Claim by the cold ceo

Chapter 5: broken alliance

The slap landed right across Madelyn's right cheek. She cupped her throbbing cheek. Her eyes widened in shock. She couldn't believe Willow just slapped her at her own house, in front of her Mother-in-law.

Blinking back the tears, Madelyn raised her head to look at a proud Willow standing with her head held high. Her lips twisted in a mocking smile, saying, as if So what if you slept with him? You are nothing but a w***e who should know her place.

For the first time in her life, Madelyn felt the rage crawling up from her stomach to her chest. She didn't know when she raised her hand and delivered a slap right back at Willow's face.

''Get out.'' The words delivered after the slap were like a sharp blade cutting through the air.

It was Willow's turn to be dumbfounded.

''What the hell are you doing?'' Iris's sharp voice reverberated through the living room. She rushed to Willow's side and gently guided her to the sofa.

''How dare you raise a hand on my daughter?'' The expression on her face was as cold as ice. Her eyes were filled with animosity.

''Who are you to order her to leave? She will not go anywhere.'' Iris declared. She hadn't once asked her if Madelyn was okay. But she is worried about Willow. If Willow is her daughter, then who is she? Where does she stand in her marriage if she can't ask a person who just attacked her to leave the house?

''Go and tell the maids to bring some ice for her.'' When Iris didn't get a response from Madelyn, she threw another order for her to follow.

Madelyn turned to go to the kitchen. Her mind was blank. She told the maid to bring some ice for the guests and left the kitchen through the back door. She couldn't be in the same place as those two right now.

She didn't know where she was going, and before she knew it, she was pressing a doorbell.

''Oh my god, Madelyn. What a surprise!'' Cathy hugged her. But when she pulled back from the hug, she finally took a proper look at Madelyn's face. Her right cheek was swollen, and a faint handprint could be seen. Madelyn's eyes were hollow, and her face was pale.

''What happened, Madelyn. Come inside.'' She rushed Madelyn onto the sofa and rushed to get some ice for her.

When Cathy gently pressed the ice pack on Madelyn's cheek, only then did she come to her senses.

''Who did this?'' Cathy asked softly. But Madelyn wasn't in a state to answer her. Seeing Cathy's gentle behaviour, all the dams broke, and Madelyn cried profusely in Cathy's arms.

When she calmed down, she told Cathy about what happened and apologized for cancelling on her last minute. Cathy waved her off.

Just as they were busy talking, Madelyn's phone rang, and the name flashing on the screen filled her with panic. She didn't know what to say to Arthur anymore.

''Calm down, Maddy. I will talk to him.'' Cathy said, picking up the call.

''Where are you?'' Cathy put the phone on speaker, and Arthur's cold voice filled Cathy's small space.

''Hello, Mr. Greystone. Maddy is at my place.'' Cathy gave a short answer, not wanting to explain anything to that witch's son.

''Who are you? And why are you answering my wife's phone?'' Madelyn could feel the anger seeping into Arthur's voice. She tried to talk, but Cathy cut her off.

''I am Maddy's friend. And I don't need anyone's permission to answer my friend's phone.'' Cathy said, sass dripping from her tone.

''Well, Miss, I am sure you have heard of personal space.'' Arthur mocked her.

Seeing the situation escalating, Madelyn jumped in and secured her phone before putting it off the speaker. She ignored Cathy's scowl.

''I will not be coming home tonight,'' Madelyn said in a single breath.

''What did you say?'' Arthur's voice took on a dangerous edge.

''I want you home before I arrive.'' Dismissing Madelyn's previous statement, Arthur ordered and hung up.

''What a jerk.'' Cathy's scowl was still plastered on her face.

Suddenly, Madelyn remembered she hadn't taken the morning-after pill this morning, and Arthur didn't use any protection last night. How can she be so careless? She can't imagine being pregnant in such a mess.

''Can you come with me to the pharma store?'' Madelyn hesitated, but the understanding look in Cathy's eyes put her tense heart at ease.

''Yes, let's go. I was craving a matcha.'' Cathy replied casually, trying to lighten the mood.

Cathy drove them to the pharmacy first, letting Maddy get her stuff and then driving them to a nearby cafe. Ordering their coffees, they were waiting for their orders when a familiar voice called for Madelyn.

''Madelyn is that you?'' Oliver's excited voice reached her ears. Madelyn was confused at first, then she remembered him. He is Arthur's brother.

''Hello,'' Madelyn replied politely.

''I can't believe you are here in front of me.'' Oliver took a seat beside Cathy uninvited. Cathy looked at Maddy asking her if she knew him. Madelyn replied with I will tell you later. They talked with their eyes while Oliver continued to stare at Madelyn.

''It is nice to meet you too.'' Madelyn didn't know what to say to him. It was awkward but it didn't Oliver.

''Madelyn, What I was trying to tell you yeste--

The sound of the welcome bell rang in the cafe attracting Madelyn's attention to the newcomer her breath hitched when she saw the man standing there piercing her soul through his gaze.