Chapter 145
Although the command in his voice was unmistakable, the affection he couldn't quite conceal. was just as clear.
Back when Natalie was just a girl, Madelyn hadn't thought much of it. The affection Brian had for Natalie seemed
nothing more than familial.
That was until Madelyn saw the way his palm cradled Natalie's slender, straight leg, the look in his eyes not just
one of concern, but one of a man’s possessiveness over a woman.
And Madelyn had never seen Brian kiss another woman. Not even the customary peck on the hand that was so
common overseas. He'd never touched another woman in such a way.
Natalie had chfrom school one day, the roads slick from a downpour the night before, and she'd taken
a tumble. Brian, seeing her scrape, had been so upset that he'd stood her up just for that minor incident.
That very night, Madelyn had accepted Robert's confession of love, officially becoming his girlfriend. She
couldn't deny a part of her relished the surprised look on Brian's face the next day when he saw her hand in
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇthand with Robert.
Madelyn made sure to involve Brian in every date with Robert, flaunting their relationship in front of him at every
turn. But eventually, she realized that Brian's surprise was just at their sudden relationship. And there was no
other hidden meaning behind it. Sometimes, it even seemed like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
Brian wasn’t oblivious to her secret affection for him and simply found it burdensome.
That was the difference between her and Natalie. With Natalie, Brian's cautious affection seemed like a delight.
Even once when Robert had jokingly asked, Brian had admitted that there was indeed someone he could imagine
protecting for a lifetime.
Brian didn’t say a name, but they all knew whom he meant.
Yet life was unpredictable.
“Awake?” Brian noticed Madelyn’s gaze, closed his laptop, and looked over at her.
Madelyn said nothing.
After a moment, she propped herself up in bed and asked softly, “Any news from the Coast Guard?”
Brian flickered his eyes as he replied, “Should be soon.”
They locked eyes for a few seconds before Madelyn asked, “Are you lying to me?”
“No.” As Brian spoke, he walked over to the bed. Just as he reached the edge, he saw tears clouding Madelyn’s
swollen eyes.
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Chapter 145
“I dreamed of him again. He seemed so happy to be coming home,” Madelyn sighed, her voice hoarse. As she
spoke, tears cascaded down her cheeks, “Brian, did | make a mistake?”
When Robert had his accident, it took Brian a long tto step out from the shadows of grief. Madelyn’s few
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmwords shook him to his core.
It had been nearly four years. Dead or alive, he felt helpless not being able to bring hevent the body of his
dear friend.
“Should | not have terminated Robert's baby? That was his flesh and blood. Did | make a mistake?” Madelyn
grew more frantic, and suddenly she threw off the covers and started pounding her fists against her lower belly.
“Madelyn!” Brian grabbed her wrists, “Have you lost your mind?!”
But Madelyn seemed out of control, struggling against his grasp, her voice choked with sobs, “Do you think he
blamesdown there? I killed his child! I killed mine and Robert's child with my hands!”
The pain in Brian intensified as he pulled Madelyn into a tight embrace, holding her hands firmly.
“He wouldn't blyou,” he said through clenching teeth, his voice hoarse and low after a moment.
“He would only want you to be happy.”
Madelyn’s pain was palpable, and Brian felt it even more acutely than she did.