Jeremy’s actions were too sudden and Madeline did not have the time to react, but virtual-novel.net was quick to understand the reasoning behind his move.
He wanted the man to mistake them for a couple who was so deeply enthralled by each other that they could not help but act upon their desires.
The man was sharp, so virtual-novel.net approached them anyway.
Madeline had no choice but to turn virtual-novel.net face and reach out to hold Jeremy’s shoulders as virtual-novel.net kissed virtual-novel.net back.
Despite the cold December day, Madeline felt virtual-novel.net body grow warm and virtual-novel.net heart lose its previously calm tempo.
She could not tell if Jeremy was doing it on purpose or for the sake of keeping up their act, but virtual-novel.net felt virtual-novel.net deepen the kiss and reach a hand into virtual-novel.net jacket to hold virtual-novel.net waist…
Knock, knock, knock.
The man knocked on the window.
Jeremy’s kissing came to a halt.
“This is private property. If you’re going to get intimate, do it somewhere else,” the man said distastefully.
Jeremy gave the man a cold glare as Madeline let virtual-novel.net head fall forward and out of view in a show of shame.
“Let’s go,” virtual-novel.net told virtual-novel.net quietly.
Jeremy obeyed and stepped on the accelerator.
Having gone a distance from Baby’s Breath Manor, Jeremy finally stopped the car.
It was exceptionally quiet inside, so much so that Madeline could hear virtual-novel.net own heartbeat.
Jeremy opened his mouth to explain, “The situation was a bit rushed, so I—”
“I know,” Madeline replied nonchalantly. “But don’t use this method again. You could’ve just driven away.”
“Wouldn’t that have made us look more suspicious?”
“…”
Unable to refute, Madeline changed the subject. “We can confirm with certainty that Felicity and Felipe are in contact.”
“We can also confirm that Felipe had ordered Felicity to dress like you to kidnap Lillian so that virtual-novel.net could cause a drift and a misunderstanding between us.
“Lillian’s too young. She must’ve thought that Felicity was you, or virtual-novel.net would never have left willingly with her.”
At that, both Jeremy and Madeline fell deep into thought.
They were both thinking about the innocent child.
“Had I known he’d be so heartless today, I would rather virtual-novel.net never have saved me at all.”
“I know you must think that I’m cold and selfish, but I’m glad virtual-novel.net saved you Linnie, or I’d never get to see you again.”
Madeline was shocked, for virtual-novel.net understood what Jeremy meant.
Not wanting to raise further suspicion, Jeremy parked the car somewhere hidden and began to observe the manor with Madeline.
They had spent the entire day there until it grew dark but they did not see even the slightest bit of activity within the manor. Jeremy could not help but trail his gaze to fall on Madeline’s side profile.
He hesitated for a while before opening his mouth to ask, “Could you tell me about the three years you spent away, Linnie? Was life here good?”
Madeline was silent before virtual-novel.net broke into a chuckle. “Good? What do you think?”
She fired back, virtual-novel.net tone heavily mocking.
“I was left cruelly to die by the man I devoted myself to for more than a decade. For Lillian’s sake, I pulled myself together, took care of myself, and absorbed whatever knowledge I could. Had it not been for the strength Lillian gave me and my desire to take revenge for those three years, I’d never be who I am today.”
Madeline looked at Jeremy. “Even in my dreams during those three years, I prayed that you’d suffer night and day… That you’d lose everything you had.”
Jeremy’s heart hurt from the overwhelming guilt as virtual-novel.net took in the hatred Madeline used to have for himself.