Chapter 37: Chapter 37

Madison felt so happy on her way back to the mansion. She learned how to commute after realizing that Dylan was already busy at work and couldn't pick her up all the time as it would take too much of his time. Yet, Dylan was unaware that she had yet to return to Norville because something came up at the last minute.

Madison now couldn't contain her joy and relief as she embraced the envelope containing the results of the acceleration test for which she had diligently studied for six months, thinking that finally, she had passed the exam and could continue her studies at the universities and even had a chance to graduate. While grinning from ear to ear, Madison walked to the bus station and looked at her wristwatch to see what time it was. Earlier, she had waited long to get the result since others like her had anticipated it.

'I can't wait to tell this good news to Mr. Carter as well as Mom and my sisters,' Madison inwardly thought before getting into the bus.

Her smile widened, even more when the image of Dylan flashed on her mind. Today was also when she decided to confess her true feelings for him. In the days that she and Dylan had been together, not a day went by that the latter didn't express how much he loved her. Madison felt content and blissful, as if she was the luckiest woman to receive such love from Dylan.

It was already a university break, so Madison was given a vacation since she had studied for weeks. However, her return to Norville was delayed because she received a message informing her the exam results were already out. She then told Emily not to tell Dylan that she didn't make it to her hometown to surprise the latter.

Her eyes turned to the bus driver when the bus suddenly stopped in the middle of the road. The driver apologized to the passengers because the bus broke down unexpectedly. Instead of feeling annoyed, Madison got off with a smile on her face and waited for another bus to pass by.

However, she and the few passengers had been waiting for an hour. They still hadn't gotten onto another bus as every bus had been filled with passengers. When Madison looked at her wristwatch again, she saw it was already five o'clock. She saw the unpleasant expression on the person waiting next to her, perhaps feeling impatient for waiting too long.

Nonetheless, they waited for another hour before Madison and the other passengers finally got on another bus. Madison breathed a sigh of relief as she took a seat inside. Even though her feet felt numb, she still couldn't help but smile, her great mood not affected even a bit.

After Madison had a long walk, she then noticed that there were several cars at the entrance of the mansion. Although she was a bit surprised, she decided to ignore it, assuming that there was a celebration happening inside. She just went straight in to take a look.

From the entrance, she could see the surroundings were enveloped in darkness, and only the dazzling lights could be seen coming from the mansion's garden. When Madison fully entered, she was amazed at how the park was filled with lights and soft music. Though it was a bit dark, it was enough for Madison to see the faces of those present. They looked so happy as they talked amongst themselves.

Madison didn't know what pulled her to go there. As she took careful steps inside, she stared at the woman at the top of the stage in awe. The woman looked so stunning in a beautiful dress. However, Madison's eyes widened when she saw the man beside this gorgeous woman. It was none other than Dylan, and the woman seemed to hold his arm as she whispered something to him intimately. Madison felt so jealous as she looked at them and didn't know how to react except to stare wide-eyed at Dylan.

When she met Dylan's eyes, Madison could see the shock on his face. However, the emotion on his face suddenly changed, making Madison freeze. The shock that had previously registered on Dylan's face had become emotionless before turning back his attention to the woman beside him.

Madison just stayed where she was until Armand took the mic. At first, he formally greeted the guests. However, what he said next made Madison wish that he was joking.

"Thank you for coming, everyone. We would like you to know that we gathered you all here to celebrate the engagement party of our son, Dylan Carter, and Miss Suzette Welch. Please give them a round of applause," Armand announced. Madison turned to look at Dylan, desperate to hear him deny his father's words. Madison felt as if her world had suddenly stopped moving.

However, when Dylan just looked at her without emotion on his face, the pain she felt tripled even more.

"Why?" Madison silently asked as she could not hold back the tears in her eyes.

She wanted to hear his explanation. She was in so much pain right now, and she didn't know how to handle it.

Madison quickly turned around and left. With her vision blurred because of her tears, she hadn't gone far when collided with someone. When Madison looked at the person, she hugged her and cried to relieve the pain she felt inside.

"It hurts, Emily," Madison sobbed, "So that's the reason why he's sending me back to Norville Town. Because he's getting married, and I didn't have a place in his heart. Am I the only one who thinks that he loves me, Emily?" she asked in pain, which made Emily hug her tightly.

Emily didn't say a word, and she just stroked her back. Though Madison couldn't see the reaction on Emily's face after letting the latter go, Madison still murmured her goodbyes. She couldn't bear to stay here as she looked at how Dylan and that woman seemed so intimate.

"Em-mily, I'm leaving. I'll get my things," Madison stammered as she wiped away her tears. However, it was useless because her tears didn't listen to her and continued to fall.

