But he was too solid to feel it; her own hand started to ache.


    Finally, red-eyed with anger, Old Mrs. Quigley said, "If you choose not to divorce her, then you should treat her properly instead of fooling around with some other trashy woman!"


    "You''re beingpletely unreasonable!"


    "You hurt her deeply, yet you refuse to let her go."


    "If you don''t love her, why not just set her free?"


    Madeline didn''t dare make a sound.


    After Old Mrs. Quigley left, Felix stood outside smoking for over half an hour before returning to the hospital room, reeking of cigarettes.


    Madeline acted as if nothing had happened, asking with an innocent expression if he wanted breakfast. She offered to have Genesis buy some.


    "No, thanks. I have something to doter, so I won''t be able to see you off at the airport," Felix said, his voice hoarse, his expression unreadable.


    Madeline''s throat tightened. "Felix, aren''t youing back with me?"


    "You can go back by yourself," Felix repeated.


    Madeline bit her lip, not daring to insist, and just nodded silently.


    Felix looked at her, his gaze fixed on her eyes.


    After a few seconds, he spoke softly, "Madeline, take care of your eyes."


    After sending Felix away the night before, ire had slept soundly.


    In her dream, she saw her mother, whom she hadn''t seen in so long.


    She looked just as she did when she was young, elegant and beautiful.


    When she smiled, she had lovely dimples on her cheeks, a trait ire hadn''t inherited.


    In the dream, ire was a child again, lying in the princess room her father had built for her, listening to her mother tell her a bedtime story.


    The wonderful dream kept ire asleep until noon, and she still didn''t want to wake up.


    If her grandmother hadn''t called, she would have slept a little longer.


    "Grandma," ire answered sweetly.


    Old Mrs. Quigley''s heart melted. "My dear granddaughter, open the door. Grandma brought you your favorite pastries."


    "Grandma, where are you?"


    "Right outside your room."


    ire quickly jumped out of bed to open the door.


    The moment she did, Old Mrs. Quigley pulled her into a big hug.


    "Why did youe all the way to Rivercrest City?" ire was both touched and surprised.


    But she was also worried. "You shouldn''t be traveling like this, it''s too much for you." "I''m perfectly fine."


    She had Bianca ce the pastries she''d brought for ire on the table.


    They were all of ire''s favorites.


    "I just bought them, they''re at their best right now. Go wash up quick and some eat, old Mrs Quigley coaxed her.


    ire agreed.


    Eating something sweet always lifts one''s spirits.


    When Felix arrived, ire was chatting andughing with Old Mrs. Quigley.


    But the smile vanished the moment she saw him.


    Old Mrs. Quigley noticed and patted ire''s hand. "I asked him toe."


    ire thought her grandmother was


    trying to reconcile them. She put


    down her dessert, ready to have a


    heart to heart talk with her about her decision content


    But instead, Old Mrs. Quigley said, "Remember five years ago when you two came with me to The Aurelian Abbey to pray for blessings? I''vee back to fulfill my vows, want you both toe with me."


    ire didn''t want to go with Felix and was trying to think of an excuse.


    But Old Mrs. Quigley took her hand affectionately. "My sweet girl, will youe with me, please?"


    ire had a soft spot for Old Mrs. Quigley, so she nodded.


    The group had just arrived in Southmont when Felix''s phone rang.


    ire was helping Old Mrs. Quigley out of the car and her eyes instinctively flicked


    to the phone screen.


    It was Madeline calling.