Chapter 4

Vincent's eyes burned with intensity. After impatiently helping Madison button up her dress, he pressed down on her again. At the end of one post, she playfully wrote, "There's a stain on this dress, but to me, it's a treasure. I'll cherish it forever…" The comments below were full of guesses, blessings, and shipping. However, all of it just made my skin crawl. … After I was discharged, Vincent stayed by my side every day. That was until one day when he looked uneasy, saying, "Darling, the sales were great today. There's a company even I can't skip. I haven't attended one in almost a week." I nodded. He took his time buying me some chicken soup, helped me arrange my clothes, and then went to the bathroom to get ready. I opened Madison's profile. "It's my birthday today. I'm looking forward to it!" I scoffed. Vincent wore a blue shirt, carefully styled his hair, and was about to leave. I spoke up, "I'll go with you. It's been a while since I've attended a company event with you." "Really? Sounds good." He paused and helped me pick out my outfit. Before heading out, I grabbed a blue shawl. It was from the same brand as his shirt. … At the hotel, it seemed like everyone had arrived. Vincent slowly pushed my wheelchair through the door. "Everyone, quiet down. We're just waiting for Mr. Dolton." At the table, Madison, dressed in a flashy blue strapless dress, froze when she saw me. All three of us wore blue. However, her dress looked cheap and tacky, standing out even more. Half a second later, she switched to a bright smile and took me from Vincent's hands. "Mrs. Dolton, you're here! Are you feeling better? That's great." "I'm okay," I replied politely, letting her push me. … The dinner was lively, full of laughter and clinking glasses. There were about twenty people seated around the massive table. Madison had been sitting diagonally across from me, but halfway through, she stood up with a glass of wine and made her way over. "Mrs. Dolton, you look so young. I'm seriously jealous. Here's to you—may you always be beautiful and youthful." No one toasted like that. The table's lively chatter died instantly. An awkward silence fell over everyone. Seeing I didn't react, Vincent calmly took the glass from her and shot her a warning glance. "That's enough. She's not someone you get to joke around with. Sit down," he warned firmly. She obediently took the empty seat right next to him. Sitting far too close, she leaned in with a demure expression, trying her best to appear harmless. I smiled, calm and unreadable. On the other hand, she couldn't help glancing at me again and again. "Mr. Dolton, please don't drink too much," she murmured. "This fish has bones. Please be careful," she reminded him. "This soup's still hot. Let me cool it down for you." … Madison hovered around him like an over-eager intern desperate for extra credit. The others teased him. "Your assistant's got you all figured out, huh? Knows your every need." She giggled and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "It's my job. Mr. Dolton has a sensitive stomach—I try to look out for him." Then, one of the VPs, Albion Marshall, half-drunk and grinning, turned to me and asked, "Mrs. Dolton, are you pregnant? Your belly's showing a little." Madison's spoon slipped from her hand and clattered against the bowl, almost splashing the boiling soup across my face. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Dolton. I didn't mean to," she apologized quickly, her eyes wide with feigned panic.