A smirk curved his lips while he stepped closer, closing the gap between them by three inches. His eyes blazed with a mix of emotions she couldn't read.
"Don't even think about running away from me," he said quietly, though the threat in his tone coiled around her like a noose. "If you do, you won't like what I'll become. I will come after you, and it won't end well for you."
A chill raced down Madelyn's spine. For a moment, she almost regretted provoking him. He was being obsessed.
"Divorce her, Rafael, if that's what she wants. What's the point of dragging this out?" Erica cut in, her voice sharp with frustration.
"Fucking stay out of this!" Rafael snarled at Erica, his voice thunderous. Both women flinched at the sheer force behind his words.
He turned sharply and stormed toward the entrance, fury radiating from his tense posture. Rage and something more volatile brewed beneath the surface.
How could she still be adamant of leaving after everything he said to her last night?
Madelyn had never seen him this angry. They had never been this close to breaking. She watched his back as he moved toward the door, then spoke with quiet defiance.
"Sign the divorce papers, or I'll take this to court." She threatened.
Rafael didn't respond. He walked out as if he hadn't heard a word.
Madelyn clenched her fists, her chest tightening as she watched Rafael's figure disappear into the light. His persistence in refusing a divorce made her stomach churn.
Was her nightmare coming true?
Even if he refused to sign the papers, she had to walk away from a marriage where her feelings were never returned. He may have cared for her in his own way, but it was never enough.
Without hesitation, she rushed back to her room and continued packing.
As she folded her clothes, her gaze landed on their wedding photo on the table. Memories of that day resurfaced about how she had believed she found her other half, and how she had been on cloud nine through the ceremony, clinging to that promises he offered her.
Did all marriages end like this, without expectations met? Why did it always feel like someone else came between them?
Madelyn exhaled, trying not to drown in those emotions again.
Just as she finished packing her suitcase, the door creaked open. Erica stepped in, her expression twisted with irritation.
"Was that little show downstairs just a tantrum? If you're so desperate to leave, do it quietly," Erica snapped, grabbing the suitcase and tossing it aside.
It hit the ground with a thud, clothes spilling out in every direction.
Erica had heard enough—from the heated argument last night to the emotional standoff today. But what unsettled her most was how the two could still share intimacy after everything.
Their moan!
What kind of twisted relationship was this? It made her blood boil.
Madelyn raised her chin, refusing to let her emotions flare from striking Erica had just as she had been desperate to do that for ages.
"You can't throw me out of my own house." said Madelyn.
Erica arched a brow and gave a mocking smile. "Do you still think this is your house while you're planning to divorce him?"
"Until the papers are signed, this is still my home. Regardless, I'm leaving on my own terms," Madelyn answered firmly.
Erica chuckled, though the edge in her voice betrayed her irritation. She rested a hand on her flat stomach. "It's not my fault Rafael always comes to me."
"I didn't ask for an explanation," Madelyn replied, her voice steady.
"You're afraid of hearing how he truly feels, aren't you?"
Madelyn looked at her, unwilling to let the curiosity win. She wasn't ready to hear anything that might break her further. "If I cared, I'd ask him myself."
She turned to leave, but Erica stepped into her path.
"Not so fast," she said, lowering her voice as she closed the space between them. "You know deep down Rafael is playing with your emotions and your body. He pities you, but he won't admit it."
"Move aside," Madelyn said with a sharp frown.
Though she stood tall, Erica's words had cut deep. Madelyn could feel her heart tightening, her need to escape the suffocating house growing stronger.
Erica's expression darkened. "If you two end up divorced, stay away from him for good. I can't stand it when exes pop up again like ghosts at parties. A broken heart should stay shattered."
Madelyn gave a faint, bitter smile. "I'm not broken. And I don't plan to cross paths with him again. Good luck with him," she said, placing the divorce papers on the bed.
"Walking away from Rafael is like giving up your birthright," Erica said softly, a small, satisfied smile on her lips. "How will you manage without Rafael's support and the support of our family? Father wouldn't back you either. Don't think you can rely on your struggling siblings. However, you're always welcome to reach out to me, as I am generous."
Madelyn didn't respond despite she understood the consequences behind divorcing Rafael. She picked up her suitcase and walked past her.
Erica scowled, annoyed by Madelyn's calmness. "What the hell? How is she not in tears after everything?"
Madelyn dragged her suitcase to the garage. She opened the trunk, placed it inside, and shut it with a firm slam.
She needed to disappear from Rafael's life, even if just for now. Only then would he understand she was serious.
Returning to her family estate wasn't an option. Her father wouldn't support her decision and he'd throw a ruckus.
But her twin sister, Margaux, was still in town. Staying with her until the divorce was finalized made the most sense. Rafael and Margaux had never gotten along—he wouldn't come looking for her there.
Without a second thought, Madelyn climbed into her car and drove away from the mansion.
***
After an hour's drive, Madelyn arrived at her twin sister's apartment. Standing at the threshold, she rang the doorbell.
Moments later, the door opened to reveal her striking twin, Margaux—an almost perfect mirror image of Madelyn.
"Maddie!" Margaux exclaimed, lighting up at the sight of her sister.
"Margaux," Madelyn murmured as they embraced.
After the hug, Margaux stepped aside to let her in. Her gaze fell on the suitcase, a frown forming as she took in the unexpected visit.
"Are you going somewhere? What's going on?" she asked.
Madelyn pulled her suitcase inside, walked into the cozy living room, and sank onto the couch.
"I want to stay with you for a while. I can't stay in that mansion with Rafael anymore," she said quietly.
Margaux joined her on the couch, her voice gentle. "Of course. You can stay here as long as you need." She paused, her expression shifting to concern. "What happened between you and Rafael?"
Madelyn met her sister's eyes, her voice low. "I'm divorcing him. I want to leave the country, go to Sweden, but I can't let our father find out. You're the only one who can help me get a passport quickly without his knowledge."
Margaux nodded firmly. "This is the smartest thing you've ever done. Leaving that jerk is a step toward peace. I know it hurts now, but you'll move on. Don't let him break you." she patted the back of Madelyn's hand.
"I'm not hurt about the divorce," Madelyn murmured with a sour face as she hesitated briefly with the word she was about to spill.
"I'm pregnant." she confessed.
Margaux's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're what? Pregnant?"
Madelyn nodded, her fingers tightening nervously in her lap as the weight of her situation sank in.