Chapter 38 Quentin and Hannah's Dad
The driver took Madison back to her apartment. From afar, she saw Nicholas's car parked downstairs, with Nicholas himself standing by it.
Madison got out of the car and approached Nicholas, noticing his weary face and unshaven beard as if he hadn't slept all night. "Nicholas, you came early."
"Yeah, I couldn't stop worrying after we hung up the phone yesterday, so I came to check on you."
Nicholas didn't tell her that he actually spent the night standing outside her apartment. He was eager to find out about her relationship with Matthew. He was restless.
When he knew Madison was married, he truly decided to let go. As long as she was happy, he was content to be her everlasting pal, protecting her from behind. Then she disappeared for four years without a word, and he thought she was with her husband, maybe held back by him or perhaps tied down by children.
Seeing her appear with children triggered a bittersweet feeling, but learning about her divorce reignited hope in him. He didn't mind that she was divorced or that she had two children. He just hoped for a chance to take care of them for a lifetime. He wanted to take things slow, worried about frightening her, as she had always seen him as a brother.
But last night, panic set in. Knowing that she was carried away by Matthew, the CEO of JK Group, and realizing they knew each other, he had a foreboding feeling, a deep unease, and a desperate need for answers. That's why he waited the entire night outside.
‘It was Matthew's car that brought her back this morning, right? So, they were together last night?’
Madison's face had significantly less swelling in the morning, with only faint marks remaining. Matthew's ointment was effective, and it was hardly noticeable today with a bit of concealer applied. She didn't want to worry anyone.
"Yeah, it was too late for a cab last night, and I left my purse at the hotel, so I stayed out."
After speaking, she felt a bit guilty, like a kid caught by their parents engaging in a puppy love affair, holding her head low, not daring to look at Nicholas.
"Were you with Matthew?" Nicholas couldn't help but ask.
Madison paused, slowly lifting her head with a puzzled look at Nicholas.
"Why would you ask that, Nicholas!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it. Matthew is the CEO of JK Group. I just didn't expect you to be friends with Matthew..." Nicholas knew Madison had misunderstood him and rushed to explain.
"He is my ex-husband, the father of Quentin and Hannah." Madison didn't want to deceive Nicholas, whom she treated like a real brother. She was somewhat aware of his feelings for her, but she didn't want to give him any hope. It was impossible before it's even more impossible now. Since her divorce from Matthew, after giving birth to Quentin and Hannah, she hadn't thought about her own personal issues, nor did she plan to. She only wanted to raise her two precious children and see them grow up happily.
"Nicholas, I only want to focus on bringing up Quentin and Hannah now. I don't want to think about anything else. You know, we'll always be like family. I hope you can find happiness," Madison looked at Nicholas, responding sincerely.
Hearing her answer, Nicholas stood frozen. Although he had anticipated this to some extent and tried to prepare himself, "So, he's Quentin and Hannah's dad... that’s good. Madison, I willingly offer you goodness. You shouldn't feel any burden about it. Remember to contact me if you need anything—just think of me as your dearest pal."
Madison nodded, "Thank you, Nicholas."
Nicholas opened the car door, "You should get back. The kids will be anxious. I need to head off. Call me if anything comes up."
"Sure, Nicholas, be safe."
Watching the driving-off car, Madison breathed a sigh of relief. Some pains are better short-lived than long. It’s best to have had this talk early, hoping Nicholas would truly take her words to heart.
As soon as Madison entered the house, the two little ones threw themselves at her, "Mom, you're finally back. We missed you so much."
"My sweet babies, Mom missed you too!" Madison embraced Quentin and Hannah, kissing each of their cheeks.
"The two little ones got up the earliest today. They said they wanted to get out of bed first and wait for you to return," Rachel observed the close-knit trio, not forgetting to vouch for the little ones' love for Mom.
Considering the gown was nearly complete, and they'd return to Frostpine after delivery, she planned to take the kids out for one more outing before leaving.
"Let's go, get ready. How about we take you to Ocean Park today?"
"Yay! Yay! We get to go out again!" Hannah clapped her hands joyfully.
*
After a day at Ocean Park, Hannah fell asleep on the car ride home, exhausted. When Madison tried to carry her upstairs after parking, Hannah woke up and wanted to walk on her own.
That evening in the living room, Madison discussed their return trip with Rachel, checking on the gown’s progress. It would be ready in two more days, so they’d likely head back by the weekend. They planned to book their plane tickets early.
Meeting Matthew had sparked some worry. Madison once thought Horizon City was large enough to avoid him entirely. The stark gap between someone of his, a distinguished elite, and the common folk seemed insurmountable, which had led her to feel safe returning with the little ones. But this encounter made her feel a sense of urgency. If Matthew discovered the kids and decided to take them back, she knew she wouldn't stand a chance against him. Therefore, the best strategy was to finish the work quickly and to return to Frostpine as soon as possible.
After their bath, the kids whispered to each other under the covers,
"Quentin, are we going back to Frostpine?" Hannah asked after overhearing Mom's conversation with Rachel that day.
"Seems like it. Mom's work is almost done."
"But what about Dad? We haven’t gotten to reunite Dad and Mom! It’ll be hard to come back once we return," she protested.
"Maybe it's better to go back," Quentin sighed with a sense of loss.
"Why?" Hannah couldn't understand why her brother had suddenly changed his mind.
"Just the other day, I saw in the news that Dad was at a dinner, and there was a woman with him. And I realized she's always there when Dad’s in the news. They say she's his girlfriend, and yet he lied to us, saying he didn’t have one, hmph," Quentin felt let down by Dad's "failing" evaluation.
"Really? But I can’t bear to leave Dad. I don't believe he's that kind of person," Hannah maintained high hopes for Dad because, perhaps due to the strong family ties, the emotional bond felt quite deep despite the few times they'd met.
In the evening, a young girl secretly sent a voice message to Matthew. "Dad, Quentin, Mom, and I will be heading back to Frostpine soon, so I won't be able to hang out with you anymore. My brother saw the news that you have a girlfriend and accused you of lying. But I still believe in you, Dad. I'm going to miss you a lot, and you better miss me too, okay? Make sure to call me often."
After sending the message, she hid under the cover, secretly wiping away her tears.
Alone in his hospital room, Matthew felt a tight clutch around his heart upon receiving Hannah's choked farewell. He found breathing suddenly hard as if suffocated by the emotion.
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