When Love Comes Late

By the time Madison arrived at the banquet, she had taken some cold medicine. She was running a fever, her head pounding, yet she forced a smile to deal with the Loughlins. Bella seemed to notice something was off and looked at her with concern. Madison offered her a reassuring smile, silently indicating that she was okay. As expected, the conversation at the table inevitably turned to children. Edward, his expression stern and authoritative, glanced at William and Madison. "You two should hurry up. At your age, most couples already have children four or five years old." William glanced at her sarcastically. "That would require her actually to be able to have one. Anyone who didn't know better would think I married a barren woman." Madison said nothing about this. She once had a child, who was conceived when William was drunk, but later she miscarried. To this day, her heart still aches. Bella protectively held Madison's arm, glaring at Edward. "You're old enough, yet you're still learning to pressure them about having kids. Have you no shame?" Her words silenced Edward. Bella then turned her ire to William. "And you. It's fine if you don't want to talk about it, but must you humiliate McKenzie like this? If it weren't for her good temper, she would have left you ages ago." Hearing the name "McKenzie," Madison felt a moment of disorientation. After all, that was the name of her twin sister and the name was recorded on the marriage certificate. When they were children, their mother had mixed up their information since they were twins. To outsiders, McKenzie was the younger sister and Madison was the elder. Later, they didn't change it back. When she married William, they went along with it. Madison was her real name, but no one outside her family knew her actual name. William took a drag from his cigarette, his expression indifferent. He found it laughable. "In this world, it's always me rejecting others. Who would dare reject me?" Bella shook her head. "One day, you'll regret it when she finally leaves you." William's brows were full of disdain. With McKenzie's eagerness to marry him, would she willingly leave him? Only his mother was pitifully foolish, knowing nothing. He knew it clearly but didn't say much. He just said impatiently, "Alright, Mom, I don't want to hear it." That night, Madison stayed at the Loughlins' manor. She barely slept and got up in the middle of the night to use the restroom. On her way, she overheard voices coming from the balcony. Edward was frowning. "It's been over two years since the last miscarriage. Be honest with me, William. Is McKenzie unable to conceive?" William chuckled lazily while leaning against the railing. "Who knows?" Edward clenched his teeth in anger when he heard this and smacked William hard on the back. "This is all your fault! If you hadn't deliberately given her that drug back then, she wouldn't have miscarried." Madison had been about to step forward, but those words made her blood run cold and she stood there frozen as if struck by lightning. Six years ago, she had carried William's child. It happened when he was drunk and mistook her for someone else. It was just an accident, but she was full of thoughts about being a mother. In those days, William was so good to her that she even thought she could be happy. Unfortunately, she miscarried. She had always thought it was because her body was unfit. Still, she never expected that it was William who didn't want her to have his child and deliberately caused the miscarriage. Madison's heart suffocated. She recalled that after the miscarriage, she was full of guilt for the child and William. She kept apologizing to the Loughlins, but now it felt like a slap in the face. Had William been laughing at her behind her back even then, just like he was now? Oblivious to her presence, William smirked with contempt. "As if she's worthy of carrying my child. She doesn't deserve it." Madison felt as if a knife had been plunged into her heart. Tears streamed down her face, but inside, everything had gone quiet. "Not worthy…" So that was it. That was why he had intentionally caused her miscarriage. So, her years of careful companionship were only worth these two words? At that moment, Madison realized something terrifying. Her heart felt nothing anymore and she would never love him again. William suddenly sensed a gaze on him. His sharp eyes scanned the area, but there was no one there.

