22 Memories
“Maddie, I can’t even begin to explain everything that happened. All you need to know is that I’m back and not leaving anytime soon.”
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Overwhelmed by emotions, Madison ran into Luke’s open arms while he patted her back, gently consoling her.
After a while, Madison finally released herself from his grasp and said with red-rimmed eyes, “Luke, what are you doing here? How did you end up becoming the director of this company?”
Luke stared at her intently. “I promised you I would one day become a director, and you’d be my best actress. Don’t you remember?”
Madison never thought Luke would take such a childish promise seriously. They had made that promise jokingly and didn’t think Luke would work on it. She was proud that Luke had turned it into a reality, no matter how long it took.
“I’m so happy to see you. You don’t understand how upset I was when they told us you had died.” She said that and fell into Luke’s embrace again, holding him tight like she feared he would disappear.
“I’m so happy to see you too, Maddie.”
Madison could feel tears welling up in her eyes again. She had missed Luke so much. Around him, she had always felt safe and happy. She nodded her head and smiled up at him. God hadn’t turned his back on her as she had thought, because bringing Luke back into her life was more than she could
have asked for. That and a smooth divorce with Ethan.
Madison and Luke sat on the couch, reminiscing about their past and catching up on the
present.
All of a sudden, Madison’s phone vibrated in her pocket. She took it out and glanced at the screen. It was Ethan. Madison had recalled what Isabella had told her the night before. She stood up, walked over to the window, and took his call, frowning. “Ethan?”
“Yes, it’s me. Didn’t you save my number?” He said it with a frown.
“Why are you calling me? Please don’t call me unless it’s something important. I’ve been busy lately.”
Madison had almost hung up when Ethan quickly said, “I’m at the lobby of Starlight Entertainment. Please come downstairs. I need to talk to you.”
“What? How did you know I was here? Did you follow me?” Madison asked. She was surprised as to
how Ethan knew she was there.
“Fewer questions. Please just come downstairs.” He said that and hung up. Madison stared at her phone momentarily, confused about why Ethan sounded anxious. Did something happen with Olivia?
She returned to the room and said to Luke, “I must leave now. My husband is downstairs waiting for
me.”
22 Memories
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Luke stood up, walked over to her side, and took the phone from her. He typed in his number and handed it back to her. “Alright. Go ahead.”
Madison scampered downstairs and caught sight of Ethan standing next to his car.
“What are you doing here?”
“To take you to lunch,” Ethan replied.
“Lunch? Did you seriously call me down because of that?”
“Yes, just that. We’ve been married for two years but never had lunch together, so I want to make it up to you.” Ethan’s voice was gentle, contrasting with how he usually behaves around her.
“Are you okay? Did you hit your head?”
“No. Can’t I decide to do one good thing for you?”
“It took you two years to be human towards me.” Madison replied, her eyes narrowing, “Are you sick? Are you dying or something?”
Ethan sighed. “It’s Mom. She had a reservation at a restaurant.”
Madison let out a breath of relief. “Thank God. For a second, I thought you had planned lunch with me. I was ready to drag you to the hospital.”
Olivia had been trying her best to play the role of matchmaker over the past two years.
Whenever she noticed that Ethan and Madison were not interacting with each other, she would deliberately invite them out for a meal and then disappear, so they would be forced to talk to each
other.
What bothered Madison was why Ethan had agreed to this willingly; he always found a way to avoid things like this. After a moment’s hesitation, Madison still got into his car anyway.
They arrived at the Rose Cafe.
The Rose Cafe, like its namesake, was decorated entirely with roses and even had a gigantic bouquet of roses at the door to welcome its guests. It was such an iconic spot that every couple that came here on dates would take a photo there.
The Rose Cafe was one of the best dating spots in the city. When Madison entered, she observed that almost all of the tables were filled with couples. As they walked to their table, she cringed at the sight of a few couples kissing.
Madison had been here before with Ethan. At that time, she and Stephen were fighting, and he caused a huge scene. She had never stepped foot there again since then. Ethan and Madison were seated in a private room with a table.
As expected, Olivia was waiting for them inside. When she saw Madison, she leaped to her feet and embraced her. “You’re finally here, Madison!”
22 Memories
3/3
“Why did you suddenly decide to have lunch here, Olivia?”
Olivia and Madison sat down, ignoring Ethan entirely. “My love, I didn’t want to come here at all, but my baby will divorce this runt if I don’t. Madison, I know you’re demanding a divorce.
I shouldn’t get involved since it has nothing to do with me, but you’re still my daughter. I can’t just sit idly while my daughter gets divorced.”
Olivia was beginning to sob as she said this. Madison knew she was playing the guilt card on her, but she could do nothing apart from glare at Ethan. He had reassured her that Olivia wouldn’t know until
it was over.
“I won’t divorce Ethan Olivia, so don’t worry. Please stop crying ”
Ethan’s entire face lit up when he heard this.
“Really?” Olivia turned to Madison with a hopeful look.
“Yes.” Madison nodded reluctantly.
“Alright then. I need to go now. I’ll leave you two to talk things out.” With that, she stood up and left. I need to go now, so you two can enjoy your meal!” With that, Olivia stood up and left.
Once Olivia had left, Madison picked up her bag and stood up. “Well, that was fun.”
“Why don’t you stay for lunch? You’re already here anyway, so we might as well eat,” Ethan said.
“Why should I stay? I wouldn’t say I like this place. Do you remember the last time you were both here? You ruined this place for me.” Madison crossed her hands and looked down at Ethan with a
frown.
“I’m sorry about how I acted before, and besides, Mom has already ordered our food, so we shouldn’t waste it,” Ethan said gently. Ethan’s apology took advantage of Madison. In her two years of being with him, he had never accepted his mistake and apologized. It made Madison uneasy.
“Fine,” she said hesitantly. “I’ll stay, but it’s only because I’m hungry and because of Olivia.”
Halfway through their meal, Ethan excused himself to the bathroom, leaving his phone behind on the
table.
When his phone rang, Madison glanced at his screen and caught sight of the name. It was Maya.
