Betrayed by the Father Reborn in His Rival's Arms novel Chapter 263

"Don't forget our agreement. You still have a sliver of memory, a tiny bit of affection for me, right? Don't leave me entirely alone in this."

His voice was deep and rich, yet it carried an unmistakable undercurrent of turmoil.

Madeline was living a life devoid of her memories.

She was creating a wedge between them by calling him Mr. Prescott, acting as if they were total strangers.

But the truth was, they had grown up together, sharing a profound, innocent bond like family.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them childhood sweethearts.

"Quentin," Madeline murmured softly, a hint of shyness in her tone.

After all, Quentin was only a year older than her.

Even though he always insisted on taking the role of her protector, she felt this name suited them better.

She genuinely believed she was at fault; she never should have forgotten him.

More importantly, she shouldn't have made him feel so isolated, and using his first name fostered a deeper intimacy.

"Yeah."

Quentin's voice was a low, soothing hum, his warm breath ghosting across her temple as his lips nearly brushed her skin.

"That sounds perfect. Say it again."

"Quentin!"

Afraid she might completely melt under his intense presence, Madeline quickly turned and slipped out of his embrace.

She reached into her handbag, retrieved a necklace, and quietly placed it into his palm.

"I made this necklace myself. It's for you. I won't let you shoulder all of this burden alone."

Quentin lowered his gaze, studying the silver necklace resting in his hand.

At the center hung a delicate silver apple pendant.

Something subtle yet brilliantly bright ignited within Quentin's eyes.

Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit—the apple—fell in love, became husband and wife, and fled the Garden of Eden to start a family of their own.

This apple pendant was no coincidence; it was a deeply hidden, intimate metaphor.

Just like Adam and Eve, they lived under the suffocating roof of the same overarching family.

He turned and walked out first, a barely noticeable flush creeping up his neck.

He moved so quickly that Madeline didn't catch the blush.

When she followed him outside, she realized the yacht had already docked at an island.

The island was massive, stretching out in a sea of lush greenery as far as the eye could see.

Yet, seamlessly integrated into the natural beauty were countless highly advanced, modern architectural marvels.

Impeccably dressed people wandered and lived across the island, making the entire place look like a colossal, futuristic garden.

The moment Quentin's yacht hit the pier, an entourage was waiting to greet them.

The sheer reverence and submission they showed him made it clear he was the absolute ruler of this island.

He was treated like modern-day royalty.

Quentin informed Madeline that the island was one of his private assets and that Margaret's cremains could be laid to rest in the island's pristine cemetery.

He promised to bring her back to visit once a year, while the cemetery staff would ensure the site was always adorned with fresh flowers.