Madison didn't utter a single word to the Loughlins until she left the family manor. William sneered, "My mom was talking to you and you just ignored her? What, are you mute now?" She didn't respond, not even sparing him a glance. Her heart ached as if pierced by needles. She fell sick when she returned home, so sick that she was bedridden for four days. By the time she woke up, she was in a hospital room. Bella sat by her bedside, concern written all over her face. She had even brought homemade soup, but Madison was terrified that her mother-in-law also knew the truth. For several days, William would bang the pot of stew Bella had made onto the table, looking down at her condescendingly. "McKenzie, get your ass up! My mom was kind enough to make you something. You should be grateful, not acting like you have the right to pick and choose." No matter what he said, Madison remained silent. William scoffed, "Fine. Don't eat if you dare. It's just a fever; don't think for a second that I actually enjoy taking care of you." She would rather starve than eat anything prepared by the Loughlins. In the end, she passed out and had to be put on an IV drip. It took her a full seven days to recover and return to the villa. She had lost a lot of weight and was more silent than ever. After a few days, William couldn't stand it anymore. He tossed his car keys and said, "My mom wants us to take my cousin out. You're coming too." Madison could never refuse Bella, so she went along. But when she arrived, she realized the cousin had just returned from abroad and loved extreme sports. On the Ferris wheel, William gently coaxed his twelve-year-old cousin, his eyes provocatively looking at her. "Are you going to faint again? Don't leave Yancy with a bad impression!" Madison had said she was afraid of heights and didn't want to go up, but William dragged her up without a word of protest. Her face was pale and she was desperately trying to hold back her fear. William wasn't done yet. He wanted to go on the pirate ship, too. Madison reached her breaking point and rushed to the bathroom to throw up. Yancy pinched her nose and looked at her with disgust. "Aunt, stay away from me. It stinks." William looked at her with pure contempt. "Disgusting." Yet they didn't stop. As if they had planned it together, they kept pushing her to her limits. By the end of the day, Madison felt like she had lost half her life. As she lay pale in bed the following day, William forcibly dragged her up. "Yancy wants you to take her skydiving. A ten-thousand-meter jump. You're not scared, are you?" For years, he had maintained an image of a loving husband in public. Still, in private, he was dedicated to tormenting her. Humiliation had become routine. Even the wedding video played on their anniversary was meant to remind her that all of this was for another woman. William once said that the reason he kept her around was because of that letter. "William, I've been weak and sick since I was a child because of malnutrition. McKenzie is my only older sister. She's always had a secret crush on you. After I die, I hope you'll take good care of her. It's my only wish." William didn't do as McKenzie asked. Instead, he tormented her like crazy. "McKenzie, don't think I'll really take care of you as you wish. Speaking of which, you're really a jinx. You took away so many nutrients in the womb, causing Madison to be weak and sick. Now you've even killed her. How dare you pretend to be sick and seek sympathy? You like to act, don't you? I'll make you really sick. What he didn't know was that she was Madison. The weak, sick one. The one who had been deprived of nutrition in the womb. The one her mother had always seen as useless. Yet, she couldn't say a word. Now, William's gaze was cold and sharp. Madison, pale as a sheet, remained expressionless. She looked at him and spoke softly. "William, do you want me dead that badly? Don't worry, I won't live long. I won't last much longer." William's eyes were contemptuous. "Acting pitiful again? Do you think I'm as easily fooled as my mom? Too bad. You'd better hurry up and die. The sooner you make room, the better. After all, my chicks are waiting for your spot." Madison pursed her pale lips and didn't say another word because no matter what she said, she was pretending in his eyes. What she never expected was that they were actually going skydiving. Her pupils trembled. Dizziness swept over her. She had a serious heart condition. She was also terrified of heights, of wind and of the cold.

Madison was so scared that tears welled up in her eyes. She looked at the cold-blooded man next to her and said word by word, "William, I have a heart condition ... and I'm afraid of heights." William seemed not to hear her. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, his voice low and dangerous as he spoke into her ear, "How come you didn't mention she had a heart condition when you tricked Madison into skydiving? McKenzie, do I look that easy to fool?" Madison's heart pounded wildly, fear gripping her so tightly she could barely breathe. She struggled to compose herself, her eyes rimmed with red. "I didn't. If I told you I was the real Madison, would you believe me?" William's expression turned glacial, a hint of cruel amusement in his eyes. "So afraid of death, but don't worry. I'm an expert in this field. With me, even if you want to die, you won't be able to." Madison shut her eyes, her face pale. She had already dialed for an ambulance in advance. The moment she plummeted, darkness swallowed her vision and her heart felt like it had stopped beating. The last thing she heard was William's panicked, fearful voice. Just before losing consciousness, she thought he must have misheard something. William hated her more than anything. Why would he care about her? When she woke up, William stood over her with his arms crossed, looking down at her with a smirk. "Oh, you're finally awake. Why didn't you die and save us all the trouble?" Madison