บท 11: Stay Or Walk Away?

Madeline's POV

I froze on the ground, and their hurtful words pierced my heart. I know I came from a low-income family, and right now, I don't even have a family I can call since my aunt had already sold me to Hunter Divenson before I knew about the entire scenario I was going to face.

Growing up without my parents was tough; all I did was work so that I could help my aunt to pay off all our debts. These women who gossip about me don't know what I have been through and have no right to insult and question my personality.

I am strong, and I won't let these brats make me feel weak. I fought to survive, and I won't let wealthy girls like them ruin me. I move closer to them and wear a sweet smile.

"Hi, what do you want me to do now, Charlotte?" I asked her with a broad smile on my face.

"Oh, how long have you been there?" She asked, and the smile on her face told me she was more pleased if I had listened to their conversation.

"Not so long," I replied.

"Well, you can start by putting the sunblock lotion on my back, and please apply some massage since I want to relax." She said.

"And after you massage my back, you need to do the same to my three friends; by the way, sitting next to me is Kaye; she was Hunter's love interest, and she just got back from Paris and she is back for good, so don't be too confident to marry my brother because you don't belong here, Madeline." Charlotte added.

Her friends laughed. I tried my best to look calm and still smile even though deep inside me, I was hurting.

"Kaye got back because she heard the news about my brother getting married to a nobody," Charlotte added.

"Maybe your brother was looking for a maid and not a wife," Kaye responded, I want to drag her and push her into the swimming pool, and they all laugh again. They enjoy mocking me.

Is Kaye the reason why Hunter became like what he is now? Did Kaye leave, and he was broken-hearted? I can't deny that Kaye is beautiful, and she has a gorgeous body.

I suddenly felt hurt that Hunter was in love with this girl, and I think the moment he met her again, he would cancel our wedding. Why I felt so sad?

He just bought me to be his bride, and he doesn't love me. I don't understand why he chose me to be his wife. I can tell Kaye is older than us, maybe five years, and I think the reason they were friends was because she was Hunter's girlfriend.

"Are you a stone, Maddie? Don't just stand there and act like you are a statue; if you are shocked to hear the truth, you better leave this house since no one will look for you now that Kaye has returned." Charlotte declared.

"Hunter's affection for Kaye will come back, and my brother's love for you will fade away." Charlotte declared, and I couldn't stop myself from feeling hurt, not only because of the words she said but because I realized I wasn't Hunter's love interest, yet I experienced love at first sight with him.

He treated me coldly, so why am I even here in this estate? Charlotte was right; I don't belong here. I need to find a way to leave this house without being detected. I need to plan out everything.

But if Hunter cancels the wedding, then I guess I don't need to leave secretly. But how am I going to pay my debts? I am willing to be his maid, but I know I can't bear to see him with Kaye. If they will get married and I am a maid of this estate, I will go crazy.

I move to Charlotte's side, and she turns around face down so I can apply the sunblock on her smooth skin. I massage her back, and I can tell she is satisfied with my services since I know how to massage.

I attended some training because I need extra income most of the time. That is why I learned massage techniques. I realized they didn't want to go swimming. They just want to sunbathe and to have a tan.

"You know, Charlotte, I know you don't like me to be your brother's wife, but we are in love with each other, so there is nothing you can do to stop us from getting married," I said after I gathered all my strength.

I know Hunter has no feelings for me, but I don't want these bitches to continue degrading me. I may be poor, but I am a fighter. She turned around and faced me, and she put her sunglasses over her head and looked at me in the eyes with anger.

"I don't care if you were in love with each other, and if he marries you after he meets Kaye again, then my brother must be really in love with you, but I want you to know I will make your life a living hell."She said and sprawled back on the lounger.

My entire body stiffened after hearing her words. Once I marry Hunter, I need to deal with my in-laws. I want them to accept me, but it seems they will do anything to make Hunter leave me.