"Wait, Madison," Emily stopped Madison and worriedly said, "Where are you going? You have no place to go except for your Auntie Sabina, and we both know how far it is from here."

"It doesn't matter, Emily. All I want to do now is leave," Madison stubbornly said, leaving quickly and deciding to ignore her even though she heard Emily's calls to her.

Madison cried and ran out of the mansion to the subdivision exit. She didn't know where she was going. She just got into the cab that stopped in front of her and told him to drive.

After some time, Madison realized that she was in an unknown place. With tears still dripping on her face, she got out of the cab and walked aimlessly. When Madison passed a 7/11 store, Madison directly went inside and weakly sat on one of the chairs. Suddenly, she cried again when she recalled what happened earlier and realized that Dylan would soon marry that woman.

"What do you think of our relationship together? Is it just bullshit, or is he just being with me while waiting for his future wife?" Madison cried as she asked herself that. Just yesterday, Dylan was sweet to her while chatting in the garden. But today, Madison would hear that he was about to marry someone else.

Madison couldn't do anything but cry because of the excruciating pain in her heart. When she became thirsty, she got up and decided to buy something to drink. Without looking much, she grabbed what she assumed was a can of coke from the shelf and paid it at the counter before returning to her seat.

"What is this? Why is it so bitter?" Madison wondered out loud and stared at the can of coke. She then realized that what she picked was a beer, not a can of coke. No wonder it tasted so bitter.

Nonetheless, Madison continued to drink it, thinking it would be a waste of money not to finish it. While emptying the can of beer, her tears were falling on her face. How could Madison not, when the voice of Armand's announcing Dylan and that woman's engagement was playing on her mind repeatedly.

"How could you?! You just toyed my heart! You're getting married, and then you say you love me!" she shouted as she emptied the beer. Fortunately, there were only a few people around. Realizing how shameful her outburst was, Madison lowered her head in embarrassment.

When Madison finished the beer, she stood up again. She approached the shelf where she got the beer and took six more. Well, it only tasted bitter at first, but as time passed, the bitterness disappeared, and it would taste just like water.

"You'll be fine. The bitterness would go away as time went on, just like the taste of this beer. I've been crying, but the pain is getting worse." Madison sadly said to herself. As she finished the three cans, she suddenly felt like the whole room was spinning.

"Why am I so dizzy?" Madison drunkenly asked as she looked around. True enough, these drinks were intoxicating. When she opened the fourth can and drank it again, she heard her cell phone ring. Madison immediately took it out and answered without looking at the caller.

"Hello?" she greeted, placing the phone against her ears.

"Where are you?" a familiar voice worriedly asked.

"I don't know," She giggled.

"Where are you, Darling?" Dylan asked again.

"You're hilarious. Darling? How could you call me that? Goodbye! It was all a waste, heh. All a waste. My feelings for you…." Madison intoxicatedly uttered, then laughed loudly.

"Please, let's talk. Where are you? I'm going to see you. You're not that familiar on the way back. Please tell me where you are," Dylan begged, but Madison just laughed.

"Do you care where I am? Just have fun with your fiancee. Don't worry, Mr. Carter. I won't be a hindrance in your relationship," Madison answered, with a few hiccups.

"Fuck! Did you drink?" Dylan exclaimed when he realized her current state.

"What? Don't meddle with me. Focus on that woman you are about to …" Madison responded but stopped halfway as she felt sad.

"Are you okay? Please, Madison, tell me where you are. I'm fucking worried," Dylan anxiously said.

"Don't be, Mr. Carter," Madison laughingly said even though deep inside, she felt like crying just hearing his voice. It hurt knowing that Dylan was still worried about her while his fiancee was beside him.

"Shit! Where are you, Madison? Tell me, please," he asked, desperate.

Madison's shoulders shuddered as she burst into tears. Hearing him act like this made it even more painful for her.

"Just leave me alone, Mr. Ca-Carter," Madison said and covered her mouth when a sob escaped her lips. She could hear Dylan swearing on the other line, but she ignored it. She took a deep breath to calm her emotions.

"I hope you'll be happy with her, Mr. Carter. Don't worry, and I can handle myself. Just be with her. You suit each other. She's gorgeous, elegant, and most of all, she came from a rich family. How could I even compare to her? "Madison laughed bitterly. "You're a great man, Sir Dylan. I'll wish you all the best. Goodbye."

Dylan was about to speak when Madison immediately cut the call and turned off her phone. Afterward, she swallowed the drink she was holding while still crying. Madison felt so angry at herself because her tears never seemed to stop. She badly wanted to get rid of the pain she was feeling and forgot all about this, but she had no idea how.