It was the next day, and everything was quiet in Xander's household. Madelyn was pacing around the room. It was almost 12 p.m.; Xander didn't visit her when he left. Deep down, she was happy, but it was almost strange. He would usually see her in the mornings and stay until the afternoon. She also didn't have breakfast, and it was almost lunchtime. She was starving, and since she was pregnant, her hunger intensified.
The young woman stopped in her tracks. She couldn't believe that she was thinking about the unborn child. When Madelyn found out about her pregnancy, she wanted to get rid of it. The child was the product of her rape and all of her trauma. Madelyn didn't want to have Xander's child. However, the unborn child didn't make her feel so alone; she shook her head. She hated having such feelings and thoughts.
Madelyn would still have nightmares about the rape and everything that happened to her. She had a deep hatred for the unborn child, but there was another side to her that couldn't hate the unborn child either. It was innocent. Yet, Madelyn thought about other possibilities if she did decide to give birth.
Would she still want it?
Would she give it up for adoption?
What would her future be like if she did one or the other?
Madelyn then looked at herself in the mirror. There was also the possibility that she might have a miscarriage; she put a hand over her womb. Her thoughts were interrupted as her stomach growled in hunger. A sigh escapes her lips. Madelyn went to the door and was about to yell and bang the door for food, but she stopped when she heard voices from afar.
From what she gathered, it was Xander and other people that she didn't recognize, but they were men. She heard Xander speaking with them, and he didn't sound happy. Madelyn stilled when she heard Xander mention Octavio, news, and suspicions about him. Her heart was beating rapidly. Hope filled her being. She noticed Xander's tone of voice was angry and slightly stressed; something must have happened. Octavio hadn't forgotten about her. That meant that he was getting closer to saving her. Tears formed and dripped from her eyes while she smiled with joy.
The excitement and hope were so great that her leg began to feel weak; she fell to the floor. Madelyn felt hope that she was going to be freed soon. This new hope gave her more determination and the time to scheme. She already knew Xander's weakness, her and the child. He would do anything to keep them out of the public eye. The young woman had a hunch that Xander was planning a way to put the suspicions away from himself and might do something to take her away.
She couldn't let him do that. Suddenly, an idea came up. A shiver went throughout her body on what she planned to do, but she would do anything to escape and survive. Madelyn stood up and banged on the door, pleading for Xander. All was quiet until she heard steps coming up. She stood by the window, pretending to be in her usual sad mood. The doorknob was moving, and Madelyn took a deep breath.
She was ready to put her plan into motion.
Xander entered Madelyn's room and saw her sitting silently, looking out the window while gently massaging her stomach. Madelyn slowly turned to look at him. "Are you okay? It looks like you saw a ghost." Xander glared at her, and Madelyn looked away. However, deep down, she was happy. "Sorry."
Xander eyed her almost suspiciously. "This is new. You were always full of anger and resentment; suddenly, you are soft-spoken."
It was silent between the two, but Madelyn let out a sigh. "I had a dream, you know. I dreamed about this baby and held him in my arms."
"Him?"
"Yeah, I dreamed that the baby would be a boy." Madelyn noticed Xander slowly walking to her and sitting in front of her. He then put a hand over her belly and hand. The young woman wanted to flinch but refrained from doing so.
"A boy. That would be a wonderful thing. I always wanted a boy and for him to take my place. I also liked the name Alexander."
Madelyn eyed him. "Like Alexander the Great?"
Xander chuckled. "You catch on pretty quick. I want our son to be strong and take my place and company. Which is why you and I should marry as soon as possible."
She knew that this was going to happen. However, she couldn't just do it yet. Madelyn wasn't afraid of the consequences anymore; not even death brought her any fear. Yet, she wanted to try at least to escape. "I don't want to as of yet. Marriage has always scared me. It's a huge responsibility, and I-"
"Marriage can scare many people. I understand. Yet, we can't be selfish and bow to our fear. We have our child to think about, and I don't want him to be born a bastard."
"Xander, we're in the 21st century. Times have changed."
He shook his head. "By law, children of unmarried parents are still considered illegitimate. I don't want our son to be considered that. I want you to sign the papers by tomorrow."
"Xander."
"Madelyn." Xander got a hold of her face, making her look at him. What she saw was nothing but emptiness. "You will sign the papers tomorrow and don't think I know what you are trying to do. I know you are trying to plan to escape and trying to trick me into changing your personality." Madelyn tried to remain serious, but her eyes gave out her shock. "I thought it adorable that you thought that you could trick me. My dear, I'm a businessman, and as a businessman, we have the skills to know when one is honest or a liar. I also had enough of your rebellion. So this is what I am going to do. Since I know you don't care about dying and putting our child at risk, others will suffer because of you."
"Octavio will never..."
"I never said that I will kill Octavio...yet. Eventually, I will, and I'm planning his death, but others will die because of your stubbornness."
The young woman stood. "What are you trying to say?"
Xander also stood. "Tomorrow, I will meet with my lawyers and other business partners, but I have given orders to my men that they will randomly kill people each day that you refuse to sign the marriage papers. I will let you off the hook for today, but tomorrow, if you don't sign the papers by midnight tomorrow, a person will die, and it will be your fault."
Madelyn's eyes became wide with horror. She immediately began to hit Xander. "You monster! You monster! You-!"
He grabbed her hair and forcibly made her look at him. "All this is your fault! None of this would've happened if you didn't break up with me. Now, the lives of innocent people will be in your hands, and if you kill yourself or harm our unborn child in any way, I will order the killing of women and children. Think carefully, and tomorrow will be the day." Xander pushed her down and walked out of the room, locking it behind him.
Madelyn was at a loss and felt her strength leaving her.
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