CHAPTER EIGHT

Penelope's POV

Julien's fingers curled around my wrist, his touch warm and firm as he led me through the mansion. My heart pounded in my chest, my mind spinning with the pressure of his last words. 

"Promise me you'll be with me forever." He had said.

I hadn't given him an answer.

I didn't know if I could give him an answer. Those words were meant to be said to Madison and Madison alone. She should be the one to give him an answer. Hopefully, I leave this hell hole in few minutes and Madison gets back her rightful place.

But I pushed the thought away as he led me into a new room. The moment I stepped inside, I nearly lost my breath.

It wasn't just a bar—it was the bar.

Floor-to-ceiling glass shelves lined the walls, housing an extensive collection of the finest liquors from around the world. Soft golden lighting illuminated each bottle, casting a warm, intimate glow over the room. A long, sleek black marble counter stretched across the space, polished to perfection, with luxurious leather barstools lined neatly in front of it.

A crystal chandelier hung low, refracting light in delicate rainbows that danced over the dark wooden floors. The faint scent of aged oak and expensive liquor lingered in the air, intoxicating in its own way.

My fingers curled into my palms as I forced myself to act unfazed. I didn't want Julien to notice the way I gawked at the room, like some wide-eyed imposter who didn't belong here. Because I don't belong here.

He pulled out a barstool for me, and I hesitated only a second before sinking onto it.

All these gestures. Madison had experienced them all. She was very lucky indeed. The universe really loved her enough to give her a man like Julien. Me, on the other hand...

Oh, Evan Harper has to be the worst man walking this earth.

"Wine or beer?" he asked smoothly, moving behind the counter.

It was a smooth move I knew he had mastered because he had done it more than several times. It was supposed to be a harmless move, but it had made me gulp, seeing his waist twist around like that. It was like—

Oh, nevermind.

I swallowed hard. "Wine."

Julien's lips tilted in approval as he reached for a bottle. My gaze flickered over the elegant label as he pulled it from the shelf—Château Margaux 2005. My heart nearly stopped.

A bottle of this vintage easily cost over five figures.

He uncorked it with practiced ease, pouring the deep red liquid into a crystal glass before sliding it toward me. I took it carefully, my fingers trembling slightly as I lifted it to my lips. The taste was rich, smooth, but I barely registered it.

Julien settled on the other side of the counter, pouring himself a glass but not drinking just yet. Instead, he leaned forward, resting his forearms against the marble, his sharp green eyes watching me.

"There's a wine company reaching out to me," he said, his tone casual but deliberate. "Orléans & Cie. They're interested in a collaboration, but I'm weighing my options."

Orléans & Cie? I recognized the name. A French wine empire, old-money prestige wrapped in every bottle.

Julien swirled his wine glass absentmindedly, his gaze flickering toward the shelves of expensive bottles surrounding us. "I don't want to make any decision that could affect Laurent Fashion House's performance. This isn't just about profit—it's about reputation."

I nodded slowly, gripping the glass tighter. This was Madison's world. Business, investments, strategic moves. This was something she would know exactly how to respond to.

But I wasn't Madison.

I didn't answer right away, my mind drifting elsewhere. Madison. Was she okay? Did the paramedics get to her in time? Had she woken up?

"Is there something bothering you?"

My head snapped up.

Julien's voice was softer now, almost coaxing. His green eyes burned into me, intense and unreadable. He leaned closer across the counter, his face mere inches from mine. "Tell me, baby."

My breath caught.

Baby.

I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. I shouldn't have let the deep timbre of his voice sink into my skin, shouldn't have let the warmth of his breath fan across my lips. But I did.

And before I even realized it, I was leaning in.

It was only a fraction of an inch, barely noticeable—except he noticed.

His eyes darkened, his gaze flickering down to my lips, and for a brief, terrifying moment, I thought he might close the distance.

That was when I caught myself.

I jerked back abruptly, standing so fast that my chair scraped against the floor. Julien's brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't say anything.

"I need to step out for a while," I announced, my voice slightly uneven.

His eyes sharpened. "Where?"

I hesitated. "Just… out."

Julien didn't look pleased, but after a moment, he exhaled. "I'll have the driver take you."

"No." My refusal came too quickly. I forced a small smile. "I just want to walk. Clear my head."

His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he finally gave a slow nod.

I turned swiftly, walking out before I could second-guess myself.

—

The cold night air wrapped around me the moment I stepped outside.

I should have taken the car. Walking through the city in a silky red gown that cost more than my rent back in my old life wasn't exactly ideal. Every step felt like a reminder—I wasn't Madison. I wasn't meant to be here.

But I pushed forward, my goal clear in my mind.

The hospital.

It was the closest one to the hotel, the logical place they would have taken Madison.

When I arrived, I wasted no time approaching the front desk.

"I'm looking for a patient," I said, my voice firm but urgent. "Madison Laurent."

The nurse tapped at the keyboard, her expression neutral. A few seconds later, she glanced up. "I'm sorry, but there's no one under that name."

My stomach twisted.

"That can't be right," I pressed. "She would have been admitted a few hours ago. Can you check again?"

The nurse frowned but humored me, typing something else.

A moment later, she shook her head. "No patient by that name."

Panic began to creep in. "Try another name. Penelope Harper."

The nurse's fingers moved swiftly over the keyboard. Another pause. Another shake of her head.

"Nothing."

My heart pounded violently. This didn't make sense.

I stumbled out of the hospital, my mind racing.

Where the hell was she?

Had she woken up and left? No, impossible. She was unconscious. She wouldn't have just disappeared.

I pressed a hand to my temple, trying to think, trying to—

Madison's phone buzzed.

I stiffened, my fingers tightening around the clutch as I pulled it out.

A strange number.

I hesitated, but something in my gut told me to answer.

I lifted the phone to my ear. "Hello?"

A moment of silence.

Then, a voice.

Low, steady, dripping with finality.

"Don't bother looking for Madison."

A slow, deliberate pause.

"She's dead."

The line went dead.

And so did the air in my lungs.