Chapter 149
"You didn’t need to follow me, Victor. Someone has to be inside with Rose," Madeline said, rushing to wipe her tears before Victor could see them. "I only need a moment alone."
"My mother knows she is on thin ice. One more word out of her and I will have her leave. Look at me, Madeline. Do not hide your tears from me," Victor said, standing behind his wife to wait for her to face him.
"Twenty-one years have gone by and she still thinks I am playing a trick on this family. It is not that I keep secrets from her. She gets upset and tries to argue before I can fully explain. I have decided to endure it since I did ruin your life," Madeline said, knowing she greatly messed up.
"You have never once ruined my life-"
"James is out to get you because I left him for you. Out of all the men in the palace, I fell in love with his best friend and then married him. I know what that makes me. You could have been in the palace if not for me. I know that. I know you could have been so much more. Your mother has every right to not accept me," said Madeline.
Victor was set to be the new lord and had a close friendship with James. He was expected to do great things in the palace and with James by his side, he had power many would dream of. All that shattered over a woman offered to the king from a fallen family.
"She does not," Victor disagreed. "How many times must I remind you two that I was well aware of what I got myself into? I would not change my decision then. I was trying to cut ties with James before you came. You gave me the push I needed to get out of the palace."
"Trust me, I am quite used to my mother not listening. You never have to accept anyone looking down on you even if it concerns my mother. You and my children matter more to me than this title or what I could have in the palace. If I had stayed by his side, I might have slowly turned into a bastard. Madeline," Victor said, touching her shoulder.
There was never a moment when he felt deceived or tricked by Madeline as she had cried to him that she was pregnant. He went through with the wedding and took on the responsibility because he loved her.