Meant for Me

Hearing those words, Madeline couldn't believe they came from the same man who had once cried the entire night when she was ill. The two flirted shamelessly, unaware that Madeline was listening to every word. No one noticed her pale face or how her nails dug into her palms so hard that she bled. The saddest part? She had to pretend she knew nothing. Her husband and his secretary flirted before her without a trace of shame. At that moment, Madeline felt like no one in the world could be more pitiful than her. Since Madeline's major had nothing to do with French, they spoke these lewd and disgusting words in French without any hesitation. However, they didn't know that Madeline had been working hard to improve herself to be a good match for Elias. She had explicitly enrolled in courses and studied six foreign languages, one of which was French. Her head was buzzing and she couldn't hold it in any longer. She clutched her chest, starting to gasp for air. The man sitting in the executive chair finally noticed her and rushed over in a panic. "Madie! Madie! Don't scare me!" Elias picked Madeline up and ran out of the room, leaving Whitney behind in the office, glaring at them with a twisted expression. "Hmph, no wonder she managed to become Elias' wife. She's got some tricks up her sleeve. Let's see how long she can hold on," Whitney sneered. She then added Madeline as a friend and sent her a video of Elias setting off fireworks all night to celebrate her birthday. When Madeline woke up, she saw Elias talking on the phone with a smile on the balcony. It was apparent Whitney made him happy. Looking at Whitney's video and a clip of the two kissing passionately in a hot air balloon, Madeline felt her heartache once again after two days of finally calming down. At that moment, she finally realized that Elias was no longer the boy who once risked everything for her. "Elias is mine. You can't give him the thrill he wants anymore, so it's time to step aside," Whitney had messaged her, followed by screenshots of her conversations with Elias and details of what they had done together. Madeline's heart felt like it was being sliced apart, piece by piece, leaving nothing but raw, bloody pain. Everything Whitney described—those intimate moments—were once hers and Elias' memories filled with love and warmth. Now, he was doing the same things with someone else. Silent tears streamed down her face as she covered her mouth, refusing to let Elias hear her sobs. After calling out a few times to ensure she was asleep, Elias quietly left the room. Madeline stood on the balcony, watching his car speed out of the garage. She could clearly see the urgency of his departure, while the tears rolled down her cheeks. It took her a while to calm down before packing her belongings. The next day, there was no doubt that Whitney sent photos of their night's performance from several angles to Madeline. The pictures revealed the chaos in the room—the floor and bed covered in disheveled clothing, a testament to the intensity of their affair. Madeline's eyes turned red and suddenly she collapsed to the floor as if there was no strength left in her body. Her hands trembled as she held her phone, forgetting to breathe. Only when she started suffocating did she gasp for air. She finally broke down and sobbed uncontrollably. At that time, crying was the only way she could vent the overwhelming pain in her heart.

