PART 4: The Price to Pay

The mansion that had once been the pride of the Carter family now felt like a crumbling house of cards.

Ethan rushed over and threw himself to his knees in front of me, desperately trying to grab my hand. "Madison, I was wrong! I was blinded by the money. We are husband and wife, we’ve been so happy these past three years, haven't we? Please, just say a word to your grandmother..."

I coldly pulled my hand away, dodging his touch. "You are wrong, Ethan. For the past three years, I was the only one trying to build a marriage, while you just treated me like a piece of free decoration. That divorce you threatened me with earlier... I accept."

Patricia, stripped of all her haughtiness, began to weep hysterically. "Madison, I beg of you. Don't do this, we are family..."

"Family?" I turned my back on them, walking straight toward the main entrance of the mansion. "When you tried to force me to sign away my property, did you think of me as family?"

May you like

His mother applauded while he shoved my daughter’s head down in public,...

The Morning After Their Wedding, Ryan Slapped Leah Because His Sister’s...

"A Young Girl Held Her Teddy Bear Close As Her Father Carried Her Into A...

The front doors of the Harrow estate flew open just as eight pink candles were being lit.Ethan Cole stepped into the crowded drawi...

The two bodyguards in red suits standing at the door—men my grandmother had quietly assigned to protect me—stepped forward, blocking Ethan and Patricia as they tried to chase after me.

I walked out through those heavy doors, never once looking back. Patricia’s frantic wails and the sound of Ethan’s helpless, angry smashing faded behind me. That night, as the Chicago skyline glittered with lights, I knew the real life of Madison Bennett had finally begun. I was no longer a submissive daughter-in-law; I was the owner of the Bennett Grand Hotel, and the master of my own destiny.