Chapter 118
Chapter 118
Madison was silent.
After a considerable pause, with the outside of the room quiet as if the thunder and lightning were just a
prank, her voice sounded again.
“Isn’t she afraid of thunder?”
Just one sentence brought up many memories of the past.
It was on Edgar’s birthday at the old residence.
Edgar did not like Sally. He was advanced in years and did not like to celebrate birthdays. He only
allowed for a meal at the old residence with his family and considered that a celebration.
Madison was naturally invited.
At that time, Sally had almost confirmed her relationship with Leo. However, Edgar never approved of
it. He publicly announced that the Palmer family’s granddaughter- in-law was only Madison, so Leo was
especially rebellious then.
Leo returned to the old residence very late at night. The dishes on the dining table had already been
cleaned up. Edgar did not wish to see him and had gone upstairs early.
Madison secretly left some food for Leo and waited for him to return before reheating
it in the kitchen. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
That night was also a thunderstorm. At first, it was also a low thunderclap.
Madison remembered that when she heated the food and brought it out, Leo had answered a call and
rushed out. He gently comforted the girl on the phone so she would not be afraid.
Throughout the entire call, he did not turn around to look at her.
Lightning flashed, and he slowly disappeared from her sight.
After which, a deafening thunderclap echoed through the air. She was so frightened that she
involuntarily tossed the bowl in her hand. The hot soup splattered on her legs, leaving a reddened mark
as the bowl fell and shattered on the ground.
up the
The clamor was drowned out by the roaring thunder. It was late at night and Maya had already fallen
asleep. She could only endure the fear and pain as she cleaned broken pieces and hot soup.
When the rain cleared the next day, no one knew what happened that night. Everything
went on as usual.
Until today, no one knew that she was actually afraid of thunder.
Even her brother had no idea, as whenever there was thunder, she would hide in her room to sleep or
endure it quietly.
She firmly believed that her fear of thunder could be overcome, even if it was innate.
She wanted Leo to leave because she wanted to be alone.
The wind blew harshly outside. Lightning tore through the sky again and leaked through the curtains,
but there was no thunder.
Madison said softly, “Leo, you…”
“I’m going to sleep. Be quiet.” Leo interrupted her mercilessly, just like how he turned around
mercilessly back then.
Madison did not say anything else after.
She did not actually wish for him to leave earlier. Not to mention how much effort it would take to open
the door. She was not a fool and understood the meaning behind Leo’s words.
Regardless of whether he was not as concerned about Sally anymore or out of respect for his promise,
he was staying here tonight.
She simply wanted to ask him what he intended to say earlier.
However, since he was angry and unwilling to say more, there was no need for her to ask further.
Madison turned around. With her back facing Leo, she slowly closed her eyes.
As long as her eyes were closed before the thunder sounded, she would not be afraid.
Boom!
A huge thunderclap resounded.
Madison shivered under the/sheets. Her eyes were tightly shut, and cold sweat trickled out of her
forehead as she slowly muttered under her breath.
The heavy rain poured on the sycamore trees outside the house, smashing against the glass of the
balcony. It was as noisy as the footsteps of thousands of soldiers on the battlefield, accompanied by
thunder.
Another clap of thunder!
Madison could finally take it no more and screamed.
“Madison?” Leo had already woken up when he heard her mumblings. He thought she was simply
having a nightmare and paid no mind. Now that he heard her frightened voice, he could not help but
get up from the ground.
He went to turn on the lights. However, the old residence used a traditional circuit and it had been
turned off long ago when there was thunder.
Helpless, Leo could only pull open the curtains on the balcony.
When the light streamed in, he could see the situation in front of him. Madison had already buried
herself under the blanket and covered her head tightly. Only when the thunder rumbled did she tremble
slightly.
Sleeping like that definitely wouldn’t do.
“Madison…”
Leo lifted the blanket slightly so that she could breathe in some fresh air and not suffocate to death.
However, he was only halfway through when his entire body froze.
Madison was curled up into a ball, almost like a shrimp. The hair on her forehead was completely
drenched in cold sweat and her shirt was disheveled, revealing a large portion of her skin…
Leo’s gaze swept over her. He could not help but avert his gaze. However, when lightning flashed, he
caught sight of the wounds on her body and found himself unable to look away.
Another clap of thunder.
Madison trembled in fear. As if she wanted to curl up even more, she hugged her head with both arms
and tried to inch closer to the space without light. Her petite body slowly withdrew further into the
blanket as she continued muttering something.
Leo pursed his lips, lowered his head, and approached slowly, trying to hear what she was saying.
“It’s so cold, I’m so cold…
“Don’t hit me, please… Don’t hit me…
“I want to live. I won’t die… I’m not afraid. I’m not afraid…” Madison continued to
Leo lowered his eyes and looked at Madison’s face. He saw the cold beads of sweat on her forehead.
It was no different from the situation when he was locked in the dark and
narrow room.
He also vaguely remembered Sally’s face.
Every time there was a thunderstorm, she would make a fuss. She would claim she was afraid and
asked him to accompany her.
He went too.
Upon reflection, he realized that every time he visited, he would only spend a brief moment with her or
share a meal. He never witnessed her fear.
Leo blinked and raised his fingers slightly, trying to push away the wet hair on Madison’s forehead.
Unexpectedly, just as his fingers landed on her face, his arm was grabbed tightly and hugged.
“I’m not afraid… I’m not afraid…” She was still mumbling.
Leo glanced at his arm and hummed softly. He said in a low voice, “Madison, you’re not afraid. It’s just
thunder. There is nothing to be afraid of.”
Using his free arm, he pulled the blanket over Madison and gently patted her back.
“No… not…”
“Not what?” he asked patiently.
“It’s not Madison. Jessica is not afraid. Jessica is not afraid…” She continued.
Leo heard it clearly and his eyes slowly darkened.
“What Jessica?” He asked in a h oar se voice. A bold thought suddenly appeared in his mind.
Jessica…
Madison frowned as if she didn’t understand his question. However, her voice was still
clear.
“Jessica, I’m Jessica, not Madison.” She replied.
Leo’s eyes darkened. His hand that was coaxing her froze. “Jessica Daves?”
Madison suddenly frowned and narrowed her eyes. “What name is that? It’s so old- fashioned!”
“Madison, are you Jessica, and Joe is your…”
Before Leo could finish probing, another clap of thunder came from outside and interrupted him.
Madison was shocked again and her grip on his arm tightened.
Her clothes had also been torn apart in her movements, revealing the complete wound on her shoulder.
Leo could not be bothered to ask about her background anymore. Instead, he allowed her to hug him
and asked another question in a h oar se voice.
“Madison, how many wounds are there on your body?”