Loving Madeline

Hunter's POV

"Are you nervous, son?" I heard Cal ask me as I drove my car to the hospital to visit my dad for the first time after he was hospitalized.

"I don't know, Cal. I am so afraid of my own emotion right now because I'm not sure what I am feeling, and I don't have the slightest idea how to face my dad after all the things he had done to me." I responded, and I could feel him turn his head and watch me.

"Well, I guess it is time to forgive your father, I know you loathed him for hurting you so many times, and I am aware he almost harmed Maddie countless times as well, but he is lying in a hospital bed right now, and I am sure he is beginning to look back all the hideous things he did in his life. Even if you are not his biological son, I think growing up, you have felt that he tried to be a good father to you." Cal responded, and I couldn't disagree with him.

"Of course, that is why I can't hate him because he was there, and I couldn't understand why he wanted me to marry Kaye when I don't need to. And he knew I am not that greedy to take all our assets and money because I know I am not above my siblings. I care about all of them because they are all my mom's children, and for me, we have equal rights to all the properties we owned." I said.

"Maybe, all he ever wanted is for you to have a wealthy wife, so whatever happens to your company, he is certain you are in good hands." He replied, and I shook my head.

"No, it was because of his greed. He didn't even know that Madeline was more wealthy than we were. And I felt so ashamed to face my wife. I think I am

no longer worthy of her love. She suffered a lot because of me. And I hope her grandfather doesn't know about what happened to her within our marriage." I declared.

"Hey, no one is more deserving of having Madeline than you. I know how much you love your wife, Hunter, and don't ever say that because Madeline loves you more than anything in this world. I have witnessed how you both love each other. And I am so happy to be part of your love story. I know I am already old, but I consider you do as my close friend, and you are my best friend, Hunter, and it makes Maddie my best friend too." He said, and I smiled from ear to ear.

"Thank you, Cal, for always being there for us. I don't know what will happen to me without your guidance, and I better have an old buddy than to have someone my age who doesn't have the wisdom you do. I don't regret choosing you to become my best friend." I said, and he grinned at me.

As we were neared the hospital parking lot, I couldn't stop myself from feeling so anxious. I know I should not feel this way, maybe because it has been a while that I haven't seen my father, and I felt guilty that he is now on a comatose stage, and I am afraid if he couldn't make it.

The walk going inside the hospital feels like an eternity, and when I arrived in front of my father's executive room, I let out a sigh before I opened the door and moved inside. The room was spacious, and I could see many flowers coming from his friends, and when I looked at my father on his hospital bed, I suddenly felt cold. The brave man I used to know was lying immobile on his bed with the medical apparatus attached to his body. And as I moved towards him, I realized gone was the domineering father I had known for years, and now all I see is a helpless man.

I realized no matter how wealthy a person can be, and his money could never save him from being sick and unhealthy. And right now, as I looked at my father's pale face and chapped lips, I couldn't stop my tears from falling on my cheeks, and I didn't try to wipe them away.

"Dad, I am sorry for hating you this much. I know I should never feel this way, but you hurt me in so many ways, and you tried to hurt the love of my love. I hope you give Madeline a chance to prove herself. I found a loving and selfless wife, and yet you tried everything you can to make her leave me, and you even tried to kill me when you asked someone to sabotage the operation of our gold mine." I said in between my tears as I sat on the stool beside my father's medical bed.

"I know that time you don't intend to hurt me, and you didn't expect something like that will happen; maybe you only wanted to scare my wife so that she would leave, but I am proud of her because Madeline stayed by my side even if she knew the danger she was in, and my wife showed me how much she loves me." I proudly said.

"All I asked from you is to accept her wholeheartedly, and now I wanted to tell you, you don't need to hate her dad because Madeline is the granddaughter of Hector Grant, and I am sure you know him because he is one of your idol in the business world, you told me once you wanted me to become like him, the way he dominated the mining world made you so envious of him," I added even if I know he couldn't hear me. I just wanted to tell my father everything I felt towards him. And I wanted to release all the pain I felt inside because I wanted to face my wife as a renewed person.

"Don't worry, Dad, I know Madeline will forgive you for everything you have done to her, and I want you to know I have already forgiven you. I know I can't be a good father to my child if I will not release all the pains and hatred I bottled up inside my heart. I want to start a new life with my wife and child, and I was hoping you could get better so we can start over. You are going to be a granddad soon, so you better get better." I said as I squeezed his palm, and I saw tears trickling down on my father's face, and I realized he must hear my words, and I smiled as I wiped my tears.

"I love you, Dad, and thank you for being my father and for not telling me about it all through these years; even if you can't stop yourself from hating me when I disobeyed your order to marry someone I didn't love." I declared.

I leave my dad's room feeling optimistic that he will wake up from his coma, and I feel better after telling him everything I wanted to say to him.

"What is your plan now, Hunter?" Cal asked.

"I need to leave today; I can't wait another day not seeing her, Cal. I didn't tell my wife when I would come because I wanted to surprise her, I had already packed my things, and I hope you will be working with mom until I return from Neospoli with my wife." I said happily.

"Give my regards to Maddie." He responded, and I beamed at him.

"Of course, she will be happy to hear from you," I replied.

"Are you okay now, Calixto?" I asked, and a beautiful smile spread across his face as I looked at him sideways.

"Never been better, I know no matter how hard life can be, life must go on, and we should get courage and strength from the people who love us." He responded, and I agreed with him, and we fell silent for the rest of our ride until we reached the house.

"Hunter! Please, take me with you. I wanted to see Madeline, can't you see? I feel so guilty that she suffered a lot because of me, and she almost died too." Lily said while hugging me, and I wanted to bring her. Still, I want to meet Madeline's family first before I plan on taking them to Neospoli, and for selfish reasons, I know I wanted to be alone with my wife after not seeing her for a long time. I even miss her every time I travel abroad to attend important business meetings, and how much more now that I haven't seen her after we all thought she died.

"Lily, I am sorry, but I can't take you with me, but don't worry, next time we will go to Choraz together," I said, and she released me from her tight embrace, and she stomped her feet and pouted her lips, and she looked so adorable that I have to stifle a laugh. I need to look serious because I don't want to give in to my sister's request.

"You have to promise me that you will take me with you next time." She declared, and I nodded my head as I tucked some loose strands of her hair at the back of her ear.

"Okay, have a safe flight, Hunter, and please tell Madeline I miss her so much." She said.

"Of course, I will, but I bet she already knew how much you miss your elder sister/best friend," I responded, and my little sister giggled, and it warms my heart to know how much she adores my wife.

I said goodbye to the rest of my family, and even Gina was there, and she handed me an envelope for Maddie, and I called my mom before I boarded the helicopter.. And the moment we took off, I couldn't stop myself from smiling, feeling so happy and excited to meet my lovely hot pregnant wife.