Chapter 2
Madeleine spent the entire night tossing and turning, mulling over the future. Sullivan didn’t return to the villa that night, and she didn’t call him.
The next morning, she rose early, freshened up, and went down to the dining room for a solitary breakfast. All was quiet in the villa; only the sound of her chewing broke the silence.
Once finished, her butler, Alfred Lane, approached with a doubtful expression. “Per your instructions, Ms. Emerson, I’ve dismissed the household staff and will return to the Emerson residence today. Are you sure you won’t need any staff here?”
“Nope,” Madeleine replied. She wasn’t going to be staying long anyway.
Despite Alfred’s concern, Madeleine offered no further explanation. She went upstairs, retrieved a letter, and gave it to Alfred, instructing him to deliver it safely to her parents, Frank Emerson and Cynthia Green.
Worried about their grief at the news of her supposed death, Madeleine had written a letter informing them of her plan to fake her death. It stated that in seventeen days, she would move abroad and live under a new identity. She told them not to worry and promised to visit once she could.
She’d considered taking her parents with her, but they were older, and the family business was here. Moreover, the incredulous realization that she was in a novel was impossible to explain; they might think she’d lost her mind. She also worried Sullivan would become suspicious if her parents disappeared simultaneously. Thus, she decided to leave them behind.
With her arrangements made, Madeleine tackled loose ends involving Sullivan. After Alfred’s departure, she prepared a fruit basket and visited Naomi.
Madeleine wasn’t a typical spoiled heiress. Over the past few years, she’d often visited Naomi, bringing gifts. She’d talk, tell jokes, and combat Naomi’s boredom. She even taught Naomi to use a cell phone.
Compared to the aloof Sullivan, Naomi much preferred Madeleine.
“Maddie, when do you and Sullivan plan on getting married?” Naomi asked.
It wasn’t the first time, but this time, Madeleine didn’t blush. She merely chuckled wryly. Why would she and Sullivan marry? She was leaving in seventeen days, but even if she weren’t, things would likely unfold as they did in the novel. Sullivan loved Isabel. He wouldn’t marry her.
Naomi sighed at Madeleine’s silence, but tried to reassure her. “I know Sullivan. It’s not that he lacks feelings for you. Your relationship started badly. That affects him. As long as he gets over that, things will work out.”
Madeleine forced a smile, but she knew the plot. Sullivan loved only Isabel. The male protagonist naturally loved the female protagonist. Why would he fall for the antagonist?
She didn’t refute Naomi. Instead, she produced a debit card. “Mrs. Carter Senior, please give this to Sullivan for me when you can.”
The card accessed a bank account containing funds Madeleine had long prepared for Sullivan. Worried about hurting his pride, she’d hesitated giving it to him. Now, knowing the truth and planning to leave, she’d use Naomi. She hoped it would improve his opinion of her slightly, ensuring he’d treat her body with respect after her faked death.
Naomi sensed something was amiss. “Did you and Sullivan fight?” she asked worriedly.
Shaking her head, Madeleine said, “We didn’t fight. I’m leaving for a faraway place soon, and—”
A crisp voice interrupted. “Where is this faraway place?”