Betrayed by the Father Reborn in His Rival's Arms novel Chapter 91

"Where else could you possibly go without me? You don't honestly think Julian Jaxon is any better, do you?"

"I'm the best man you'll ever have. Keep this up, and there truly won't be any turning back."

Madeline had no intention of turning back.

She shoved Lucius away, entirely exhausted by this endless tug-of-war. She turned and opened the door, catching a glimpse of his profound disappointment just before she closed it.

Lucius reserved all his tenderness for Liliana Lansbury.

He had given Madeline nothing but the empty title of his wife, expecting her to drop to her knees in gratitude and daring to ask what more she could possibly want.

For that title, she was supposed to sacrifice everything. She was expected to share his bed, cater to his elders, raise his child, and manage everyone's feelings—including Liliana's.

He would blindly take Liliana's side in any situation, regardless of right or wrong.

The ridiculous part was that Lucius genuinely believed she should just accept it, brushing off her grievances as unreasonable.

Even now, he treated her heartbreak as nothing more than a childish tantrum.

Madeline truly didn't understand why Lucius refused to let her go when he clearly didn't love her.

If he was so obsessed with Liliana, why not just divorce her?

That way, they could both move on. Wouldn't it be better for him and Liliana to start fresh without any baggage?

She couldn't wrap her head around his logic, but her mind was made up. She was going to build a better life for herself, free from his toxic drain on her soul.

With that thought, she shut the door firmly. Exhaustion washed over her, so she took a quick shower and fell into a deep sleep.

She was sleeping comfortably when a sudden heaviness on her chest made it hard to breathe, jolting her awake.

It was Lucius. He had his arms wrapped tightly around her and a leg draped over hers, fast asleep.

She tried to shove his arm away, but his grip was like a vise.

Madeline stared into the darkness, letting her eyes adjust.

It quickly dawned on her. Lucius was likely terrified that Arthur would find out they were sleeping in separate rooms, so he sneaked in after she fell asleep.

At least this way, the staff couldn't report to Arthur that they were estranged.

After breakfast, guests began to arrive. Today marked the first day of Arthur's grand eightieth birthday celebration, an extravagant affair spanning seven days. Immediate family and elite friends were seated in the lavish main hall, dining on truffles, caviar, and vintage champagne.

Less prominent guests were directed to a massive outdoor banquet in the courtyard. The catering was still top-tier, featuring lobster and prime steak that cost hundreds of dollars a plate.

As the heir to the Whitman empire, Lucius was in charge of hosting the event.

Madeline ate a quick bowl of oatmeal and got straight to work, knowing there was a mountain of tasks to handle.

She briefly considered skipping the event just to watch Lucius face Arthur's wrath, but playing the dutiful wife served her own interests for now. She decided to get through this crucial week first.

Just then, a familiar figure caught her eye.

It was Liliana.

Liliana was dressed as if this were her own personal red carpet, rather than a respectable elder's birthday gala. She wore a skin-tight, semi-sheer red gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline and a plunging bodice that drew the predatory gazes of every man in the vicinity. She paired it with sky-high crimson stilettos.

She carried a limited-edition designer bag worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, a diamond-encrusted watch, and massive gemstone earrings that practically screamed new money.

Seeing her pile on every expensive item she owned, Madeline instantly knew Liliana was plotting a massive scene.