Chapter 1

I am Madison Wilhenberg.  Some call me Maddie for short. To be honest, I have hate in that last name of mine. If there would be a time that I can remove it in my name, I would gladly do so. I hate it up to that point. Since it was from my father, the very reason why 'she' left. 

When I said 'she' I was pertaining to my mom. 

 The one who promised me that she will stay. The only person whom I always trust. She promised that she won't leave me. But then she failed that promise. She break that very promise the moment when a piece of news rushed into our manor. 

News that states that... "Master! The lady, Madam Miranda... is gone!"

It was like a snap of a finger. 

Everything changed. Everything turns... dull. 

'Maddie, you look so beautiful as always'

'I am beautiful because my mother is~'

'Where did you learn how to use such flowery words huh?'

'But mommy I am just saying the truth...'

'My my, you are making me blush and feel shy'

'I love you, Maddie'

'I love you too mommy~'

Ahh, those memories... that is just a small part of the times I shared with my mom. Who eventually left this world... due to some funny reason...

"What do you mean gone?!"

My father shouted in confusion. It was so desperate I feel like it was fabricated. As if it was just a play he is taking part with. Am I just overreacting or is it indeed what I expected it to be, I have no idea how to learn the truth. Especially when I am just but a little kid who knows just what a fantasy life would be. 

I somehow look at the comb that my mother uses to brush my hair. She also promised to comb my hair before I go to bed... she is a liar. She lied to me... again...

'Mother, are you hurt?'

'No, no baby, mommy is alright. Maddie doesn't need to worry. Mommy is fine... see? It is just a small cut I got... ouch'

If you will act tough, you should have acted more professionally or so I will clearly know that you are faking it... I was a fool at that time of believing. Now that I have my own senses and mind, It is no doubt that... she is in pain at that moment. 

 How funny of me to think that a simple touch of my lips would make the pain go away. That a simple kiss from the soft lips of mine would make the healing faster. I am no saint... am I? I bet not. There is no saint as foulmouthed as I am. Is there?

'Madam Miranda's car fell on a cliff. Her body, as well as the car are nowhere to be found'

'Then how sure are you that... she is dead?'

'There are witnesses as well as recordings from the CCTV in the roads. The GPS of the car also says that the bottom of the cliff is where they are'

It was a great shock for everyone. No one ever imagined that in this very wonderful morning, something bad as that would happen. My father holds onto the table just to not fall on his knees. 

The servants look at me. I look at my hands. Putting it in my cheeks I wondered why no tears are coming out. My chest is also... stuffy yet... I feel like I can handle it.

'Maddie is not beautiful when she cries...'

Why did I suddenly remember that statement my mom said one time I cried my heart out?

Will she be disappointed if she saw me cry? 

I open my mouth. Instead of asking for further information about how she died, the thing I did was sing. Sing her favorite song that she enjoyed playing on the television again and again. Why did she like it like that song again? Will she be delighted if I sing it this way? I do not know... I am not sure... 

Mom... Can you say it to my face? Praise me... Tell me that I did something good. That I have a voice that is blessed by the gods...

Gods... If they really exist... You wouldn't have died. What are they doing the moment your car falls on that cliff? Watching? Sipping a cup of tea while talking with satan?

Hah, I don't know. I just... Don't know.

The only thing I am sure of is that the moment I finished singing, everyone in that place cried as if an onion was cut in front of them or as if a lemon was poured into their eyes. I never know I would see such a thing the moment I opened my eyes. 

My father kissed me to comfort me but I even wonder if I do need his comfort. He brushes my hair with his rough hand as he caresses my face who has no tears to show.

My father cried as if he was devastated by the fact that my mother left the world. Cried because his beloved wife is no longer with him but the very next morning, he brought a new woman together with his child whose slightly younger than me. And that is the very day I questioned my father's love for my mom. That is also the very day that I let a man touch my face. 

"Yes you do"

And I thought that would be the last. But it is not. 

Just like that, my lips touched his. It happened so fast that I froze in my spot. This is something I didn't see coming. 

You can hear the gasp of every single guest at this wedding. I can't clearly see how their faces reacted since the man in front of me is the only one who catches my eyes. It was wide open. Very wide open! I wonder if my forehead also frowns, the only thing I am sure of is that his hand holding and caressing my nape completely lock my head from turning in any direction. 

He is a monster!

Just how the hell did he get the chance to hold me like this???  I can't move my hands!

"Congratulations! May your journey as Mr. and Mrs. Morgan be a fruitful and wondrous journey. Long live for our newlyweds!"

And before I even have the chance to back off and run away just like what I planned in my head, we are congratulated by countless of people. Hoping that the only way to get out of this mess is when we are alone. That is the only chance for me to escape. Not knowing that it would be a path where I can no longer turn back. 

"Hey! What are you doing??"

"You are my wife now, is it a problem if I have you tonight?