webnovel
#R18
#CEO
#FIRSTLOVE
#TEEN

Loving Madeline

Madeline “Maddie” Brownwood is a nineteen-year-old college student juggling part-time jobs and the weight of unpaid debts. After losing her mother to illness, she lives with her aunt. That is, until the day a mysterious man appears, turning her world upside down with a shocking request to come with him to the Divenson Mansion and prepare for her wedding. Hunter Divenson, the enigmatic and strikingly handsome CEO of Divenson Mining Corporation, is a brilliant engineer—and a man who always honors his promises. When his longtime driver dies tragically in a car crash caused by a drunk driver, Hunter is left with the man’s final wish: to take responsibility for his estranged daughter, Madeline, by marrying her. Left with no other choice, Maddie is swept away to the world of the elite—a world she doesn’t belong to. At the Divenson mansion, she is met not with kindness, but cold, judgmental stares from Hunter’s parents, who make it clear she is not welcome. Her future sister-in-law despises her. Her future brother-in-law’s eyes make her skin crawl. The only warmth she finds comes from a sweet twelve-year-old girl in the household who clings to Maddie like a little sister and makes the overwhelming luxury a little more bearable. Then she meets Hunter. He’s everything she didn’t expect—charming in front of others, but distant and cold when they are alone. Maddie falls for him despite herself. How could she not? His presence commands attention, and his rare moments of gentleness feel like stolen sunshine. But her heart shattered when he told her the reason for their marriage. “We’re married on paper, nothing more. I don’t have time for love. And I can’t love someone like you. Don’t expect that just because we are married, I’ll ever love you. All I need is an heir to my empire.” The words cut deeper than she thought possible. Maddie was humiliated, heartbroken, and trapped. And she made a decision to divorce her husband. But her request jolts something inside Hunter he didn’t know he could feel, the fear of losing her. As she begins pulling away from him, he realizes the truth he’d been too blind to see: he loves his wife. Can Hunter win back the woman he once dismissed? Has Maddie’s love for him truly faded or is she simply trying to forget what she can’t let go? Will she give her cold, distant husband one last chance or walk away from the only man who ever made her feel something real? Gold Tier Winner of WFP#35 - Female Lead: In-Laws (Warning: This novel contains mature themes in the later chapters.) —————————————————— Book 2 – The Hot Chef and The Wicked Sister Jack Morigan was in love with Madeline Brownwood. But she was engaged to Hunter Divenson. Heartbroken, Jack started dating Maddie’s best friend, Gina—but deep down, he never stopped loving Maddie. When Gina ended things, he knew he had only himself to blame. Charlotte Divenson—Hunter’s infamous “wicked sister”—was known for her arrogance and sharp tongue. But beneath the designer clothes and icy attitude was a girl desperate for her parents’ approval, always living in Hunter’s shadow. After losing her father and younger brother, Charlotte shut out the world. Overcome with guilt, she blamed everyone—especially Madeline. She hid away in isolation, angry and broken. To ensure his wife’s safety, Hunter made an unusual offer to Jack: become the private chef for his reclusive sister. Jack wanted to say no—he couldn’t stand Charlotte. But the pay was too tempting to walk away from. With her fortune dwindling and her household falling apart, Charlotte was stunned to find Jack at her doorstep, offering help. Neither of them expected what came next.

sirenbeauty · Teen
Not enough ratings
388 Chs
#R18
#CEO
#FIRSTLOVE
#TEEN

Euphoric Kiss

Madeline's POV

"Bestie, I believe in you now, but a while ago, I thought you were making up a story to test me if I am going to believe in you because I am your best friend, but I can tell by the way he is gazing at you, Hunter Divenson has some feelings for you," Gina whispered in my ear as my husband to be strides toward us. I was suddenly confused about what I should do now that he caught me spending time with my friend. Hunter stood in front of our table, and then he turned his gaze to Gina, and he smiled at my friend with his sweet signature smile that made her flush. I know Hunter is handsome, but I never thought even my best friend would be drooling over him.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend, Madeline?" He asked and smiled at me.

"Hunter, this is Gina, my best friend. Gina meets Hunter Divenson." I said awkwardly. Then he extended his hand to Gina, pulled out a chair, and sat across from me. And I can't control my stupid heart to be so affected by his presence, and I hate myself for looking at his sexy red lips. I long to feel the softness of his lips on my mouth. What is wrong with me? Why am I thinking of kissing Hunter in front of my friend? I avoided his intense gaze, and I turned my head to look at Gina. And I am stunned that my best friend is still gaping at him without fluttering her yes. I nudge my friend, and that is the only time she flicks her eyes and smiles at Hunter.

"Hello, I am Gina. I am sorry if I turned into a stone. I can't believe you know my best friend, and of course, I am mesmerized by your handsomeness." Gina declared.

I know my best friend very well. She will always speak what is in her mind, and that is one of the things I love her the most, but I wouldn't say I like it if she were like this in front of him because I am so afraid that she would tell him what I truly felt. Then, the most unusual thing happened: Hunter Divenson laughs. I am surprised to hear his laughter, and it sounds so wonderful to my ear. Then I couldn't stop my heart from racing when he took my hand and stroked it.

"I am his fiance, and since you are Madeline's best friend, I assume you are the Maid of Honor on our wedding day, am I right, Maddie?" He asked while he was still stroking my hand, I was trying my best to speak because it seemed I lost my ability to speak because of the sensations that I felt from his touch. I can feel butterflies in my stomach, and his touch alone ignites the electricity in my entire body.

