Chapter 32

Madeleine stood rooted to the spot, her hands clenched in unease. She dared not get into the car; she was dirty. "Thank... thank you, but no... no need to bother." Madeleine gestured stiffly with her hand. Beckett didn't say much else. He was initially planning to leave but seeing Madeleine limping through the rearview mirror, he felt inexplicably annoyed. ... Madeleine didn't go home. In her disheveled state, with injuries on her hands, Dane would certainly worry if he saw her. When it was impossible to change the circumstances, making loved ones worry only quickened the heartache. In the past, she was the cherished pearl of the Landry family, thus she did not experience much adversity and injustice as she grew up. She was too well-protected, growing up in the sunlight, devoid of the darkness at the bottom of society. After losing everything, she realized how ridiculous it was for someone without a background to resist. She found a bench in a nearby park, lightly touched her forehead,