wearily closed her eyes again, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Didn't work out that way. Guess I've disappointed you." Her feeble yet calm words instantly ignited William's fury. "Still putting on an act, huh?" He sneered, gritting his teeth. "Madison also had a heart condition. How terrified do you think she was when you made her skydive?" Madison slowly opened her eyes to meet his gaze. "Is that what she told you?" she asked softly. William's eyes blazed with rage, his voice dripping with venom. "McKenzie, don't start getting scared too early. This is just the beginning. It won't end just because you're pretending to be weak." So, when she was over the worst of her illness, he took Madison to a street race. In the car, Madison's face was ashen, her hands shaking uncontrollably. William watched her with a cruel glint in his eyes. The racetrack was deliberately set up on the edge of a cliff, with walls strategically placed to block the view, creating an atmosphere of sheer terror. Yet, the other racers seemed excited, exhilarated by the danger. Madison was forced into the car. As she tried to get out, William locked the doors, preventing her escape. "You're always saying I want you dead, aren't you? Well, get a good look. This is what death looks like!" William reveled in the thrill of brushing past the edge of death, but she didn't. Pain gripped her heart and his so-called 'friends' deliberately set traps for her, causing the car to veer off the cliff multiple times. When she finally stumbled out of the car, her legs were like jelly. She collapsed onto the ground, grateful that she'd brought her emergency heart medication with her. Without it, she might have died in the car. However, William was in high spirits. He extended a hand toward her, smirking with a mocking tone. "Didn't you always want to be a part of my world? Well, this is it. How does it feel?" Madison didn't take his hand. Instead, she forced herself to stand and walk away on her own. William's face darkened, sensing that she was deliberately snubbing him. He drove ahead lazily, glancing at her through the window. Seeing how slow she was, he swerved the car dangerously close to her, taunting her with laughter. "Pathetic! Even a turtle is faster than you!" In the end, it was Ariana Lane who came to pick her up. The moment Madison got into the car, her mother said coldly, "Don't be angry with him. Young people like to have fun. Besides, it's your fault for deceiving her in the first place." Madison looked at Ariana's icy face, a bitter smile twisting her lips. "Mom, was it really me who lied?" Ariana's face instantly contorted with rage and she slapped Madison hard across the face. "Shut up! You've really grown some nerve to talk to me like that." Madison's cheek flushed crimson, the pain stinging her skin. She was stunned, raising her hand to cover the burning sensation. "Mom," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "am I really your daughter?" The question had haunted her since childhood. Why was her mother so loving and gentle towards her elder sister yet so cold and indifferent towards her? Her mother's only response was a chilling laugh. "Otherwise, do you think I would have raised a useless thing like you all these years? Don't think that just because you're William's wife, you can start acting arrogant. That position was something your sister gave up for you." She continued coldly, "Now, that your sister is back, you better start packing your things and move out in the next few days. It'd be embarrassing if you had to be thrown out." When Madison returned home, she found an unexpected guest – McKenzie. And next to her, William's eyes were filled with her figure.

Madison stood frozen, her face pale as she watched them leaning so intimately against each other. It was only a few seconds before she tore her gaze away and returned to her room, but her mind remained completely blank. This time, McKenzie was indeed back. She even sought Madison out, smiling as she delivered her warning. "Madison, don't worry. Even if you're carrying his child, I won't be angry. After all, we're sisters. But the one he has always loved is me. Just like how, when I didn't want you to have this baby, he was cruel enough to make you miscarry. In the end, it's me who owes you an apology. Her words were gentle and soft, yet they pierced Madison's heart, leaving it riddled with wounds. She could hardly believe it and her voice trembled as she questioned, "Was all of this your doing behind my back? Why would you do this to me?" She had clearly given everything to help McKenzie, so why would she still do this? McKenzie's expression remained warm and composed. She even pulled Madison into a sisterly embrace as if offering comfort. "I was just angry at the time. Just like how you never told me you slept with him, right?" Madison's eyes reddened as she stared at her, enunciating each word clearly. "I told you it was because he was drunk!" McKenzie's smile suddenly vanished. She met her younger sister's gaze and said slowly, "I only care about the result, not the process. If you really valued our sisterhood, you would have gotten rid of the baby instead of using it to come between me and him. Isn't that, right?" Madison felt her entire body turn cold as if her blood had frozen. She looked at McKenzie's calm expression, struggling to breathe. "You know I can't have an abortion, McKenzie. Are you trying to kill me?" McKenzie widened her eyes in mock surprise. "How could you think that? If I really wanted you dead, would you still be standing here, perfectly fine?" Madison clenched her fists, staring at her sister with hatred burning in her eyes. "Then what about the suicide note? You said I was the one who caused your death, but I never did anything to hurt you!" McKenzie's gaze softened with what looked like pity. "Madison, even though you're my sister, you're still a woman. How could I possibly tolerate the man I love being around another woman