Chapter 8
Maddie
Returning to our house, I desperately hoped to find anything of value we could sell to cover my father's surgery costs. But as I approached the door, men in suits barred my way.
"What's going on?" I asked, my confusion quickly turning to concern.
"Ma'am, we are seizing this house until further notice. You're not allowed to remove anything from the premises at this time," one of the men said firmly.
"You can't do that! This is our house!" I exclaimed, feeling a surge of frustration and panic. The thought of losing our home on top of everything else was almost unbearable.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but we have orders," the man replied. "You are free to visit the bank to handle any necessary proceedings."
I pleaded with them, explaining our urgent need for funds due to my father's critical condition. But they remained resolute, citing legal proceedings and their instructions.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but we are under strict orders," the man repeated. "You are welcome to visit the bank for any necessary proceedings and other questions. We also have to seize your car, Miss Phillips."
"W-What?! B-But..." I stammered. In the end, I had no choice but to leave, unable to even gather some of my clothes.
I began calling friends for help, but none were willing to step up. They all feared getting caught in an uncomfortable situation if they continued to associate with us.
The news of our bankruptcy spread like wildfire. What surprised me most was how quickly they abandoned us now that we had nothing. These people used to cling to me like leeches, eager to bask in the limelight. Now, they couldn't even muster the courage to say no to my face. They kept me waiting outside their offices or in their living rooms, avoiding any direct confrontation.
"This is all Wyatt's fault," I murmured under my breath, bitterness evident in my tone. If it weren't for what he did on our wedding day, I wouldn't be facing this problem. Bankruptcy might be inevitable, but at least we would still have our reputation intact if not for the scandal he caused.
Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I gathered all my courage and decided to pay Wyatt a visit. Desperation fueled my determination; I was willing to do anything to save my father, even confront the man who had caused so much turmoil in my life.
Without a car, I called a cab. On the way there, my thoughts raced with anger and frustration. I couldn't help but remember what happened yesterday at my wedding. I should have stuck to my plan to call it off. If I hadn't let my parents convince me otherwise, I wouldn't have been in that embarrassing position.
They made me look as if I was the one who desperately wanted the wedding to proceed, when in fact, my stomach churned at the thought of marrying that bastard.
When I finally arrived at his house, I took a moment to compose myself. I checked my reflection in the rearview mirror, adjusting my hair and straightening my clothes to appear as composed as possible. With a deep breath, I got out of the cab and made my way to the entrance.
The guard greeted me politely, but I could see the surprise in his eyes as he recognized me. Ignoring the curious looks, I headed straight to the door.
I hesitated briefly before striding towards it, my heart pounding with a mix of nerves and adrenaline. I raised my hand and knocked firmly, steeling myself for whatever confrontation awaited.
After what felt like an eternity, the door swung open. Wyatt stood there, looking surprised and slightly wary. His expression quickly shifted to one of mild amusement as he took in my presence.
"Maddie," he said, his voice tinged with surprise. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
I clenched my jaw, fighting to keep my emotions in check. "We need to talk," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.
He gestured for me to come in, and I followed him into the spacious living room. The house was tastefully decorated, a stark contrast to the chaos he had unleashed in my life.
I was taken aback for a moment when I saw his mother and Lizzie sitting in the living room. Their presence was unexpected, and I felt a pang of unease seeing them there, calmly sipping tea as if nothing had happened.
But what truly surprised me was when my eyes locked with the most beautiful pair of green eyes I'd ever seen. Those eyes belonged to a man who seemed to be woven into the fabric of my life's most embarrassing moments. What is he doing here? However, he's the least of my concern right now. I have a pressing matters to attend to.
"I wasn't expecting you to come here right after what happened at our wedding," Wyatt said casually, pouring himself a drink.
"Can I talk to you?" I glanced at the people gathered in the living room before continuing. "...in private?"
"There's no need for that. We can talk right here," he insisted.
I clenched my fist, trying to hold back my anger. I bit my lower lip, stopping myself from shouting at this insolent man. Suddenly, my eyes landed on the man sitting across the room. His eyes were locked on my lips, as if something else were going on inside his head. Despite my situation, he still managed to stir something inside me, making me feel hot and bothered. His intense gaze was enough to set my body on fire.
I gently shook my head, dismissing all unnecessary thoughts brought on by that gorgeous man.
Taking a deep breath, I gathered my thoughts before speaking. "I have no time to beat around the bush, so I'm going to tell you why I am here," I started.
"Go on, I'm all ears," Wyatt replied, taking a sip from his glass, the ice clinking against the sides.
"I need the ten million dollars you promised my father."