"Don't cry, sweetheart. It breaks my heart to see you like this. I was wrong, okay? It's my fault."
Then came two voices, overlapping. Madeline was glad they were on a plane. Otherwise, she might have fainted from the awkwardness.
Seeing that it was about time, Madeline put away her phone and left the place. She returned to her seat and pretended to be asleep.
One thing about Elias was that he was a businessman who valued every second. His time management was impeccable. As he returned to his seat, she opened her bleary eyes.
"Madie, we're almost there. Freshen up; we'll be landing soon."
"Got it."
The moment she got off the plane, her phone was bombarded with messages. Glancing at them, she saw they were all from Whitney. Madeline ignored them because they were the same old taunting remarks.
At first, it used to bother her, but now it seemed to be fading. She believed she would genuinely be able to let go.
Madeline stood by the window, gazing at the scenery outside. It was beautiful, but she no longer felt the same way about it.
Elias watched Madeline, feeling like she was drifting further and further away. Lately, she had been especially cold towards him. A little anxious, he pulled her into an embrace.
Madeline looked at him, puzzled. "What's wrong?"
Elias stared at Madeline for a long moment before finally speaking. "Madie, have I been neglecting you? Are you upset with me? You've been so cold lately." He was most afraid of Madeline ignoring him, so he held her tightly as if afraid she might disappear.
She couldn't help but laugh softly. "No, I know you've been busy with work. I'm not upset. Haven't we always managed this way?"
However, her tone didn't sit well with him. "Madie, I've told you before. Nothing and no one are more important than you in my heart."
He spoke as if he was telling Madeline that her place in his heart could never be shaken. However, someone had already shaken it, right?
Madeline didn't voice this thought, only letting it echo silently in her mind. "Mmm, I know."
Elias reached to kiss Madeline, but she turned away. That brief rejection made his eyes flush with anger. "Madie, are you avoiding me? Do you find me disgusting?"
Madeline could feel Elias' hands trembling. This man might genuinely love her, but he also couldn't give up his clandestine affairs.
She sniffled, trying to hide the slight sting in her nose from Elias. "Just teasing you. I wanted to see your reaction. Didn't we say we were going to a banquet tonight?" Madeline quickly changed the subject.
Hearing this, Elias finally relaxed a little.
Madeline watched as Elias personally dressed her, did her hair, put on her jewelry and even knelt to slip on her heels—the princess shoes he'd picked just for her. "Elias?"
He looked up, waiting for her to continue. Yet, she just stared at him, lost in thought. "Madie, what's wrong? Is there something you want to say?"
Madeline gazed at Elias' tender expression, her hand gently caressing his face. "Elias, do you love me?" she asked softly.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of annoyance crossed Elias' face. "Madeline, who doesn't know that you're the only woman I've ever loved?"