Madeline met Elias when she was ten years old. He was thirteen at the time, having been sent to the countryside because the Fu family was going through a period of internal strife. Perhaps due to a lack of love growing up, Elias was a very aloof and taciturn boy. Madeline was like a ray of light that shone into his dark world during that time. After the internal conflict subsided, Elias was brought back to the family. When they parted, he promised to return for her when she turned eighteen. Elias kept his word. When Madeline turned 18, Elias arrived with a fleet of luxury cars to take his princess home. From then on, there was a saying in country circles that Elias had a woman he pampered to the extreme. Madeline had poor health and loved walking barefoot, so Elias covered their house with soft carpets. He hired the country's top doctors to take care of her health. Everything she wore—clothes, jewelry, bags and shoes—was designed by Elias himself. Madeline became Elias' wife on her twenty-second birthday. On their wedding day, Elias transferred 30% of the Fisher Company's shares to her name. That was merely the beginning. Beyond the shares lay a vast portfolio of businesses and properties, a gesture reverberating through the country's high society and igniting a burning envy in the hearts of countless women. It was no exaggeration to say that Elias' love for Madeline moved the world. He adored her so profoundly that no one believed a man like him existed, but reality dealt her a fatal blow. She couldn't understand why a man who loved her so much betrayed her. Still, she knew that once she decided to let go, she had to endure the pain, no matter how excruciating and never repeat the same mistake. Recently, Elias noticed something strange. Madeline's attitude toward him seemed different as if a subtle distance had formed between them. "Madie, are you upset because I haven't been spending enough time with you lately?" he asked nervously. Madeline looked at the concern on his face. Even the slightest change in her demeanor would send him into a panic. Still, he would wait every night until she fell asleep and then spend time with his secretary. "It's nothing. Your work is important. What could possibly be wrong with me? I just eat, drink and have fun all day. I'm completely useless." Elias immediately pulled her into his arms. "Don't talk about yourself like that. You're one of a kind to me. You've captured the world's most amazing man—how could you be useless?" Madeline would have thrown herself into his arms with a smile and laughed if it were before. "That's right! The world's most amazing man belongs to me." Now, she only said a word, "Really?" Then quietly continued eating breakfast. "For some reason, her calm indifference filled Elias with dread. "Madie, I have a business trip to Europe in a few days. Why don't you come with me?" he suggested. Madeline casually asked, "Will it just be the two of us?" Elias answered as if it were nothing unusual, "No, Miss Young and Mr. Hall will also be coming." Madeline had already guessed as much, but she couldn't resist asking anyway. "What's wrong? Is there a problem?" "No problem. I was just asking who else was going with us." In truth, Madeline agreed to the trip because she planned to cancel her domestic records and transfer all her funds overseas.

Madeline wasn't a saint. What was hers could never be left for another woman to take. Elias didn't notice anything unusual about her behavior because his attention was entirely on his phone and he was busy chatting with someone on the other end. Taking advantage of the moment when Elias was retrieving their luggage, Whitney deliberately approached Madeline. "Mrs. Fisher, I have to say, your patience is impressive. Your husband shares passionate nights with me, yet you can still calmly watch it all happen." Madeline didn't really want to pay attention to Whitney, but this chick kept provoking her. She glanced sideways at Whitney. "Miss Young, I admit you have some impressive tactics. The moment you laid all this out in front of me, I knew you had no chance of ever taking my place. Because you can't make Elias divorce me for you, that's why you resorted to this." Madeline was right. She could have easily clung to her position as Mrs. Fisher. As long as she stayed, Whitney would remain the mistress. However, this suffocating marriage was unbearable for her. Knowing everything that had been going on, Madeline made up her mind—no matter how much it hurt, she had to end it. "You … Mrs. Fisher, let's see how long you can stay this composed. Hmph!" Seeing Whitney talking to Madeline, Elias nervously hurried over. "Madie, are you okay? Are you feeling unwell?" Madeline casually waved him off. "Miss Young's perfume is just too strong—it's making me a bit dizzy." She even raised her hand to rub her temples, feigning discomfort. Elias immediately panicked and turned to Whitney. "Miss Young, my wife dislikes your perfume. Please switch to a seat farther inside and don't sit near her." Whitney hadn't expected Elias to treat her this way because of Madeline. Though anger bubbled inside her, she didn't dare defy him after catching the sharp look in his eyes. "Understood, Mr. Fisher." As soon as Madeline boarded the plane, she said she hadn't slept well the night before and needed to rest. It was precisely the opportunity Elias had been hoping for, so he naturally went along with it. "Alright, Madie. Have a good rest. I'll be right here with you until you wake up." Listening to her steady breathing, Elias called her name a few times softly, "Madie … Madie?" Once he was sure Madeline was fast asleep, he rose and went to the plane's restroom. Even though Elias had booked out the entire first-class cabin, Mr. Hall still needed to attend to some business and was on a later flight. The moment Elias entered the restroom, Whitney swayed her slender hips and followed him in. As soon as they were inside, they were kissing passionately. Whitney intentionally left the restroom door slightly ajar, just enough for Madeline to see everything. "You're so bad! You scolded me earlier, hmph!" The coquettish tone struck a chord with Elias and he immediately pulled her into an embrace. "Aren't I making it up to you now?" he replied. Hearing their heavy breathing, a sharp pain unexpectedly pierced Madeline's chest. She thought she was over it, but the pain was so intense that beads of sweat broke out on her forehead. She didn't back down this time. Fighting back the nausea, she turned on the voice recorder on her phone, capturing their conversation—along with certain other sounds. "I'm still upset," Whitney sobbed pitifully. Her tearful voice pierced Elias' heart and he spoke in a tender tone that felt like needles stabbing into Madeline's.

