Chapter 3

Madeleine whipped her head around, only to find a grim-faced Sullivan staring at her. He was standing behind her—Isabel with him.

Averting her eyes, she mumbled, “I’m going on holiday soon.”

Based on Sullivan’s understanding of Madeleine, her two favorite activities were sex with him and traveling. Therefore, he didn’t pry further. Instead, he smoothly led Isabel to sit beside Naomi’s bed, effectively pushing Madeleine toward the furthest corner.

As soon as Isabel sat down, she pouted and started venting. “You have no idea how petty Sully is, Mrs. Carter Senior! I wanted an ice cream cone, but he refused! You need to give him a stern talking-to!”

Sullivan gave her a helpless glance. “To think you’re making a fuss about that! Have you forgotten your period’s coming? I’m surprised you’re still thinking about ice cream.”

“I wonder who suffered such intense period cramps that she swore never to eat anything chilly before her period and even told me to keep an eye on her, too,” he added.

Although protesting, his concern was evident.

Isabel giggled and stuck her tongue out; he gazed at her with affection.

Four people were in the room, but from the moment Sullivan and Isabel arrived, he only had eyes for her. Seeing this, Madeleine smiled self-deprecatingly. It was the same as ever. She was always the outsider. She would no longer be upset, however.

This time, she had given up on Sullivan, forgoing her feelings and returning him to Isabel, his rightful love interest.

Naomi noticed the forlorn look that flickered in Madeleine’s eyes. She glanced at Sullivan, who was purposely ignoring Madeleine, before sighing. “Sullivan, Maddie, I’d like some grapes. Can you wash some for me, please?”

Neither declined. Sullivan picked up the fruit basket and walked out, Madeleine following. As soon as she stepped through the door, he grabbed her hand.

Madeleine was taken aback by the physical contact, but he immediately said icily, “Kindly avoid visiting Grandma in the future. I did sell myself to you, but she didn’t.”

His words mocked the thought that had just run through her mind.

In the past, she would have hurriedly explained herself—clarifying her pure intentions. She would say he’d been busy and that Naomi, being old, felt lonely, so she wanted to keep her company.

But this time, Madeleine kept her head lowered and calmly replied, “Alright.”

Then, she headed for the pantry without waiting—without insisting on walking beside him as she used to.

Sullivan stared after her, a strange feeling washing over him. It felt like she’d been acting differently since yesterday.