Chapter 207 Where Is The Real Madelyn
On their journey back, the atmosphere in the car was dense with a palpable tension. Sebastian’s expression was cast in a deep gloom, his usually composed face now shadowed with an unsettling darkness that was painful to look at.
It seemed to Madelyn that he was becoming increasingly alienated from her, as if she were a complex puzzle brimming with too many undisclosed secrets.
Originally, she had disguised herself as Morgana, subsequently becoming entwined with the notorious arms tycoon, Grimo. Most recently, her capture by the members of Oceanic Empire had ended surprisingly with her release, almost too easily.
Could any typical prominent young lady have navigated through such perilous waters as she had? Yet, in the face of all these events, Madelyn remained silent, her lips sealed.
“Is she going to keep everything from me?”
The thought gnawed at him, casting a shadow over his thoughts, and causing his eyes to darken further with each passing moment.
Meanwhile, Madelyn had just started to pull herself together, her nerves steadying after the recent harrowing events at the villa. The memory of it sent a shiver through her, prompting a reflexive pat on her chest for comfort.
When her gaze shifted to Sebastian, she was taken aback by the severity of his pallor. A wave of guilt washed over her, compelling her to break the silence cautiously.
“Sebastian, are you upset?” she ventured tentatively.
His response was a piercing look that cut deeper than mere anger. It was a gaze laden with an intensity that words could scarcely capture.
“Well… I–I…” Madelyn stumbled over her words, taken aback. There was so much she wanted to say, so much she needed to explain, but the words eluded her as she met his probing eyes.
Sebastian, still simmering with anger, recognized that this was neither the time nor the place to air his grievances. He turned his head away sharply, his voice icy as he instructed, “Malcolm, go to the hospital.”
“Right,” Malcolm responded promptly, adjusting the GPS settings to their new destination.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the hospital. Sebastian practically carried Madelyn from the car, his grip firm as he escorted her to a ward.
“Doctor, give her a thorough examination,” he demanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The doctor, a woman with a kind demeanor, was somewhat intimidated by Sebastian’s formidable presence. She quickly ushered Madelyn to lie down for the examination.
At that point, Sebastian gave Malcolm a meaningful glance, and they discreetly exited the room. “Keep an eye on that mansion, and report to me immediately if anything happens,” Sebastian commanded with an icy edge to his voice.
Then came the waiting.
The doctor eventually concluded her examination with a sigh of relief. “This young lady is not in any serious danger. She just has a cut on her face, but luckily it’s not very deep and should heal quickly. There are also a few bruises on her body, likely from minor bumps and knocks, nothing to worry about.”
At the doctor’s words, a flicker of relief crossed Sebastian’s features. However, Madelyn, suddenly remembering the scratch on her face, covered it anxiously. “Doctor, will my face scar?” she asked, her voice laced with worry as she puffed out her cheeks.
The doctor couldn’t help but laugh gently at her expression, which was pitiful yet endearing like a small kitten. “Don’t worry, such a superficial wound won’t leave a scar. But keep it clean to prevent infection. I’ll provide you with some ointment to aid in skin repair.”
“Great!” Madelyn exclaimed, feeling a surge of relief.
Caring for her appearance was crucial, not just for others but for herself. And the thought of her face being marred was unbearable, especially knowing how pleased Janessa would be.
The doctor treated her wounds carefully, applying medicine and dressing them. Malcolm lingered briefly before leaving to oversee the surveillance of Oceanic Empire.
Meanwhile, Sebastian remained silent, his presence a quiet sentinel as the doctor finished dressing Madelyn’s wounds. Soon, her face was neatly bandaged, and a plaster affixed.
He then drove her home in silence, the car filled with an unspoken tension. Madelyn tried several times to initiate conversation, but each attempt ended with the words unspoken, swallowed back into the silence that enveloped them.
She didn’t know what to say, nor where to begin.
Upon arriving at Lockhart Villa, they entered without a word.
As soon as the door to the bedroom closed behind them, Sebastian, without bothering to turn on the lights, grabbed Madelyn and pressed her against the door.
“Ah!” Madelyn let out a startled scream, her heart racing with sudden fear as she stared up at his imposing figure.
“Sebastian, what are you doing?” Her voice was weak, barely a whisper in the dim room.
A cold laugh echoed in response. Now that they were alone, Sebastian felt no need to restrain his feelings. “Madelyn, don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”
“I–I…” she stammered, her mind a tumult of emotions.
How could I possibly explain everything? Can I really admit to something as unbelievable as reincarnation? Who would believe me if I were to tell it? Besides, there’s a chance Sebastian might think I’ve lost my mind and send me to a mental hospital!
“You won’t speak?” His tone grew colder, his grip tightening. Madelyn winced, feeling the physical pain and the emotional turmoil equally.
Suddenly, a cold laugh escaped Sebastian’s lips, and he released her. “Fine, if you don’t want to talk, it’s no big deal. After all, your secrets are so numerous that one can hardly keep count!” His voice was laced with sarcasm, stinging her deeply.
Madelyn felt a surge of injustice at his words. She wished she could unveil all her secrets to him.
Should I reveal the truth to him? Should I confess that after my reincarnation, I finally realized my mistakes and sincerely repented? There’s no way Sebastian would believe that! Or should I lie to him and claim that I have supernatural abilities? Madelyn… are you crazy?
“I have just one question for you.” Suddenly, Sebastian flicked on the light. The room was bathed in a soft, dim yellow glow, softening the contours of his face, lending it an almost gentle appearance.
However, his expression was anything but gentle; it was etched with deep lines of anger and disappointment.
Madelyn caught sight of his expression and felt a deep, aching pang of heartache. Her eyes held his gaze, trying to communicate what words could not.
“Are you really Madelyn? No, you’re not like her at all. Since our engagement, in just over a month, you’ve undergone such a transformation; you’re not the person I once knew!” Sebastian’s tone escalated, each word punctuated with increasing fury and volatility.
In the end, he stared at Madelyn, his eyes boring into hers with such intensity that it was almost palpable, chilling her to the bone. “Tell me, who are you really? Did you hide Madelyn somewhere? Where did you put her!” he demanded, his voice thick with suspicion.
Madelyn, still reeling from her recent terrifying encounter with Oceanic Empire, found herself shaking anew, this time caused by Sebastian’s daunting presence.
Inside, she lamented her dire situation, her thoughts racing. How could Sebastian harbor such grave doubts about her?
Could it be that all along, he felt the real me had been hidden away and that my current self was just a façade? Does that mean he never truly believed in my sincerity, right from the start?