When Madeleine Riley read the message the next day, she was caught off guard. It was just a single line, but it lingered in her mind. Victor Thompson felt mysterious, yet strangely familiar—and that little spark of intrigue warmed her chest. She'd half-expected him to judge her for her prison stint, but he turned out to be decent, totally free of prejudice. Maybe, just maybe, she could actually give him a chance.
Since they hadn't met face-to-face yet, Madeleine kept things light—no more messages after the initial hello. But as her return to London loomed closer, so did the flutter of anticipation. That afternoon, she headed out to sort her travel documents.
Only a few days left, and her ties to Nicholas Hawkins would finally be severed. Just as she finished up the paperwork, a text buzzed in from a friend.
"Hey, sweetie, Oliver's back in town. We're throwing him a welcome bash tonight—he'd love to see you."
Oliver was an old friend, always laid-back and well-liked. He'd been her rock during the darkest stretch of her life. After a moment's hesitation, Madeleine decided to go.
"I'll be there."
She slipped into a fresh outfit and made her way to the party, completely unaware that both Jacqueline Riley and Nicholas Hawkins would be there.
The room was buzzing by the time she walked in. Jacqueline, as usual, held court, surrounded by admirers. Nicholas hovered close, gently coaxing her to lay off the coffee—their proximity said everything.
It wasn't until someone murmured, "Wait, what's Madeleine doing here? She just got out of prison—isn't she bad news?" that the room's attention swung her way. Nicholas's eyes flickered with surprise, and something close to admiration.
Jacqueline had a thing for bold, revealing Victorian-style dresses—the kind Nicholas would buy for Madeleine too. But tonight, Madeleine showed up in a simple white slip dress, hair falling soft around her shoulders, her face calm, almost otherworldly. She looked like a rare pearl just unearthed.
Someone near Nicholas whispered, "She must've dressed up for you. You've been ignoring her for days—she's probably hurting." Nicholas kept his face blank, but the corner of his mouth twitched into a smirk.
He knew she couldn't really end things. Their history as childhood sweethearts ran too deep; she was too sentimental to walk away. Everyone knew Madeleine was beautiful, but few had seen her like this. Still, the room kept its sneers—convinced she'd shown up because of him.
But Madeleine walked right past Nicholas and headed straight to Oliver. "Oliver, welcome back."
Oliver, always kind, had been studying abroad. He'd treated Madeleine like a little sister, though their bond wasn't something everyone knew about.
He gave her hair a gentle ruffle and smiled. "Well, well—looks like our Maddie's changed."
Nicholas caught the exchange, and his expression went cold. He'd see how long she could keep up this act.
Jacqueline noticed too. A flash of something sharp crossed her eyes before she bounded over, looping her arm through Madeleine's with fake warmth. "Sis, you look stunning tonight. I might just have to crown you my new favorite!" She slipped herself right between Madeleine and Oliver.
Madeleine watched the performance with a wry smile. Jacqueline always had a knack for shoving her way in where she wasn't invited—playing the loving sister when it suited her, then discarding her when it didn't.
Just as Madeleine opened her mouth to respond, someone voiced their disdain. "Oliver, do you even know? Madeleine's been in prison. Inviting someone like her to your welcome party is trashy."
Nicholas thought about stepping in, but then he remembered she'd blocked him. He sank back into his seat. Maybe she needed a reminder of where she stood without him.
Madeleine felt a chill run through her as her eyes swept past Nicholas. She had no illusions about him anymore—but he was the reason she'd ended up in prison. And still, he sat there, utterly indifferent.
She was about to respond when Jacqueline cut in, "What are you talking about? She's my sister and Nicholas's girlfriend. She just made a mistake. If Nicholas and I don't care, why should you?"
"I've been in prison, yes—but I committed no crime," Madeleine shot back coolly. "And if there's any bad luck in this room, it sure as hell isn't mine."
Her words stunned everyone silent. Several pairs of eyes darted toward Nicholas. Was she implying he was the real culprit? Had she lost her mind—or was she actually done with him?
Nicholas's brow furrowed deeper. He'd never imagined Madeleine, the girl who practically worshipped him, would talk like this out in public.
Ignoring him, Madeleine turned to Oliver, a flicker of anxiety in her eyes. "Oliver, about the prison thing—"
"Don't worry about it." Oliver cut her off gently, then swept his gaze across the room. "I invited Madeleine. If anyone here feels unlucky, you're free to leave."
Madeleine's eyes stung. Since her release, kindness like this was rare—most people just threw harsh words her way. Oliver's statement shut down every whisper, leaving everyone momentarily at a loss.
She let out a quiet breath of relief and settled down beside Oliver, who glanced thoughtfully between her and Nicholas. "So... what's going on with you and him?"
