2

Two days passed.

Madeline hadn't touched her phone.

Since that night, she has been in her room. She won't see anybody, ignoring all calls and messages, most of all Ethan's.

He kept calling her, but Madeline didn't care.

Each time her phone buzzed, she merely looked at it with a chill before shutting her eyes once more.

She needed time.

To forget Ethan's betrayal.

To erase the memory of that night.

To wipe away the sense of plainness and guilt each time she looked at her face in a mirror.

 ͏

However, Madeline couldn't hide forever.

͏

Today, Ethan's clan was taking them to a parents' wedding special.

Madeline had no pick but to go with her small face.

"Do we need to go to the doctor?"

The calm sound of Risha, Madeline's mom, ended the quiet in a car.

Madeline stared at him for a bit and then shook her head slowly. "I am fine, Mom, there is no need to worry."

She peered in the back view mirror, gazing at the face of her dad, Adhitama.

But, the guy stayed quiet, his face chill.

The past two days, her dad's mood seemed odd.

Madeline wasn't sure if it was only her feeling or if maybe her dad knew something?

  It couldn't be, right?

There was no way her dad knew what she did.

Madeline gulped and stared out the window. She picked to like the stroll without saying anything else.

When she got to Ethan's house, her groom was already there waiting for Madeline at the door with a silly grin on his face.

Like he’d never messed up at all. Like he wasn’t a bad guy who had let her down.

Madeline felt nauseous.

Without seeing, she went in with her mom and dad.

But Ethan's ha͏nd took her arm, halting her in her steps.

"What do you want?" Madeline said violently, shaking Ethan's grip off.

Ethan's face tightened, his sweet smile vanishing.

"Why don’t you pick up my calls and call me back?"

Madeline snorted coldly. "Do I need to explain?"

Ethan felt nervous. He peeked around, making sure no one was looking.

"Madeline, it's better not to speak about what took place that day with my folks or yours."

His tone was full of threat.

Madeline shut her eyes, staring at Ethan with a hate she had not felt before.

How can this guy ask her for such a thing! Does he have no pride?

Just when Madeline was going to answer Ethan, Arya, Ethan's dad, came close. "Why are you all still here?" he asked!

At that time Madeline grinned and said "Just a fast talk."

"Alright, let's talk. I wish to show you to Ethan's uncle!" Arya said, making Madeline smile and follow her father who was disabled into the house.

After walking into the banquet room Madeline saw a few guests already there.

Her eyes saw the shape of a strong man standing with them, talking to Ethan's mom and dad.

She didn't recognize the man.

"Come over, let me show you to uncle Nathaniel," Arya said to Ethan and Madeline.

Madeline went over with Ethan, getting near the tall, strong man who had got her eye.

 And when the man turned around…

Madeline's heart skipped a beat.

Her face pale.

Their eyes met.

Him?!

Madeline wished to spin and flee as far as she could.

But it was too late.

The guy was also shocked to see her, but his face only changed for a bit before getting cold again.

Nathaniel looked at Madeline closely, but the next moment, he had a calm look, like they had not met before.

"Nathaniel, this is Madeline, our next daughter-in-law." said Monica, Ethan's mother with a proud smile.

Madeline couldn't breathe.

The guy who took her purity, who mocked her like an employed woman, was Ethan’s uncle?!

Madeline's hands were trembling hard. But, she tried to relax herself as she reached out to shake Nathaniel's hand.

But, when a big hand touched hers, Madeline felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Her body remembered all that hand did to her.

"I still can’t think you have a family member who’s lived in America for such a long time."

Arya's voice jolted Madeline from her thinking, making her quickly pull her hand from Nathaniel.

"Well, he is the son of my dad's second wife," Arya said with a laugh and a tap on Nathaniel͏'s shoulder. "He's just here for a little trip before going back abroad."

Nathaniel, who had been quiet and busy looking at Madeline, finally just pulled the sides of his mouth a bit then drank his drink with no expression.

"What a chance! How about, before Nathaniel goes back on his trip, we get Ethan and Madeline wed?" Ethan's mother said with a nice grin.

"That is a good thought!" Arya said, not less excited.

Hearing this, Madeline felt sad. After finding out about Ethan and Sonia's sneaky love, and how he just wanted to use her was Madeline meant to stay quiet?

No! She couldn't let this continue!

"I'm sorry, Sir, ma'am, but I can't marry Ethan. I want to call off our engagement."