Madison’s POV
The reflection in the mirror seemed like a scene from a movie, and I was the protagonist playing a role far grander than my reality.
Dressed in a deep blue satin gown, I was the picture of elegance, but the unease in my heart made it feel out of place. The knee-length dress accentuated my figure, a choice Tyler insisted on, as if he wanted to make a statement to his mother.
The anticipation of the evening weighed on me. Would Tyler's mother appreciate my effort or find it excessive? This dinner meant more than clothes; it was about acceptance. Brenda, his previous girlfriend, had left behind an almost mythical presence, and the pressure to live up to her was overwhelming.
As I adjusted the delicate straps of my dress, I couldn't escape the self-doubt. The ring of my phone interrupted my thoughts, and I hurried to answer Tyler's call, feeling the tremor in his voice.
"I'm outside," he said.
“Just that?” I thought to myself. He couldn't even make it nicer, at least, I was his wife for the meantime. I snapped out of that thought to focus on the real goal which wasn't to be wifely. All I needed was my father’s company back in good shape, nothing more, nothing less. At least, that would be enough, I can't afford to let my family down.
Leaving my room and descending the stairs, I had to keep the real reason for my departure a secret. "I'm stepping out briefly, Mom. I'll be back soon." I said with a broad smile, even if it was fake.
“Okay Maddy, see you soon” she responded, smiling back.
Rosaline (my mum’s caregiver and nurse), our ever-supportive presence, smiled warmly. "Don't be long, dear. And remember, I'm here if you want to talk."
Outside, I found Tyler waiting. His presence never failed to take my breath away. Dressed in a sharp suit, he looked like he'd stepped out of a fashion magazine. A mix of admiration and frustration surged within me.
"You're late," he said, an edge of amusement in his voice.
I couldn't contain my irritation. "I was ready on time, but I can't stand outside all dressed up, waiting for a man."
Tyler raised an eyebrow, an enigmatic smile on his lips. Holding the car door open, he declared, "I'm not just a man, Madison. I'm your husband."
Rolling my eyes at his audacity, I muttered, "Just on paper," trying to mask the unease engulfing me.
The car ride was shrouded in a tense silence. As we approached Tyler's family home, the grand mansion seemed to grow more imposing, and I felt the weight of this new chapter in my life. The city streets passed by, and I stole glances at Tyler, pondering the complexity of the man I had married.
"Tyler, I can't help but feel nervous about this," I finally admitted, breaking the silence. My words hung heavy in the air, filled with vulnerability.
He cast a sideways glance, his eyes serious. "I understand, Madison. This is not easy for either of us. But remember, we're in this together."
The grandeur of the mansion was impossible to ignore. Its architecture was a blend of classic and modern design, with white marble and stately columns. I felt like an outsider in this world of affluence.
Tyler's hand on my arm brought me back from my reverie. His voice held an urgent tone. "Pull yourself together. Please, do not embarrass me."
His condescension pricked at my pride. "What a jerk!" I snapped, letting my frustration seep into my words. The tension between us had been building since the moment we met.
As we reached the grand entrance of Tyler's family mansion, apprehension washed over me, plunging me into uncharted territory. This world of wealth and privilege was far from my own, making me feel like an intruder. The mansion's grandeur loomed even larger in the twilight, imposing and intimidating.
Just as we were about to enter, Tyler paused, retrieving an elegant box from his pocket. He revealed a stunning diamond ring, leaving me in shock. "Tyler, what's this?" I stammered.
Tyler grinned and urged me to put it on. "It's in the contract, Madison, and I'll give you a copy to review later."
With trembling hands, I let him slide the ring onto my finger, its sparkle catching the ambient light. The ring symbolized our connection, a stark reminder of the life I was stepping into.
The dining room welcomed us with tense silence. The clinking of silverware and hushed conversations came to a halt, all eyes on us, making me feel like an intruder in this world of opulence.
Vivian Marshal, Tyler's mother, stood up with warmth to welcome her son, though her gaze upon me revealed surprise and disapproval.
