บท 26: Sleepwalking (1)
Blocking her path was one thing she chose to ignore without making a fuss, but criticizing her husband was another thing she wouldn't take lightly from him or anyone, regardless of if his mother was the duchess or not.
If he had said something about her, she wouldn't mind it since she's known to be such a critic, but degrading someone who had saved her from a terrible future experience wasn't something she would seal her mouth on.
"Listen sweetheart, no matter how hard you try to defend your so-called husband, it doesn't change the fact that he's useless. He does absolutely nothing but causes chaos and kills people." Jeremy chose to cast aside her rudeness and continued to speak calmly, "your marriage with Cassian, it's all a sham isn't it? You two are putting on an act to fool everyone, am I right?"
He brought his face uncomfortably close to hers that Madeline had to take a step back. His dark brown eyes were piercing into hers as though he could see the answers ebbing in those captivating dark orbs that gazed right back at him.
"If you really think Cassian is capable of putting on an act with a mere Baroness, then you don't know your brother because things like that would irritate him." Madeline responded without a flinch, "if you're so curious about our wedding, why don't you ask him yourself? Or are you feeling offended that we didn't send an invitation?"
Madeline smiled, not minding Jeremy's glowering eyes. It was obvious that he came here in search of the truth about her wedding with Cassian. He must have assumed she was an easy target since she's a woman, but one thing he failed to realize was that he wasn't messing with just a typical woman who would readily bow down to him.
"What if I choose to pay you?" Jeremy proudly brought forth a preposition, "state your price, and I'll make sure it's fully provided with no excuses, in the essence that you must stay faraway from Cassian's life. For good."
He smirked. She might not be from a completely lower background, but those living in the rest quarters wouldn't throw away such a good chance of getting extra money. Knowing Cassian's bad reputation in the society, it would only mean she got married to him for his money, and nothing else.
"Is it gold? Silver? Or do you need it in cash? Just name it." Jeremy was adamant on making her reveal her true colors. He wasn't doing this because he cared about that bastard, Cassian was currently going through a rough patch, both emotionally and physically, and he was afraid that this woman might just be the one to drag the young lad out from his abyss.
Madeline's eyes widened in stupefaction when he told her to make a request. That would definitely be lots of money if she ends up accepting his proposal, and just maybe, she might have enough of it to locate somewhere and figure out who is responsible for the death of her parents.
"I will have to refuse your offer." She bowed her head, shocking Jeremy who assumed he finally had her where he wanted. "You cannot bribe me into leaving my loving husband. We took an everlasting oath at the altar, and that is priceless. You can't buy your way in."
At this point, Jeremy was starting to feel like a fool at her final rejection, not until she said. "And my husband is not useless. You two might be living in the same mansion, but you have zero knowledge on what kind of a man Cassian really is. Stop spreading fake rumors."
Madeline nearly exposed Cassian's secret of him being a secret detective. He deliberately portrays himself as the enemy, meanwhile, he secretly does alot for the society, and even the King is aware of it. That alone explains why he ends up getting away with everything he does.
Unlike his brothers who were waiting to possess the rank of a Duke, Cassian actually works for himself, and sees to the safety of his people while making a living out of it. It upset her that he chose to keep something so commendable a secret, but why would he even do something like that? Bear the shame and still try to help those who turned him down?
These questions only made her respect for Cassian increase.
"If you'll excuse me, I was heading downstairs when you rudely came in my way." Bowing her head politely, she sidestepped the young man and went down the stairs.
Jeremy remained where he was, looking utterly dazed. He never thought a day would come when a woman would speak to him with so much disrespect, and all this for a loser like Cas. Apart from Cassian's sister, it seems Cassian keeps forming alliances outside his home.
Clenching his fist in silent fury, he exhaled through his nostril, keeping his anger in serious check before going down the stairs to have dinner with the rest of the family.
Walking through the empty lit-up hallway, Madeline chose to cool off her mind after that heated conversation she had with that annoying freak. She was hoping Cassian would return soon so they can both have dinner and a warm conversation to go with it.
"But where could he have gone?" She scratched the back of her head. He said he'd return tonight but he wasn't back yet.
He still needed to explain to her how she was able to see ghosts, and she also needed to reveal her childhood disorder to him before she did something that might leave her feeling chagrined for the rest of her life.
Thinking about tonight already made Madeline feel anxious. She was wondering if it would be possible to fall asleep tonight, and even if she does, what if she ends up sleepwalking, or ranting in her subconsciousness?
No no, she can't be sleepwalking again. But would he still want her after hearing about the trauma she faces??
"No matter what happens, you have to tell him today, Maddie." She motivated herself with a look of determination.
***********
Special Thanks to @AnnTheBookworm for the Golden Tickets!! ♡♡
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Sky_Li_9922
Sky_Li_9922 I didn't have plans on posting today, but the PS, GT, comments and the Gifts gave me the motivation to write something : ) Thank you for loving the book as much as I do !
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