Chapter 5
Upon hearing what Madeleine said, Isabel widened her eyes in disbelief and exclaimed, “What the hell are you talking about?”
Isabel knew better than anyone just how much Madeleine loved Sullivan. Why else would she willingly pay for Naomi’s medical expenses for five years straight? Why else would she patiently remain beside Sullivan despite his cold indifference and rejection?
But now, Madeleine was approaching her to say she wanted to set her up with Sullivan?
Madeleine replied, “I’m serious. I’m genuinely here to discuss a truce. You can stop going to all that effort to frame me. I don’t have much time left. I’ll be leaving Sullivan soon. You don’t need to treat me as your rival in love.”
Although Madeleine looked like she was telling the truth, Isabel still didn’t believe her. She suspected it could be a trap.
Nevertheless, Madeleine didn’t care if Isabel believed her. All she had to do was put her thoughts to action.
…
The next day, before Sullivan left the house, Madeleine gave him a ticket to an amusement park and said, “I bought two tickets to the amusement park. Come with me tonight.”
Expression icy, Sullivan said, “I’m busy with the project—”
However, Madeleine cut him off, saying, “When we started this arrangement, it was stated that apart from having sex with me every day, you’re also not allowed to refuse any of my requests.”
That sufficed to stop Sullivan from protesting any further. Frowning, he took the ticket, but he hurried off right after. Once he was out of sight, Madeleine called Isabel, who picked up within seconds.
Skipping the small chat, Madeleine said, “You got the ticket I sent over, right? I’ve given Sullivan the other one. Get dolled up today. It’s your chance to spend some alone time with him.”
Isabel didn’t expect Madeleine to actually be serious about setting her up with Sullivan. Still somewhat doubtful, she hummed in acknowledgment. But before Madeleine could hang up, she abruptly asked, “Why are you helping me?”
Madeleine remained silent for a moment, but in the end, she chose not to answer that question. Instead, she said, “You don’t need to know that. Just hold up your end of the deal. I’ll create opportunities for you two to spend time together, and in exchange, you’ll stop framing me.”
After terminating the call, Madeleine continued to stare at her phone in a daze as Isabel’s question played in her mind.
Why was she helping Isabel?
She wasn’t. She was helping herself.
In any case, Isabel was the one Sullivan loved. Madeleine merely wanted to speed up the plot and, at the same time, ensure that she didn’t have to come to a tragic end.
The sky had turned completely dark when Madeleine received an update from Isabel. It was a photo of Sullivan and Isabel. She was looking at the camera while he was looking at her in adoration.
Madeleine would never be able to see such an expression on Sullivan’s face when he was with her. Throughout the last five years, she kept mentioning that she wanted to take a photo with him, but he would always claim to hate taking photos.
Alas, nothing else mattered when it came to the person one loved. Even one’s principles could be broken.
Madeleine scrolled through the rest of the photos Isabel sent. Her eyes were drawn to one of them. It looked like they were in a restaurant, and there was a pile of shelled prawns in front of Sullivan.
Throughout their years together, Madeleine had always been the one who peeled the prawns for Sullivan. He had never done it for her.
The photos had captured all the displays of warmth and affection that she had yearned to receive from Sullivan. She sat in silence for a while before typing a response to Isabel.
“How nice. You two look good together.”
