Chapter 222 - A Challenge

Madeline's POV

"You need to relax, Madeline. Father will not bite you." I heard my aunt Francine say. I darted a glance at her beautiful face, and I turned my focus on the painting of my aunt on the wall, she was young back then with a young man, and they were wearing their horseback riding attire, and she was holding the reins of the white horse, while the boy was with a black horse.

"That was Frank and me." My aunt said while she stopped in her tracks, and I stood beside her while together we gazed at the portrait before us. I realized my father looked so different from my aunt, and then the family portrait caught my eyes, my dad was standing next to a woman who looked like him, and I knew right away, she must be my grandmother. My aunt was standing beside a very handsome man, which I supposed was my grandfather. I am not particular about looks because, for me, a person's character is more important than physical appearance.

My grandma has a simple beauty, and I can say she was a plain-looking woman compared to my grandpa, who has a striking appearance, and he reminds me of Hunter. I smiled as I realized my grandfather must be like me. I can tell my grandparents don't match each other if you look at them based on their physical appearance, but I could tell my grandma must be kind-hearted and compassionate. And I can say true love does exist.

In terms of my grandpa's looks and physique during his younger years, I could say he was the kind of man that could capture any woman's heart just by his appearance alone, and knowing he came from a wealthy family, it was a bonus.

"I know what you are thinking, Madeline, I heard rumors and gossips that our parents were the most mismatched couple in the entire Neospoli country, but I disagree with them. They only looked and judged them by their physical appearance alone, but they didn't realize mom and dad was the most suitable couple in the universe." Aunt Francine declared.

"It would be so hard to believe that mom is the first and only love of dad, and their love story was the envy of everyone, and it was epic." She said, and I was shocked myself in a good way.

"Well, I don't think physical appearance is more important than character; besides, nowadays, there are medical procedures that can enhance the physical appearance of any individual as long as he/she has the money to spend," I replied, and my aunt was nodding her head.

"Exactly, but you, my dear, looked so beautiful, and I could say you inherited your mother's physical appearance, or you could have inherited your looks from my father." Aunt Francine declared as she smiled at me, and I blushed.

"Oh, you are not used to compliments, Maddie." She said with a wide smile on her face, and she looked at me with tenderness as she held my hand, and together we walked going to the dining hall, and I was happy to see Leo, and he was already sitting on the long wooden table, and he got up on his feet when he saw us coming. He greeted my aunt and me with a beautiful smile on his face. And I wonder where my grandfather could be.

"I regret to inform you, Lady Francine, and Ms. Brownwood that Mr. Grant would not be joining us for dinner." He declared, and I felt glad, but I couldn't deny there was a part of me that felt so disappointed that I couldn't see my grandpa.

"Oh, not again, Leo, his granddaughter is here. How could he not join us?" My aunt asked, and I could feel the disappointment in her voice.

"I am sorry, but he wanted to eat in his room, and I already asked the servants to bring his food." He responded, and my aunt remained silent during the entire dinner while I ate my food heartily because I felt so hungry, and I could tell because of my growing baby inside my tummy.

"Madeline, I am so sorry. I know this could happen. I thought he was so excited to see you because I could feel it, but it seems he was thinking about your father again." He said, and I smiled at my aunt.

"It is okay, mom," I said, and she beamed at me, and I felt so delighted that I made my aunt happy just by calling her mom, and I can't deny I love the sound of it, and it feels so natural to call her mom.

"Wow, it sounded so wonderful in my ear, Maddie, thank you for making me feel this way, and I couldn't wait to introduce you to my husband, and I am sure he would love it if you would call him dad as well. I am sorry about what happened to your mom, Madeline. And I know I couldn't replace her in your heart, but I want to be your mom, and it would be our pleasure if you would treat us as your parents, Madeline." Aunt Francine declared.