As Tyler introduced me, her response was colder than the evening air. "Someone special I’d like you to meet,” Tyler began.
She looked at me with confusion, assuming I was his new personal assistant. A whisper of disdain filled her voice as she addressed me. "What's your name?"
"Madison," I replied, voice wavering.
Vivian's condescending tone deepened. "Madison, a name rarely found in our social circles."
The color rose to my cheeks, and her next words felt like a verbal slap. "I know, Mrs. Marshal. I..."
She interrupted me, increasing her condescension. "Mrs. Marshal? You're addressing me formally for someone who infiltrated my family dinner."
The tension in the room reached unbearable levels. I was the center of scrutiny, feeling like an intruder, unwelcome and inadequate. I couldn't find the right words to express my emotions. The room closed in on me, and I couldn't withstand the judgment.
With a heavy heart and a deep breath, I stood up abruptly, the sound of the chair scraping against the floor echoing through the room.
"Excuse me, I'd like to step for some moment" I muttered in a low voice. I thought I would be strong enough but I just wasn't ready for this.
I walked away, wordless, unable to bear the weight of their scrutiny.
Tyler's voice, filled with desperation, reached me, but I couldn't respond.
My brisk walk toward the mansion's entrance was a heartbreaking choice.
e.Tears streamed down my face, and I whispered to myself, "I'm sorry, Tyler."
Tyler’s POV The silence that followed Madison’s abrupt departure was thick with tension, like a storm brewing on the horizon. My mother’s disapproving gaze bore into me, her unspoken disapproval casting a long shadow over the room. In that charged moment, I couldn’t contain the torrent of emotions that surged within me. I pushed my chair back abruptly, its legs scraping harshly against the floor, the sound a jarring contrast to the hushed atmosphere. My mother’s words, echoing her thinly veiled threat, reverberated in my mind. “You will lose your entire inheritance if you move an inch,” she had warned. For a brief, heart-stopping moment, I was struck by the weight of her words. The inheritance had always been the safety net, the ultimate insurance policy that had made me tread carefully around my family’s expectations. It had been the invisible shackle that tied me to their plans and desires. However, in that pivotal moment, I could no longer be held hostage by the promise of weal
Madison's POV The car sat parked in the dimly lit driveway of Tyler's family mansion, our world confined to the intimate space inside. Angry words filled the air as I unleashed the pent-up frustration I had been harboring. I was angry, at rage and at that point I just wanted to pour it all out. Tyler sat beside me, guilt and regret etched across his face. We'd been married in a nasty manner, and now I was forced to face the judgment of his family, and who knew how they would react. I had been thrown into a maelstrom of emotions, and I couldn't find an escape. At that point, I started having regrets, I wish I had not been been unlucky in life. Thinks we're going smoothly before, not until my father died, my uncle started showing his true colors and my mum developed a critical heart condition. I knew I had to be strong as the first born, but it is quite overwhelming. Now, fate has brought Tyler into my life and ever since then , it has been another roller coaster ride on all over
Madison's POV The following morning, I found myself in Tyler’s lavish and unfamiliar home. As my eyes fluttered open, I couldn’t help but marvel at the grandeur that surrounded me. This was my first time here, and it was nothing short of impressive. The luxury of the place left me in awe. Tyler’s bedroom exuded luxury and grandeur. The centerpiece was an enormous intricately carved wooden bed draped with silk curtains. A chandelier cast a warm glow, illuminating elegant artwork adorning the walls. The room was pristine and designed for relaxation. Plush armchairs by large windows offered a cozy spot, and a mahogany dressing table showcased Tyler’s refined taste and love for the finer things in life. It was a world far from my own, now unexpectedly entwined with my life. My initial surprise was quickly replaced by a realization. I had passed out the night before out of sheer exhaustion, following the intense make-out session we’d shared. Despite the chaos and heartache from the pr
