Loving Madeline

"Hey, how are you feeling?" My best friend asked when she returned to the hospital room, and I wondered what took her so long to come back when all she told me was she would call Jack.

She was beaming at me while she showed me the bouquet in her hands. Red roses with white angel's breath were arranged beautifully and wrapped with craft paper, and they looked so fresh and beautiful.

"I am fine; thank you for the flowers," I responded, and her facial expression suddenly changed.

"You should thank your husband later," Gina stated, and my face fell, and the feelings I felt intensified.

"He brought that flowers?" I asked, and she nodded her head with a shy smile, and I could tell that something was going on.

I wanted to ask her where is my husband, and I couldn't stop from blushing. God knows how much I miss Hunter, and I don't understand why I feel this way.

Gina put the flowers on the table while I sat on the bed; it was past eight. As I looked at my phone, I lay back on the bed. I wondered why Hunter hadn't returned yet. I didn't realize I had dozed off, and when I woke up, my eyes searched the room and found Gina sleeping on the couch while my heart was hammering against my chest when I realized my husband was not around.

I slowly stood up and picked up the IV bottle from the stand, and I walked towards the window. I drew the curtain to the side and was mesmerized by the city lights below glittering like it was Christmas.

"Why are you still here, Gina?" I asked.

"I would be spending the night here to accompany you." She responded with a smile.

"You don't need to do that; I can take care of myself; besides, the hospital staff would check on me from time to time," I answered.

"I know, but I want to stay here with you; it would be different if you had someone; hopefully, according to your husband, your doctors will give you clearance at the end of this week, and you will be discharged." She replied.

"Yeah, I couldn't wait to see my little boy," I mumbled, and a beautiful smile spread across her face.

"I miss Frank too, and I hope to see him soon," Gina said as she covered my frame with the blanket.

"You should go back to sleep now, Maddie," she added, and I nodded my head while I could feel the emptiness in my heart.

"Are you sure you are okay?" She asked after a long silence, and I couldn't keep a secret from her. Gina would always know if something was wrong with me, no matter how much I tried to hide it from her.

"I am just wondering where my husband could be," I said in more than a whisper, and I avoided her gaze since I knew she would blame me.

"You don't need to worry about your husband, Madeline; he went home to your mansion to rest." My best friend replied, and my eyes widened in shock.

"He informed you?" I asked, feeling hurt that he didn't text me at all.

"Yes, he texted me and begged me to accompany you, but you knew Hunter doesn't need to beg since I will always be here for you anytime you need me," Gina replied, and I couldn't stop myself from feeling so upset that Hunter informed my best friend and he didn't even call me.

He attended his dad's funeral and maybe he realized I was the reason his father died, and he couldn't face me at the moment.

"I could feel something is going on, and Hunter realized I was the reason his family tore apart." I replied and she took my hands and looked at me in the eyes.

"My husband is leaving me, Gina," I mumbled as I pulled my hand away from her, and my best friend laughed.

"Madeline, that is not true, you knew how much he loves you, you were cold to him after the operation, and what would you think he will feel, Maddie?" Gina asked and I fell silent.

"Hunter was having a hard time when you were shot with that bullet, and he was so happy when you were given another chance to live your life, Maddie." She answered.

"But you became different, and he was scared of losing you, but one thing I am certain, he will never leave you, Madeline." Gina added.

"Your husband wanted you to be happy at all times, but all he could see in your face was unhappiness and regrets after your operation; Clark died because someone shot him, and not because you killed him. You are too good to hurt someone, Madeline, and we all know you cannot hurt anyone." Gina declared as she sat beside me on the bed.

"I hate to see you like this, Madeline, I don't want you to feel guilty because you wished for everyone's happiness." She said, and I fell silent until I fell asleep again, and when I woke up the following morning, I could hear voices inside my room, and when I opened my eyes, I saw Lily sitting on a stool beside my bed.

"How are you, Madeline?" She asked as she held my hand, my tears fell on my cheeks and I felt her dry my tears with her handkerchief.

"I am sorry, Lily," I mumbled and she shook her head.

"Madeline, you have nothing to apologize for, it wasn't your fault that dad died, and I knew I hated my father for hurting you so many times; I felt guilty that there were moments I wished he wasn't my father." Lily said as she squeezed my hand.

" I had forgiven him, Madeline, you will always be my idol; you were a forgiving person and I always wished to be like you." Hunter's sister added.

"I felt so proud of my dad on that day he saved your life, and I felt glad he chose to be a good man at the end of his life, and I am no longer ashamed that I am his daughter." Lily continued.

"Please, stop feeling sorry, and don't ever apologize to us since you have done nothing so far but goodness." Lily said as she smiled at me, and then she took me into a tight embrace.

Hunter's mom said the same thing, yet I couldn't stop myself from feeling culpable. We talked and they stayed by my side until Gina returned since she went home after Lily and mom arrived.

I kept looking at the door hoping Hunter would get inside my room, but night time came and my husband didn't return. I became more frustrated when I didn't receive any text messages from my husband and I wished to throw away my phone.

It was all my fault and I knew I hurt him. I pretended I was asleep. I am just glad Gina didn't bother to ask me again if I was okay. I don't feel physically ill anymore, but I the emotional pain was killing me heart.

I only ate a little during dinner since I am desperate to see my husband, and this is the first time I hadn't heard anything from him this long after we settled in Neospoli country for good.

I asked Gina to leave me, but she is hardheaded and she slept on the sofa while I was lying awake on my bed missing my husband like crazy. It was a torture not to see him and hear his voice.

I closed my eyes, but I couldn't sleep, and I felt my tears on my cheeks as they flowed like waterfalls, and suddenly I felt my entire body was on fire as I inhaled his heavenly scent, and I knew my husband was around.

Hunter was wiping my tears with his fingers, and I wished to open my eyes and see him, but I am too ashamed of what I have done. I felt him kiss my forehead before he moved away from me.

When I fluttered my eyes I saw his back figure walking away from me, and I hated myself that I turned mute even if all I ever wanted was to call his name.

I found out the following morning I was only dreaming about my husband when Gina told me it would be impossible for Hunter to visit me since he flew back to Neospoli earlier yesterday due to some important matters related to the company.

"Madeline, you should eat your breakfast, or else, you can't go home, you should make the doctor think you are ready to go home." Gina said when she noticed I wasn't eating my breakfast meal; because I was desperate to see my husband.

"I don't have the appetite, Gina," I mumbled.

"Is this all because of your husband?" She asked and I could no longer hide the pain I feel inside my heart.

"Yes, I missed him so much, Gina, and I could feel my heart is about to burst inside my chest," I replied and she smiled at me while I could feel the excruciating pain in my heart as I thought my husband had left without saying goodbye to me.

"Madeline, your husband is only one call and text away, you can always call him, and you know that," Gina replied, and I avoided her gaze since I knew she was right.

"You need to lower your pride for once, Madeline, he is your husband, and you love him." She added, and I was silent.

Gina went back to the sofa when I stopped talking, I yawned and closed my eyes, I felt miserable without knowing my husband's whereabouts and I knew he would be safe in my grandpa's place, and Gina was right, I could call Hunter anytime I want since I am still his wife, but I felt so afraid if he would ignore my call.

It was almost midnight when I picked up my phone and tried to compose a message for my husband, but I kept deleting the words that I had typed, afraid that he might not reply to me, but in the end I ended up typing nine words and sent the message, and I could feel the hammering of my heart as I waited for his reply.