Chapter79A Change of Heart
Madison felt awkward under his gaze, glanced at the time, and realized it was past noon. He had probably come down for lunch.
She'd been so absorbed in looking at the cacti that she had forgotten about the meal.
Madison set down the watering can and headed inside.
Matthew followed her into the dining room.
Seeing the man trailing behind her like a hungry child following Mom. Madison thought about his injury. He deserved extra care.
"Sorry, I forgot to prepare lunch. How about some chicken noodle soup?" Madison offered, considering his need for a light meal.
"Sure." Matthew wasn't picky – any food was good, and he had tasted Madison's homemade chicken soup before. It was delicious, better than anything he had had at a five-star restaurant.
Madison went into the kitchen to cook the soup while Matthew waited quietly at the dining table.
She diced the chicken, chopped the vegetables, and seasoned the broth. The noodles, bought the day before and stored in the pantry, made the assembly quick.
In about half an hour, two bowls of chicken noodle soup were served, garnished with a sprinkle of parsley and a dash of black pepper, presenting a feast for the senses.
They sat opposite each other, eating in silence.
Matthew ate quickly and soon finished his bowl. He set it aside and remained seated as if he had no intention of leaving.
After seeing him finish, Madison couldn't help but say, "You can go ahead with your day. I'll wash the dishes after I'm done."
She looked down to continue eating but noticed the man across from her still hadn't stood up to leave.
Madison focused on her meal, and after a moment's silence, she heard Matthew's voice from above, "So, you've taken care of the house transaction."
Madison paused, her noodles slipping back into the bowl.
His statement was affirmative. He must have overheard her call with the real estate agent.
Was he looking for a reason to get angry?
Matthew noticed Madison's silence but didn't get annoyed. He continued to inquire, "When do you plan on moving, and have you told Quentin and Hannah?"
Madison finally looked up from her bowl, staring at Matthew with disbelief, searching his face for any hint that might reveal his intentions.
Yet after long scrutiny, Matthew still appeared as unfazed as ever. Without even a trace of anger, his tone remained calm.
Matthew noticed Madison's gaze fixed on him without a word.
He raised a hand to his face, puzzled, and asked, "What's up? Is there something on my face?"
Madison shook her head awkwardly, replying, "No... nothing."
Seeing that Madison had not answered his previous question, Matthew pressed, "So?"
Madison's eyes widened in confusion as she looked at Matthew, "What?"
Matthew felt that the woman across from him was acting strangely today, out of it, as if lost in thought. Maybe he wasn't clear enough.
He sighed and persisted, "So, when do you plan to move out?"
It was then that Madison realized she hadn't responded to his question.
"The realtor told me to pick up the keys tomorrow. All the paperwork is done. It's a secondhand house. Just needs some cleaning and new purchases, and I could move in as soon as next week."
After mentioning the move, she remembered she had yet to tell Hannah.
"I've discussed buying the house with Quentin, but Hannah doesn't know yet."
She knew all too well how attached Hannah was to Matthew, how much she liked him. Madison was unsure how to breach the subject of them moving out and living separately from Dad.
She was at a loss for how to make the little one understand.
Noticing Madison's conflicted expression, Matthew guessed the issue. Hannah was always clinging to him, and Madison probably didn't know how to broach the conversation with her.
"I'll talk to Hannah about it," offered Matthew.
"Ah!"
Matthew's reaction surprised Madison. She had expected him to be upset about her decision to move out with the kids, thinking it might lead to anger or frustration. However, his current demeanor was different from what she had anticipated.
But that was for the best if he was willing to let her move out with the children and was ready to talk to Hannah.
"All right, thank you," said Madison.
"Before we move, Patrick and Willow are coming over for dinner. It'll be a bit of a hassle, but could you please cook? Just let me know what ingredients we need," Madison said, aware of the close bond between the siblings and that they wanted to see Quentin and Hannah because they were genuinely fond of them. She, of course, wouldn't refuse.
Upon her agreement, Matthew quickly added, "Let's make it this Saturday."
"Sure." Madison nodded in acceptance.
Madison was familiar with Willow and Patrick's tastes from past visits to their place for meals, so she was confident in cooking for them.
*
After finishing her meal, Madison tidied up the dishes and went to the kitchen to wash them while Matthew headed upstairs.
Lunch was late, so Madison went upstairs to flip through a design book after cleaning up. Before she could finish, it was time to pick up Quentin and Hannah from school.
She put on her coat and headed downstairs, and just as she reached the stairwell, she heard the door to the study open. Matthew emerged, car keys in hand.
Seeing Madison, he initiated, "You going to pick up Quentin and Hannah? Let’s go together. I'll drive."
Given that they already had an open discussion and he agreed to move out, which might happen as early as next week, she didn't refuse and followed him to the car.
She opened the passenger side door and settled into the seat of his usual ride, a Rolls-Royce. The pendant she had once sought for good luck was still hanging there. To her surprise, he had kept it.
The drive was silent, an awkwardness permeating the car, something Madison was glad would be brief due to the proximity of the kindergarten.
They arrived at the kindergarten and joined the line of parents waiting to pick up their children. Quentin and Hannah soon emerged, hand in hand, excitedly waving at Mom and Dad when they spotted them in the queue.
Hannah's voice rang out clearer than the rest, "Dad! Mom!"
Class by class, children filed out through the gate.
Finally, it was their turn. Eager, the children broke into a sprint towards their parents.
Standing together outside the school, the family of four drew many a glance from passersby.
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