SWNOVELS Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Ethan’s car happened to be heading in the opposite direction when he saw the traffic light ahead turn red. Just then, he received a message from Madelyn: [Ethan, where are you?]
Ethan always kept his phone close to him, eagerly anticipating her messages. Whenever he saw her message, he would respond promptly. However, this time he made a deliberate decision to turn off his phone.
George glanced at the rearview mirror. “Is that a message from Ms. Jent? Has she discovered something?”
“Probably… but I don’t want to deceive her,” Ethan neither confirmed nor denied. He wished to wait a little longer, until he could stand on his own two feet once again. Then, she would see him in his entirety, rather than as a broken and disabled man.
George added, “Maybe she wouldn’t mind, though?”
“It’s not about whether she minds or not. I mind. Let’s head back home!” Ethan wearily closed his eyes. The recent incident had been a close call. Fortunately, he had purposely lingered near the hospital entrance. If he had left at that moment, he couldn’t bear to think about what might have happened to Madelyn.
Ethan opened his eyes, a glint of icy determination shining within them. “Notify the police. station. Those three individuals are not to be released without my permission.”
“Yes, sir.”
Madelyn didn’t receive a reply from Ethan, and she decided not to send another message. ‘I suppose that young man wasn’t Ethan after all. If he were, why wouldn’t he let me know?”
Not long after, Madelyn reached the piano training center located in Skyrise Tower. She had chosen one-on-one private lessons for a more focused learning experience. Moreover, the particular piece she was practicing was one she had played countless times in her previous life. As a result, she gave the impression of swift progress, at least on the surface.
After nearly three hours of piano practice, darkness had already fallen outside. Madelyn’s fingers were a bit sore from playing the piano for such a long time. When the car arrived to pick her
up, Madelyn was taken aback to see that it wasn’t Jordan, the usual chauffeur, but
Zach.
Feeling a mix of apprehension and curiosity, Madelyn hesitated for a moment before approaching the car. She couldn’t help but wonder about Zach’s unexpected presence. Questions raced through her mind. ‘Why is he here? Is he coming to confront me? But back at the hospital, I pretended not to see him with Jasmine. Why would he still come?”
Normally, she would instinctively open the passenger door, but Madelyn hesitated and decided to sit in the back. However, as she opened the car door, she heard Zach’s cold voice
pierce the air, “Madelyn, I am not your chauffeur.”
Startled, Madelyn quickly moved to the passenger seat, taking a moment to fasten her seatbelt before Zach could assist her. As she settled in, her eyes were drawn to the spot where she had. previously placed her belongings, only to find it now occupied by a pair of adorable bobblehead dolls-a boy and a girl. Instantly, she recognized them as Jadie’s favorite. decorations. Additionally, a different fragrance filled the air, signaling that Zach had added at bottle of anti-nausea perfume for Jadie, who often experienced motion sickness.
Taking in these changes, Madelyn shifted her gaze out the window, trying to maintain her composure. “Do you need to pick up Jadie?”
“Jadie is staying at school hostel.”
‘What?! Jadie is staying at school? How could he bear to do that?’ Madelyn was somewhat surprised. She asked, “Why is Jadie staying at school hostel? I remember your place is not far from her school.”
Zach replied, “I’m usually swamped with work and can’t take care of her. Besides, she has to handle household chores and keep the house clean on regular days, which might affect her studies. So, I thought it would be best for her to stay at school for now and come back on
weekends.”
Madelyn, not particularly invested in their matters, responded nonchalantly, “Well, that’s
understandable.”
A brief silence hung in the air before Zach spoke again, his voice tinged with curiosity. “Did your piano lesson tire you out today?”
“Not really, the teacher did a good job,” Madelyn replied, her attention still focused on the passing scenery outside the car window. It seemed as though she was somewhat distant during their conversation.
Zach cast a sidelong glance at Madelyn and noticed her distracted demeanor. Furrowing his brows, he asked, “Madelyn, have I been asking too many questions? Does it bother you?”
Madelyn sensed a hint of dissatisfaction in Zach’s tone, unsure of its cause.