The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning

Chapter 17

Jasmine strutted in, her high heels clicking rhythmically on the floor. Long, curly locks cascaded over her shoulders, sashaying with every step she took.

“Why are you standing there all dazed, Madelyn? Are you going to tell me what happened?” she asked, reaching out.

Madelyn shrank back, a slight frown crossing her face. Picking up her lunchbox from the floor without uttering a word, she turned and walked away.

As Madelyn made her way down the silent corridor, her face wore an expression of unnatural calm. Yet, inside, she felt a suffocating sensation like never before. Upon reflection, she realized that everyone around her had ulterior motives. Not a single soul had been genuine with her. First, it was Zach, who had manipulated her love for him, conned her out of her will, and unceremoniously discarded her once he had achieved his goal. Then came Jasmine, who had showered her with unwarranted attention at school, heard her woes, provided counseling, and wormed her way into Hayson’s attention, eventually gaining entry to the Jent family, only to conspire with Zach and quietly kill Hayson. Cecilia, the third, whom she had once considered her best friend, was no different.

‘Everything is fake. Everything around me is a lie,’ Madelyn realized.

In another building, she opened the lunchbox and washed it thoroughly, the metallic, blood-like smell assaulting her nostrils—a smell that would etch itself permanently in her memory. As the tap water gushed forth, soaking her injured wrist, she felt a sharp, piercing pain. Madelyn remained impassive, as if she did not feel the pain at all. By the time she finished cleaning up, her wound had turned a sickly white, and fresh blood was seeping out. It was a gruesome sight.

over her head, followed by a tremendous force that pushed her against the tiled wall. A surge of pain coursed through her. She felt kicks at her back and punches on her face, one after another, each leaving her writhing in pain. She could not see anything or determine how many people were involved. When they had finally had their fill, they left her semi-conscious and dragged her into the bathroom, removing the plastic bag from her head. Her consciousness was fading, her spirit feeling

laughter from several individuals. The wound on her wrist had split open again during the struggle, staining the

Beep. Beep. Beep

call was met with the sound of the dial tone. Zach stopped in his tracks, pulling out his phone. Upon seeing the

Jadie asked with a glimmer in her eyes. “If you’re busy,

sales call, nothing important.” Zach dismissed her concern. He suspected Madelyn had lost her patience and was resorting to her usual tactics

smile, offering one of the two ice creams she held in her hand. “Here, Zach. I got this for you. Try

sweets, he accepted the treat. Jadie took a bite of her own, the creamy

Zach warned, a hint of concern creasing his forehead.

stick of her tongue. “Zach, I really appreciate you taking me to the movies. But are you sure it won’t interfere with your work? You don’t have to accompany

despite being so busy, would wait for

and nothing’s more important than spending time with you. Come on, the movie’s

movie tickets in Zach’s hand, Jadie pursed

some after-school extra-curricular activities. She won’t be joining us,”

smoothly linked

chose to grow old alone. Seeing Jadie’s pained expression, still engrossed in the aftermath of the movie, Zach took her on a shopping spree. They bought a plethora of clothes, all the latest

time they had finished shopping, it was eight in the evening. Night had settled, the road was