Chapter 279 The News

Hunter's POV

Maddie's grandpa decided to extend our vacation for another three more days, and I felt so happy to spend more time with Madeline and our son. We were having so much fun, and I felt glad Parker and Rebecca could join us on the last two days of our vacation, and I couldn't stop thinking about my father and Charlotte.

"Thank you so much for inviting us, Hunter," Parker said as we had our drinks near the shore; we were both wearing board shorts and sleeveless tank tops; I could see the sun setting on the horizon while my wife was carrying our son on her chest together with my mom, Rebecca, Lily, and Gina. They were walking barefoot on the white sand.

"Of course, I wished you could join us and have time to relax with Rebecca," I said.

"Do you have some news about our father?" I asked, and he looked at me.

"He came to my office a couple of times, and he asked me to side with him and Charlotte, and I begged him to stop, but I don't understand why father hated your wife so much, Hunter." He said, and I heavily sighed.

"What you mean to side with him?" I asked.

"He warned me not to come here and speak with you or mingle with Madeline's family. I could see the hatred on his face, and I wondered why, and it felt like there was something deeper reason why he couldn't accept Madeline even if we found out Madeline is an heiress." He responded, and I was thinking the same thing.

"I am sure father loved you, even if you are not his biological son, and I could tell he hated Madeline, especially now that you have a son," Parker added after drinking his liquor.

"I don't know what to think anymore, and I hate that until now; I felt so afraid if something would happen to my wife, Parker," I replied.

"You better be careful, Hunter, and keep Madeline guarded at all times because the last time I spoke with father, I could see the determination in his face that whatever it takes, he will take Maddie from you." My brother declared, and my face fell, and I couldn't stop worrying about my wife and son's safety.

"Thank you, Parker, don't worry; I am doing my best to secure everything to make her safe, and I don't want her to think I am taking away her freedom; you know she grew up in poverty." I declared.

"And Madeline is not used to having bodyguards wherever she goes, and after she became my wife, everything was new to her, and I am proud to say my wife knew how to adopt her new life," I added.

"But now that her life is in danger because of our father, she needs to live her life with bodyguards around her, and I am aware she doesn't want this kind of life since she loves her freedom, and if before, I asked my men to keep distance from her, this time is different; they need to be with my wife at close range just to keep her safe." I continued.

"Does she know about the threat to her life?" My brother asked, and I nodded my head.

"Yes, and she is brave, Parker," I responded as I looked at Madeline, and I knew I would be lost if something happened to my wife.

"I can see that, and when she told you about Rebecca, that was the bravest thing she had ever done; Madeline was already your wife at that time, but she chose to tell you the truth, and it was because Madeline has a good hard, and I felt guilty that I almost hurt her because of our father." He said, and I looked at my brother with confusion on my face.

"Yes, it wasn't my intention to hurt her that day, Hunter. Dad was the one who asked me to harass Madeline. He told me that if I do not follow his order, he will not include me in his last will." My brother confessed, and I grunted under my breath.

"Why you didn't tell me about all this, Parker?" I asked.

"I don't want you to hate dad, and I know you will give me another chance if I apologize to you because I know you are a good person, Hunter, and as my big brother, you protected me so many times." He responded.

"On the night Madeline came to our house, dad briefed me on what to do, and I didn't want to do it with Madeline because I like her to be my sister-in-law; I could see her innocence, and I pitied her that she was forced to stay in our mansion and to be honest, I hate you for using your money just to have her as your wife." My brother declared, and his revelation shocked me.

"But when I realized Maddie was falling in love with you, and I could see it in your eyes that you were feeling the same way too, I felt so glad, and I knew that you would never be the same man again," Parker added.

"I was ashamed of what I had done to Maddie, Hunter, and this time I wanted to make sure she was safe. I know you will do everything to protect your wife, and Hector Grant will do the same, but since our father has been planning his revenge for so long now, I am still afraid for Madeline's safety." He continued, and I tapped my brother's shoulder.

"Thank you so much for your concern about Maddie, Parker, and you don't need to worry; I already tightened the security around the house," I responded.

"I felt glad you told me the truth about what our father had done. I couldn't believe he ordered you to harass my wife." I added.

"I felt relieved you didn't intend to harm Maddie that time, and even if it was a story from the past, I felt glad I learned the truth now," I said as I smiled at my brother.

"I planned to tell you everything, but I haven't got the chance, and now, I feel so worried about Madeline's safety, and I know I need to tell you everything that I know." My brother responded.

"Thank you, Parker," I said, and I felt glad Parker was on my side.

The dinner was lively as usual, drinks were served, and all I could hear was the laughter at the table and how I wished everything would be okay, but I couldn't stop worrying about Madeline.

"Hey, are you okay, hubby?" I smiled when I heard my sweet wife whispering in my ear.

"Yes, of course," I replied as I looked at her, and I curled my arm around her tiny waist.

"You don't look fine to me, and I could see worries all over your face." She seriously said, and I laughed at her.

"Are you a mind reader now, my sweet?" I asked, and it was her turn to laugh.

"I don't need to be a mind reader to know what is going on with you, my dearest husband. I could tell your mind is somewhere else because mom has been calling your name," she said, and I looked at my mother, who was also looking at me with a troubled look on her face.

"I am sorry, I was thinking about work." I lied, and she squeezed my palm.

"Don't worry, my love, everything will be alright." She said, and I beamed at her.

The family vacation ended happily, and everyone had fun, and we all needed to get back to reality. I felt so happy that Maddie's grandfather allowed us to enjoy ourselves on his vacation home. It was the best vacation for all of us. Parker and Rebecca, together with Jack, returned to Archois city riding Hector's private plane.

I couldn't believe it when we heard the sad news, my brother and Rebecca died in a car accident two days after arriving home in our hometown.

"No, this is not happening," my mom cried out after I told her about the tragic accident that happened to my brother and his wife and my ex-fiancee.

"Calixto was there at the hospital, mom, and he took care of everything," I said as I took her and Lily in my arms; they were both hysterical, and I could no longer stop my tears from falling while I could see my wife hugging Gina, and she was also crying.

"Hunter, please, let me come with you. Aunt Francine would take care of our baby; you can't leave me here; I need to see Parker for the last time after you told me everything; I wanted to call him, but I couldn't believe he would die, and I wanted to see Rebecca too, " my wife was begging me, but I know I can't bring her to Archois, not this time.

I couldn't stop having doubts about Rebecca and my brother's death. It was painful for us, and I wanted to make Madeline stay, but I was afraid to leave her behind. I have fears now, and I felt confused about what to do, especially if I looked at my wife's beautiful face.

"If you love me, you should bring me with you, Hunter," she declared.

"My sweet Madeline, that is unfair, don't do this to me, please; you know how much I love you, and I can't risk it; I couldn't take it if something happens to you," I responded.

"Hunter, nothing will happen to me, we will be together, and I promise to be at your side always." Madeline insisted, and when she came closer to me, she tiptoed and kissed me on the lips. I lost my sense of thinking, and the moment I tasted my wife's lips, I knew it would take a lot of self-control not to say yes to my beloved wife.

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