Calhoun stared at Madeline over the little confession made by her.
He knew how families worked, and he knew how Madeline was. But it was hard not to agree that Madeline had never felt hurt over her elder sister's words in the past. Madeline's sister, Elizabeth, was not like her. She possessed the qualities that were opposite to Madeline. Calhoun was aware that Madeline had never planned or eyed the crown before; it was why he found it to be more of a reason to have her next to his side.
The truth was when Calhoun was a child, he was trying to survive. Calhoun didn't have plans to have the crown until his mother's health started to deteriorate. The thirst for power had surged so high that he had begun to scheme and eliminate people who stood in his way.
He was about to leave when Madeline had spoken those words. Turning around, he walked back to where Madeline was, by closing the distance between them with a few steps.