Madison’s Plea

The hospital looked as dreadful as ever, but the chemo ward was a different kind of sad. The stark white walls and the faint scent of antiseptic hung in the air, mingling with the underlying odor of illness. Patients with hollowed eyes and gaunt faces sat in recliners, some staring blankly at the walls, others with their eyes closed, fighting battles within. It was a somber scene, each person seemingly lost in their own world of pain and hope.

As expected, Madison Todd wasn't in the room with dividers. She had to be hidden in a private room. Turning the hallway with Jasper, I was met with an arrogant-looking teenager that looked like a good equal mix between Tony and Madison.

"Uncle Alex?" the oldest one said. She looked visibly afraid as she took me in. "W-why are you here?"

"Just to talk," I said.

"About what?" she demanded.

"Business. Children shouldn't get involved," I attempted to walk past her, but she jumped in my way.

"My mom has nothing to do with your business!" she snapped.

"Okay, then let me go see her since she's got nothing to do with it," I said.

"I said—"

"If she had nothing to do with my business, why can't I see her? Are you admitting guilt for her or something?" I asked her.

"I don't want you to hurt my mom!" she said.

"Stop worrying, kid. There's a truce until after the funeral and I intend to honor it. Now get out of my way before I have my security move you," I said, gesturing at Jasper. "It's seriously just a talk."

"If...if I hear anything, I'll call the police," she whimpered.

"You're scared of the wrong person," I smiled back at her before walking around her. She was a stupid little girl, but that wasn't all her fault.

I entered the private room without knocking and saw the sorry state of Madison Todd. She was noticeably smaller than she had ever been. Almost as tiny as a doll with slender arms and legs. Her head was bald, presumably from the chemo, but she looked to be busy at the moment, even with all the wires in her.

Her hands were frail and cautious, shaking gently as she reached for the hot tea next to her. They were ashen where the sunlight caught them, not ghostly like a white person, just subdued and grayish.

Regardless of the sight of her, I couldn't be soft.

"Hello," I said, announcing my presence.

Madison looked up, and her face looked immediately shocked to see me.

"Alexander?" She gasped. "You're here?! How are you here?"

"You shouldn't get worked up," Jasper pulled up a chair so I could sit across from her. "It's not good for your health."

"Oh." She calmed down once she observed no hostility coming from me.

"So, what were you so unhappy with that you had to do what you did?" I asked. "If you needed money, you could've just asked me long ago. I thought there was no animosity between us for you lose your mind."

She sighed and looked down. "I lost my mind?"

"Are you mad about the succession party?" I asked. Her eyebrow twitched, so I knew I got it. "That's fucking stupid. Is there a reason for you to be so hung up on someone who was a narcissist serial cheater? He had so many victims, Madison."

"It's not that."

"Did I offend you the last time we spoke?" I asked. It was most likely the case.

"You said my sons will end up just like him," she mumbled.

"I told you I understood the way you felt about it. Yes, I know the way I showed emotion back then was really rough, it's understandable why you're upset, but I still never did anything to you personally. I thought there was a silent agreement that we'd leave each other alone."

"When you said you would give up on Tony if you were me, I thought about only my children," she said. "I can't be that cold and ruthless like you can be to other people."

"I've been nothing but honest and kind to you and your kids, but it seems that you believe the lies about me," I sighed. "Hell, I even regarded you as family."

"I've never felt like I was part—"

"Whatever. So you failed to kill me, and this is what you've been reduced to," I took in her sick figure again. "I know that you personally went and ordered those people to get to me. If you hate me that much, why not make sure I was dead yourself? Why not try to forget everything with your husband?"

"You must've killed him...I know you—"

"It was suicide. Did you not read the reports?"

"You think I don't know it could be paid for?"

"I've got years before I can get that kind of power. Besides, I'm an Azure now. What do I care about the Todd family?" I asked her. "I've never cared about you or your kids, so why were you inclined to send people to attack me?"

"I just felt it was right to finish what my husband started," she said.

"After he publicly embarrassed you and your kids and all his bad deeds went public, you still want to do that? Were you that bored?" I couldn't help but chuckle. I don't understand her.

"I just wanted to honor my husband," she said.

"Like he honored you?" I rolled my eyes. "Okay. That's fucking dumb."

"You wouldn't get it, being in love and having a marriage," she said.

"I'm married."

"I mean marrying for love, not convenience," Madison shot back.

"Hey now, aren't you jumping to conclusions on your part? My husband is right here, and we do love each other," I pointed at Jasper.

"Saying convenience makes it sound like I had a lot to bring to the table," Jasper sighed. "I'm from a regular blue-collar family. It's nothing out of convenience; I enjoy our marriage."

"No way you like that." Madison raised a brow at me.

"You don't know what I like," I told her. "Look, I'm just here to get answers from you, okay, not to hurt you or your kids. I think you're dealing with enough as it is so I won't retaliate even if it was you."

"Well, I guess you're entitled to that, but I honestly know nothing about this attack you're talking about. It wasn't me and I never had that power to mobilize anyone," Madison said. I didn't think so. "Are you coming to the funeral?"

"Helen asked me to go, but I don't really see the point of it. Why would I stand among mourners when I'm the black sheep? My place isn't in the shadows of their sorrow." I shrugged.

"He's your brother."

"Everyone keeps telling me that, but I never felt that way. All I keep thinking is good riddance and thank whatever god that I don't have to deal with him in the future," I smiled.

"That's terrible!" she said.

"But I'm not the only one who feels that way, and it's not like they don't have good reasons as well," I said. "Why's it only wrong when it's me?"

Madison leaned back against the pillows, closing her eyes for a moment. "You know, Alex, there's another reason you need to go."

I frowned, curious. "What do you mean?"

"Even though you've already taken over as CEO, your family's business is still tied up with the Todd family," she continued. "With your brother gone, there's going to be a lot of upheaval. Decisions need to be made, responsibilities reassigned. Your presence at the funeral isn't just about closure; it's about positioning yourself within the family dynamic."

"I don't give a damn about the Todd family dynamic," I snapped. "I'm an Azure now, and the Azure family is more powerful anyway. I've built my own life, my own success."

"And that's precisely why you need to be there," Madison countered. "You have the power and influence to steer things in a better direction. If you don't go, you risk letting others make decisions that could affect you and Jasper in ways you can't control."

Jasper nodded in agreement. "She's right, Alex. As much as you hate them, you need to protect your interests. We both do."

I sighed, the weight of their arguments pressing down on me. "I just can't stand the thought of being in the same room as those people."

Madison's gaze softened. "I know, Alex. But sometimes, we have to do things we don't want to for the greater good. Think of it as a strategic move, not an emotional one. Everyone's scared of you after all."

I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. "So, you're saying I should go to the funeral to protect my own interests?"

"Exactly," Madison replied. "It's not about him. It's about securing your future, your legacy."

I looked at Jasper, who gave me a reassuring smile. "We'll get through this together, Alex. It's just a few hours."

"Okay," I finally said, my voice barely more than a whisper. "I'll go."

Madison smiled, a tear slipping down her cheek. "Thank you, Alex. You won't regret it."

As I sat there, holding her hand, I realized she was right. It wasn't about him. It was about me and my interests in business. Someone had to make sure there was no uprising from this.

But who sent the thugs? I'm confused.