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"Please, come in." Madeline said with a warm smile, inviting Peter inside.
As soon as Peter stepped in, he closed the door behind him and followed Madeline into the hall. Since Mary and Gale were still asleep, the hall was quiet and empty.
"Please, sit down. I'll bring you some juice and breakfast." Madeline said, turning to head toward the kitchen. But before she could take another step, Peter called out to her.
"Make sure to bring enough for two." Peter said with a playful smile, "We'll have breakfast together."
Hearing this, Madeline nodded, a gentle look softening her features, 'My son-in-law is so thoughtful.' She thought to herself as she made her way to the kitchen.
As soon as Madeline left, Peter activated his super hearing, 'So, both of them are still asleep.' He thought, picking up the faint sounds of Mary and Gale snoring in their rooms.
A short while later, Madeline returned with a tray in her hands. She walked over to the sofa where Peter was sitting, placed the tray on the table in front of him, and took a seat beside him.
"Hmm~ This smells amazing." Peter said, inhaling the aroma of the freshly prepared breakfast.
"Hahaha, thank you." Madeline replied, laughing softly while covering her mouth with her hand, "Please, don't be shy. Eat as much as you want."
"The same goes for you, got it?" Peter said, locking eyes with Madeline to emphasize his point. He didn't want to hear any objections.
"Humph~ Okay," Madeline replied with a playful pout, but then she smiled and began to eat.
After finishing the delicious meal, a satisfied look spread across Peter's face, "Haah~ That was incredible." He commented, licking his fingers to savor the last remnants of the breakfast.
Madeline's face lit up with pride at his compliment, "Thank you." She said softly. Just as she spoke, Peter turned to her, his expression turning serious.
"So, how are you feeling now?" He asked as he toll her hand in his, holding it gently.
"Huh? About what?" Madeline asked, confused by the sudden question.
"About what happened with your husband a few days ago. Did he come back after I left? You can share anything with me." Peter said, holding her hand firmly and rubbing it gently.
Madeline was deeply touched by his concern. She had always known Peter was a good man, but his thoughtfulness still surprised her, 'I'm truly lucky to have such a caring future son-in-law~' She thought.
"No, he hasn't come back." Madeline replied, placing her other hand on top of Peter's, "And you don't need to worry about what happened that day. I'm actually glad that it happened. Because of you, I was able to break free from that man. Now, Mary and Gale won't have to see his face ever again. So, thank you, Peter." She said with a motherly smile.
If Peter hadn't came into their lives, they might still be living under Phillip's shadow. It was only right to thank him for bringing a new light into their lives.
"You don't love your husband, right?" Peter asked suddenly, then immediately regretted his words, "Sorry, that was too personal."
"No, it's alright." Madeline said, not offended in the least. How could she be angry with someone who cared so deeply for her and her family? "You're right. I don't love my husb—no, Phillip." She corrected herself. There was no need to call him her husband anymore. He was no longer a part of her life or her daughters' lives.
He was nothing more than a stranger now.
"In truth, I married Phillip because of my parents." Madeline confessed, opening up to Peter in a way she hadn't done in years, "At first, I thought love would develop between us over time, but it never did. Instead, things only got worse..." This was perhaps the first time Madeline had shared these feelings with anyone. She had never even told her daughters, not wanting to burden them further.
"Haah! I feel so much lighter now." Madeline said, leaning into Peter and resting her head on his broad shoulder. She had finally let out everything she had been holding inside, and it felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest.
"Thank you, Peter, for listening to me." Madeline said, secretly enjoying the warmth she felt while hugging him.
"It's no problem. I'm always here if you need someone to talk to." Peter reassured her, gently rubbing her back. Madeline had been through so much, but she didn't have to face it alone anymore, "I've decided something." Peter said suddenly.
"What?" Madeline asked, looking up at him with a puzzled expression.
"I'm going to buy a new house—a big one—and you, Mary, and Gale are going to live there with me and May." Peter declared.
"What? But how—Hmm!" Madeline began to protest, but Peter silenced her by placing a finger on her lips.
"I won't take no for an answer." Peter said firmly, his eyes locking onto hers with a serious intensity, "I'll talk to Mary about this myself, so don't mention anything to her yet, okay?"
Hearing his stern tone and seeing the determination in his eyes, Madeline felt herself nodding obediently, like a child being scolded by a parent, 'The look in his eyes… He's so commanding!' She thought, her face flushing red, 'I'm a shame in the name of the mother-in-law!'
Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap!
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed from upstairs.
"Looks like the girls are awake." Madeline said, breaking the hug. But before she could say more, someone entered the hall.
"Mom? Peter?" Mary called out, rubbing her eyes as she looked at the two of them sitting so close together on the sofa, 'Why is Mom sitting so close to Peter?' She wondered, a suspicious look crossing her face. But her thoughts were interrupted as Peter stood up and walked over to her.
"Good morning, babe~" Peter said, pulling Mary into a gentle yet firm hug and kissing her on both cheeks.