I woke up feeling lighter than I had in days, a smile tugging at my lips before I even opened my eyes. I dreamt about Hunter—his touch, his warmth, the way his hands had soothed the soreness from my fingers. Even now, I couldn't stop running my own fingertips over them, marveling at how soft they felt, as if the dream had somehow been real.
My stomach growled in protest, pulling me back to reality. I didn't want to move, not when happiness still lingered so strongly, but hunger won the battle. I pushed myself up, the smile still clinging to me—until a low, masculine voice cut through the quiet.
"Why are you smiling, Madeline?"
My heart leapt.
I searched the dim room until my eyes found him—Hunter—sitting casually on the couch, his tall frame shadowed by the muted light. Even in darkness, his presence filled every corner. The image of my face buried against his chest this morning rushed back unbidden, and warmth crept over my skin. I prayed he hadn't noticed I was awake then.
He rose slowly, his movements deliberate, and for one breathless second I thought he was walking toward me. But instead, he brushed past and flicked on the light. The sudden glow revealed him fully—casual jeans and a button-up shirt stretched perfectly over his broad shoulders. No smile. No hint of amusement. Just that unreadable, serious expression I could never decipher.
He shouldn't look this devastating. And yet, there I was, blushing like a foolish schoolgirl because Hunter Divenson—the man every woman would dream to have—was staring at me. Handsome. Powerful. Intimidating. And for reasons I couldn't explain, I wanted nothing more than to unravel the walls around his heart.
"Madeline, stop checking me out." His tone was clipped, and I felt my face burn. "Why did you skip dinner?"
Caught. I looked away quickly, my lips fumbling over a poor excuse. "I'm sorry. I fell asleep. It won't happen again—I promise I wasn't slacking."
His gaze sharpened, and when he spoke, his voice was low but firm. "I don't care how you spend your day, Maddie. What matters is that you take care of yourself. I don't want you skipping meals. And I don't want you working like one of the staff. You will be my wife in less than a month. I expect you to act like the lady of this house—the future madam of this estate."
The words pierced through me. Madam of this estate. If only he knew how his family viewed me—how I was already branded an outsider. Only Lily treated me as if I belonged. But I couldn't tell him that, not when he looked at me with such intensity. So, I only nodded, keeping my silence.
Then, without warning, he took my hand. Electricity shot up my arm at the contact. He didn't let go as he led me out of the room, down the silent corridors, and toward the grand staircase. The mansion loomed around me like a palace, too vast, too intimidating for someone like me. Yet his touch anchored me, even as my heart raced wildly.
We reached the dining hall. Hunter pulled out a chair for me, then disappeared into the kitchen. When he returned, he was carrying a tray himself—chicken soup, grilled cheese, and an apple sandwich. My breath caught. The CEO of Divenson Mining was serving me dinner.
"Eat, Madeline," he said, setting the tray down and taking the seat across from me.
I smiled, unable to hide the flutter in my chest. Every spoonful felt lighter because of his gaze—steady, unwavering, locked on me as if I was the only thing in the room. My stomach somersaulted under his watchful eyes, and I couldn't help wondering what he was thinking. Did he feel even a fraction of what I did?
"Thank you for this, Hunter," I said softly, offering him a smile.
"You're welcome. But next time, don't let it happen again. I don't want you going to bed hungry." His voice was serious, but I heard something beneath it. Concern.
I nodded. "It won't."
When I finished, he stood and dismissed me gently. "Go to your room now, Madeline."
I obeyed, but disappointment gnawed at me when I turned and found him gone. Not a word more. Not even a smile. And certainly not the kiss I foolishly hoped for.
I lay awake for hours, replaying everything—his touch, his gaze, the way his voice lingered in my chest. I knew I couldn't force him to love me, but a small, stubborn hope whispered that one day he might. One day, I might be more than a responsibility to him. One day, I might thaw the ice around his heart.
Sleep claimed me at last, only to be broken by a knock at my door. My pulse quickened when I opened it—only to find Charlotte standing there, her expression dark and displeased.
I opened the door to find Charlotte standing there, her arms crossed and her expression dark.
"I've been knocking for a while," she said sharply. "I need your help, Maddie. My friends are coming, and I want you to go with me."
Something inside me twisted. Charlotte never spoke to me unless she had to. Her sudden request felt wrong, but I nodded politely, even as unease spread through me. I knew she didn't want me to be Hunter's wife.
