Chapter 4

Lucas' POV

Jeffrey backed away on purpose, then collapsed onto the floor in a dramatic heap.

The very next moment, Madeline rushed in. Without even a second's pause, she drove the sharp heel of her shoe straight into my stomach.

Then she gently helped Jeffrey up, careful to avoid the bruise on his calf.

Jeffrey clung to Madeline's arm, pretending to be in pain.

"It's okay, Maddie. Lucas probably just got the wrong idea about us. If he needed to hit me to blow off some steam, I can take it."

Madeline shielded Jeffrey behind her and fixed me with a cold, piercing stare.

"Lucas Hayes! Jeffrey's already had a difficult time raising a child by himself, and you keep piling on more trouble for him! How could you be so vicious?"

I crashed to the ground, and a searing pain rippled through my abdomen. A mouthful of blood surged up my throat and spilled from my lips.

Several medical staff rushed over at the noise.

"Treat Jeffrey first!" Madeline commanded.

"Mrs. Hayes, but Mr. Hayes is bleeding…"

"I said leave him alone!" she shouted. "He hurt Jeffrey. He deserves this!"

I lay alone on the icy hospital floor, doubled over in agony. Cold sweat poured down my face, and my stomach was seized by violent cramps as the piercing pain grew unbearably sharp.

"Help me… Please…"

I fought against the pain, attempting to call for help.

Through the haze of my blurring vision, I could only make out Madeline's indifferent gaze and the resolute silhouette of her walking away with Jeffrey leaning on her arm.

…

When I opened my eyes again, it was already the next day.

"Mr. Hayes, years of overwork, combined with your poor eating habits and lifestyle, have caused your condition to progress to advanced stomach cancer. I'm very sorry to tell you this, but you likely have only a month or so," the doctor told me gravely.

I collapsed against the headboard, sighing deeply as tears ran freely down my face.

"Lucas!"

Madeline burst through the door.

When she saw how pale I looked, she patiently started making her case.

"Jeffrey once saved my life. I promised to look after him and his family. Now that Melvin's been accepted to one of the best universities in the country, I'll have more time on my hands. I'll make it up to you and Leo going forward, alright?"

I stared blankly at her.

"Do you know how Leo did on the SAT?"

A flicker of surprise crossed her face.

"Leo took the exam too? Don't worry—even if his results aren't as good as Melvin's, I'll pull some strings and get him into a top university."

I cut her off.

"It doesn't matter anymore."

"What do you mean it doesn't matter?"

Madeline's expression darkened, as though she had sensed something wasn't right.

Just as she was about to push me for answers, her phone rang.

"Maddie, the police are in Melvin's room right now! Please, come quickly…"

Jeffrey's panicked voice came through the speaker.

Madeline paused for just an instant, then turned to leave.

Before leaving, she looked back and said, "Get some rest. After I deal with whatever's happening with Jeffrey, I'll come back for you and Leo. I promise, we'll finally have the life we deserve."

As I watched Madeline disappear into the distance, I smiled bitterly and shook my head.

I couldn't even remember how many times she had left me behind.

But this time, I wouldn't be waiting for her to come back.

I booked the earliest flight I could find.

Holding Leo's photo in my hands, I rubbed my thumb over his image and smiled bitterly.

"Just one more month, Leo. Don't be afraid. I'll be joining you soon."

…

Third-Person POV

Meanwhile, Madeline made her way to Jeffrey's room, where two police officers were preparing to take Melvin away.

"Melvin Locke, you're under arrest for a fatal hit-and-run. Come with us."

Madeline immediately stepped forward to stop them.

"It was just a traffic accident. Melvin's still a minor—he didn't know any better. Who was the victim? I'll pay the family whatever compensation they demand."

The officer paused and looked at her.

"The victim was this year's top SAT scorer. His name was Leo Hayes."