Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Madison looked out of the window of his car and saw the familiar mansion in the distance. "Thanks for taking me back, Dexter," she whispered appreciatively, looking at him.

Dexter softly remarked and smiled at her, "It's nothing, Madison. Remember, we are just here if you need anything."

Madison thanked Dexter once more through the car window as she exited, saying, "My tutor will be here, so I'll see you on Monday. Be careful driving." She stepped back and waved at him before walking through the gate.

Madison thanked Mila for opening the gate for her and entered right away. She then observed that the car Dylan had driven earlier was parked in the garage. For a moment, she was relieved that she did not believe the words Dylan had said to her. Earlier, she wanted to listen to her emotions, turn back and choose him. However, in the end, her reason won out.

The door abruptly opened as Madison was about to enter, revealing Dylan. Madison halted in her steps and gazed at him for a moment, but Dylan continued to his car without pausing as if he didn't see her. Madison couldn't stop herself when he was about to get in the driver's seat and called his name.

"Mr. Cart ..." she called softly, making Dylan stop, but he didn't turn around. He just held the door open while waiting for her to speak.

"Madison stutteringly said, "Where are you going?" Even though she could already guess what Dylan intended to do just by looking at the bags he was holding in each hand.

Dylan intently looked at her and said in a defeated tone, "I let you choose earlier, and you already chose Dexter over me. I know I didn't have the right to make you choose, but I want to know my place in your heart. And after learning it, even if it hurts, I can't do anything because you chose him. All right, I'm leaving. Always take care of yourself. "After saying this, Dylan stepped into his car and drove away without waiting for her to say anything.

Dylan's words left Madison speechless and immobile. She didn't choose Dexter. She wanted to stay away from Dylan to prevent any potential problems. When she decided to do this, Madison was hurting too.

She just stood there and watched blankly as his car disappeared from her line of sight. With her shoulder drooping, Madison lifelessly went inside and put the things she was holding in her room. Her tutor class would start in a few moments, so she had to prepare.

Madison just changed into a loose dress after that and then left her room to go to the study room.

During her class, nothing entered Madison's mind. Her body was present, but Dylan occupied her mind. She didn't expect that Dylan would leave, just like he said. Until her class ended, her mind could not digest even one of the topics discussed by her tutor.

"We won't have class until Wednesday because I have something urgent to do. Still, I will leave you some readings so you can catch up on the three days I'll be gone," Louise said to her once their lesson was finished.

Madison nodded, "Noted, Mrs. Louise," and stretched out to collect the book and materials Louise was handing out to her.

"Then I'll go now. Enjoy your weekends, Madison," Louise said goodbye to her and smiled before leaving. Even if Louise had already left the study, Madison remained seated and considered what she should do next. For whatever reason, she fell into a daze once again.

She liked Dylan. She was sure of it. And as time passed, her feelings for him became even more profound. But what could she do? She had already said before. She didn't want to destroy a family, especially when he and Scarlett were about to have a child.

Feeling melancholy, Madison tidied her things up and went inside her room to change into her work uniform.

When Madison entered the kitchen, Emily was busily cutting the ingredients, so she immediately helped her.

"Oh, there you are, Madi. How's your class?" Emily asked as soon as Madison approached her and stood beside her.

"I could say it's okay. It's just that my brain seems to be flying elsewhere. Good thing it didn't carry me away," Madison said, frowning a little.

She glanced at Emily and noticed the serious expression on her face. After Emily sat in the chair behind them, she immediately pulled Madison and made her sit beside her.

"How are you and Mr. Carter, Madi?" Emily asked as soon as she sat down.

"We're fine," Madison quietly answered, glancing at Mila.

"You say it's okay, but you keep avoiding him?" Emily directly asked and raised an eyebrow at her. Madison silently gaped at her. "I'm not trying to meddle in your issue, Madison. But Mr. Carter deserves to know why you're like that towards him."

"He doesn't need to know, Emily," Madison answered. When she saw how Emily was about to say something, Madison insisted, "Enough. I'll avoid making the situation worse." Her voice trembled a little. Just speaking about this felt like her heart was being pricked by needles multiple times.

"Let's say he has no right to know the truth. But still, Madison, Mr. Carter also needs an explanation. He couldn't even fathom why you suddenly changed your attitude towards him," Emily gently said. Madison contemplated for a moment and realized that Emily had a point. However, she didn't want to get involved in his life anymore. It was good for both of them if their paths never crossed again.

"When I told you there's no need, Emily, it was because it's impossible for Mr. Carter not to know why I suddenly became distant to him," Madison retorted. She secretly pondered, 'If Dylan didn't know, why did the witch claim they were getting married and were going to have a child? Wouldn't that be shameful? Making up a story.'

