The Day I Stopped Waiting Was the Day He Started Begging novel Chapter 49

Madeline's expression didn't change as she continued chatting with Vivienne for a long time before finally seeing her out.

When she returned to the living room, York had already come back down and was talking with Seraphina.

Felicity leaned close to Seraphina, smiling brightly and whispering something.

"Madeline, has Ms. Vance left?"

Madeline gave a brief "Mhm," and Seraphina easily noticed the sheer exhaustion on her face.

"Maddy, you must be tired, right? You always push yourself so incredibly hard with work. I remember it's been a while since you visited your mother. Why don't you take some time off and go see her?"

Madeline's grip on her cup tightened painfully as she lowered her eyes.

"I've been very busy lately."

"No matter how busy you are, you should go home."

Madeline remained completely silent. Her face paled slightly, and even the air she breathed felt incredibly thin.

The dark memories she had deliberately kept buried suddenly rushed back.

So vivid, so sharp—like jagged blades slicing into her mind.

Just the thought of it made her feel ripped apart and bloody.

And that vicious slap across her face that day—the sheer shock, the crushing disappointment, the overwhelming sense of injustice.

Despite undergoing numerous hypnotherapy sessions, those events were brutally branded into her bones.

That cramped room, the hopeless screams, and the crying—it felt like invisible hands were trying to drag her back into that bottomless abyss, threatening to swallow her whole and twist her into absolute madness.

Madeline lifted the cup of hot water and took a sip, a few scalding drops splashing onto the back of her hand.

She took a deep breath, refusing to show a single ounce of vulnerability to anyone in the room.

"Maddy, why aren't you saying anything?"

Hearing her son say this, Seraphina gave him a playful glare.

"At least you have some sense and know how hard things are for Maddy. I thought you had forgotten your manners entirely after leaving your wife behind and running off to San Francisco for so long."

"How could I?"

York effortlessly reached out and wrapped his long arm around Madeline's shoulders, pulling her flush against him. Madeline instinctively glanced at him but ultimately didn't pull away.

She turned her face aside, remaining completely silent, refusing to blow his perfect cover.

York had clearly been angry earlier, and knowing his temper, he should have taken this chance to make a cutting remark. Why the sudden change of heart?

A man's mind could be just as unfathomable.

"That's more like it. A married couple needs to look out for each other. Since you're going with Maddy, make sure you prepare a proper gift for Mrs. Monroe. Reign in that attitude of yours and don't put Maddy in a difficult spot."

"I know. Do you really think I'm that kind of guy?"