Chapter88Unwilling to Leave

Madison glanced over her shoulder to see an all-too-familiar scowl deepening on someone's face.

The guilt panged as if she'd been caught red-handed. Madison shifted to the side while Matthew strolled in confidently.

The realization hit her a moment too late.

Why should she feel guilty? Her marriage to him was history, and this was her house. She could invite anyone she wanted for dinner.

With that thought, she squared her shoulders and marched back to the table, boldly walking past Matthew to reclaim her seat.

Nicholas turned, nodding politely to Matthew, "Hey, Matthew, good to see you again."

Matthew nodded back, "Hey there."

He set the thermos down on the table. "Grandpa asked me to bring this over. Valerie made some chicken soup."

After sliding the thermos toward Madison, he took a seat next to her without another word.

Nicholas silently followed suit and sat down opposite them, creating an image of homeownership between the two men that wasn't quite reality.

Madison, knowing the soup was a thoughtful gesture from Grandpa, got up to fetch two bowls.

Pushing one bowl toward Nicholas, she encouraged, "Nicholas, try this. Valerie's soup is amazing."

She then took the other bowl for herself and tasted it. Deliciously rich.

From the corner of her eye, Madison noticed the growing shadow on Matthew's face. He seemed absurdly out of place, sitting there with a grudge like someone owed him money. Wasn't he just supposed to drop off the soup?

Matthew felt annoyed seeing Madison enjoying the soup he had brought with another man, especially since he had rushed over without having his own dinner. It made him question if he was truly unwelcome there.

Sensing the escalating tension, Nicholas attempted to defuse the atmosphere. "Matthew, have you eaten? We've just started. Why don't you join us?"

Matthew's response was stiff, "No."

Observing the bowl of soup Madison had poured, Nicholas slid it in front of Matthew. "Here, have some soup to start. I'll get you a spoon."

Just as Nicholas was about to stand up, Matthew stopped him.

He pushed the soup bowl back toward Nicholas, insisting with forced politeness, "You're the guest, and it's a rare visit, so you go ahead. I can get the cutlery. You might not know where things are kept."

With that, Matthew stood up and headed into the kitchen.

Nicholas felt a twinge of awkwardness as he listened to Matt's words, then sat down with a sheepish smile.

Seeing his discomfort, Madison quickly interjected, "Nicholas, don't mind him—just have your drink. He's always like that."

As Madison offered that excuse for Matthew, a bitter taste settled in Nicholas's heart.

Matthew fetched two bowls and a spoon from the kitchen. Sitting down, he placed one bowl in front of Madison.

Looking confused, Madison tilted her head and asked, "What's this for? I've got a bowl."

Chewing on his food as if it were the most natural thing in the world, Matthew said, "Pour me some chicken soup, will you?"

"Didn't you have any at home?" Madison wondered, finding Matthew's behavior strange—coming over at this hour with chicken soup in tow, was he mooching a meal?

"Nope, brought it over as soon as it was ready," Matthew declared with unwavering confidence.

Resigned, Madison filled his bowl halfway.

Hmph!

Matthew seemed rather pleased now. While Madison and Nicholas chatted away, he contentedly ate in silence.

*

The dinner wrapped up rather quickly with Matthew's presence, and Nicholas didn't linger. He excused himself, saying he had things to attend to, and Madison didn't try to keep him.

Matthew appeared absorbed in a TV show in the living room, barely nodding when Nicholas said goodbye. Madison, indifferent to Matthew, slipped on her coat and shoes to walk Nick out.

As soon as they shut the door, Matthew sprang up from the couch and rushed to the window, peering down without even putting on his slippers.

Madison rode the elevator down with Nicholas, whose car was parked right outside the building. They quickly reached his vehicle.

"Drive safe, Nicholas. Come over again when you've got some time. The twins haven't seen you in a while," Madison said.

"Sure thing. I'll swing by to see the little rascals soon," Nick replied, realizing he missed the kids too.

Turning to head back inside, Madison caught Nicholas calling her name.

"What is it, Nicholas?" Madison turned back, her face showing concern at his hesitant expression.

"It's nothing, just... if you ever need help with anything, give me a call, okay? Head on back now," Nicholas said with a reassuring smile. The answers to the questions he wanted to ask seemed clear enough already.

"Sure," Madison said with a nod, a smile gracing her lips.

Nicholas slid behind the wheel of his car and drove off.

Madison turned and headed back inside.

Upstairs, Matthew, who had been peering out the window, quickly retreated to the couch and resumed his previous lounging pose, pretending to be engrossed in the TV show.

When Madison stepped through the door, she found him still sprawled on her sofa, eyes glued to the screen. When did he develop a taste for those prime-time melodramas?

"Aren't you going home? It's getting late." Madison needed to work late on some drawings and had an early start at the studio the next day.

His continued presence was puzzling, especially since Quentin and Hannah weren't home tonight to make the place feel less confined. With just the two of them under one roof, it felt awkward to keep passing by him to use the washroom.

Matthew didn't respond. They just kept staring at the television.

She didn't bother to argue, her patience worn thin. Madison retreated to her room to work on her sketches.

Matthew wasn't actually watching the show as soon as she left. He aimlessly flipped through channels. Later, he heard her leave her room for the bathroom and then return.

After a while, Madison emerged with clothes and a towel, heading for a shower. She later stepped out in a modest cotton nightgown.

"I'm going to bed. When are you planning on leaving?" she asked, her tone firm and unwelcoming.

Finally, he looked up and said slowly, "Go ahead and rest. I'll leave after this episode."

Madison was flummoxed. What show could possibly be so captivating as to hold the CEO of JK Group hostage like this?

Frustrated, she stormed back to her room and slammed the door. If she couldn't sleep, she'd just work on some more designs. She sat down at her desk and began to draw.

Matthew listened for a while. The room had fallen silent. He got up, approached her door, and knocked softly. No answer. He tried the handle the door wasn't locked.
True Love After Divorce
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