Loving Madeline

Charlotte's POV

"Ms. Charlotte, I don't think I can stay here and work for you anymore, I need money to buy milk for my baby," the remaining maid said, and I wanted to scream at her, but she had done a lot for me, she is the only one left since the driver, the gardener, and two maids had already gone, but Lucia remained for almost three weeks without salary.

"Lucia, I understand, if I will receive my allowance this month, I will text you, will you come back and work for me again?" I asked, and she smiled

at me, and I knew I was only fooling myself since there would be no more allowance.

I knew I never get closer to our maids before, I thought they were filthy individuals who needed money from our family, but living all alone with my maids made me realize I was so wrong.

"Of course, don't worry, I will come here and visit you, but for now, I needed a job since my husband was terminated from his job." She said, and I hate that I had learned how to be sympathetic with them.

"Do you think you can manage to be alone?" She asked.

"Of course, I am a grown woman, Lucia," I responded, and I knew I was only lying to her because I don't have enough money left to pay for her services.

"I should go now, Ms. Charlotte," she said, and I was shocked when she hugged me, and if I were in our mansion in Archois, I would shout at any maid who will try to hug me, but this time, Lucia's embrace gave me the comfort I couldn't explain.

"You should take good care of yourself, and if you will need help, don't hesitate to text or call me, okay?" She added and I smiled at her after she released me from her tight embrace.

"Thank you, Lucia, for all your help, and for being my friend," I said, and never in my life had I imagined myself calling a maid my friend, but I never felt so true to myself, this is the only time I realized I found a true friend.

"Of course, it is my honor, Ms. Charlotte," she responded with a beautiful smile on her face.

"Please, just call me by my first name, I would love that," I replied, and she was grinning at me.

"Okay, Charlotte, see you when I see you," she said as she stood up, and I walked her out to the main door.

Lucia was long gone, but I was still watching on the driveway of our estate in the North, in the town of Barcelonia, I have never liked this place before because, for me, it was so far from the city life that I used too, but now I understood why my parents bought this property.

I needed to go to the town capital if I want to eat at a fancy restaurant or buy clothes in a mall, and our estate was far from the town capital, and now that I don't have a driver, I had to drive alone if I needed something, but that is the problem, I don't have money to buy my basic needs anymore.

I couldn't use any of my cards, and I am one hundred percent sure my elder brother had frozen all my accounts under the company, and I couldn't blame him for hating me.

I did something terrible and I have to pay for my sins, and I am just thankful Hunter didn't turn me over to the police, but I didn't shoot his wife, it was one of my father's men, I only stood there hoping everything will end since I felt so tired of seeking my parents' attention, I only blamed Madeline, but the truth is, she has nothing to do with my misery and pain.

​ My only mistake, I didn't tell Hunter or my mom, or Madeline about my dad's plan. I only stood there frozen in time since I was so lost after knowing my brother died, I didn't know if my dad has something to do about it, but I don't want to go there, I love my father so much, and I couldn't believe he is now dead.

It was so painful on my part because my dad only started to see me after Hunter fell in love with Madeline, and I hated my brother for turning down Kaye, the only person I trusted the most, only to find out in the end, she only made me her best friend because of my brother.

I couldn't stop thinking about the hurtful words she said on the night we attended the same party together before their properties were seized by the authorities.

"I don't even like Charlotte," Kaye said, and I stopped in my tracks and hide on the wall as I held the cocktail glass tighter in my hand.

"What do you mean by that? You are always together, don't tell me you hate her?" One of her friends asked.

"You want to know a secret? I am only using her to be closer to Hunter, I don't like a spoiled brat like her, and I don't like Charlotte Divenson at all, but I need to pretend I loved her company, but after I steal Hunter from Madeline, I will stop being her best friend." Kaye responded and her friends laughed with her.

I struggled to leave that party with tears in my eyes, and I never felt so alone in my entire life. But at least, at that time I have all the money that I need to live my life in luxury, but now, I felt so alone without money, my savings had run out, and I don't know how to survive this cruel world without money.

I didn't realize I dozed off on the couch, and I woke up feeling so hungry, I stood up, and walked to the kitchen, I didn't even know how to switch on the stove and it took me a while to light it, and I felt like a child as I jumped after I discovered on how to switch it on.

I rummaged through the cupboard, and I smiled when I found some noodles, and my face fell when I looked at the expiry date. It has expired already, but my stomach is grumbling, and I never felt so hungry in my entire life. I only had breakfast with Lucia, and it is now dinner time.

I read the instruction on the packaging, and I smiled when I realized it was so easy to cook noodles. I don't care about the expiry date anymore.

I opened the refrigerator and found some eggs and fruits, and vegetables, at least I have eggs, and I can eat the fruit, but I don't know how to cook the veggies.

I picked up an egg and mixed it with my noodles, and I eat like a beggar, and I tried to stop the tears from falling down my cheeks as I devour my food, but I could no longer stop them from falling as I realized I am going to die of hunger, and I couldn't stop thinking about the food of our household staff in our mansion in Archois.

My dad always makes sure they have good food so they can serve our family better, he used to say a man couldn't do his job well with an empty stomach, and as of the moment I wished I was one of the maids in our mansion.

I emptied my bowl, and I eat some grapes I felt so full, and I wondered what I am going to eat tomorrow. I washed the utensils that I used and went back to my room.

I rummaged through my things, but I could no longer see any jewelry I can pawn, the last piece of jewelry I brought to the nearest pawnshop was my dad's gift for me when I graduated from college, a beautiful 8-carat diamond ring.

I collapsed on my bed after feeling frustrated that I'd got nothing left. I should have thought about the coming days, and I realized what a fool I had been, I live in the moment; I spent my remaining money on expensive clothes, bags, and shoes that I don't even need. I had forgotten. I lost everything I have after I left my life behind.

I was so afraid that my brother would file a case against me, and to be honest, when my elder brother came to visit me, I felt so happy, and when he told me he cared about me, I want to believe him, but I know the reason why Hunter came, he wanted to make sure I will not do anything to hurt his wife, and I felt so hurt.

I am not a murderer, I admit I did horrible things to make Madeline leave our house, but not because it was all my plans, Kaye made me do it, and I was stupid enough to listen to her, and to believe all her lies.

I knew Madeline has a pure soul, but I was envious of Hunter, and when I realized he was falling in love with her, I wanted to separate them so my brother would feel how to be rejected.

And I wished to get closer to Kaye since I admired her since I was a child. I listened to everything that my best friend had told me even if I was drifting apart from my family.

When I realized what I had done, it was already too late for me, my dad became my only refuge and strength after I found out Kaye's secret.

And right now, I could say I am reaping the outcome of what I sow, and I am being punished for making Madeline's life miserable, but I am still happy for her that she fought for her love of my brother, and I knew she was asking everyone not to hurt me.

And that is the saddest and painful truth, I was the cause of her tears, yet she wanted to make me safe. I don't know how am I going to redeem myself and make my family proud of me; even if they called me the wicked sister deep inside I am only a human being, a lonely daughter who needed the love and care of her parents and all I ever wanted was their recognition, I wanted them to acknowledge my existence.

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