"Just tell me where you want me to meet you," I answered, forcing my tone to stay even. "I'll change into something presentable."
"Good," she said curtly. "Hurry. After you change, meet us near the swimming pool." Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving me standing in the doorway, unsettled.
I dressed quickly, though my stomach growled from hunger. I had wanted to stop for breakfast, but Charlotte's command left me no choice. I prayed Hunter wouldn't notice—I'd already skipped dinner once, and he had been upset. If he discovered I missed another meal, I knew he wouldn't be pleased.
As I walked toward the pool, the sound of laughter and chatter drifted through the halls. When I finally stepped outside, the sun blinded me for a moment before I saw them—Charlotte and her friends, sprawled elegantly on loungers by the shimmering water. They looked every bit the picture of wealth and privilege, their expensive swimsuits glinting under the sun, their postures effortlessly confident.
I hesitated, clutching the hem of my dress, but then I froze.
"Really? Hunter's getting married?" The girl with platinum-blonde hair in a sleek black one-piece let out a mocking laugh. "I can't believe this, Charlotte. Why would your brother choose… someone like her?"
My steps faltered. My chest tightened. They were talking about me.
Charlotte gave a dramatic sigh. "My parents were disappointed too. None of us like her. Only Lily thinks highly of her, but she's just a child—her opinion doesn't matter. Honestly, I don't understand what my brother was thinking. There are dozens of women more suitable, more… desirable. Maddie's pretty, I guess, but not that pretty. Certainly not worthy of being Hunter's wife."
Their laughter pricked at my ears, every sound slicing into me like glass.
Another girl, lounging in a yellow bikini, leaned forward, her lips curling. "Maybe Hunter just pities her. She's an orphan, isn't she? His driver's daughter."
Heat flooded my face. My fingers clenched at my sides, nails digging into my palms.
Charlotte adjusted her sunglasses with a smirk. "Pity? Maybe. Or maybe she found a way to manipulate him. I honestly think she's a gold digger. I asked him once why her—and he actually got angry. That only proves she's twisted his head somehow."
The word gold digger echoed in my mind until it rang like a curse.
I wanted to scream that none of this was my choice, that I never asked to be brought into their mansion, never begged to become Hunter's wife. I wanted to tell them the truth—that I was here only because Hunter had paid my aunt's debts, and in exchange, I belonged to him. But what good would it do? To them, I'd still be the outsider, the impostor.
My throat burned, but I held my tears back. I couldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.
"I think you still have a chance, Kaye," Charlotte said, turning to the blonde girl. "You've always liked my brother, haven't you? You're beautiful, sophisticated—everything Maddie isn't. My parents would be thrilled if you married Hunter instead. You and he were close once, remember? All you need to do is remind him of that."
Kaye's lips curled into a triumphant smile. "Of course. I'll always love Hunter. I hate that he didn't tell me about her. But if you'll help me, Charlotte, then I'll take every chance I can. My father adores Hunter. He's young, brilliant, already a legend in business. My father says he's destined for greatness. And I…" She smirked, tossing her hair. "I deserve a man like him."
Charlotte leaned back, satisfied. "Then it's settled. I'll help you. Together, we'll make Maddie leave this house. She doesn't belong here, and I won't rest until she understands her place. She should feel ashamed to even breathe the same air as us."
The words sliced through me, sharper than any blade. My knees trembled, and I took a step back, willing myself not to collapse. Charlotte wasn't just cruel—she was plotting to tear me away from Hunter, using her own friend to seduce him.
I had known she disliked me, but hearing the hatred in her voice—her determination to destroy me—left me reeling. I pressed my lips together, refusing to let a sound escape. They didn't know the truth of me, didn't care. To them, I was nothing but a burden, a stain on their perfect world.
But to me, Hunter was everything. And the thought of being forced away from him, of losing even the fragile connection I had with him—it broke something inside me.
Still, I squared my shoulders. I wouldn't let them see me cry. I wouldn't give them that victory.
I walked forward, silent as stone, and took a seat where they could see me. If they wanted me to feel ashamed, they would have to try harder.
Because even if I had nothing—no family, no wealth, no power—I had one thing they couldn't steal from me.
Hope.
And I would cling to it, even if it tore me apart.