every single day? I can't guarantee that he won't develop feelings for you. So, Madison, I'm afraid you'll have to suffer." "You had William force me to miscarry. You've been in contact with him in the last three years ago. He knew you were alive all along. Everything he's done to hurt me over the years—it was all under your orders. Madison's voice trembled with disbelief, but when she saw McKenzie's sweet smile, something inside her shattered. The last trace of sisterly affection she held onto was gone. They were clearly biological sisters, so how could she be so ruthless? She knew that William had tried to kill her many times, yet she had never said a word to her. The reason was actually because they were all working together to kill her. At that moment, Madison finally realized what a joke her life was. A father who was a gambler. A mother who treated her like trash. Even the sister she treated with all her heart regarded her as a rival in love and the man she once deeply loved hated her to the core. Seeing the look of despair in Madison's eyes, McKenzie's lips curled up in triumph. "Don't worry, my little sister. I won't chase you away so soon. After all, I still need to learn from you, lest anyone discover the truth." After that, she left and Madison had already sorted out all her emotions and clicked to stop the recording. Watching McKenzie's retreating figure, she curled her lips into a cold smile. Her sister would never expect that the one person she trusted most would one day learn to protect herself. She would leave, but before that, she would reveal the truth to the public and let everyone know that she was the victim. Dear my lovely sister, please excuse me for not being able to continue playing the fool! William was pleased because of McKenzie's arrival. He called her "Madison" again and again. Madison subconsciously thought that he was calling her. Still, then she saw the smile of happiness on McKenzie's face as she stood opposite him.

William promised to make it up to her with an even grander wedding. He even put on a heartbroken act, lamenting that he hadn't remained faithful to McKenzie all these years. Madison watched as McKenzie feigned generosity and understanding, all while suppressing her genuine emotions. William had always been a womanizer, never thinking twice about his flings and his behavior only worsened when McKenzie was away, using it as a means of self-indulgent release. Yet now, he knelt on one knee before McKenzie, his face filled with sincerity and supplication. "In the past, there was no one to keep me in check, but now that I have my wife by my side, why would I ever look at another woman?" McKenzie let out a mocking hum and glanced at Madison with an unreadable smile. "So, it seems my sister couldn't keep your heart in place. Is that my fault?" William's expression darkened for a moment, but he quickly masked it with his usual composure. "Of course not. If it weren't for her, we wouldn't have been separated for so long." That very night, they engaged in passionate lovemaking in Madison's room. At the same time, she was forced to kneel on the sidelines and watch. McKenzie's gaze wavered, but his hawk-like, piercing black eyes locked onto her. Later, a glass cup cracked in front of her with a loud bang and the shards scattered at her feet. A sharp pain sliced through her cheek as a shard of porcelain left a thin, bleeding cut. McKenzie gasped dramatically. "Oh dear, isn't this making things difficult for poor Madison?" Madison didn't say a word. She had expected herself to be angry, but all she felt was an overwhelming sense of disgust and revulsion. William offered a nonchalant smile. "After being my wife for so long, you have to pay a price, don't you think?" The entire night, they reveled in their pleasure, humiliating Madison in every possible way. William, completely naked, lifted her chin between his fingers and studied her face from above. "Tsk, tsk. The same face and yet you're so much more vicious." Madison had numbly watched the entire ordeal unfold, but hearing the word "vicious" still sent a pang through her heart. Lowering her gaze, she turned her head away and whispered, "Don't touch me. You're filthy." William froze for a moment before his expression twisted with anger. He let out a cold laugh. "Stop pretending. Now that Madison is back, you're useless." After that, he ripped the damp bed sheet from the bed and tossed it onto Madison. Folding his arms across his chest, he watched her with amusement. "The Loughlins doesn't feed freeloaders. Go wash the sheets." McKenzie giggled softly from the bed. "Isn't this too harsh on my sister, William? She's timid. Don't be too hard on her." Madison clenched her fists, her entire body trembling. Her voice was hoarse when she finally spoke. "You want me to wash the sheets with this face? Do you really think they'll believe I'm your real wife?" After that, Madison ignored them and turned away directly. The faces of the two people behind her turned dark. William narrowed his eyes dangerously, "Her temper is growing wilder by the day." McKenzie seethed inside but forced a cold smile as she caught up to Madison. "Madison, just a few years as William's wife and you've grown arrogant. You won't even wash a sheet for your sister? If you don't want to, fine. But don't forget, everything you've enjoyed these past years was because of me." Enjoyed? Madison thought back to her wedding night when William had drugged her with laxatives. How, despite knowing she was unwell, he had gone out of his way to torment her, trying to push her to the brink of death. Watching McKenzie's condescending gaze, she couldn't help but laugh coldly. "McKenzie. If you hadn't gone abroad, Mom wouldn't have forced me into that wedding car, forcing me to marry that beast. Don't look at me like that. Yes, I admit I loved him, but I wasn't so cheap as to beg for his affection. But you, my dear sister, you tried to kill me countless times for the sake of a man!"

