Chapter 36: Chapter 36

Dylan and Madison returned to the city the next day. In the mansion, Dylan found his parents waiting for him in the living room. He was surprised as it happened once in a blue moon. But he had a hunch why. It often meant they had something serious to talk about as a family.

"Good evening, Sir," Madison greeted. She shifted her gaze to Laurene and also greeted her. "Good evening, Madam." Both of Dylan's parents greeted back with a reply.

"How was your visit to your family?" Laurene asked.

"I enjoyed it so much, Madam," Madison replied. "Thank you so much." All smiles, she also glanced at Dylan as if telling him he made it even happier.

"I'm glad to hear that," Laurene said before. "You must be tired from the trip. You have classes to attend early tomorrow, don't you? Go ahead, take a rest now, Madison."

Madison nodded politely and said, "I'll go to my room now, Madam. Good evening to you again." She took her luggage in Dylan's hand, but he did not let go of it.

Dylan wanted to escort her to her room. But they had not gotten past his parents when they heard his father's deep voice.

"We need to talk, Son," Armand said straightforwardly. "We have some important things to discuss. We'll wait for you at your Mom's study," he stood up from the couch with Laurene.

"I'll take her to her room for a moment. I'll go after, Dad," Dylan informed. His parents walked upstairs without turning back to him, indicating urgency.

When Madison went inside her room, Dylan put her luggage under her bed and hugged her. "Sweet dreams, Darling. I'll drive you to the university tomorrow," he said with a smile and gently parted from her.

"Thank you, Sir Dylan," Madison uttered. She smiled and stood on her tiptoes to give Dylan a peck on the cheek.

It was the first time Madison kissed Dylan, so he could not help but pull her and wrap her in his arms again, grinning from ear to ear. 'If only Dad and I had nothing to talk about, I'd stay with you here until you fall asleep,' he wanted to say. But judging from his father's tone earlier, Dylan knew he needed to go now. "Dad is waiting for me. I'll go upstairs now. Sleep well, Darling," he said and let go of Madison. He smiled before opening the door and leaving her.

When Dylan entered Laurene's study, Armand was sitting on the sofa with his legs wide apart. His elbows rested on his lap while his hands clasped between his legs. Dylan met Laurene's eyes, staring at him intently as she sat in her swivel chair.

Dylan felt like he had attended for a hot seat. He could feel the cold air in the home office gnawing on his bones when he sat down, waiting for his parents to speak. Dylan could trace the hint of grievance in his mother's eyes. He shifted his gaze to his father, who was quietly bent over as though avoiding eye contact.

The dreadful silence was unbearable, so Dylan dared to ask, "Is there any problem you want to tell me?" He shifted his gaze to his parents, asking at least one of them to speak.

Laurene heaved a sigh before getting something off her chest. "We love you, Son. You know it," she began. The reminder gave away a hint that Dylan would hate them soon. "But we need to grant this request from your dad's best friend. They talked about it several years ago. But the topic was brought up when they met while in New York City," Laurene explained, looking straight at Dylan.

Dylan could see the hesitation in his mother's eyes, so he said, "Just say it, Mom." He made sure to sound casual, keeping the growing frustration at bay.

"Please understand us, Sweetheart. We know you'd disagree. But please listen to us," Laurene continued in one breath. She sighed heavily before admitting, "Your Dad made a promise to his best friend that when the time comes, you and his daughter..." She paused again and glanced at Armand, asking him to help explain. Dylan quietly waited for them to continue before reacting.

Armand finally spoke, "I didn't know he'll take it seriously, Son. I'm so sorry..." Dylan held his breath, waiting to know what his father apologized for. The tightness in Dylan's chest was suffocating him. His parents had never been this serious before, making Dylan feel unprepared for whatever he would hear next. Although he waited patiently, he could tell from their faces that something would destroy him in a second.

"...You will be marrying his daughter in three months, Dylan. Your engagement party will be held next month," Armand confessed firmly, making Dylan frantically stand up from his seat.

"Cut the bullshit!" Dylan blurted out. "I know you're fooling me around, but I'm not in the mood for that, Dad. You know that!" Although he raised his voice, he managed to control his rage out of respect for his parents.

"We know it's hard to believe, Sweetheart," Laurene said in a grievance. "But your Dad did agree to his best friend's wish. The wedding will happen whether you agree or not." Her eyes were pleading for Dylan's understanding.

But the news was like a bomb, wounding Dylan's future. Despite knowing that it was impossible to have them change their minds, he looked at Laurene earnestly, asking for help. But she shook her head apologetically. Dylan stood there, dumbfounded for a moment. He felt he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. 'This is not real. They can't do this to me. Mom can't hurt me this much,' he repeated in his head, trying to keep himself calm. But the image of Madison crossed his mind, making him lose his temper.

"You decided for my happiness! Did you even think how I'd feel?! Why are you doing this to me?!" Dylan cried. He looked at his parents as he shook his head in devastation. "I thought you loved me. Is that agreement more important than my happiness?" he asked with a lowered voice, exhausted from contemplating why they were punishing him this much. But seeing the sorrow in their eyes, Dylan could only sink onto the sofa opposite Armand.

