Chapter 50

When Zach was about to kiss her, Madelyn snapped back to reality and pushed him away abruptly.

“No!” Her heart started racing.

Zach sat back calmly, his eyes filled with emotions she couldn’t decipher. “So now you’re saying no to me,” he said.

Madelyn tightly clutched her black pleated skirt. “I’ve told you, I only see you as a brother. Please, don’t do these strange things anymore. If Jadie finds out, she won’t be happy.” In her mind, she cursed, ‘You cheater! While I was waiting for you to come home, were you fooling around with other women in your car too?”

Madelyn no longer loved him. She knew he only had eyes for Jadie, and no one else. Even though Cecilia bore a resemblance to Jadie, Zach only saw Cecilia as someone who could bear his child. In Madelyn’s past life, her heart belonged entirely to him, but in the end, she suffered a devastating defeat. Now, she felt genuine fear.

Zach’s eyes turned cold. “You’re more mature now! I apologize for acting impulsively and for what happened last time.”

“It’s okay… I’ve already forgotten!”

“Good… let’s pretend it never happened.”

Zach unlocked the car doors, and Madelyn swiftly escaped by opening the door and stepping out.

As Madelyn walked into the foyer, she happened to see Jasmine coming downstairs wearing at charming purple pajama set. “Madelyn, just got back? Your dad has a business engagement tonight, so he won’t be coming home. How about we have dinner together?”

But Madelyn had no appetite. When she saw Jasmine, images of Jasmine and Zach fooling. around in various places flooded her mind. She felt an intense repulsion, and her stomach. churned with the urge to vomit.

Madelyn was about to decline when Zach’s voice came from behind her. “Silly girl, don’t you need your backpack?”

Jasmine turned toward Zach at the door. “Zach, aren’t you at the office? Dinner is ready. I was bored, so I cooked. Come and taste my culinary skills.”

Jasmine then noticed Madelyn standing motionless, wearing a perplexed expression. A profound smile appeared on Jasmine’s face. “Madelyn… What are you standing there for? Come and join us for the meal.”

Unable to escape, Madelyn stiffly replied, “Okay.”

Rosario brought over three sets of silverware, and Madelyn took a seat next to Jasmine.

Jasmine said, “I know you love carne frita. I specifically learned how to make it from Rosario. Let’s see if it suits your taste.”

Madelyn looked down at the dish Jasmine offered and took a bite. “Thank you, it’s delicious.”

“As long as you like it, I’ll make it for you again next time.”

“Okay.”

Jasmine turned to Zach and asked, “Would you like some wine, Zach? Hayson brought an excellent bottle of red wine from outside yesterday. He’s not in good health, so I convinced him to stop drinking.

It would be a shame to let it go to waste.”

Madelyn barely touched most of the dishes in front of her, but her plate of Mediterranean rice was nearly empty. Eating hastily, she suddenly choked and began coughing violently.

Rosario rushed over and patted Madelyn on the back. “Don’t eat so fast, no one is going to snatch it from you. Drink some water quickly.”

Madelyn held her chest, feeling a dull pain from the coughing. “Rosario… could you please get me some painkillers? I forgot to take them.”

“Okay, okay… just bear with it for a moment, I’ll fetch them for you.”

Less than a month had passed since Madelyn’s injury, and her bones were still fragile. In that moment, it felt as if her ribs were on the verge of breaking again. Enduring the pain, she said, “Jasmine, Zach…

I’m full, please excuse me. Enjoy your meal.”

Jasmine rose from her seat with concern. “Are you okay? Should I take you to the hospital…”

“No-no, there’s no need. I just need to take some medicine.”

Worried that Madelyn might stumble while going upstairs, Rosario offered support and helped her up.

In the living room, only Zach and Jasmine remained.

“Are you satisfied now?” Zach’s voice was icy.

Jasmine casually tousled her wavy, shoulder-length curls. “It’s not like I did it on purpose. Who would have guessed she couldn’t handle a little teasing?”