McKenzie's expression darkened as she heard it. She frowned and immediately retorted, "When did I ever kill you?" Madison stared at her and spoke slowly, "You didn't kill me, true. But you told William that I forced you to go skydiving, that I dragged you into reckless car races, triggering your health issues repeatedly. He took all of that out on me. Are you saying you didn't know? You were fully aware of my heart condition. You knew I was afraid of heights. You knew I wasn't in the best shape. And yet, you still did it. Were you really that afraid I'd take your place?" McKenzie's expression stiffened, but instead of responding, she suddenly smirked. Her arrogance returned. "Madison, Mom always said you were born to be my stepping stone. A sickly little thing like you, what right do you have to raise your voice at me?" Madison's lips curled into a stiff, bitter smile. She pushed down all the emotions inside her. She spoke calmly, "McKenzie, after everything you've done to me, aren't you afraid I'll expose the truth?" The smile on McKenzie's face momentarily froze, but she quickly looked at her with pity. "Little sister, that depends on whether he believes you or not." She was right. No matter what Madison said, William would never believe her, but that didn't matter. She wasn't trying to convince him. She wanted the whole world to know. It was true that she was weak and ill, but she was not lowly. If no one were on her side, then she would bring the whole truth to light. Seeing that Madison was silent, McKenzie let out a sneer and flipped her hair with her fingers. "Madison, take care of yourself!" Madison watched her unrestrained back. They would never know that she had a hidden camera on her body. She should thank them for not being wary of her and allowing her to record all the evidence. They had handed her the evidence on a silver platter and she, Madison Lane, gladly accepted it. McKenzie was already urging her to pack, but there was nothing for her to take. Everything in this place belonged to her sister. None of it was indeed hers. She raised her gaze to McKenzie. "Do I need to get a divorce?" Even if their identities had been switched, the marriage certificate had her name on it. McKenzie arched an eyebrow and smiled. "No need. Mother and I have already taken care of the paperwork." At this point, her expression relaxed and she let out a light breath. "Now, I am McKenzie Lane, officially becoming William's wife." Madison showed no reaction. She turned to leave, but McKenzie's voice called out behind her, carrying a hint of feigned affection. "Madison, just attend the family banquet for me one last time. After this, we'll still be sisters. Once the banquet is over, I'll send you abroad. Don't come back, alright?" Madison didn't respond. Back in her room, she packed up all her medicine and booked a flight overseas. Finally, she took one last look around this grand room, her home, for the past six years. Yet, not a single thing inside truly belonged to her. Well, from this day forward, her life would belong to her and her alone.