"Don't cry, sweetheart. It breaks my heart to see you like this. I was wrong, okay? It's my fault." Then came two voices, overlapping. Madeline was glad they were on a plane. Otherwise, she might have fainted from the awkwardness. Seeing that it was about time, Madeline put away her phone and left the place. She returned to her seat and pretended to be asleep. One thing about Elias was that he was a businessman who valued every second. His time management was impeccable. As he returned to his seat, she opened her bleary eyes. "Madie, we're almost there. Freshen up; we'll be landing soon." "Got it." The moment she got off the plane, her phone was bombarded with messages. Glancing at them, she saw they were all from Whitney. Madeline ignored them because they were the same old taunting remarks. At first, it used to bother her, but now it seemed to be fading. She believed she would genuinely be able to let go. Madeline stood by the window, gazing at the scenery outside. It was beautiful, but she no longer felt the same way about it. Elias watched Madeline, feeling like she was drifting further and further away. Lately, she had been especially cold towards him. A little anxious, he pulled her into an embrace. Madeline looked at him, puzzled. "What's wrong?" Elias stared at Madeline for a long moment before finally speaking. "Madie, have I been neglecting you? Are you upset with me? You've been so cold lately." He was most afraid of Madeline ignoring him, so he held her tightly as if afraid she might disappear. She couldn't help but laugh softly. "No, I know you've been busy with work. I'm not upset. Haven't we always managed this way?" However, her tone didn't sit well with him. "Madie, I've told you before. Nothing and no one are more important than you in my heart." He spoke as if he was telling Madeline that her place in his heart could never be shaken. However, someone had already shaken it, right? Madeline didn't voice this thought, only letting it echo silently in her mind. "Mmm, I know." Elias reached to kiss Madeline, but she turned away. That brief rejection made his eyes flush with anger. "Madie, are you avoiding me? Do you find me disgusting?" Madeline could feel Elias' hands trembling. This man might genuinely love her, but he also couldn't give up his clandestine affairs. She sniffled, trying to hide the slight sting in her nose from Elias. "Just teasing you. I wanted to see your reaction. Didn't we say we were going to a banquet tonight?" Madeline quickly changed the subject. Hearing this, Elias finally relaxed a little. Madeline watched as Elias personally dressed her, did her hair, put on her jewelry and even knelt to slip on her heels—the princess shoes he'd picked just for her. "Elias?" He looked up, waiting for her to continue. Yet, she just stared at him, lost in thought. "Madie, what's wrong? Is there something you want to say?" Madeline gazed at Elias' tender expression, her hand gently caressing his face. "Elias, do you love me?" she asked softly. Upon hearing this, a flicker of annoyance crossed Elias' face. "Madeline, who doesn't know that you're the only woman I've ever loved?"

