Loving Madeline

Hunter's POV

"Seriously? What have you done to the company, Charlotte?" I asked as I looked at the documents on the paper. It contained contracts that could ruin the company's image, and I am just glad I came before they were finalized and notarized.

"Don't act as if you care about this company anymore, my dear brother; you have your life figured out since you married Madeline; who could have thought the woman you bought would be an heiress? And now you are telling me I had done something terrible to our company?" She asked, and I could see the anger in her voice.

"Looked, I care about this company since our great grandparents built this, and I don't want to sell this company, mom still holds the largest share, and she planned to give her total shares to our youngest sister. I am certain dad gave you his share, and you can't take Parker's share by doing this, Charlotte." I said, and I could see how my sister's face hardened.

"You don't have any right to dictate to me what to do, Hunter. I will do as I please." She replied with a stern tone.

"Then, I don't have a choice but to stop you. You can't just let these people be part of our company, and they don't play fair," I responded.

"How much did you gain from these under-the-table transactions?" I asked, and I could see how her face turned crimson.

"I didn't gain anything, Hunter. I am doing all these for my the company's benefits." She replied with confidence.

"Okay, then be it. I will have my team investigate these," I replied.

"That is the problem with you, big brother; you felt privileged since you were the eldest son, and you don't want to recognize my efforts; why? Is it because I side with dad, or is it because I am a woman?" She asked, and her anger intensified.

"I don't judge you because you are a woman, Charlotte, but because of what you have done. I love our father, but you know how many times he tried d to harm my wife and me because he couldn't accept Maddie." I replied.

"It has been because he knew your wife was never enough for you." She yelled.

"Madeline is more than enough; why can't he accept that I am in love with Madeline, and I couldn't be with Kaye? Is it through a hard t understand?" I asked.

"Yes, you were being difficult, Hunter, and do whatever you want, but I am telling you; you can't stop us, dear brother." She responded as she got up from her seat and left the office after she closed the door with a loud bang.

I wanted to call Madeline to calm my nerves, but I didn't want my wife to know I was pissed off with my sister. Even though many times my father and sister tried to harm her, she still wanted to make amends with them even if she knew the possible danger.

I went over to the documents on the table, and it was almost lunchtime when I stopped and made a quick text to my wife.

"Hello, handsome. I miss you here, my love." She responded, and I smiled when I received a picture of Maddie with our son. I wished to go back to Neospoli right away and be with her, but I knew it would take a long while before I could go back.

"I miss you more, my lovely wife. I am missing you like crazy, Maddie. I am sorry it will take a long while before I can come home and be with you." I responded to her text message.

"Hey, don't worry; take your time, my love. I understand what is going on with the company, and of course, losing Parker and Rebecca wasn't easy. I want you to know I am mourning with you." My wife texted.

"It pained me so much that after spending time with them at my grandpa's resort, they were gone just like that, and it made me realize life is too short. I love you, please, take care always for our son and me." Maddie added I wanted to call her, but I knew I would only miss her more.

"I love you more, my love. Calixto is here; text you later." I responded.

"Okay, later, my love, send my regards to Cal." I smiled when I read my wife's reply. I remembered how much Calixto cared about my wife.

"Mr. Divenson, it is good to see you again, but I am not happy we have to meet because of Parker and Rebecca's death," Calixto said right after he stood in front of the table I reserved for us.

"Yeah, I know, Cal," I said, and I could no longer hide my sadness.

"Please, take a seat," I added as I pulled out a chair for him.

"Don't make me feel I am that old, Hunter," he said, and I could see the hurt on his face.

"I didn't do anything, Cal," I replied as I creased my forehead.

"You pulled out a chair for me. I am not your grandpa," he responded, and I couldn't stop chuckling as I shook my head.

"My wife told me to take good care of you, and I am only making Madeline's wishes," I responded, and I could see how his face softened after I mentioned my wife's name.

"Oh, your lovely wife, please tell Maddie I am doing okay, don't let her worry about us here. I am glad you didn't bring your wife with you, Hunter." Calixto said as he turned his head to look around; I could tell he was worried that someone would hear our conversation.

But I chose a table as far from other customers as possible so we could freely discuss my brother's death.

"Madeline was upset with me at first, but I felt relieved when she didn't insist on coming with me. I am aware it would be too dangerous for her. I wish to be with my wife every single day, Cal, but I am afraid of what my father and Charlotte would do the moment Maddie would set foot here in Archois." I responded.

"Good decision, Hunter. I could tell your sister and father are desperate to take over the company." He replied.

"I know, but I could tell my father is more desperate to get back at Maddie, and until now, I don't understand why he was so angry with my wife. You knew Madeline was innocent, and she had done nothing to my father." I declared.

"My family was the one who had done terrible things to my wife, and I am ashamed of what my dad had done to Madeline from the very start of our relationship," I added, and before Calixto could answer me, the waitress arrived with our food.

"Thank you, Hunter, for inviting me to eat lunch with you," Cal said after he finished eating his food.

"You are welcome, Cal, you are my only close friend here in Archois, and I will join my mom and Lily later tonight," I replied.

"I am your only friend, Hunter." He said, and I could see a broad grin on his face.

"Yeah, you are right," I agreed with him, and his smile broadened.

"Did you process everything? I mean, the funeral service and the interment?" I asked.

"Yes, I accompanied your mom and Lily. I told them I could take care of everything, but your mother insisted, and I could tell Mrs. Divenson felt so guilty she wasn't there for your brother." He responded.

"We all feel the same way, Cal; losing my brother was eye-opening for us," I replied.

"It wasn't your fault, Hunter," he replied.

"I don't know how I will deal with my dad knowing he was responsible for Parker's death," I answered.

"We don't have enough evidence to put your father in jail," he responded, and I let out a heavy sigh; Calixto was right; everything had been planned perfectly by our father.

The hatred I felt towards my father heightened, and I didn't know what to do with him.

"I couldn't believe he would do that to Parker," I responded.

"I think it was because your brother fell in love with Rebecca. Clark adored your bother, Hunter. It wasn't part of his plan to kill Parker." Cal replied.

"Your father taught Rebecca would drive the car that day, but your brother changed his mind. Parker didn't report to the office that day since he wanted to accompany his wife to the doctor for her prenatal." Calixto said, and I could feel the pain in my heart.

"I am sure you were not the only one mourning, but your dad was too. He was successful in killing Rebecca, but he failed in protecting your brother, and I could tell he had regrets right now, and he was suffering from his guilt." Cal added, and I shook my head.

"I am not sure if he has a conscience, Calixto, and I was hoping you were right; I hope my father will never get over the pain of losing my brother because of his wickedness.

We went back to the office after eating lunch, and I got busy the entire afternoon having a meeting with the legal counsel of our company.

It was already past six o'clock in the evening when we were done. I quickly left the building and drove to Hector's Grant estate.

"Hunter, you came!" Lily exclaimed the moment I got inside the living room, and she quickly got up from her seat and ran towards me while my mom followed behind her.

They hugged me, and they both cried in my arms while I could feel the pain of losing my younger brother.