Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Madison was calming her chaotic thoughts as she sat on the bamboo chair, looking blankly at the water ripples by the lake. It had been a few days since she left Dylan's apartment, and she still felt sad yet confused. She was aware that she shouldn't have left on an impulse but seeing Dylan and Suzette together pained her and made her jealous. Even though Madison trusted Dylan and loved him dearly, witnessing him be happy with another woman would still be another thing. It hurt as if someone had repeatedly stabbed her in the heart.

"Honey," a gentle voice suddenly sounded from behind, snapping Madison from her thoughts. She quickly turned around and smiled at Ruth, walking toward her.

"What brought you here, Mom?" Madison asked distractedly before looking at the lake again.

"Ever since you came here, you've been sad and absentminded. Do you have any problem with Mr. Carter, Honey?" Ruth asked in concern and sat down next to her.

"It's nothing, Mom. I've just got something on my mind, and I'm not sure if what I'm doing is right," Madison lowered her head and explained. Ruth gently smiled at Madison and held her hand.

"Honey, when you choose to love someone, you will experience many new things. Usually, you will feel blissful and content, but that doesn't mean you won't be hurt anymore," Ruth patiently said, making Madison look at her and contemplate what she said. "Love is usually accompanied by pain, Honey. Therefore, if you are suffering right now, it is just a part of choosing to love someone. It's bittersweet. But you should let the pain dictate you, Honey," Ruth advised when she saw Madison listening attentively. Hearing this, Madison couldn't help but hug Ruth tightly and sob.

"I'm not sure whether I made the right decision, Mom. I left him in Manila out of jealousy after seeing how happy he was with another woman," Madison sobbed on Ruth's shoulder. "I left Sir Dylan without saying anything even though I know he's trying to find a way to stop his wedding."

"Did I do the right thing, Mom?" Madison asked, looking at Ruth with tears running down her face. The latter just smiled at Madison.

"You know what you did was wrong, Honey, but you already did it, and you can't take it back, no matter how much you wish you could. So what you should do right now is speak with him, explain why you left, and carefully hear him out as he explains his side. Don't easily jump to conclusions. All of the problems can be quickly resolved if you sit down and talk to each other," Ruth patiently replied, tucked Madison's hair behind her ear, and stroked her face. "Always keep that in mind, Honey."

"And always remember that no matter what happens, I love you and your sisters so much, and I will always be by your side," Ruth smilingly said and wiped away the tears in Madison's eyes. She added, "Honey, address your issue head-on rather than avoiding it. Okay, think of a way to do it; I'll go first. I just realized I left what I was cooking to get the missing ingredient. Go home early. It was about to get dark," Ruth reminded her before leaving.

"Yes, Mom. I'll return home soon," Madison nodded and looked at Ruth until she vanished from her line of sight. After that, she smiled with a heavy heart and turned back to the river, attempting to distract herself from her thoughts. Still not satisfied, Madison decided to lie down on the bamboo chair and closed her eyes, thinking of the face of the person she loved. Unaware, she had fallen asleep.

After an unknown time passed, she felt someone caressing her face; Madison frowned and opened her eyes, only to meet the handsome face which had always occupied her mind for the past few days. At first, Madison thought she was just dreaming, so she reached out and caressed his face.

"Forgive me, Darling, if I just left you without saying goodbye," Madison whispered as she held his face with her hands. "Believe me. I don't want to do that, Darling. I was so jealous when I saw how happy you were with her." Madison saw Dylan's forehead creased before he chuckled and lightly tapped her cheek to wake her dizzy head. Upon hearing his faint laugh, Madison's eyes widened, looked at Dylan's gentle smile, and finally realized she wasn't dreaming.

Immediately, Madison sat up from the bamboo chair and whispered, " I thought I was just dreaming!" Dylan pinched her chin and lifted her face to look at him as he squatted in front of Madison to be eye-level.

"I'm here now, Darling. I'm sorry if I was so busy I didn't get to spend some time with you. I also didn't know you felt that way," Dylan apologized sincerely and clasped her hands. "You don't know how my miserable life became even more miserable after you left, Darling."

When she heard this, Madison was unable to speak because of guilt. She also felt miserable when she left him. She knew it was her fault for being impulsive and driven by jealousy.

"Darling, tell me. Will you still accept this pathetic man?" Dylan whispered in a low voice and glued their foreheads together.

"You don't have to ask me that because I will never love anyone but you," Madison replied emotionally, stroking his face. "Forgive me if I left you. I couldn't stand the pain and jealousy I was feeling, Darling. Especially when I saw you and that woman happily eating at a diner in the mall," She explained. Dylan furrowed his forehead in confusion.

Slightly moving away to look at Madison's eyes, Dylan asked in astonishment, "What are you talking about? When, Darling?" After asking this, he frowned, trying to remember it.