On the day of the banquet, she received a call from Ariana. The voice on the other end was cold and threatening. "Madison, McKenzie has already booked a plane ticket for you. The money will be transferred to your account. Once you leave, don't come back." Madison remained silent. Her mother seemed to realize something and let out a soft sigh. "Madison, your sister has carried too much for this family. I don't want to see you two fighting. I also hope you won't have any thoughts that you shouldn't." She couldn't help but think of the past, when she had been forced to marry into the Loughlins in her sister's place, only to be met with William's cold indifference and hostility. McKenzie had faked her death and fled abroad, leaving behind a suicide note to frame her. When she cried to Ariana for help, her mother scolded her instead. "Would your sister have treated you this way if you hadn't stolen her man? You brought this upon yourself!" However, it was McKenzie who had fled abroad due to gambling debts back then and it was her mother who had broken down in tears, begging her to take her sister's place and marry William. Madison couldn't help but feel resentful. She and McKenzie were both their mother's daughters, born with the same face. Why had her mother always favored her sister? Her mother continued, still instructing her. "Once you get abroad, you'd better get plastic surgery. Don't go around parading your face as William's wife." Hearing those words felt like a dagger to her heart, the pain so sharp and numbing it was unbearable. She forced a stiff smile and spoke in a soft voice. "Mom, just because I was born weak, does that mean I don't deserve your love?" Sadly, the other end remained silent. Madison waited for a long while before realizing that the call had been disconnected. She lowered her eyes and slowly closed them. "I'm sorry, Mom. I've always listened to you all since I was little, but this time, I want to be rebellious for once and live for myself!" At the Loughlins' manor, Madison handed some items to Lily. Bella had an old knee injury and her knees ached in the winter when exposed to the cold. The package contained medicinal patches for the pain. As for Edward, his chronic coughing from excessive smoking was another concern. Madison had carefully noted down the locations of nearby pharmacies, the name of an effective cough suppressant and some other precautions. She had always taken care of this, ensuring there was a steady supply of medicine in the house, but this would be the last time. Lily was unaware of this. She was somewhat surprised when she saw it. "Madam, you're so thoughtful, but why did you write down the address this time?" Madison had fallen ill again that morning and still looked pale. She smiled faintly at the question. "Just in case." Lily turned to Bella with admiration. "Mrs. Loughlin, you're so lucky to have such a considerate daughter-in-law. She keeps everything in mind." Bella beamed with joy. "I don't have a daughter, so McKenzie is like my own. She's even more thoughtful than my son." William raised an eyebrow and glanced at Madison. His thin lips curled into a cold smile. "Is that any way to talk about your own son? Besides, people aren't always what they seem." Bella scolded him with a light slap on the arm. "Nonsense! I have a good eye for people. McKenzie is frail, so you'd better take good care of her." William's expression darkened with impatience. He nodded dismissively. "Fine, fine, I got it." From the beginning to the end, Madison maintained a smile and said nothing. After leaving Bella's side, William's smile instantly vanished and he looked at her with a sullen face. "Oh, McKenzie, you're not trying to curry favor with my mom, are you?" Madison was slightly surprised to hear this name again, but she quickly composed herself. It seemed that McKenzie hadn't told him everything. After six years of marriage, William still didn't know her real name. What an irony! "You don't have to worry. Soon, you'll get what you want!" she said.

William's smile was cold, completely devoid of trust in her words. Would someone who has lived a good life willingly return to poverty? Moreover, she still liked him. He didn't believe she would leave him. He said coldly, "Just remember it. After all, you stole those six years!" Madison remained silent. She no longer argued foolishly as she used to because she knew there was no point. They would never believe her. After leaving the Loughlin’s manor, Madison sat quietly in the car, gazing out the window at the passing scenery. William drove with an irritated expression. "Why the hell am I your chauffeur?" he snapped. Madison turned to look at him. She had secretly admired this face since high school and never dared to confess her feelings. Tonight, something in her shifted. "William, I won't like you anymore." He laughed, scoffing at her words. "There are countless people who like me. Do I need your affection?" His expression then turned sinister, his head snapping towards her. "McKenzie, what kind of trick are you playing now?" William's voice trailed off abruptly. He saw Madison leaning against the window, her face pale and her eyes weary as she drifted to sleep. When the car came to a stop, Madison woke up. She didn't spare William another glance. Instead, she changed back into her clothes. The real McKenzie emerged. She was now wearing a long, snow-white dress. The two of them were identical in appearance, yet their expressions couldn't be more different. One was radiant and full of life, the other calm and distant, so frail she looked like the wind could blow her away. McKenzie looked at her fragile sister and smiled. "Madison, I've booked you a first-class ticket. Once you leave, don't come back." That night, Madison took her ticket and left the place she had lived in for six years. She hailed a cab to the airport. Halfway there, she received a phone call. A deep male voice on the other end spoke, "Everything is ready." She hung up, recalling William's contemptuous glare and McKenzie's smiling face. Tomorrow, the whole truth would be revealed. William, who fancied himself a passionate lover and was hailed as the world's best man, was about to have his reputation utterly destroyed. As for McKenzie, who so desperately wanted to secure her place as William's wife, she would expose the truth, revealing every detail of what had happened. She would make them all suffer the consequences of their actions. Madison didn't board the plane McKenzie had booked for her. She wouldn't trust them anymore. Instead, she pulled out a plane ticket to a foreign country that she had prepared in advance. Before boarding the plane, she blocked all of their numbers. From this day forward, they would never meet again!