Once the venue and decorations were all arranged, Hendrick pulled me aside, hesitating.

"Madeline, so, uh… My old friends want to throw me a bachelor party. Wanna go with me?"

After everything that had happened, I didn't even hesitate.

"Is Linda going to be there?"