Chapter 14–One Call, One Chance
A Sebastian walked into their bed, his initial enthusiasm vanished as his eyes fell upon the attractively arranged bouquet of fresh flowers on the table, Indifferent to his presence, Madeline appeared to be scrolling through her phone while lying other side,
“You’re home early” she said in a flat cone, bet attention still focused on her phone,
Sebastian paused, glancing back at the flowers,
Who are those from?”
ה!
“ch” He forced a small selle and tried to sound casual.
“How are you, my love?” he asked and approached the bed, taking a seat next to her, watching for any warmth in her face. He then held up a bag from her favorite restaurant, she turned at Last and give him an uninterested expression.
“I’m not hungry. Lalready are” the replied, turning away again
Heathered but tried to recover,
“Well, how about we do something ham? You mentioned wanting to try on some wedding gowns
“I already did that” she replied, her voice devoid of enthusiasm,
“Two weeks ago”
He closed his eye biely, regret filling his face,
“It doesn’t matter” she said quietly, bringing the covers closer together as though to form a wall. He brought her flowers, but she hardly looked at them.
“Thanks” she said.
“Kindy place them on the table”
He complied with her request, lying quietly next to her in bed with a troubled heart. A bit later, he spake quietly, almost to himself.
Our wedding will be in just a few days”
As Madeline stared at the ceiling, her mind straped to her most recent chat with Jacob. The words he had spoken lingered in her memory, as did the sensation that had swept over her as he
“That was your birthday party?” she asked in disbelief, her mind piecing everything together,
“Yes, it was”
Madeline stared at him, the realization almost too much to pro
“That means… You’re the 7 the trailed off and he laughed again,
“Yes Mackle, I’m the CEO” he said.
She had been taken aback. The way he carried himself, his quiet confidence, everything came into place. But even when they were by themselves, he had never once shown it off. Jacob continued in a quiet but earnest tone,
“The truth is, I’ve always had eyes for you, Maddie. From the first time I saw you with Liam and Sebastian, I was drawn to you. I remember asking Liam a questions about you, and he mentioned you and Sebastian were in a relationship, so I decided to keep my distance”
“I didn’t want to interfere or put anyone in an awkward position”
He paused, and she’d let her heart skip a beat as he looked into her eyes,
But when you said you might not be getting that wedding gown and told me your reasons, I have to admit, I was relieved” He gave a small, self–deprecating smile, and she couldn’t help
Madeline had been at a loss for words, her thoughts a jumble of feelings. In recent weeks, art had been a source of solace for her, a reminder of what it was like to be genuinely appreciated anden. Jacob had interpreted her silence as consent to talk more candidy.
“I won’t tell you what to do, Maddle. I would never pressure you or force you into any decision. But if you’re feeling doubts about whether a man truly loves you… then maybe he doesn’t His words had captivated her, and she found hersell nodding slowly, uncertain of what to say. Jacob put a palm over hers and reached out, his touch, light,
“I’m here for you, Madde, anytime, just one call away”
They had hanged a long, lent glance, and she felt a glimmer of calm, a sense of understanding, for the first time in months. He had wared as she drove away, her heart heavy with a mixture of thankfulness and awe, and she had barely managed to mumble,
“Goodnight, Jarob
e was unaware she was lacking
Now, lying next to Setupian, Madeline remembered those words and her heart sank. A genuine friendship and the opportunity to be appreciated in ways she was i were what Jacob had given her, still by her side, Salucian’s hand extended to
Trescatively
the semed the bed shake as he rolled over on his side to speak to her, his voice so and remorseful,
Madeling, I know things have been deficult between us. I’ve been absent, I know, but want to make night. I want to make us right”
The turbeditare him at the scanned his face, her eyes wood of any emotions, looking at the man she had been head over heels for, “You have one more chance, just ” she said in her mind.
