The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning (Madelyn) novel Chapter 900

Zach rubbed his forehead and took a moment to rest in the passenger seat. Then, without saying anything to Cecilia, he quietly left the car. Carrying his black suit over his arm, he walked through the unlocked front door, heading straight for the foyer.

Margaret had been half-asleep at the dining table when a noise made her jump. "Oh my... Mr. Jardin?" she said, wide-eyed.

Zach hung his jacket on the coat rack without making a fuss. He glanced around the room. "Where's Madelyn?" he asked.

Margaret said, "Ms. Jent spent the whole day drawing. I was making her supper for later, but I must've fallen asleep." Her words trailed off as worry etched her face. "Oh no, the creamy chicken soup!" Hastily, she made her way to the kitchen. Upon returning with a steaming bowl of soup, she noticed Zach was no longer there.

Madelyn, yawning, emerged from Dalton's room and bumped into Zach, who was coming up the stairs. Their eyes met briefly, and then she averted her gaze. A gust of wind brought the familiar scent of Chanel, a perfume Cecilia was known to wear. The cool detachment in Madelyn's eyes startled Zach. Deep down, he always sought more than just company; he longed for Madelyn's heart too. But now, they might as well be strangers.

Margaret brought up the creamy chicken soup upstairs. In the room, Zach relieved her of the bowl and placed it gently on the desk beside Madelyn. Madelyn, attempting to place her drawing board down and finding no space, paused.

Without a word, Zach took the board and made room for her. "Take your time with the drawing. Drink some soup and rest up," he said with a gentle tone. Madelyn did not respond, her eyes fixed elsewhere. Zach tucked the board away, opened a window to the night, and leaned on the sill, watching her sip the soup. He took a thoughtful drag from his cigarette, the smoke disappearing into the night. 'We used to be so close, sharing every part of our lives,' he mused. 'But now, there's only silence, as if a great divide has grown between us.'

"Why didn't you tell me you were looking for Forrest?" Zach asked.