"Remember when I called you once and asked where you were? I was in the opposite store, very jealous, while I watched you smiling at that woman. You two looked so happy it hurts," Madison explained in a shaky voice and paused before grumbling under her breath, "That woman even fed you, and you ate it." Since the two were close to each other, Dylan, of course, heard it and smiled.

"That was a misunderstanding, Darling. Are you ready to listen to my explanation?" Dylan asked patiently, to which Madison nodded. "I didn't expect the wedding to be moved earlier, Darling. And it happened yesterday…."

"Yesterday? Did you get married yesterday?" Madison echoed, shocked. She looked at Dylan to see if the latter was telling the truth or if he was just fooling her. Feeling angry, she turned to leave, not wanting to listen anymore. "Where are you going, Darling? I thought you were going to listen to me? I was hoping you wouldn't jump to any conclusions again that easily and judge me. Hear me out, first," Dylan sadly said, which made Madison stop. She felt guilty for what he said because it was true. She always judged him without listening to him first. So Madison remained in her position, waiting for Dylan to speak.

"You don't know how frustrated I am when they tell me the wedding would be moved earlier," Dylan softly said in a helpless tone. Madison then felt his warm chest against her back as he embraced her from behind. Madison didn't mind it and waited for him to continue.

"Suzette and I came up with a plan to prevent the marriage from happening, but unfortunately, her stepfather found out and locked her up," Madison felt Dylan deeply sigh. So, she looked back at him and held his hand. "Because of that, I became busy during those times and lost my time with you. Then, when I went home, excited to see you, and found you gone, I felt as if the world was against me, D-darling," Dylan explained, his voice breaking. Madison felt terrible seeing Dylan cry in front of her. Madison hugged and comforted him without hesitation.

"That's enough, Darling. Even if you're married, I won't leave you. I don't care if I became your mistress as long as I can always be with you," Madison earnestly said. After hearing Dylan laugh softly, she let him go and raised an eyebrow at him as if asking what was funny? Was Dylan's craziness before becoming severe? One moment he was crying. Now he was suddenly laughing. Was it because he got married, so his insanity became severe?

"What's funny?" Madison asked, still raising an eyebrow at him. Dylan chuckled and smoothed it out. Unexpectedly, his expression became serious again as he took her hand and kissed it.

"You will never be a mistress, Darling. Didn't I tell you that no matter what happens, I will never marry someone else if you are not the bride?" Dylan asked tenderly, making Madison smile as she felt touched.

"But you said the wedding was yesterday," Madison asked, surprised. Dylan smiled and nodded.

"Yes, but I didn't say I got married, Darling. I just said the wedding was moved to yesterday," Dylan clarified, adding, "The wedding went on, but I wasn't her groom. I told you that I would do everything to prevent the wedding from happening. I did, Darling. Even on the wedding day, I still haven't lost hope that I would find a way because I always thought of you and how you are still waiting for me. When her boyfriend, Ed, called at the last minute, I felt so happy and thanked God for answering my prayers, Darling, " he happily recounted what happened and cupped her face in his hands. "But God still loves me because after Ed called, our lawyer also called to tell me that the contract was invalid since Dad was intoxicated when he signed the papers. You don't know how thrilled and relieved I was that day; my life left seemed so complete, and you're the only one missing, Darling.

"I love you so much, Darling, and I promised myself I will never give you a chance to leave me again," He whispered huskily while caressing her cheeks. Madison's heart accelerated when Dylan suddenly knelt before her, making her shocked and speechless. Madison tried pulling him up, but Dylan didn't budge. Then, he pulled out a small red box from his pocket and gazed at her lovingly.

"Will you marry me, Darling?" Dylan asked and slowly opened the box he was holding. After the beautiful ring was revealed, Madison was amazed and didn't answer. She didn't know how to explain what she was feeling right now.

Right now, her heart was filled with an indescribable joy. Madison felt so happy she couldn't help but cry loudly, hugged Dylan despite him kneeling on the ground, and shouted, "Yes! Yes, Darling! I will marry you!"

"Ouch, Darling. I've gone deaf when you yelled at my ear," Dylan chuckled, let go of Madison, and wiped the tears running down her cheek. "Okay, okay, stop crying, Darling. You should smile at me and not cry. Seeing your reaction, it's like you're unhappy that you will marry me, Darling," he teased, making Madison slap him lightly on his chest. Dylan pulled her up to stand and wrapped his arms around her. "I love you so much, Darling," He whispered tenderly and sincerely and hugged Madison even tighter.

"I love you so much too, Darling," Madison said and gave him a loving smile. After Dylan released her, Madison brought her face closer to his, her eyes meeting his scorching eyes. She brushed his lips with hers as light as a feather. Then, as their kiss deepened, Madison smiled and silently thanked God for hearing and answering her prayers.