Chapter 27 Madeline
Madeline
Summer has been making itself known ever since Ben got back from Stockholm.
Reading out on the patio, I’m startled by a young bear bumbling by—both of us not sure how to react to the other.
The sound of birds wakes me early every single day, and at night there’s a chiming call that Hugh tells me is a saw-whet owl.
The days are long and hot, nudging me into dozing on couches or on car rides to my appointments, and the nights are cool, drawing Ben and I together in a way that’s aching and reassuring at the same time.
It's been one week since Ben came home tired and serious, offering me the job as event division head with his—our—business. Despite my initial stoicism, the possibility is always there in the back of my mind. As is the look on Ben’s face when I told him that all I wanted was him, at my side.
But I can’t say the job isn’t tempting. I just know I need a voice of reason to guide all the hormonal highs and lows I’ve been feeling lately.
Stella picks up on the second ring.
“Mads! Finally. I was starting to think you’d forgotten your only sister existed.”
Her voice bursts through the quiet like sunlight. For a moment, I almost smile. “Never. Just… been busy.”
“With what?” she demands. “Don’t tell me you’ve taken up knitting.”
I let out a small laugh. “Not knitting. Something bigger… that I wanted to get your opinion on.”
She’s quiet for a moment, sensing the seriousness of the call. Then: “Spill it.”
I draw in a breath. “Ben wants me to head Bronson Estates’ new events division. All of them. Worldwide. Starting with the grand opening in Sweden.”
There’s a beat of silence, then Stella squeals so loud I have to hold the phone away. “What? Maddie, that’s amazing! That’s… huge. You’re basically going to be in charge of half the empire.”
“I don’t think it’s quite half,” I say softly, but warmth blooms in my chest anyway.
“No, don’t you dare downplay it. You’ve always had the eye, the organization. Remember how you pulled off my sweet sixteen after Mom and Dad forgot to book the catering? You’re built for this. You’re—wait. Why don’t you sound excited?”
Her question pierces me. I glance at the door, making sure it’s shut, then sigh. “I am. I mean… I want to be. But Stella, I don’t know if he offered because he believes in me… or because he’s trying to fix something that’s already broken.”
There’s a pause on the other end. “You’re talking about Ben.”
“Yes.” The word scrapes out, raw.
“Mads…”
“I’m not sure he really loves me,” I admit, the fear tasting bitter on my tongue. “And lately, I’ve been hearing things. Rumors.”
“Rumors?”
I lower my voice even though the house is cavernous and silent. “About Georgiana. His wife. That her death was his fault.”
The line goes very still. Then Stella exhales sharply. “God, people will say anything when they’re jealous of power. Mads, do you have any proof that he might have been involved?”
“No… the opposite, actually. My midwife, Meredith, she explained it to me, and it sounds like it really was an accident. But I can’t help thinking…”
“Are you really worried that he’s a murderer?” The sarcastic edge to her voice makes me blush with embarrassment.
“No. You’re right. I still need to talk to him about it, but I think what’s really bothering me is just that he keeps his distance.”
“How so?”
I shrug, relaxing into the couch. “He works a lot—”
“From home. Maddie, just waltz into his office. Naked. I’m sure he’ll get off the conference call.”
I let out a shocked laugh, the image flickering through my mind, definitely more appealing than I want to admit. “He missed the anatomy scan, Stell. Completely. I found out it was a girl while he was in Sweden making up this job for me.”
“Okay. Yeah, I can see how that’s… not great. But did it really feel like he was running away? From you? And the baby?”
Curling my knees up to my chest as far as I can with the bump in the way, I consider the question. Recall Ben on his knees, his lips on my fingers.
“No…” I say softly. “It didn’t feel like running away. I think he meant it when he said he just wants me to have a future outside of the marriage—”
“Wow, a guy who actually values you? Run.”
Again, the sarcasm, but this time I roll my eyes. “I wish he’d realized what I needed, though, you know?”
“Okay, so it was a miscommunication. You guys haven’t been married that long Maddie, and you didn’t have any time to get to know one another before the wedding.
Right? I know this must be scary,” her voice softens, “and not at all what you planned. But every call, every text you’ve sent me, you sound genuinely happy.
Excited. Are you sure this isn’t about Derrick? ”
“What?” I ask, the idea immediately absurd.
“Are you sure you’re not still freaked out about what he might find—Jack—and anticipating the fallout?”
It clicks.
Oh.
“I… I think, yeah, that might be part of it.”
“So, you’re scared. And Ben is scared too, for his own reasons, that I think he’s been up front with you about.
He told you that he wasn’t expecting a child this late in life, Maddie, but he didn’t say he doesn’t want the baby—or you.
If anything, it sounds like he’s doing whatever he can to make sure you’re both provided for.
And that you have some meaning outside of just being his wife, or a mom. ”
I feel foolish, immature, and oblivious—because Stella’s right.
How have I been overlooking all those signs? 34
I groan, dropping my face to my knees, mind racing to try and figure out how to make this right.
“I do think,” Stella continues gently, “that you need to talk to him about Georgiana. You know the rumors aren’t true, but maybe he needs to hear that—you just have to have it out, you know?
So, he knows you’re on his side, that you have his back, that you believe in him. The same way he believes in you, Mads.”
Her certainty steadies me, even as unease coils tighter inside.
There’s a rustle on the other end, then Stella’s voice shifts, lighter. “I have news too.”
“Oh?”
“I met someone.”
The warmth in her tone makes me smile despite myself. “Already? And you didn’t tell me?”
“Well, it’s complicated.” A beat. “She’s… amazing.”
“She.” My eyes widen. “Stella—”
“Yeah.” She laughs nervously. “Surprise. I didn’t exactly plan to fall for a woman, but here we are. And it feels real. Like, terrifyingly real.”
I press a hand to my chest, touched. “Stell, that’s… that’s wonderful.”
“I haven’t told Mom and Dad yet,” she admits quickly. “They’re still oblivious. And maybe they’ll freak, maybe they won’t, but right now I just want to hold it close, you know?”
“Of course.” My heart swells. “I’m so happy for you. Truly.”
Her laugh softens. “Funny thing is, I’m giving you advice to just talk to Ben, and I’m hiding my entire love life from our parents.”
“You’ll tell them when you’re ready.”
“Exactly.” A pause. “And you’ll talk to Ben, right?”
I nod, though she can’t see it. “I’ll try.”
We say our goodbyes, and when the line clicks dead, the silence folds in again.
For a while, I just sit there, palm against my stomach, feeling the faint flutter of life beneath. Our daughter. Perfect, healthy, waiting to meet us.
I should be full of joy. Instead, I feel like a glass about to crack. Stella has someone new, someone who makes her laugh in that breathless way. And here I am, in a house full of wealth and firelight, wondering if Ben and I can bridge the gap that’s been between us all along.
Finally, I rise. My legs feel heavy as I pad down the hallway.
Ben’s office is dark and empty. The dining room too. I wander through corridors until I see a sliver of light spilling beneath a door I rarely pass now that I don’t stay down here anymore. He’s in Georgiana’s sitting room.
I freeze.
For a long moment, I can’t move. Then I step closer, push the door open just enough to see inside.
Ben is there, standing near the windows, his shoulders slumped.
He doesn’t notice me. His head is bowed, his hand on the sill as if it’s the only thing steadying him.
My heart lurches.
“We need to talk.”