CHAPTER 5

Madelyn smiled and nodded. She took Andrew Davis by the hand and said, "Dad, don't worry. I know!"

"Madelyn, I'm sorry to you and your mother!"

"Dad, don't say that. I… I don't have a boyfriend anyway, it's the same to marry anyone! Besides, it's better to get along with a vegetable than with an enemy!"

Andrew Davis had no idea what Madelyn was insinuating. He nodded heavily and said, "Go to school and get a suspension. You won't need to go on studying after you get married anyway!"

Madelyn said, "Dad, I don't want to drop out of school. I want to keep going!"

Andrew Davis heaved a sigh of helplessness and said, "It's not that I don't want you to go to school.

It was The Bryon family who said that The Young Mrs. Bryon was not allowed to go out in public, so…"

"Don't worry. I will discuss this matter with The Bryon family. It's getting late. Good night!"

"Good night!" Andrew Davis said, looking at Madelyn, his lips twitching. In the end, he said nothing.

Madelyn went back to her room and sat at her desk. Looking at the picture on the desk, her tears burst like a flood.

She cried on her desk, thinking of all the kindness and care John Sawyer had shown her for the past two years. In the end, it was all an illusion. The man she loved the most was with her sister now.

Madelyn didn't know if what she couldn't accept was that John Sawyer didn't love her, or that Daisy was the one he liked.

But whatever it was, Madelyn just wanted to blow off some steam right now. Tears trickled down her cheeks to the floor, tick-tock, which was so sad in the silence of the night.

Andrew Davis, who was standing at the door serving food, listened to the cry and a line of tears came down his face. He knew that Madelyn was gentle by nature, just like her mother. She agreed to marry into The Bryon family because she wanted to help him.

Andrew Davis, his hands shaking slightly, carried the meal downstairs. He was alone in the living room smoking a cigarette, the smoke curling round and round into the air.

The next morning, Madelyn was barely awake when she heard a knock on the door.

Madelyn's eyes prickled. She stood up and said in a hoarse voice, "What's up?"

"Miss Davis, The Bryon family has sent a proposal. Mr. Davis wants you to freshen up and come down!"

"I…" Madelyn was crying herself hoarse last night. She tried to speak now, but there was a burning sensation in her throat.

"Miss Davis, are you alright?" said Mrs. Smith. She heard Madelyn's voice hoarse and could not help worrying.

"I'm fine. I just have a sore throat. Off you go! I'll take a shower and come down!"

As soon as Madelyn said that, she heard Mrs. Smith going downstairs.

Madelyn got up and went into the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. She was gaunt, her eyes bloodshot and swollen like walnuts.

Madelyn took a quick shower, changed into a white knee-length dress, put on light makeup to hide her haggard appearance, and went downstairs.

She saw it was Mrs. Bryon this time. She smiled and said, "God morning, Mrs. Bryon"

"Didn't you sleep well last night? Why do you look so pale?" Mrs. Bryon said, looking at Madelyn's gaunt face.

"I was reading Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice last night and got a bit carried away. That's why I overslept. I'm sorry!"

Mrs. Bryon looked at Madelyn with admiration and said, "It's a really good book. I heard your father said you are studying art?"

Nodding her head, Madelyn replied, "Yes, I'm studying acting. I hope to finish my studies after I get married. I know this career is going to be controversial, but I really love acting."

As she finished, there was a noise outside the door. It was Daisy's voice, "Mum and Dad, I'm home!"

Laurie met Mrs. Bryon's surprised look and said, "This is my little girl, Daisy. She's been lively since she was a kid, not like Madelyn."

"It's better for girls to be lively." Mrs. Bryon stood up and said, "We'll send a car for Madelyn tomorrow morning to see Alexander. You're getting married, after all. Meet your future husband first, then you won't be scared!"

"Thank you, Mrs. Bryon!" Madelyn said, and Mrs. Bryon stood up, smiled and left.

As Soon as Mrs. Bryon left, Daisy said to Madelyn, "You're really good. I've only been out for half a day and you're going to marry Mr. Bryon."

Madelyn smiled, looked back at Daisy and said, "What? If you want to be The Young Mrs. Bryon, you can have it."

Daisy didn't get angry. She was in a good mood after her date with John Sawyer.

Daisy smiled at the thought that Madelyn was about to marry a living dead man. "I'll leave that to you. I already have someone I love. When I turn 18, I will be engaged to him!"

"Really? Congratulations!"

"You really should congratulate me, because you know the man I'm marrying!" Daisy looked at Madelyn and said, "He is… John Sawyer!"

"John Sawyer from The Sawyer family, Congratulations!"

"Don't you feel bad about it?" Daisy walked in front of Madelyn and smiled coldly, "I know you've been dating him for almost two years!"

Madelyn's heart was broken.

But she lifted her face to Daisy and said proudly, "Really? Congratulations! It takes courage to pick up what others don't want!"

"You…"

Daisy raised her hand and before she dropped it, she heard a voice behind her. "Daisy, what are you doing?"