13. Madeline
Madeline
Standing out front of the building, the sirens grew louder. Someone must have reported it after seeing the flames.
I looked back at the burning building; the fire was now threatening to spread to the industrial complex next to it. That hadn’t been my intention.
A car pulled to the curb abruptly.
I frowned, seeing the sports car. Nikolai only ever used a driver. Though it was late when I called him, looking at his casual clothes. I must have woken him.
“What happened?” He looked panicked as he walked around the car. “Maddy, are you okay?”
“I started a fire.” I looked back at it. “I didn’t know it could spread so quickly, did you?” Maybe it was the chemicals that made it go up so fast.
He opened the passenger door. “Come on, we need to go.”
I nodded. Right. That was why I had called him. Getting in the car, he closed the door for me. The lights of the emergency services flashed in the distance. I felt bad that they were going to be spending their night putting it out.
I’d have to send something to the fire station tomorrow.
“Maddy, I need to know what happened?” Nikolai kept glancing at me.
Right. What had happened. I sighed.
“That wasn’t my dad’s first question when I walked in the door.
” I stared out the window, watching the blue and red lights get smaller.
“He saw me, and said, what did I do?” I turned to look at Nik.
“As if I had done something to warrant looking like this. And mom, told me to go back and apologize.” I smoothed out my ripped dress; the blood would stain.
“So, I did leave. I went back to his house and stole his car. Drove here and um…” I looked back in the side mirror.
“Started that fire at the factory where they store their drugs.”
I glanced at Nik. “But for it to go up so fast, I think they must have had a lab there too. What do you think?”
Normally, Nikolai always knows what to say, but right now, he was speechless.
I suppose I did look rather frightening.
It was all superficial blood and cuts. That most likely would bruise, maybe scar.
That’s what made it worse. I’d rather have internal bleeding than superficial injuries.
That I could at least hide from people. No one saw internal bleeding, or an organ healing.
I silently cried, glaring out the window.
But everyone could see this.
Everyone would see me weak.
I flinched as mom threw her dishes in the sink, leaving the room. Dad stared at her as she walked out for a second time.
I had never seen her carry a dish to the kitchen. I was surprised she even knew where the main kitchen was in the house.
“Are you sure about this?”
Lowering the ice from my jaw. “Am I sure about this? Are you serious Daddy? I’ve faced warlords who have more respect for me than him.”
And that said a lot. Respect in our world wasn’t something I got easily.
Thanks to Nikolai, the Voss family was under the impression it wasn’t me who had destroyed their drugs.
Even though I wanted to take credit. Nik insisted it would only complicate things.
But Noah would have to know it was me.
I had stolen his car and had left it there. I still wasn’t sure how he explained that to his family.
“Everything I’ve planned is ruined just like that.” Mom walked back in, still furious. “Months of planning, months and months.”
It was almost like she couldn’t see what he had done to me.
“I told you both when I agreed to the engagement. It was basically a trial. I will not spend my life with an angry man.”
Holding the ice back quickly. It still hurt to speak. Even the next day. The swelling was getting worse.
“Maddy, think of what people will say. What everyone will think.”
Slipping off the stool, “Great idea. Should I take some photos?” I would not let this be my life. Throwing the ice pack into the sink.
“Don’t forget your involvement in this too, Maddy.” Mum yelled at my back.
“Right. I kneed him in the balls, when he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Then he hit me. Repeatedly.”
“Had he been drinking?”
I turned to look at dad. “Is that an excuse?”
“No, but maybe it was a once off, an overreaction. He read the situation wrong.” Mom added. Still so desperate about this wedding.
“If he can hit me drunk, he can hit me sober. Regardless, there is no excuse.”
I twirled my hair up; I would not cover these bruises.
“I’m not marrying him,” straightening my shoulders back. “Sorry, but the wedding is over. And Daddy,” I pointed my finger at him. “You tell Noah Voss that he will be paying for any cosmetic surgery I need if this ends up scarring.”
Unbelievable. Mom was acting like she didn’t enjoy every second of planning that wedding. She will love the challenge of planning a new one.
I would have to ignore her snide remarks until the next merger was announced.
I should not have taken the ice off.
My face looked terrible. Swollen. Bruised. The cut was shocking. I couldn’t stop crying as I looked in the mirror. He ruined my face. I couldn’t leave the house like this.
Day three and I looked worse.
My phone buzzed on the bathroom vanity.
Vince .
The corner of my lips twitched up, which caused immediate pain. Sulking, I walked back into the bedroom. I couldn’t tell him.
Nikolai said it would be better if he told Vince what had happened. Considering that I accidentally burned down one of their developments next door to the factory. I agreed. Plus, I really owed Nik for that night.
Staring at his message, asking me out for dinner this weekend. It would just be too complicated to see him right now.
Writing back, sorry I can’t.
I sat back on the bed. Shopping. That would help. I was donating everything Noah’s ego had bought me. And everything I’ve worn while with him.
Frowning. Vince was calling me.
“Hey,” I answered, immediate pain spread across my face. I needed to master talking without moving every muscle.
“Hey, um,” he paused, “just checking your, okay?”
Immediate tears. Hearing genuine concern in his voice. Biting my tongue. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
I hated lying to him.
I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to muffle my crying.
“My love, are you lying to me?”
My tears become uncontrollable. Holding the phone away from me for a moment. I can’t do it. I can’t lie to him. Why did I even answer? Steadying my breathing.
My tears burning me, as they ran down over the cut.
“Just tired. Um, I have to go. Night.”
“I thought you couldn’t come,” Noah hissed, “And I know it was you who burned down our factory.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shrugged. “And no, I said I wouldn’t come with you. At no point did I say I wasn’t attending your grandparents’ anniversary. I won’t be accused of being rude.” I smiled at his cousins, waving, who kept glancing at me. “Oh, there they are.”
Walking from him, straight to his very strict and traditional grandmother.
“Madeline.” She opened her arms and her eyes focusing on my very deeply bruised and swollen face. Hugging her, I pulled back. What a shock. Noah is here ready to do damage control.
“I just wanted to formally apologize for backing out of the merger. At the last minute.” Placing the empty glass of champagne on a waiter’s tray as they walked past. “But I couldn’t be with a man that doesn’t understand the word no. I’m sure you understand.”
She nodded, looking between us.
“Congratulations on fifty years, with Evan,” I touched her hand, turning to look at Noah. “God help the woman you marry.”
Walking away, ignoring the glare of his parents. God forbid someone embarrasses their perfect prick of a son.
The sun was blinding as I stepped outside, quickly putting my sunglasses on before walking to the SUV.
“Maddy, wait.”
Oh my god.
Glancing at Noah as he stepped in my way. “You haven’t told that psycho Crow brother about this, right?” he forced a weak smile, looking pale. “Right?”
He did not just say that.
“Don’t call my best friend a psycho!”
“Maddy, you do know he is a fucking serial killer, right? The madman for their family.”
I won’t listen to this. Noah had no issues baiting him when he thought there were no consequences.
Ignoring his question, I got into the car. The bodyguard closed the door for me.
Did I know? What a joke.
For God’s sake. I am always restocking his wardrobe.
If only Vince could learn to torture and not get it all over his shirt every time.
And the number of odd suits I donate every month, because the jacket is gone, or the pants.
Never both, just one. That was the real crime, all those beautifully designed suits that end up unpaired.