23 Concurrence
Madison suddenly felt the food in her mouth turn bland. She placed her fork down and filled her glass with the red wine she had been avoiding because she didn’t want to get drunk; she was a lightweight when it came to drinking
Ethan had noticed the change in her attitude when he returned. “What’s wrong?”
Madison nudged her head in the direction of her phone. “Your little mistress just called you.”
Ethan’s expression turned solemn. He picked up his phone and saw the missed call from Maya. Without a word, he left the table and strode towards the side of the room. A few moments later, he returned, but instead of sitting back down, he picked up his things.
“Something came up at the office, Madison. I have to go. I’ll ask someone to take you home.”
“This isn’t your first time ditching me in a public place. I can find my way back.” She said this as she refilled her glass. Judging from the anxious look on his phone, something had happened to Maya.
This is why Madison was eager for a divorce; she needed to be free from Ethan. The only thing she could not understand was why Ethan was reluctant to get a divorce. Madison watched him leave in a hurry. As soon as he disappeared, she gulped down the rest of the wine and picked up her bag, intending to go.
“Maddie?” A familiar voice rang out behind her.
Madison turned around to find Luke sitting at a table by the window, holding a glass of wine. She never thought they would run into each other so soon. Madison hesitated for a moment before she approached him. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I had made reservations at this restaurant for lunch with you, but since you had to leave, I decided to come here myself. I thought you rushed off to meet somebody. Why are you here alone then?” Luke asked.
“Something came up; he had to leave. Why are there two sets of tableware on your table?” She gave Luke a quizzical look. Since Luke initially thought she was not coming, why would he let the waiter set
the table for two?
“It’s for you,” he replied.
“But you didn’t think I was coming,” Madison said, narrowing her eyes.
“Call it a hunch.”
Madison still wasn’t satisfied with his answer, but she chose not to pry further. Unknown to Madison, Luke had always included a set of tableware for her whenever he dined all these years.
“You’re here now, aren’t you? So why don’t you join me?”
Madison sat on the chair opposite Luke while he poured her a glass of wine.
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“I’m fine on the wine. I drank a lot before.”
“Come on, Maddie, just a toast. Please.”
After a moment of consideration, Madison finally agreed.
⚫ Ethan arrived at his office. Before leaving the car, he instructed his driver, “Go back to Rose Cafe.
Madam must finish her meal just now, so be there to send her home.”
He texted Madison, telling her the driver would be waiting outside.
Meanwhile, Luke glanced at Madison, who appeared deep in thought. “Is something wrong, Maddie? Are you busy? If you are, you can leave. I don’t mind.”
“No. I’m fine, Luke. I have been stressed out recently. Moving and all.
Moray put down his glass of wine. “I’ll take you home so you can rest.”
“No need. You’re enjoying your meal. I can find my way home.”
“It’s no trouble. I don’t mind doing anything for you. Remember, Maddie, you’re my saving grace.” Luke said it with a smile. “I’ll tell the waiter to get the bill.”
“No need, Luke. Besides, I don’t want to go home; I want to stay with you. It’s been 20 years. We have a lot to catch up on.” Madison said that and refilled both their glasses.
Apart from spending time with Luke, she didn’t want to go home, and she also didn’t want to dwell
on Ethan and Maya.
“If you say so, Maddie, Anything you need, say the word.”
The two of them soon finished an entire bottle of wine, but Madison insisted on more even though
she was drunk.
Luke didn’t try to stop her when she ordered a new bottle. In a way, Madison was using the alcohol to
numb her sadness. Just as she was about to pour herself another glass, she heard someone call out
from behind her. “Madison!”
She thought she was seeing things when she turned around and saw Ethan walk towards their table.
For a moment, she could not tell if this was reality or if she was so drunk that she was starting to see things. Ethan had gone to see Maya, so why would he be here?
She stood up unsteadily and almost fell. The two men rushed towards her side quickly, trying to steady her. Ethan held her right hand while Luke held her left.
Ethan shoved Luke out of the way and caught Madison before she fell. “I’d advise you to get your hands off my wife.
Madison stared up at Ethan and slurred. “Not for long, Ethan. We’re getting a divorce.”
Ethan clenched his teeth and shot her a stern look. “Is he the reason you keep insisting on a divorce?
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Are you divorcing me because your precious Luke is back? So, you can both get back together.”
Ethan had known about Luke for a while now but chose to ignore it since he was nothing but a name, but now he was here in the flesh. Ethan couldn’t help but be worried that he was why Madison kept persisting on the divorce.
“What’s. It to. you,” Madison said between hiccups. “While you have the opportunity to run around with that ninja named Maya, I am unable to do the same. Fuck off, Ethan.”
Madison tried to pull away from Ethan’s grip, but he was too strong.
“I don’t think she wants to go home with you. Let her go; I’ll take her home.”
“I’m not going to hand over my wife to some guy who just showed up after twenty years when he was supposed to be dead.”
Luke ignored Ethan’s words and stepped towards him. He tried to pry Madison out of his arms.
“I warn you, Luke, lay another finger on her or me again, and I’ll beat you to fucking pulp. We aren’t divorced yet, so she is still my responsibility.”
Luke snickered. “She’s already filed for divorce, which means she no longer wants to be with you. How can you be so naive? I thought you were one of the best businessmen in the city.”
Coincidentally, Luke was the reason Ethan had been forced to return to the office. It turned out that Luke was attacking Ethan’s company. Previously, Ethan didn’t understand why, but now he has finally pieced everything together. It was all because of Madison.
“A businessman knows how to maximize his winnings. I’m sure you know what I’m trying to say, Ethan. I’ll let you take her home, but there won’t be a next time.”
Luke was prepared for this. He had only one goal in mind, which was Madison. He was not afraid to take Ethan down for her.
“We’ll meet again, Luke.”