"I know I haven't given my husband a child, and he didn't complain, but I could tell he would be so excited to have you as our daughter if you will let us. And I know you wanted to come home and be reunited with your husband, but you could ask him to come over, and maybe it would be possible for him to stay with us for a while." She said, and I smiled at her, and I can't deny I am so excited to tell Hunter everything.

My aunt sent me to my room after we had our tea, and I was thinking about my grandfather, and I felt a little hurt that he didn't even welcome me into his house. And even if Leo had already told me about my Grandfather's personality, I still couldn't stop the pain that I felt in my heart, and he endured not helping my father even if he had all the money in the world. And I could tell he would make my stay in this house harder than I thought.

I could tell my grandfather was the one who instructed Leo to find me, and it would be impossible for a butler to do things without the consent or order from his employer. And my grandpa doesn't want to accept the reality that he wanted to see me, and he doesn't want me to know that he longed to see his granddaughter, and I find it a challenge to win his heart. I know my father hurt my grandpa's ego, and I want him to forgive my dad for running away from this house, and I know I wanted him to love and accept me before I leave this house.

I know it would never be easy on my part, but I am sure aunt Francine will be there to help me to become closer with grandpa because I didn't get the chance to know my birth father, and I hope grandpa will allow me to feel his love and mend his broken heart that my dad has shattered. I am still waiting for Leo to come into my room since he was waiting for my phone to arrive, and I can't wait to talk with my husband.

"Ms. Brownwood, are you awake?" I was startled when I heard Leo's voice on the door, and I couldn't stop myself from feeling excited as I ran towards the door of my room and opened it wider than necessary.

"Hello, Leo, I thought you would never come," I said as I felt the rapid beating of my heart.

"Promise is a promise, Madeline, and I am a man with honor." He said as he beamed at me, and I could feel my hands trembling as he handed me the paper bag.

"I am sorry, Ms. Brownwood, for it wasn't delivered on time, but don't worry, I already reprimanded the in-charge of the delivery. 

"Please, come inside, Leo," I said, and he shook his head.

"Thank you, Ms. Brownwood, but your grandpa was looking for me, and I need to attend to his needs; besides, I want you to have privacy talking with your husband. I am aware of how much you miss him, and it is better to call your husband now because I am sure they already mourned over your death." He said, and I was shocked.

"Death? What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Well, your husband and his family already learned that The Wildflower ship has caught fire, and there were unrecognizable charred bodies, and they thought since they couldn't find your body that you were among the casualties during the fire." He said, and I felt my entire body turn so cold.

"No, I am still alive," I said in more than a whisper, and my knees were trembling, and even my hands were shaking as I leaned my back on the wall for support, and I couldn't imagine the pain I had caused them.

"Are you alright, Madeline?" Leo asked me, and I could see the concern written all over his face as I shook my head. He moved closer to me, and he took the paper bag from my hand, and he led me back towards the bed, and he let me settle at the edge of the bed while I was trying to control my breathing.

"Can I ask a favor from you, Leo?" I asked as I looked at his face.

"Of course, Ms. Brownwood, starting today, you became my employer too; you are the heiress of this estate, and you can ask help from me and to any of the staff of this house, Madeline." He declared, and I weakly smiled at him.

"Can you dial my husband's number for me? And tell him I am alive, after knowing that he knew about the fire, I suddenly felt scared to speak with him, knowing I hurt him, and I made their lives miserable." I declared, and he smiled at me.

"Even if everyone believed that you are dead, I am

sure your husband and the people who care and love you are still hoping that you are alive, Madeline, but it would be my pleasure to tell him

you are alive." He responded.

"Thank you, Leo," I replied.

"Do you want to speak with your husband tonight, Maddie," He asked?

"Of course, Leo, I have been dying to hear my husband's voice, and I can't wait to speak with him," I said.. He smiled as he picked up the iPhone from the bag, and he asked me to dial my husband's number, and I couldn't stop my hands from trembling due to my excitement and the overwhelming happiness that I felt knowing I was about to speak with my loving, and hot husband.