Tyler’s POV My car sliced through the bustling streets of the city, replaying the vivid movie of the past day in my mind. A rare, genuine smile touched my face. "I can't be in love, can I?" I muttered, shaking my head vigorously. This was uncharted territory for a man of sophistication and self-assured control. But one face stood out amid the chaos – Madison's. Her vibrant spirit had left an indelible mark on my heart. The way she carried herself, unyielding in the face of humiliation, was both admirable and inspiring. "That's my kind of woman," I muttered under my breath, a broad smile gracing my features. My phone chimed, pulling me back to the present. Matthew's name was on the caller ID. I answered with annoyance, "What's up, Matt? You stood me up last night." Matthew's laughter echoed through the phone. "I know, bro, I'm sorry. It was a genuine emergency." An inquisitive eyebrow raised. "An emergency? You better have a good explanation." Matthew explained how some unruly g
Madison’s POV In the quiet solitude of my room, the late afternoon sun gently streamed through the sheer curtains, casting a warm, golden glow that enveloped the space. I had retreated to the comfort of my room, seeking a moment of respite from the events of the day. My room, with its tasteful decor and inviting ambiance, was a sanctuary of serenity. As I settled into a plush armchair, the soft cushion cradling me, I couldn't help but smile. It was a smile that crept up on me without warning, a gentle, subtle curve of my lips. My cheeks tinged with a rosy hue, and I couldn't fathom the reason behind this uninvited expression of joy. I asked myself, my voice a hushed whisper, "Why am I smiling?" The answer eluded me, a fleeting mystery that danced on the periphery of my thoughts. It was a departure from my usual demeanor, where control and sophistication were my constant companions. At this moment, vulnerability had found its way into my heart, and it was a sensation both foreign and
Tyler's POV That evening, an unusual happiness enveloped me like a warm embrace. I couldn't quite pinpoint the source of my constant smile, but it seemed like Madison had become an indelible presence in my thoughts. Images of her danced before my eyes, even when she wasn't physically there. I laughed at myself, my reflection in the bathroom mirror mirroring my jubilant mood. "Stop it, Tyler," I chide myself. "You're a playboy and always will be." My chef, a perceptive older woman, couldn't help but notice my unusual excitement. She gently inquired, and I offered a vague explanation, attributing it to a good day at work. She saw through my white lie but decided not to press further. Instead, she commented, "I hope this happiness stays. It's been a while since I've seen you this elated." I nodded in agreement, not revealing the true reason behind my unbridled joy but deep down, I knew she may have caught me.. ***** Seated at the dining table, I couldn't stop smiling. I found myself
Madison’s POV The journey to the hospital felt like an eternity. I stared out the window, watching the world blur by, my mind a whirlwind of anxiety and fear. Memories of my mother's love and care flooded my thoughts. She had always been there for us, and now it was our turn to be there for her. "Please drive faster, sir," Andy pleaded with the taxi driver, his voice trembling with urgency. "We don't want to lose her." The driver glanced at us through the rearview mirror, his expression a mix of sympathy and frustration. "I'm already driving within my speed limit. I can't go any faster." Andy's desperation was evident as he made a promise. "I'll add to your fare, just please, get us there as quickly as you can." The driver seemed to consider the offer for a moment before finally relenting. He stepped on the accelerator, and the car surged forward, cutting through the traffic with a newfound determination. In no time, we arrived at the hospital. As we screeched to a halt in front
Tyler’s POV Brenda's sudden intrusion into my room caught me completely off guard. The intensity in her gaze was undeniable, and she began to speak with a tremor in her voice. "Tyler, please, we need to talk. It's important." I couldn't hide my annoyance; it welled up inside me, threatening to burst. I sighed heavily, my irritation clear in my voice. "Brenda, we've been through this multiple times. There's absolutely nothing left to discuss." She took a step closer, her expression a tumultuous mix of sadness and determination. "Tyler, both our moms have made arrangements for our engagement. You can't just abandon everything now." My frustration boiled over, and I couldn't contain my anger any longer. I blurted out, my voice filled with anger, "I've made myself crystal clear, Brenda. I want nothing to do with this. I want nothing to do with us." Her face showed the sting of my words, her eyes brimming with hurt. Her next words came out in a threatening voice, "Is it because of tha