"Please forgive us, Son," Armand asked. He negotiated, being the businessman that he was. "It's for your future, after all. Please understand us."

"Don't play that card on me!" Dylan snapped upon hearing that his personal life appeared business to his parents. Laurene was right. He would hate them. "Why don't you admit you did it to me for your interest and that fucking company?! Tell me I'm wrong, Dad!" Dylan scoffed.

"Don't use that tone on me, Dylan! You don't know anything! This decision is for your future!" Armand shouted back, glaring at his son. He pressed his lips and took a deep breath. Trying to deescalate the situation, he explained with a calculated tone. "Becoming the CEO is a big responsibility. You will need a partner who knows how to run a company. You need Suzette."

"That's bullshit!" Dylan exclaimed, ignoring his father's explanation. "Why don't you stop deceiving me and start telling me what happened, huh?! I don't need that Suzette or whoever woman you want me to marry without my permission!" he panted.

Suddenly, Armand threw his fist at Dylan's face.

"Armand!" Laurene yelled, her alarmed voice cautioning her husband, who was about to grab their son, who was blown on the cold tiles. "That's enough! Give your son a break. You can't blame him. Even I, Armand, can hardly take this. But I can't do anything," she said and motioned Armand to sit on the sofa.

Laurene's worried eyes turned to Dylan. But saving him from his father's punches could not melt the hatred Dylan was feeling. He wiped the blood gushing from his lip and was about to step out when his mother spoke again.

"We're so sorry, Son," Laurene apologized once more. She bit her lip before she continued, feeling helpless. "But we don't have other options. You have to marry Suzette, or your dad will go to jail. He signed a contract with them. We can't do anything to terminate it unless you want him to rot behind bars."

The weight of the ridiculous agreement made Dylan turn around to face his mother. But the rage dwelled on his face as he expressed his grievance. "How can I, Mom? You're asking me to hurt, Madison. I may be selfish, Mom, but you know how much I love her. Please don't do this to me, Mom," he begged.

"Oh, Sweetheart. I'm so sorry we can't do anything," Laurene replied. She shook her head and could not help but make her son understand. "It's not easy for us either, Sweetheart. We need your cooperation. This family needs you. I don't want your dad to suffer in jail, Dylan."

"Mom, please... I'm begging you." Dylan paused and turned to his father with his eyes sparkling with hatred. A series of questions screamed in his head, and his voice sounded weak when he asked, "Dad, why? Why does it have to be like this? Why do I have to marry someone I barely know? I already love someone else, Dad. Why can't you respect that? Why did you agree with that stupid request in the first place?"

"It's all my fault, Son," Armand admitted. He lowered his head and closed his eyes as he mustered the courage to explain, "I was drunk at the time. I didn't know what I signed. I thought it was just for fun, not until last week. When we met in New York City, he opened it up to me and wanted it to happen soon. Believe me, Dylan, I refused." Armand paused what he was going to say. He raised his head, and a pair of sorrowful eyes looked at Dylan. "It was stupid and ridiculous. But he blackmailed me. The contract I signed is legal. He will put me in jail if I don't fulfill the agreement, Dylan. I'm sorry, Son. Please forgive me."

Dylan pulled his head in an outburst of confusion. 'What should I do?' he contemplated. He wanted to keep his vow to Madison and was disgusted by his parents' decision. But he would never want to see his father imprisoned while Laurene cried every day.

Armand spoke again, getting Dylan's attention. "You're a good son. It's my fault this happened. We don't want you to be stuck in a situation like this, so we'll understand whatever your decision will be, Son."

Seeing his parents begging him was unbearable for Dylan. "I need more time, Dad. Let me be the one to tell Madison. She has an upcoming exam, and I don't want her to be distracted. I'll talk to her afterward. Just give me time, and please do me a favor." The words coming out of his mouth made him feel alienated. He only found himself pausing and sighing. "Please, don't let anyone know about this."

The room was silent when Dylan turned his back to his parents. He did not want to hear whatever they had to say, so he left the study. The thoughts of telling Madison about his decision occupied his mind. 'You promised not to hurt her,' he thought, blaming himself. He pulled his hair again, feeling like he would lose his mind. Instead of going straight to his room, he went downstairs and headed to the garage. The mansion was suffocating. He needed to leave for a while to give himself some respect.

'I love Madison and my family. But I don't think I can be happy with Madison, knowing that Dad is in jail,' Dylan thought. It was ironic to think he would end a relationship before it even began. 'But I wouldn't be happy seeing Dad free knowing I hurt the woman I love. What do I do?' he asked himself and leaned on the steering wheel of his car.

Tears flowed down Dylan's arms before he realized he was already crying. He could not imagine leaving Madison. But he had to choose between her and his father.

"Damn it!" Dylan exclaimed and punched the steering wheel until his bleeding hands felt numb. "I'm sorry, Darling," he cried and sped along the road.