LOGINAt my engagement party, my fiancé and my parents had prepared a table filled with mystery boxes. My younger sister, Elena Hayes, wrapped her arms around my fiancé, Adrian Whitmore, and sweetly pleaded, “There are so many mystery boxes. Madison can’t possibly open them all. Can I pick three too?” Adrian affectionately ruffled Elena’s hair. “You never change. You’ve known your sister and me for so long, yet you still act like a child.” Our parents, Charles and Victoria Hayes, smiled indulgently. “Our Elena has always been lucky. Maybe she’ll win something amazing.” Elena eagerly grabbed three mystery boxes before anyone else could stop her. She opened the first one. “A ten-day honeymoon trip to Valehaven.” The second one. “All the cash gifts from Madison’s wedding.” And the third. “The Whitmore family’s heirloom emerald bracelet.” When I opened my own mystery boxes, every single card contained the same message: “Better luck next time.” Elena draped an arm around my shoulders with a smug smile. “Looks like you’re still as unlucky as ever, Madison. “A bet’s a bet! I’m going to Valehaven with your fiancé instead. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on him for you. I won’t let some pretty girl from overseas steal him away.” I stood frozen, convinced they were playing some cruel joke on me. Then Adrian spoke. “Madison, a bet’s a bet. “Take off the bracelet Grandma gave you and give it to Elena.”
View MoreWhen the phone rang, I was busy with work.It kept ringing, over and over, refusing to stop.I finally had no choice but to answer.“Madison Hayes, have you lost your mind?“Whitmore is offering you an incredible job, and you’ll never find another one like it. How could you possibly resign?“Get back here and apologize to Adrian. Then report to work tomorrow like you’re supposed to.”I irritably tapped my fingers against the desk.“Mom, I already have a new job, and I’ve sold my house.“I’m not going back to Whitmore. And you don’t need to call me anymore.“Also, Adrian and I aren’t getting married. We’ve broken up. Make sure you tell our relatives and friends.”With that, I hung up.To keep them from contacting me again, I blocked Adrian, Elena, Mom, and Dad.I even blocked the relatives who might try to contact me on Mom’s behalf.Life became much quieter after that.A little over a month later, I’d finally settled into my new city. Work was going better and better, too
Adrian picked up the phone and dialed his assistant.“Who can tell me when Madison resigned?”His assistant answered respectfully.“Mr. Whitmore, our records show that Ms. Hayes submitted her resignation a month ago. You were the one who approved it.”Adrian froze.What had he been doing a month ago?Valehaven. The sunshine, the tropical islands, the crystal-blue water.He’d been taking pictures of Elena.Elena had wanted to try a dessert from a popular bakery, so he’d driven two hours just to take her there for a slice of cake.At the time, he’d thought Elena was different from Madison. She was more carefree and loved sweet treats. A little time and money were enough to make her happy.And Madison?She was strong. It always seemed like she could carry every burden on her own and never needed him to worry about her.She’d never shown him her softer, more vulnerable side.But he suddenly realized that perhaps he’d been ignoring what she truly needed all along.He remembere
A few moments later, Adrian sent me another message.“Fine. I’m sorry, okay?”“Elena is your sister. Of course I’m going to look after her. Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do for you? If it really bothers you that much, I won’t come to your parents’ house anymore. How’s that?”His messages were becoming increasingly irritating.I opened Adrian’s profile, blocked him, and deleted our chat.Two minutes later, my phone rang.I frowned but answered anyway.“Madison, what the hell is this? Are you giving me the silent treatment now?“You’ve been skipping work. Do you realize I can fire you for that?“Apologize to Elena and make it up to her. Otherwise…”“Otherwise what?”I cut him off.“You’ll give my projects to someone else?“Adrian, do you even realize that the three projects I was handling are already finished?”Adrian fell silent for a moment.Of course he hadn’t known. Ever since he proposed to me, he’d grown to trust me more and more, leaving most of the company’s affa
In the new city, I rented a small place near my new office.Thanks to the high-pressure environment I had gotten used to at Whitmore, I adapted to my new job quickly. Before long, I had already brought in several new clients for the company.Meanwhile, Elena continued messaging me.“Madison, why haven’t you been coming to the office lately? Is it because you don’t want to work with me?”“I didn't mean to be that close to Adrian. Adrian said it wouldn’t be appropriate at work.”“Madison, why didn’t you tell me the food at Whitmore’s cafeteria was so good? When are you coming back? We can go eat together!”“Madison, I was only joking with you on graduation day. You’re not actually still mad, are you?”“Don’t be angry. I’ll ask Mom to make your favorite garlic shrimp tonight. Come home for dinner, okay?”I didn’t reply to a single message.Then, unexpectedly, Mom, who had never sent me a message in that chat before, texted me.“Madison Hayes, what did you do to upset Elena this












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