Claim by the cold ceo

Chapter 2:uncovering mask

Wait for him in the bedroom. In our marital bedroom. What does that mean? Did he want to consummate their wedding? Madelyn can't let it happen, not when she hardened her heart and decided to divorce him. She doesn't want anything to do with him. And what if she gets pregnant? What will she do then?

Panic set in. She had to leave. She can't stay here. She didn't want anything to do with Arthur Greystone. She rushed from the room to her bedroom and looked for her phone. Found it lying on the dresser carelessly. Snatching her phone from the dresser, she hurriedly called her best friend Cathy.

The bell rang thrice before her best friend's cheery voice answered.'' Is that you, Maddy? I can't believe you are calling me after three years.''

Madelyn felt embarrassed as she had to cut all contact with the outside world on her father's instruction. Her father wanted her to focus on her training and avoid any distractions so that she could secure a high-value marriage alliance.

''I went to your house too, but the housekeeper told me you don't live there anymore.'' Cathy continued her excited rambling.

''I thought you went abroad for further studies. So, where are you?'' It took Madelyn several minutes to reply to her friend as she found her father's house staff's response odd. She and Arthur had often attended family dinners at Blackwood Mansion since their marriage.

''Maddy? Cathy's voice pulled her out of her pondering.

''Um sorry. Cathy, can we meet? I have something to tell you.'' Madelyn replied.

''Ofcourse. Let's meet at La Gauche.''

After hanging up, Madelyn took a look at herself in the mirror. Her face has lost all its color. Her eyes used to shine like diamonds, have lost their allure, and her plump red lips are chapped and dry. When Madelyn was a newlywed bride, she used to get ready for Arthur. Under the negligence of her husband, time and again, her heart started to wither, and it took a toll on her physical appearance too.

She decided to put on some makeup to hide and make her face look a little normal. As she was descending the stairs, her phone rang.

''Madelyn did you forget your mother and sister. It's been quite a long time since you visited us. Please come home, Me and Ava is waiting.'' Her stepmother Myla, hung up without giving Madelyn a chance to deny.

She has always been like this whenever she wanted to call her. She wouldn't listen to any excuses and hung up once she expressed her desires. Heaving a sigh, Madelyn messaged Cathy to cancel the arrangements. As she is not sure when she will be free.

Before she knew it, she had arrived at the Blackwood mansion. Arthur has been generous with the finances of their marriage, but that is not something Madelyn has ever coveted. What she truly wanted in her life was the love and care of her loved ones. The emotional connection between a husband and wife is what she craves, just as her mother and father had.

Upon entering the living room, Madelyn didn't find anyone. It was odd; usually her mother and sister would be waiting for her in the living room, so where could they be now? Madelyn stopped a passing maid and asked her, to which the maid rudely replied Upstairs.

She can never fathom the attitude of the maids in her house. In front of her father and mother, they behave politely, but when she is alone their attitude takes a 360-degree turn.

Madelyn decided to head upstairs instead of waiting in the living room and be the object of the maids' disdain. She moved to her mother's room on the second floor, as she knew her mother liked to show her new purchases to Ava sometimes.

Just as she was about to open the door, Ava's frustrated voice reached her ears.'' Mom, why did you call that stupid, ugly thing at home? My mood always takes a hit when I see her face.''

Madelyn's blood ran cold hearing Ava talk like that about her. She always used to roam around her and call his sis sweetly, but what she is calling her now is not sis.

''Aw my sweet baby, don't frown. Mom just wanted to know what is going on in that wench's life. You know Arthur is funding this new project your father is working on. I just want to make sure she behaves till the project is complete.'' Her mother no Myla's voice is what reaches Madelyn's ears.

Madelyn is shocked to hear the voice of the woman whom she had called mom since she was seven years old. What is going on here? Why are they talking about her as if they hate her?

''Ugh, I hate her. Why do we have to please her so that her husband gives us money?''

''Honey it's not like that. Your dad is trying his best to stabilize his income. After this project, I am sure we don't have to look up to Madelyn. Just endure it for a while, after that you don't have to see her.''

Madelyn's whole body is trembling, listening to their conversation. She feels like the walls are caving in on her. There is not enough air here to fill her lungs. Her steps are wavering as she takes them back one by one.

Her mother and sister hate her. They can't wait to get rid of her. But what did she do to them? She has always been an obedient child, so why do they hate her? Does her father hate her too?

That thought keeps lingering in her head. She doesn't know how she got to her car or to her room, for that matter. She doesn't know when day turned into night. She just knows one thing: she won't be able to trust anyone now.