Loving Madeline

Charlotte's POV

The entire house felt so quiet now that I was the only one left. I was still in the living room staring into space, trying to think what I should do to make some money. I couldn't believe I would be living in this big house alone.

I used to be surrounded by people from the elite society, always having nightlife or busy attending social gatherings. I am a Divenson, and people would look up to me. I enjoyed the attention. I enjoyed dining in a fancy restaurant with my friends using my cards.

I love buying expensive things, especially clothing and I have a shoe collection without thinking, I couldn't even wear them. They are all arranged in my customized shoe cabinet inside my spacious bedroom. I didn't care how my father and brother worked hard every day, and when I worked in our mining company, I wasn't working at all.

I asked one of my executives to read the report for me, and I came to the office late and went out early, and I paid someone to do my job without my father and brother's knowledge. They thought I was diligent and a good employee.

The truth is, I only wanted to replace my brother as the CEO because I was envious of him, and I wanted Hunter to get pissed with me. I don't know anything about the company.

I attended board meetings to show my dad I was concerned and interested in running the company, but the entire meaning, I was bored; I tried to question my brother's credibility most of the time.

Now, I realize I was a spoiled brat, and I didn't even think about my dad and brother's sacrifices for our family. I was drifting apart because of my greed and selfishness.

I sighed as I hugged my knees. I don't want to cry, and I will not cry. I don't care how pitiful I am right now, and I need to be strong to survive. I will never beg my brother, my mom, or even to my little sister to give me money. I have to figure it out on my own.

I was disoriented when I woke up the following morning, and I realized I had fallen asleep on the sofa. I didn't even take a bath and changed my clothes into pajamas.

My stomach was grumbling again, and when I went to the kitchen, the stove didn't light up, no matter how I turned the stove dial.

"Come on, why don't you light up? You can't do this to me," I felt like crazy talking to a gas range.

I felt so frustrated that I couldn't cook anything; I left the kitchen, stomping my feet, and made a beeline to my room. I quickly took a bath and changed into one of my favorite dresses.

I needed to go to town to look for a job if I wanted to have something to eat. I put on one of my high heels, got the car keys, and left my room feeling hopeful that I would have a productive day.

"Shit! I couldn't believe this! Why is this happening to me right now why?" I screamed as I held the steering wheel tighter. I couldn't drive the car since the battery was weak, and I didn't know how to fix it; no matter how I turned the engine, it wouldn't start.

I took off my heels and changed them into slippers. I felt so hungry, but I couldn't even switch on the stupid stove. Our estate has plants, and maybe I could find something to eat around the area.

I walked and walked but didn't find anything I could eat, and I got so tired that I ended up sitting under a big tree. I didn't even recognize the tree since I didn't care about plants. I leaned my back on the tree trunk as I could feel the tears trickling down my face.

"I hate you, universe!" I shouted, and I knew; no one would hear me. I couldn't believe my luck. But I realize it is better than being in prison. At least I still have my freedom, and I can do this; all I need to do is to think of a way how to live in this new world I am living in now.

I smiled when I remembered Lucia, and she was the only one I could think of who could help me. I was so hungry that I could feel my stomach aching terribly.

"Hi, this is Lucia; sorry, I can't talk right now; please

leave a message," I grunted as I ended the call. I got up and slowly walked back home empty-handed.

My feet hurt from walking, and I was limping as I made my way to the kitchen, rummaging through the refrigerator once again, hoping I would find something to eat, but I got nothing.

"I couldn't believe this," I mumbled as I got the pitcher from the fridge since I felt so thirsty from

walking.

I drank a lot of water, hoping it would help me with my hunger, but I could still feel the rumbling of my stomach, and I was lying on the sofa feeling so hopeless than last night.

I tried calling my friends in Archois, but no one answered. I could tell they avoided me after what happened during the funeral of Parker and the day my father died to save Madeline.

I could tell my friends were ashamed that they knew me, and I knew my reputation had been tainted, and everyone believed I was the mastermind of the shooting incident at the cemetery that caused my dad's death.

I hate that I couldn't stop reminiscing about that painful day when I felt so down already. I missed my father so much that I curled into a ball while sobbing, calling my dad and Parker's names.

I almost jumped to my feet when I heard the doorbell ring, and I couldn't stop smiling when I realized Lucia had returned for me to bring me food.

I ran to the main door barefoot, and my smile faltered when I found a man standing on my doorstep with luggage and paper bags in his hands, and I could smell the aroma of Chinese take-out food.

Even if his back was on me, I could tell he had a toned body, and he was tall with broad shoulders, and I should be afraid that a man was standing in front of me, and I hated myself for thinking he was hot and could be handsome.

"How can I help you?" I asked, and he slowly turned around and looked at me, and I could see the shock that registered on his face, and no matter how handsome and hot he looked, Jack Morigan was the last person on earth I wanted to see, not when I was at the lowest point in my life.

"Charlotte?" He asked.

"Yes, it is me; what are you doing here, Jack? Are you here to kill me?" I asked as I stepped back and crossed my arms over my chest.

"What? Do you think I am that kind of person? And what made you think I would kill you? I didn't even know you were here in this place far away from civilization." He responded.

"Excuse me, I just want to remind you this place is secluded because it is private property, my family owned this land, and anyone who would come here would be charged with trespassing," I said as I looked at his handsome face, and I hate to admit he is still the same.

Tall, dark, and super handsome, and his sexiness still made me want to come closer to him.

"Another thing, who knows? Madeline sent you to kill me," I added, and his face fell.

"Look, Madeline is a good person, an angel, and she cannot hurt anyone. I came here because of this," he replied and handed me a newspaper. I grabbed it since I didn't want him to know I was checking him out.

"Whatever you say, I won't believe you," I responded.

"What? Who was crazy enough to put an ad in a newspaper that I have a room for rent here in this manor?" I asked, unable to believe what I saw in the newspaper.

"I came all the way here, Charlotte, and I didn't expect you would be my landlady." He said.

"Do you think I will allow some strangers to stay in my house?" I asked.

"Come on, Charlotte, we know each other," he answered, and I could tell he was desperate to find a place to stay, and I really wanted to say yes since I was afraid to stay here all alone, but I didn't want

him to know I am broke.

"Go away, Jack; I won't allow you to get inside my house," I said as I stepped inside, and he walked closer to me, and I suddenly felt nervous, and I hated that until now; I was still affected by his presence.

"Please, Charlotte, let me stay here, I will pay the rental payments, and I will cook for you." He said, and his offer was very tempting since I didn't have money left, and I didn't know how to cook, but my pride took over.

"Go to hell, Jack!" I yelled at him as I closed the door in his face, and I leaned on the door frame feeling dizzy and weak.

"Charlotte, please hear me out. I need a place to stay," he was talking behind the door.

pAn,Da n<0,>v,e1 "Go away, Jack!" I yelled.

"Okay, I will, but I am starving; I bought some food, and I brought extra for the landlady," he said, and my stomach grumbled the moment he mentioned food, and I couldn't help but open the door since I felt like dying without eating breakfast and lunch.

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