"Madisyn, I need to know!" Joey's voice trembled with urgency, her eyes searching Madisyn's for answers. "You don't deserve to know!" Madisyn shot back, her voice cracking as tears welled up in her eyes. "Not after you broke up with me!" Her words dissolved into sobs, her chest heaving with the weight of her emotions. "Please," Joey's voice softened, filled with desperation. "Just tell me… is the kid you're pregnant with mine or is it my brother's?" --- Madisyn had always envisioned a simple, colorful life. She dreamed of nurturing her children with love and being a devoted mother, building the family she had always longed for. After years of falling for the wrong men, she thought she had finally found the perfect one, the man who would complete her picture of happiness. But she had made a grave mistake. In her eagerness for love, she had handed over her heart too quickly, trusting too easily. It was a mistake that would cost her dearly when he abandoned her at the altar, leaving her humiliated on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. As if that betrayal wasn’t enough, she soon uncovered the bitter truth: his love had never been real. He had faked every tender word, every promise of forever. But fate has a way of balancing the scales. Madisyn knew that revenge was a dish best served cold, and what could be more satisfying than turning to the one person her ex hated most? His own brother. Dating his brother wasn't just about moving on; it was about reclaiming her power. It was about showing him that she could rise from the ashes he left behind and find love in the most unexpected place—right under his nose.
He was right—she had come with a plan in mind. The plan was simple: inform Eithan about Joey's devilish scheme and enlist him as an ally to make his company fail.
"I want to do everything in my power to push him back to where he belongs. I want to take away what my father gave him, and I want to destroy him like he destroyed me." Her eyes burned with revenge.
"Wow." Eithan tilted his head, a slight smile curving his lips. "That's a very dedicated plan."
"You don't understand how much he hurt me. He was the worst person I've ever met."
He raised his hands in surrender. "I surely don't understand. I've never been in love. The only things I've ever loved are my career, money, and my company. Trust me, those things won't disappoint you or leave you at the altar."
Madisyn frowned. He'd never been in love? That was hard to believe, considering how rich and handsome he was.
"Do you know a better way to get revenge on him?" he asked, still inspecting her.
He was one of the most gorgeous men she had ever seen. His muscular build made her wonder when he found time to hit the gym, given that he ruled one of the most profitable automotive companies in the industry. His facial features were perfectly balanced, the envy of any Fashion Week model.
She shook her head, doubting there was a worse way to get to Joey than that plan.
"You could become more successful than he ever could be. Steal every client from him so that the person he tried to destroy ends up destroying him instead."
Madisyn almost laughed at the idea. "I can't. I don't know anything about business."
"I can help you with that."
She shook her head again.
"You can destroy him easily. Just make sure your offer is more tempting than his as soon as he opens his company, and you'll succeed."
"I'm not scared of him. I've lost count of all the people who wanted to take my success, and even the most experienced failed. I could destroy him in a snap, but I won't. The only help you'll get from me is a job offer. You can work for me, and I'll teach you everything."
Madisyn didn't doubt that option would work, but she doubted herself and her capabilities. She didn't want to embarrass herself if things went wrong.
"I can't do the dirty work for you. You're the one who wants revenge. I'm offering you a way to achieve it and some help. Think about it. You can give me your answer in two days, on Friday. But let's not meet here—my assistants are gossip addicts. We'll meet at a coffee shop; I'll send you the address on Friday. Show up only if you're considering my offer."
He handed her a note with his name and phone number on it. "I'm sorry for what my brother did to you."
He offered her a smile. "I have to work now. Have a good day."
"Thank you. You too."
Madisyn walked out of the office and asked the driver to take her to her sister's place. She didn't want to tell her father or anyone else what had happened. She knew her father could emotionally destroy Joey more than she or Eithan ever could, but she also knew that knowing the truth would devastate him. Her father had considered Joey like a son and trusted him deeply. They had a beautiful relationship, and Madisyn wouldn't let her thirst for revenge create more victims than the ones she and her father could ever handle.
But she needed to see her sister. She needed to know what she had said to the guests, and then she needed to leave for a week or so. She desperately needed a break from everything—some alone time.
The driver took her to her sister's place, and she got out of the car, taking a deep breath before knocking on the door.
"Who is it?" Her sister's voice came through the door.
"It's me, Madisyn."
"Oh!" Her sister rushed to open the door and immediately wrapped her in a loving hug. "How are you, sissy?"
"Well… I've had better days."
"I know, darling. Come inside. Have you eaten? We can order something."
Madisyn smiled and shook her head. "I haven't, but I'm not hungry. What happened yesterday? What did you say to the guests?"
"I told them Joey didn't show up and broke up with you. I said the wedding is canceled and that if anyone dares to text or show up asking for details, they'll regret it."
Madisyn burst out laughing. "No way! You're messing with me!"
"No, I'm serious. You know how annoying our uncles can be, and Dad's new fiancée? She's a pain in the—"
"That's why nobody showed up yesterday! Well, at least it worked!" Madisyn laughed it off.
"I really hate him. I don't think I've ever hated someone as much as I hate him. I even wonder how I could have loved him," Madisyn sighed, almost forgetting her sister didn't know the full story.
"It's weird he just left like that. He didn't even apologize? Maybe he'll come back…"
Madisyn shook her head. "No, no, I don't ever want to see him again."
Her sister gently caressed her back. "What will you do about the honeymoon? You have booked a place. Why don't you go with someone? You've got two weeks paid in Ibiza."
"That would just remind me of him, and I don't want that."
"Alright then. We should find you someone to go with so you won't be reminded of him. I'll find you a man. Wait, I have an idea." She took Madisyn's phone from her pocket and downloaded an app with a red heart icon.
"Done! I signed you up. This is a dating app!"