"Yes, that is why I am meeting her today," I replied.

"Yeah, I just found out when I kept calling your phone, and you didn't even bother to answer, and when I called Calixto, he said you are not with him. I thought you had a driving lesson with him. My sweet Madeline, you can text and call me so that I will know where you are. I am just a little disappointed that you trusted my right hand and not your fiance." He declared, and his acting seemed so natural. I get it all now. If we are in front of anyone, he will act sweet and warm towards me, but every time we are alone, he will go back to his original cold self.

Well, if this is the only time we can be sweet to each other, I will better make the most of it. Gina is correct; the only way to win his heart is by seducing him, but I am not even sure if he feels something for me, and I hope my best friend was right about her assumptions that Hunter is into me.

"I am sorry, Hunter, I know you are a busy man, and I don't want to disturb you," I answered, and he looked me in the eyes. I am confused by the unreadable expressions I can see on his face, and I admire his ability to hide his genuine emotions.

"Next time, I want you to tell me where you want to go, Maddie, so I can drive or ask the driver at the Divension Mansion to drive you, but you don't need to worry that your car will arrive tomorrow. Why didn't you tell me you have a driver's license, and you know how to drive?" He asked, and I found it hard to answer him.

"I don't think having a driver's license is necessary or one of the prerequisites of marrying you," I answered, and I know I sound sarcastic because I can't stop myself from remembering Calixto's words. He only wants me so he can have an heir. And I hate myself more because I am hoping Hunter will marry me for another reason.

"Madeline, I need to know because I want to provide you with anything that you need because I am going to be your husband soon." He said and smiled sweetly at me, I knew he was upset because I answered him sarcastically.

"I would like to take this opportunity to ask you, Gina, to come to Divenson mansion tomorrow if you have extra time because the couturier will come tomorrow for your measurements, and Madeline can discuss with her the design of the gown she wants. Our wedding is simple, yet I was hoping you could choose your gown, Maddie, and I guess Gina can help you decide what design and fabric you want. I only want Maid of Honor and Best Man." He declared.

"I already invited your aunt and cousin. They are your only family, Maddie, and I know you are still upset about her, but do you even hate your aunt, now that you see and meet me?" He asked, and the way he looked at me penetrated my inner core. I want to tell him I love what I see right now, and I even want to taste his lips and feel his touch, but I can't even utter a single word.

"Well, I presume your silence means you don't hate your aunt that you meet me. It is nice to see you, Gina. I still have a meeting to attend, and Calixto will drive you home, Maddie. I am sorry, I want to drive you home, but I need to go back to the office." He said and stood up, and Gina and I raised from our chairs before I could say goodbye, Hunter moved closer to me, lay his hand on my waist, and pulled me closer to him, and I couldn't stop myself from looking up and find his mesmerizing eyes looking at my lips. My stomach flipped, and I felt like jelly. I think I lost my strength to stand up because his touch and stares made me feel so weak.

"See you later at the mansion, Maddie." He spoke in more than a whisper, and before I could answer him, he captured my mouth and savored my lips, just like the way I wanted it. We kissed like we were the only ones standing inside the cafe, and by the time he let me go, I was out of breath. I can feel my entire face turned so red.

"Bye, my sweet Madeline, goodbye, Gina. He said and turned his heels away from us while I was left standing on the ground biting my lower lip, and I felt Gina tug the hem of my dress, which is when I got back on my chair.

"Wow! He is way too hot and more handsome up close, and when did you get so lucky, Madeline? I am ecstatic for you, and by the way, I see it; he likes you, Madeline." She said, still looking at the glass door even if we could no longer see him.

"I don't know, Gina, and I am not even sure if I am lucky or unfortunate," I replied.

"Stop saying that. Do you realize being kissed by Hunter Divenson is more than enough to be lucky, and if you want, I can exchange places with you in a heartbeat? Just tell me, and I will do it." My best friend said, and she released a heavy sigh, and I laughed.

"Do you think I will let you kiss him, Gina? Over my dead body." I answered her.

"Just what I thought." She replied, and we both laughed.

"Kidding aside, Madeline, I am so envious of you; how can your life turn out this way, I am glad for you, and I can't wait to see the Divenson mansion and meet his family." She said and smiled at me.

"Gina, loving Hunter is not that easy. And you better brace yourself if you want to meet his family, but I am excited to introduce you to Lily. She is the youngest in the family, and she is the only one who loves me. Lily is adorable, and I am sure you will like her too." I replied.

"Well, never mind them, Madeline. As long as Hunter is in love with you, there is nothing to be worried about." She said, and I shook my head.

"I need a miracle to make it happen, Gina," I replied.

"If you won't believe me, that he likes you, it is all up to you, Maddie, but I am so happy for you, my friend." She said, beaming at me.

"Thank you so much for inviting me to your wedding, and I can't wait to see you walk down the aisle. Who could have thought that my best friend who has no dating experience would be married ahead of me? And not only that, you are marrying the most handsome CEO of the Divenson Mining Corporation. This news is the most epic piece of information I have ever heard, Maddie, and being your best friend, I felt like I was the one who was getting married because I couldn't contain my excitement. I couldn't be happier." She declared, and I could see the happiness on her face, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling.

"Thank you, Gina," I said, and we both got up from our chairs, and then we went out of the cafe; she sent me to Calixto's car, and I said goodbye to my friend. I hugged her before I got inside Cal's car, and I felt so much better after I talked with my best friend, I can still feel the euphoria that I felt after I shared a hot kiss with Hunter, and I can't wait to meet him later tonight at the mansion.