17 I Need To Run Away

Madeline's POV

I wanted to leave the dining hall, but I knew it was inappropriate, and I realized his family would be against it. I tried my best to look unaffected by his gestures towards Kaye.

I felt Lily's hand squeeze my palm under the table, and I couldn't help myself from smiling that this little angel was helping me beyond what she could imagine. I hope the dinner will be over soon, so I can go to my room and cry my heart out.

I don't know if Hunter is doing this to punish me for what I have done this afternoon. He has no right to do this because I only met my friend, and I have done nothing wrong. I only asked Gina to be my maid of honor, and I think there is nothing wrong with it.

"Hunter, we plan to have a drink after dinner. I hope you can join us." Kaye said as she looked at him while fluttering her eyes.

"Of course, I'd love to because it has been a long time since the last time we saw each other. I miss you, Kaye. I hope you know that." Hunter said, and I am now officially in pain, and after tonight, I will talk with him and ask him to set me free.

There is no reason for me to stay in this place. I need to speak with Lily privately, and I hope she can help me with my plan. I can't deny I am falling for Hunter because I can feel the pain pierced my heart.

And out of the corner of my eye, I saw Charlotte looking at me with a sinister smile on her face, and I could tell she was having a good time, knowing her plan was working.

I may be poor, but I will never let this family humiliate me even more. They already insulted me, and now Hunter is doing his best to remind me that I am nothing to him.

I am just a young woman that he bought from my aunt. I wish I had another option. Why did my father put me into this mess? I hate him even more for making my life so miserable.

When I was living with my aunt, I was always tired every day since I woke up early to work and came home late for work. I could feel all the joints of my body hurting, but it was okay. I am living my life with dignity.

My life here in this mansion sucks, especially now that Hunter is so cozy with Kaye. I don't know what his relationship with Kaye is, and I don't want to learn about it. And I think the best thing to do right now is to escape while I am still free.

Besides, I now believe that this woman is here because she will stop Hunter's craziness of marrying a woman he doesn't even know. And his entire family is very supportive of Kaye, so why should I be here?

He doesn't need me anymore, and the more I will stay here, the further I will become in love with him, and right now, I want to stop my foolishness.

"Can I go to your room after dinner, Lily?" I asked her.

"Yes, of course, Madeline, I want you to go to my room. I like to watch the stars on my balcony, and I think we can have stargazing tonight." She said excitedly, and even though my heart was aching, I found myself smiling at her.

I felt glad that the maid served the desserts, and I ate the tiramisu, but it didn't feel enjoyable in my mouth, and I wondered why even my taste was affected by my broken heart.

When they all stood up as a signal that dinner was over, I felt so relieved, and I felt so pleased that Lily pulled my hand in going to her room.

I didn't make another mistake of looking at Hunter because I knew it would only hurt me to find him staring at Kaye's beautiful face.

By the time I got inside Lily's room, I sat on her couch, and I tried to stop myself from crying, but I couldn't control my tears from falling down my cheeks, and the little girl sat beside me, kneading my back, and I cry harder, that at least on my misery I uncovered comfort in this little girl's hand.

"I am sorry, Lily. I know I don't have any right to feel this way, but it hurts me that your brother ignored me the entire dinner." I said as I sniffed.

"I know you don't understand what I am talking about right now, but when you are old enough, you will understand all this," I added as I tried to stop myself from crying, and Lily handed me a white handkerchief.

"I may be a twelve-year-old girl, but I understand what Hunter did this evening. I don't know if he is pretending to be nice to Kaye in front of our parents to stop them from telling him to enjoy Kaye's company or if he is enjoying her presence, but one thing is for sure: I know he wounded your heart." She replied.

"And I am sorry, Madeline, you are his fiancee, so, naturally, you will feel that way, and I couldn't understand why he is doing all this to you," Lily added and looked at me with tenderness.

"Wow! You are a smart girl, and I am so proud to meet you. Now, there is one thing I want to tell you, Lily, and I hope you can keep this secret." I said.