"You don't believe me? Do I have to dig out my heart for you to trust me?" As soon as he finished speaking, Elias grabbed a fruit knife from the table and aimed it at his chest. Before he could go any further, Madeline stopped him. "Elias, I believe you. I really do. I was just testing you a little because, well, women like to be dramatic sometimes." Elias put down the knife and pulled her into his arms. "You can doubt anything, but you can never doubt my love for you." His love for Madeline was undeniable, yet his infidelity was also an indisputable fact. While watching Whitney's dress at the banquet, Madeline couldn't shake the feeling that Whitney was doing it on purpose. Throughout the entire event, Elias escorted both Madeline and Whitney, drawing envious glances from all the men present. Some of his former business partners couldn't resist teasing him in French. "Mr. Fisher, you're really living the dream—one on each arm! We're jealous, so jealous." Others joined in the jokes. "Exactly! You've mastered the art of time management, keeping both your wife and your secretary in perfect harmony. Your secretary sure knows her place." Whitney didn't seem embarrassed by the remarks. Instead, she smiled coyly. Elias even chimed in, "Isn't that the point? I like her because she listens—and because she's irresistible." Although Madeline had married Elias, she didn't fit in with his social circle at all. She was too conservative and lacked a sense of fun. "Exactly. When it comes to the bed, men prefer someone like Miss Young. After all, no man likes a woman who's like a dead fish in bed, haha!" Elias raised his glass and smiled but said nothing, tacitly agreeing with the comment. The men kept praising Whitney while putting down Madeline. They all assumed she couldn't understand, but she absorbed every word. To them, she had no redeeming qualities. As she watched Elias chat easily with them, she realized this was blatant infidelity. Not only that, but he even agreed with their insults about her. If he despised her so much, why couldn't he say it to her face? Madeline could tolerate strangers' mockery, but Elias' silent approval? That was the real betrayal. Madeline had expected to cry. After all, no one could hear those words and remain completely unmoved. Her initial reaction was a bone-chilling cold as if she'd been plunged into a freezing lake. Every movement felt like shards of ice piercing her heart. So, when she raised a hand to touch her cheek, she was surprised to find she hadn't shed a single tear. It was the only thing preventing her from completely falling apart. Her rational mind kicked in, whispering, "You can endure this. Once you make it through, you can let go of everything." From a distance, she watched Elias and Whitney chat happily with the other guests. Whitney would occasionally glance at her with a smug expression. She then told Elias she wanted to sit alone for a bit. "Sure. Just don't wander too far. I'll come find you once I'm done." No sooner had Madeline stepped away than she noticed Elias and Whitney entering an elevator together. Moments later, her phone buzzed with a text message from Whitney. "Parking lot." Madeline's grip on her phone tightened, but she still got up and followed them. She took the elevator to the location Whitney had texted her. As soon as the doors opened, she saw the two of them already locked in a passionate kiss. Once they closed the car door, they became even more impatient. Madeline didn't approach. She crouched behind another car, watching through the window. Inside, Elias seemed utterly at ease, his face full of enjoyment as Whitney straddled his lap.

