Chapter five

Madison’s POV

I sat across from Richard at a fancy restaurant — one he brought me to after everything that had just happened at home.

Dinner was served shortly after, but no matter how delicious the food looked, I couldn’t bring myself to touch it. Not after what happened when I was younger.

Richard noticed. His brow furrowed with concern.

“I noticed you haven’t touched your food. Is it not appealing to you?”

I quickly shook my head. “No, it’s not that. It looks amazing... I just can’t eat it.”

“Why not? Are you allergic?” he asked, his handsome face filled with worry.

“No,” I said quietly, “It’s not the food. It’s just... I don’t eat handmade meals. I only eat food from convenience stores .already packaged and sealed.”

There was a long pause. I felt awkward, expecting him to laugh or look at me like I was crazy.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he stood up, walked around the table, took my hand, and gently pulled me to my feet.

“Come with me,” he said.

We left the restaurant. He took me to a nearby park and sat me down on a bench. Then he walked off.

“Where are you going?” I asked, a bit anxious.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be right back.”

A few minutes later, he returned with a polystyrene bag full of food from a convenience store — noodles, packaged sandwiches, snacks. He set it down in front of me.

“Eat. You haven’t had anything all day.”

I sat and ate, hungry and grateful. We ate in silence, and when we were done, he cleaned up and threw the trash away.

He returned and cleared his throat. “So... why are you doing all this?”

I knew this was coming. But how could I tell him the truth? That I died and came back? Who would believe me? I wouldn’t believe myself.

The memories flooded in.pain, betrayal. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t cry, but here I was, tears streaming down my cheeks in front of Richard.

Something about him made me feel safe. Vulnerable. Heard.

“I want revenge,” I said finally, my voice laced with venom. I couldn’t meet his gaze, afraid of what he might think of me.

“I know you have your reasons,” he said softly. “I haven’t known you for long, but I’m a good judge of character. You don’t seem like someone who would seek revenge unless it was deserved.”

I looked up. His eyes held no judgment , only sincerity.

“I was cheated on. Given the worst of everything. But I endured it all because people kept reminding me I was lucky to be adopted into a wealthy family. I had no friends. The only one I had was William. I fell in love with him... only to find out he was in love with Sophia.”

He reached out and held my hands, the look in his eyes was unlike anything I’d seen before: admiration, empathy... and pride.

Then he stood, glanced around, and plucked a blade of grass. He twisted it into a loop, lifted my hand, slid it onto my finger, and kissed my palm.

“We’re going to get married,” he said. “And I’ll help you in any way I can. You just have to tell me.”

His blue eyes sparkled under the moonlight.

He stood with arms wide open. I rose and leaned in, placing a soft kiss on his lips. But when I pulled back, his expression shocked me.

“Ehhm... wasn’t that what you wanted me to do?” I asked, suddenly flustered. “I’m sorry... I thought—”

He chuckled and pulled me by the waist.

“That’s not how you kiss,” he whispered, his voice low and sultry, before pressing his lips to mine in a slow, passionate kiss.

When he finally pulled back, I was breathless.

“As much as I’d love to keep going,” he said, his voice husky, “this isn’t exactly the right place.”

I nodded, dazed and spinning from the kiss. But then something clicked.

“Wait... what about the deal?”

“That’s unnecessary,” he replied. “I don’t need your shares. I’m more financially stable than you realize. You’re going to need them ,especially if you’re serious about revenge. Besides, you don’t even paint anymore.”

I froze. “Wait... how do you know I paint?”

He looked slightly nervous. “Ehh... your paintings are quite famous.”

“Oh... right. Sorry. I just didn’t think you’d know about that.”

The Next Morning

I was jolted awake by the buzz of my phone. Notifications flooded in — texts from William and Sophia.

William: “What is the meaning of this?” (attached a link)

“How do you explain this? You’re still my fiancée!”

Sophia:

“You bitch. I’m going to make you regret this.”

“You stole my FIANCÉ!”

I blinked, confused. What was all the fuss about?

Then I opened the link William sent. My jaw dropped.

"RICHEST, MOST SOUGHT-AFTER BACHELOR ENGAGED TO THE ADOPTED DAUGHTER OF THE FIFTH RICHEST FAMILY IN THE COUNTRY."

Below it — a photo of Richard and me kissing in the park.

I gasped, jumped out of bed, and rushed to take a shower. I had never intended for this to go public. I just wanted us to marry quietly, in secret, then announce it.

What would his family think? What would my father say? He was returning this weekend. Today was Wednesday. I was running out of time.

The house was oddly quiet. I later found out that there had been an emergency at the hotel. My stepmother had taken Sophia with her — apparently continuing her “heiress training.”

But the question still lingered: How were we exposed?

No one had been at the park.

Then it hit me.

I grabbed my phone and texted Richard:

Me: Why did you do that?

Richard: Do what?

Me: You know what I’m talking about.

Richard: There’s nothing to it.

Me: It’s going to cause an uproar.

Richard: That’s the whole point. Listen , I’ll call you when I’m free. I’m currently busy.

I stared at the screen, heart pounding.

What had he just done?

I had no idea... that my life was about to get a whole lot more complicated.