Chapter 8

"What the hell are you guys doing?" Madison snapped.

She didn't expect to find Zachary in such a sorry state, drenched from head to toe, when she came downstairs.

Elroy's friends exchanged guilty looks and made excuses. "Mr. Suffold accidentally fell into the pool. We just pulled him out."

Another one quickly changed the subject. "After what he did to Elroy, he deserved it. We even went out of our way to save him. Don't tell me you're going soft on this homewrecker, Mads."

Madison frowned, her expression turning cold. "What homewrecker? Who told you he was one?"

"Right, right. He's just a pathetic simp. I knew you'd never be interested in him, Mads."

Zachary lay sprawled on the ground, every inch of his body aching. It took everything he had just to get back to his feet. All he wanted now was to get away from this place.

He had barely taken two steps when Madison stopped him. "You beat up Elroy. You think you can just walk away?"

Zachary jerked as if he had been electrocuted and violently shook off her hand.

He used to find comfort in Madison's hands because they reminded him of Madelyn. But now, looking at them filled him with fear.

Madison wasn't Madelyn. She would only push him deeper into hell, again and again.

She stared at him in surprise, unable to understand why he was reacting so adversely. Her expression dimmed. "Was that slap not enough to wake you up? Apologize to Elroy now."

Zachary let out a mocking laugh. Why should he apologize? Madison was the one who owed him an apology!

Still, looking at Madison's icy gaze, he knew one thing was for sure. She refused to let him leave until he gave in and apologized.

He clenched his fists and looked around at them with a cold laugh. "It was much more than a slap. I'll never forget what happened today." Then he turned to Madison. "All I have to do is apologize, right?"

Madison felt an inexplicable pang in her chest. She looked into Zachary's bloodshot eyes and felt as though something was lodged in her throat.

She wanted to say something, but he walked away without sparing her another glance.

Madison's heart lurched. A sense of panic and anxiety slowly crept over her. At last, she noticed how terrible he looked.

Before she could think, Elroy looped his arm through hers and cooed, "Mads, let's head inside."

Madison pushed the thought aside.

She had never treated Zachary particularly well, yet he always came running back the very next day. He couldn't live without her, and she never once doubted that.

Meanwhile, Zachary went to the restroom. One of the housekeepers took pity on him and gave him a clean set of clothes.

After changing, he looked at his own miserable reflection and laughed bitterly.

"Maddie, if you were still here and saw the state I've gotten myself into, would you laugh at how stupid I am?" he muttered.

That said, he would soon get to meet someone who looked even more like Madelyn than Madison did.

He lowered his head and splashed some water on his face, preparing to leave. Just as he reached the door, he heard Elroy and his friends talking.

"You really know how to play your cards, don't you? You just finished dealing with that homewrecker, and now you've got Mads peeling walnuts for you by hand. Aren't you worried about ruining her precious piano-playing hands?"

Elroy lit a cigarette, his voice thick with resentment. "You don't get it. I want her to stop playing the piano!"

His friends exchanged baffled looks, none of them understanding.

"She loves piano too much," Elroy explained unhurriedly. "Back then, I told her that she had no money and should give it up. But she'd rather get down on her knees and beg me than quit. That's how much piano means to her."

He continued, "If she hadn't refused to give up, I wouldn't have left for another country in a fit of anger. I thought those three years I spent abroad would've taught her a lesson, but when I came back, there was Zachary."

At that, he gritted his teeth. "He's the one who encourages Madison to keep playing. Well, guess what? I'll make sure she never plays again!

"Besides, she's made enough money by now. It doesn't matter whether she keeps playing. Only when she gives up piano will I finally become her top priority. Get it?"

When he finished with his outburst, the hallway fell silent.

Having heard the entire conversation, Zachary let out a silent, bitter laugh. The irony of the situation was almost too much to bear.

"Oh, Madison. This is the man you chose to love," he mused. "He's been plotting to destroy your career behind your back. How ridiculous."

He saved the recording on his phone, then walked out as if nothing happened.

When he walked through the front door, Zachary ran into Madison. He had changed into a different set of clothes, exposing the bruises on his arms.

Her eyes widened. "Who hit you?"

"Who else could it be?" he replied sarcastically.

Immediately, she thought of Elroy's friends. She felt a surge of anger, but quickly suppressed it.

"When all is said and done, you were the one who started the fight. Consider this a lesson. If you ever pull something like this again, I won't let you off like I did this time."

A mocking smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

It wouldn't happen again. After all, he would be leaving to find the woman who resembled Madelyn more than she did. From then on, their story would come to an end.