Chapter 7

After Zach left, Madelyn could finally sleep peacefully. Knowing that Jadie was alive in this lifetime, the terrifying nightmares no longer haunted her. The next day, Madelyn woke up to footsteps. She rolled over and opened her eyes. In her previous life, she had endured months of chemotherapy, struggling to sleep due to excruciating pain each night. Additionally, her hair fell out unexpectedly, a side effect of the treatment. Madelyn used to cherish her sleep and would get grumpy if anyone disturbed her. Rosario knew this and made sure not to interrupt her rest. However, things had changed now. Madelyn didn't really mind being disturbed anymore. She checked her phone and saw it was a little after eight o'clock. Instead of getting up, she just put her phone aside and dozed off for a short while. She didn't want Zach, who was always suspicious, to become aware of her drastic changes. Madelyn woke up well past eleven o'clock and headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth. A knock on the door announced Rosario's arrival with a fresh blanket. "Madelyn, lunch is ready. It might take a while since Mr. Jardin had to return home before joining you for the meal later." "Okay," Madelyn replied while brushing her teeth, water splashing over her face. In the mirror, she saw her youthful appearance, smooth and flawless skin. She couldn't help but touch her face, remembering how different she looked in her previous life before death. Those recollections now felt like a distant dream. Madelyn had an attractive appearance. Her eyes, when devoid of expression, held a hint of innocence. They made her look vulnerable and seemingly harmless—a quality that others could easily exploit. She remembered her personality from her past life, which had indeed been unpleasant. She had been the spoiled daughter of a wealthy family, the type of young lady others would label as bratty and privileged. As Hayson Jent's only daughter, she had believed she could obtain anything she desired, including Zach. "Got it," she replied to Rosario. Since Madelyn had no plans to go out that day, she chose a casual pink floral long-sleeved pajama set and left her slightly curled hair loose. Going downstairs, she stood in front of the fridge and poured herself a glass of milk. Laughter-filled familiar voices reached her from the foyer. She knew it could only be them. Madelyn saw Zach standing in the doorway, accompanied by Jadie. They were both dressed in matching outfits. She couldn't help but wonder, 'Did they plan this?' Zach, who usually preferred dark colors, had a white jacket on today. Jadie, who had spent years abroad for treatment, looked even more radiant in a white dress that exuded purity. Seeing Jadie's beauty made Madelyn understand why Jadie had held a special place in Zach's heart all these years. However, a twinge of discomfort lingered within Madelyn, suggesting that she hadn't entirely moved on from her role as Zach's wife. Madelyn only stole a quick glance at Jadie before diverting her gaze. Zach leaned in and whispered into Jadie's ear, "It's alright, let's go have our meal." Jadie hesitated but then nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear. She walked over to Madelyn, who was already eating at the dining table. Jadie handed the gift to Madelyn, saying, "I got this for you when I came back. Hope you'll like it." Madelyn smiled warmly and replied, "Thank you. Have a seat and let's enjoy our meal. Rosario prepared something delicious today." Jadie was surprised by Madelyn's kind words. Before, Madelyn would have thrown the gift down, pulled Jadie's hair, and told her to go away. Zach would have stepped in and take Jadie away. In Madelyn's past, that was exactly what happened. She had even scratched Jadie's face. She could not recall the exact words Zach had said, but she knew they were harsh. Jadie glanced cautiously at Zach, who then handed his plate to her. "Let's eat. Later, I'll take you to see if there's anything you want to buy," he said casually. Taking the plate obediently, Jadie replied softly, "There's actually nothing I really need to buy. I know you're busy, so don't worry about me. I'll be waiting for you at home when you finish work and come to pick me up." Zach served her some food from the plate, saying, "It's alright. I took the day off. It's rare for me to have an entire day with you. Opportunities like this may not come around often in the future." As they sat together, Madelyn remained seated across from them, showing no interest in their conversation. She simply nodded and continued eating her meal. On her plate, there was a chicken wing that Zach had served to her. "You're really not joining us today?" Zach asked. As Zach mentioned "us," meaning himself and Jadie, Madelyn realized that she would always feel like an outsider in their eyes. Going with them would make her feel like a third wheel. Moreover, in this fresh start, her main goal was to distance herself from Zach, so she must decline his invitation. With a smile, Madelyn responded, "No, I still have some studying to do." She had only eaten a little and didn't feel like sticking around. She cleaned her mouth with a tissue, got up gracefully, and went upstairs. As she turned away, her expression changed. In her heart, she whispered, 'Zach Jardin, in my past life, I let my obsession with you consume me, prioritizing you over everything else. Marrying you was a mistake. In this life, I'll let you go and set myself free! I wish you and Jadie a blissful life...'