Not long after, the car started moving. This time, Madeline seemed very composed. She took out her phone and started recording the entire process. At first, her vision was blurred by tears, making it hard to see clearly. But as time went on, her emotions slowly shifted—from heart-wrenching pain to an eerie calmness. By the time they were done, she felt utterly indifferent. Madeline had almost forgotten what she had just experienced. She turned off the recording and hid in the back of the car. Only after the two people left did she come out. When the elevator doors closed with a soft ding, she felt as though her heart shattered into pieces. At that moment, Madeline finally let go completely. Without waiting for them, she walked back to the hotel alone. Madeline had no idea that Elias had been frantically searching for her during that time. The moment she returned to the hotel, Elias rushed out desperately. "Madie! Madie! You scared me to death! I'm sorry—it's all my fault. I shouldn't have been so focused on work and neglected you. Please, hit me if it'll make you feel better!" Elias kept apologizing; his eyes red as though he was about to cry. Sadly, Madeline's eyes no longer had that familiar spark, perhaps because she had already moved on. "Sorry. I was just bored, so I wandered off. I ended up walking back to the hotel." Madeline had never apologized to Elias before. Throughout their four years of dating and marriage, it was always Elias who bowed his head first. This one apology made Elias' chest tighten. He could tell something about Madeline had changed. She kept smiling—calm and serene. There was no trace of anger or emotion. Yet, Elias realized there was no longer any reflection of himself in her eyes. This realization sent a wave of panic through him, making him increasingly restless and uneasy. "Madie, don't leave me. Please, don't leave me." He hugged her tightly as if trying to embed her into his very bones, but Madeline didn't give him an answer. "Madie, say something! You're not going to leave me, right?" He repeated the question over and over, almost like he couldn't stop until he heard the answer. "Hmm. The old Elias was so wonderful. How could I bear to leave him?" Elias was caught up in his anxious state, so he completely missed the word "old." Only after receiving a definite answer did Elias begin to calm down. After this incident, Elias spent even more time with Madeline, which led to Whitney's dissatisfaction. During the few days Elias was busy, Madeline quickly handled all her affairs. She transferred her assets, including the money she secretly made from selling her properties. "Elias, you haven't contacted me since returning to the country. I even bought so many outfits I thought you'd like." Elias brushed off Whitney's restless hand. "Stop it. I've already spent enough time with you. Right now, I need to focus on Madie. Be good." Although Whitney felt unhappy, she didn't dare go against him. Elias liked obedient women and she knew better than to confront him directly. "One more thing—when Madie is around, don't get too close to me. I don't want her to find out. Remember this: if you behave, I'll take care of you. But if you don't, you know the consequences." For Elias, Madeline was his bottom line. No matter how much Whitney acted out in front of him, she was absolutely forbidden to cross Madeline. By the time Elias got home, Madeline had almost finished packing everything. He walked in just as she was putting her belongings into boxes. "Madie, what are you doing?" Elias' face darkened and he angrily knocked over the boxes. He instinctively thought Madeline was preparing to leave him.

"Where are you going? Did I do something wrong to upset you? If I did, just tell me and I'll fix it, okay?" Madeline watched Elias' restless behavior and sighed softly, kneeling calmly to pick up the scattered items. "No, it's nothing. Just some old things taking up space, so I thought I'd throw them away." Hearing this, Elias' earlier anxiety finally subsided. He pulled her into his arms. "You scared me to death. Thank goodness, I thought you were leaving me." Every word Elias spoke reflected how deeply he loved Madeline and she never doubted his feelings for her. However, she no longer dwelled on the reason for his infidelity. It simply didn't matter anymore. Seeing her clothes still neatly hanging in the closet reassured Elias. Maybe he had overthought things. Still, the events of the past few days had left a shadow in his heart. Since then, except for work, Elias spent all his time at home with Madeline. At that moment, Madeline's phone vibrated with a message. "Miss Shepherd, all your personal records in this country have been successfully erased." Reading this, Madeline felt an immense sense of relief. Without hesitation, she used her overseas identity to book a ticket to Burgola. "What are you doing? You seem so focused." Madeline was startled and quickly locked her phone screen. "Nothing. I was just thinking—tomorrow's your birthday, right? I've prepared a surprise for you. Excited?" She smiled brightly as she spoke, but if Elias had looked closely, he might have noticed a hint of mockery in her eyes. However, he was too distracted by the word surprise to notice. His face lit up as he lifted Madeline and spun her around in joy. "You're amazing, Madie! Every year, your gifts always surprise me!" Madeline had always put her heart into preparing his birthday gifts, which made them all the more special to Elias. While other people's gifts were casually bought, hers were always handcrafted. Therefore, Elias had carefully kept all the birthday gifts from all these years. Madeline had once joked that since he treasured them so much, he might as well lock them in a safe. Elias had laughed it off, never minding her jokes. "You don't understand, Madie. These gifts carry your love and I'll cherish them forever." Yet now, all those memories felt like bitter irony. "Trust me. This year's surprise will definitely blow your mind." Elias always held his birthday parties at home, inviting only close friends rather than business associates. In the past, Madeline didn't fully understand the glances those friends gave her. Now, she finally did. Deep down, they had been mocking her all along, seeing her as nothing more than a fool. As usual, their lively conversations quieted when she entered the room. "Madie, are you hungry? I've warmed up some milk for you." Everyone watched this scene, mocking Elias for being henpecked. Elias just laughed and agreed. "Call me whipped if you want. I don't mind as long as it's for Madie. What do you guys know about love?" Still, some friends couldn't help but exchange knowing looks with Whitney, who stood nearby. Later in the evening, Elias spoke in French to one of his friends. "Call me away in a bit. I need an excuse to leave. It's been a while since I've spent time with my little secretary and I've been missing her." Everyone burst out laughing, a hint of pity in their eyes as they looked at Madeline.