"Of course, Madeline, I am your best friend now." She replied, and I smiled at her.

"I am in love with your brother," I said.

"That is not a secret, Madeline. I can see it the way you look at Hunter." She responded, and I laughed.

"Am I that obvious?" I replied.

"Of course, but nothing is wrong with that because you are his bride-to-be." She responded, and I nodded.

"Yeah, but I am not his girlfriend, and your brother is not in love with me. I know I should not be telling you all about this, but I know you are smart, and your intelligence doesn't belong to a twelve-year-old." I said.

"I don't know if I need to be happy with your compliment, Madeline." She replied, and I couldn't stop myself from hugging her.

"You need to know he is only marrying me because he wants to have an heir. I am in this situation now because your brother paid off my aunt's debts." I added.

"I never knew about your brother until Calixto came and informed me that I needed to come here to meet his family because I would be his bride without even meeting him." I continued as she listened to me intently.

"But sad to say, I fell in love with Hunter on the first night I met him. I know it was crazy to fall for him, knowing he doesn't have feelings for me." I declared and couldn't stop feeling sad, and I was surprised when she hugged me.

"Oh, Madeline." She said, and I cried again.

"I came from a low-income family, and I haven't met my dad. He left me when I was three years old, and now that I saw your brother being so close to Kaye, I feel so hurt." I declared.

"And I can't stop myself from being jealous, and I know you are the only one in this mansion who likes me, and I will be forever grateful for your friendship, Lily," I added.

"As much as I want to spend time with you, I need to leave this house, and I can't take the insults of your parents. Charlotte's hatred towards me is very apparent, especially now that she invited Kaye to be in this house to humiliate me," I added.

"You are the only one who can help me, and I don't want to feel this way anymore. I need to stay away and forget your brother, but don't worry; I will continue to communicate with you." I said.

"Don't worry, Madeline, I will help you now that I know what my brother did to you. I hate him for doing all this to you, and how could he play with your heart like that?" She said, and I almost laughed; where did she learn all these things about love?

"Thank you so much, Lily," I said.

"You are welcome, but please promise you won't forget about me." She said.

"Of course, there is no way I am going to forget you, Lily, and you will always be here in my heart," I said.

"I want you to be my sister, Madeline, but I know you are miserable here, and I won't hold you back. I wish for your happiness, Maddie." She said.

"Can I sleep here in your room tonight?" I asked.

"I'd love to, Maddie; please sleep here tonight." She said, and I can see the excitement on her face.

Lily came with me to my room. She is patiently waiting for me while I take a hot shower, and since I am sleeping in her room, I want to wear decent sleeping attire, so I opted to wear my pajamas.

After I blow dry my hair, I get my phone, and we go back to her room. We spent almost two hours on her balcony watching the stars and waiting for some falling stars.

Then, she yawned several times, and that is when I called it a night, and she agreed with me. She must be so sleepy since, after hitting her soft bed, she immediately falls asleep.

I got up from bed and texted Gina not to come to the Divenson mansion tomorrow. She replied immediately, and I can tell by Gina's text messages she was disappointed that she couldn't see the Divenson mansion, but I can tell she felt guilty after I texted her what happened tonight.

"Oh, you better leave that mansion immediately, Madeline." She replied with angry emojis, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Yeah, that is my plan, Gina, and thank you so much. I don't know what to do without you." I replied.

"That is what friends are for, to be there for each other, especially in times of trouble. Good night, Madeline." She texted.

"Good night, Gina," I replied, and I got back to Lily's bed; she was sleeping like an angel, and I wish she were my real sister. I find it so hard to sleep because I keep thinking if I am making the right decision.

But I don't think I have any other option; besides, I am willing to endure the pain as long as Hunter is with me, but judging by how he flirts with Kaye, I don't want to be in so much pain anymore.

While it is still early, it is better to leave this place while I still can. My decision is final, and I need to run away and forget Hunter Divenson.