Emily said, trying to persuade Madison to reconsider her mind, "Mr. Carter wouldn't act that way if he knew, Madison. Please have mercy on him. He deserves an explanation. You can avoid him entirely after telling him why so you won't leave him wondering what he did wrong.

"He's going to be a father soon, and he's about to get married, but you're saying that he doesn't know that? I'm not a fool, Emily," Madison said, annoyed. Her brows then wrinkled when she heard someone suddenly speak, and the voice didn't belong to Emily.

In a grave yet humorous tone, a baritone voice stated, "I honestly don't know what you're saying. Who am I going to have a child with, again? And as far as I know, I'm not going to get married anytime soon either." Madison instantly recognized this familiar voice. Didn't he leave already? How come he was still here? Madison glanced at Emily sitting next to her but soon realized that Emily had left and that only Dylan remained with her.

Madison didn't respond and just ignored him. She hurried into her room to escape from Dylan as soon as possible. However, when Madison was about to close the door, Dylan grabbed it, so it didn't close completely. Helpless, she just left it open and walked to the closet, acting as if she was going to get something even though she didn't need anything.

"Tell me, Madison. Who are you saying I got pregnant and the one I'm going to marry? Don't say you're pregnant and I'm the father?" Dylan mischievously asked, making Madison glare angrily before throwing a few clothes at him.

"Pervert!" she exclaimed and pulled out some more clothes to throw at him again.

"I haven't kissed you yet, so how can you possibly get pregnant?" Dylan pretended to think deeply before he questioned and slowly approached Madison.

"Don't ever try to approach or touch me, Mr. Carter. I'm warning you," Madison growled at him while backing away. Unexpectedly, the back of her thighs felt the bed, so she had no choice but to sit on it.

"What if I won't do as you say? What can you do to me, huh?" Dylan teasingly asked and raised his eyebrows suggestively. He then slowly walked towards Madison while the latter stood still like a deer caught in headlights. It was as if she was waiting for him to approach her.

When Dylan was in front of Madison, he knelt and looked at her directly in her eyes.

"Now, tell me what's going on, darling. I came back because I can't stay angry with you for long and I can't stay away from you. I hope that you'll trust me even a little bit." Dylan said, "Please, tell me why you're staying away from me. I'm having a hard time, darling. Especially since I don't know why you're like that to me. Please, I'm begging you, darling."

Madison suddenly realized why she kept denying his request. Deep inside, she was just afraid to hear Dylan confirm that he was indeed about to have a child with that witch and what was worse was that he would eventually marry her.

"I don't want to be your mistress, Mr. Carter, and I especially don't want to be the reason why a family was destroyed. So. I'm sorry, but please stay away from me, Mr. Carter." Madison pleaded. Dylan frowned and looked her in the eyes.

"You will never be my mistress, darling. Who told you that?" He questioned Madison in a severe tone. "Tell me, darling. I want us to fix this misunderstanding, but I couldn't do so if you won't tell me anything," he gently said.

Madison sighed before saying, "I don't know if she intentionally came to me or just happened to be there, Mr. Carter." She lowered her head, but Dylan pinched her chin and raised it so he could see her face.

"Who is she, my love? You can tell me. Is it Scarlett?" He asked and looked intently at her as he waited for her answer.

"Yes, when she told me to stay away from you, I first ignored her. However, she then said she was pregnant, and you were the father," Madison tearfully said before continuing, "I was shocked. And I was even more determined to stay away from you when she said you would get married and start your own family. I don't want to be the reason why the family you are going to start will be ruined, Mr. Carter. It's enough for me to walk away and get hurt silently than to see you sad because of me," she said, no longer able to stop the tears from flowing into her eyes.

"That's enough, darling. She's not telling the truth, okay? All I can say is..." Dylan softly said and paused to wipe the tears from her eyes. "... You have to believe in me, darling. Let me fix this. Just promise that you won't drive me away and avoid me anymore. Promise me, okay?" Dylan desperately said as he caressed her face.

"All right, I promise," Madison responded and raised her right hand as if taking an oath.

Madison's cheeks turned scarlet as Dylan kissed her on the forehead before leaving, telling her, "Now, stay here, and I'll leave for a while. I'll fix this, I promise. Wait for me, and we'll talk some more."

"Mr. Carter, you! You told me we'd just fix this mess, but you're nagging. That's bad," Madison said, shaking her head at him.

Knowing that Dylan wasn't the father of that witch's child brought Madison some relief. She should not have avoided him and not asked his side of the story. However, now she learned not to easily believe other people's words and to trust him unconditionally.