It would be hard to handle his family, but I want to face them with my head high and do my best to make them like me. It would be tough facing them every day, but I take it as a challenge. I only have Lily on my side even though she is just a child, but for me, Lily's friendship with me is enough for me to have a reason to stay at this mansion.

"I think that is enough, Maddie, and I need you to apply some cream on Kaye's back." She demanded, and I got up and moved to Kaye's side. She gave me hard stares, but I didn't let her intimidate me.

"So, Kaye, are you going to work now in your father's company?" Charlotte asked.

"I don't have a choice, Charlotte; being the only daughter of a business tycoon, I have to assume the business besides my father believes in my capacity, and he knows I am now ready to take over the company," Kaye responded.

"I want to graduate already so I can work at our firm. You know I am also excited to work with Hunter." Charlotte responded, and I felt glad they stopped talking about me.

I do the same to her two other friends, and by the time I finish putting sunblock on their backs, Charlotte asks me to prepare their snack. I go to the kitchen, and I cross paths with Parker.

"Hey, sister-in-law-to-be? Where are you going?" He moves closer to me and whispers in my ear, and I can almost feel his breath on me. Then I felt him touch my waist, and I quickly moved away from him.

"I am going to the kitchen, Parker," I said and pretended to look calm even though I felt scared of him.

"Are you afraid of me, Madeline?" He asked and looked at me intensely; I just shook my head because I am too scared to speak. After all, he is towering over me, and Parker is as tall as Hunter, and they have the same build, but Hunter is more handsome than him.

"It seems to me you are afraid of me, Maddie. I just want you to know I am warmer than my brother, and my cold brother doesn't need love, Madeline. I like you, but you don't know how I want you." He said in almost a whisper.

"Parker, you should stop what you are doing because I am in love with your brother. He may be cold on the outside, but Hunter makes me warm every time we are near each other." I responded trying to control myself.

"Please have some decency because I am going to be your sister-in-law soon, and you have to accept that fact, and I want you to have some respect for your older brother." I added, and I saw his eyes were blazing with anger, and his sinister smile made me more frightened of him.

"A feisty young woman, I like that. He is only four years older than me by four years, and he may be the CEO of the Divenson Mining Corporation. Still, I want you to know I am also a Divenson, and it was apparent, Maddie, that you only want money from my brother." He replied.

"I can make you happy, and I can provide you with so much money. I will build you a house, Maddie. Be my woman, and if you choose me, I will make you the happiest woman in bed." He continued, and I flared up. What is wrong with this family? I couldn't believe I was trapped in this mansion.

I move away from him, rushing since I don't want to be near him. He knows I am his brother's fiancee, yet he still offers me that kind of proposal. I heard Parker's laughter echo in the living room as I walked to the kitchen. I don't know what I have done or why I have this kind of life.

I almost laugh at Cerila's pleas. She wanted to make the snack for them, but I told her Charlotte would get angry. And I felt relieved when Hunter's sister asked me to return to my room after I served their snacks. And I felt so happy when Cerila brings me food into my room.

"Thank you, Cerila," I said as I received the tray from her hand.

"This is the least I can do to you, Ms. Madeline. Mr. Divenson asked me to look out for you, and it seems I failed my duty as your assistant." Cerila said.

"It is okay, Cerila. I like to serve my in-laws." I said.

"You don't need to serve them, Ms. Madeline, since there is much staff in this mansion, and I guess they are all doing this so that you will walk away. I know Mr. Hunter Divenson looks so strict, but I can tell he is a good boss, and he always looks out for his employees." She said and smiled shyly at me.

"Thank you for your concern for me, Cerila, and for making my stay here more enjoyable," I said and smiled at her, and then after I finished eating my meal, she took the tray and left.

I went to the balcony of my room, watched the beautiful lake before my eyes, and thought about my life. I wondered if I would survive living in this mansion, and I asked if I had another option. Do I want to stay here and marry Hunter Divenson, or will I walk away and hide from him forever?