This time, Madeline wasn't sad or upset. She could even face the situation with calm indifference. Maybe it was because she already knew. So, when they spoke up and Elias turned to her, she agreed naturally. However, Madeline's composure made Elias' heart sink again. He truly felt that her calmness was unusually unsettling. In the past, even if she didn't fit in with his social circles, she would try her best to blend in. Yet, she said nothing. She sat quietly beside him. Even when his friends teased her, she agreed so quickly and easily. He had expected a much longer struggle. "Madie, are you upset? If you are, I won't go. Okay?" "No, you're the star of the day. Go ahead." Elias pulled Madeline back into the room. As soon as they entered, he noticed a box on the table. He reached out to open it, but Madeline stopped him. "Open it later, after you get back. It won't disappear." The more Madeline pushed him out the door, the more suspicious Elias became, but he couldn't pinpoint what was off. Still, an inexplicable unease surged in his chest, leaving him restless. "Madie, how about I don't go? I'll stay home and keep you company." No! How could Madeline leave if Elias stayed? "I'm really fine. I'll just play on my phone for a bit and then go to sleep." Despite his anxiety, Elias couldn't resist his body's needs. He kissed her forehead and left. Just as he was stepping out, Madeline called after him. "Elias, you know … there are some things in this world that can never be forgiven." Her smile pierced through him, but his phone rang before he could think about her words. Watching him disappear around the corner, Madeline murmured to herself, "Elias, I hope we never meet again in this life." She pulled out the suitcase she had packed in advance. When she stepped out of the front door, she turned to look back at the cage that had trapped her for so long. Finally, she was free. At the same time, elsewhere. "Elias, you'd better make it up to me tonight! Otherwise, don't even think about touching me again. Hmph!" Elias wanted to do it at first, but now he was a little absent-minded for some reason. Madeline's words kept replaying in his mind. It felt like he had missed something important. Whitney noticed his distraction and grew annoyed. She leaned in and bit him lightly. Her action ignited his passion and he was ready to go all the way. However, the unease in his heart wouldn't subside. At the last moment, he pushed Whitney away. "Elias! What's wrong with you? You're always like this. It's so frustrating!" Elias didn't say anything; he had just picked up his coat and was about to leave. Whitney wasn't about to let him go so quickly and grabbed his arm. "You're not leaving tonight! You promised to stay with me!" Elias' expression turned icy. He warned her sharply, "I need to go home. Don't push me, or you'll regret it." Sensing his anger, Whitney reluctantly let him go. As she watched him leave, her fury boiled over. She smashed everything in the living room in a fit of rage. "Ugh, it's definitely that clingy Madeline again. She can't keep a guy interested, so she's pulling some stunt, huh? Pathetic." Elias was hers and Mrs. Fisher's position would only ever belong to her. No one could take it away. On the way back, Elias' unease grew stronger with each passing minute. He took out his phone and dialed Madeline's number. Unsurprisingly, a mechanical voice responded. "The number you dialed is currently switched off."