Loving Madeline

Hunter's POV

We were sitting in the front row, and my mom was still sobbing; no matter how I tried to console her, I understood she was grieving.

Lily was wiping her tears, and she kept her voice low that I couldn't even hear; her crying while I could feel the excruciating pain in my heart; as the clergy led the service, I couldn't find Charlotte and my father.

I didn't know if I had to feel worried or relieved that they didn't come at all, and I knew my mom would become more heartbroken if dad did not come.

Parker is my father's only biological son, and I know when we were younger, dad tried his best to show everyone I was his favorite son, especially when we were out in public; he wanted to portray he was the best father in the world without knowing my dad hated every moment he spent with me since I wasn't his own child.

I pity him since he couldn't make Parker the heir because the company was my mom's inheritance.

It was in the middle of the liturgy when Clark and Charlotte came; I could feel the tension in the air as dad sat beside me in the front pew while Charlotte settled herself next to me.

My father wore a black suit, and Charlotte was wearing a black ankle-length dress.

When it was time for the eulogy, I didn't want to go up to the front since I didn't wish to say goodbye to Parker yet, and of course, it would be hard knowing our dad was the mastermind of their deaths.

I know he was remorseful that he planned to kill Rebecca without thinking Parker would be joining his wife on their journey to the afterlife.

I got up from my seat, and I stood in front of all the people who mourned with us. I could see Rebecca's family on the other side of the church, and I was the one who felt guilty, and I didn't know if they had any idea it was my father who did it to their beloved Rebecca.

I didn't get the chance to speak with them, and I didn't want to talk to any of Rebecca's relatives since I didn't know how to comfort them.

I didn't write my speech since I tried to compose it the other night, but I've got nothing. As I looked at everyone who attended the service, my heart filled with so much gratitude that they all came and joined us in this unforgettable event in our lives.

"We all came together today in memory of my beloved brother, Parker, and his wife, Rebecca. I still couldn't believe he was gone together with his beloved wife." I said as I looked at the crowd.

"Parker was the best brother anyone could have; he is a good son to our parents and; a caring and loving brother to his siblings, growing up he always looked up to me as his elder brother, and I know in his eyes, I am always his hero," I added.

"There were moments that I tried to look brave even if I wanted to cry because of some minor physical sports injuries or emotional problems I encountered during our childhood and teenage years because I knew he would always believe in me." I declared, trying to control my tears from falling as I narrated some of my childhood memories with Parker.

"On behalf of our family, to all our friends who joined us today, I would like to tell you all we felt so happy and grateful to all of you." I continued.

I tried to look stern as I delivered my speech, and when I was in the part where I thanked everyone, I got distracted when someone got inside wearing a black dress with a black fascinator on her head. 𝒇𝑟e𝙚𝑤𝙚𝐛𝗻𝐨ν𝚎𝘭.c𝐨m

It seemed like I was looking at my wife even if I knew there was no way Madeline would be in Archois and would be joining us in the funeral service since I made sure she stayed at his grandpa's place.

Even if the woman's head was down and she was staring at her feet, it couldn't deny her physique looked exactly like Maddie's.

I couldn't stop my heart racing as I gazed at her, and everyone was wondering why I suddenly stopped talking, and they all looked where I was staring, and it was a wrong move, and I suddenly felt alarmed.

"Thank you all for coming," I ended my eulogy after the woman settled at the back pew while some of the guests were whispering and still had their eyes on the woman who happened to look like Madeline.

I wished to go straight to her seat, but I needed to join my family at the front pew. My mother hugged me, and so did my sister Lily. I couldn't stop turning my head to look at the mysterious woman, but I could no longer see her since the crowd hid her.

My sister Lily was the one who gave a eulogy after me, and she vividly narrated what a good brother Parker was. I loved how she talked about him, and I missed him even more, but I couldn't concentrate since I felt so bothered by the woman who came unannounced.

Did Clark Divenson hire her to distract all of us, especially me? I couldn't believe why he would do that to all of us at my younger brother's funeral service.

I opened my phone and looked at the messages Maddie had sent me, and I wanted to call her right away, but I wanted to honor my brother even for the last time.

I am sure my wife was safe, and Madeline will not do something like this; she will never make me worried. I am sure she will not be reckless by this time since we had a son, and I am sure Maddie would consider the possibility of attending the funeral; my father would hurt her.

"What is going on? Are you okay, son?" My mother asked me as she turned her gaze at me, and I could see the sorrow on her face as she took my hand.

"Everything is okay, mom; I am still not in the mood. To be honest, I am in deep pain too; we had seen each other during our vacation, and they both looked healthy." I answered, and she tried to give me a weak smile.

"I am sorry, Hunter, I couldn't control myself from feeling the pain of losing your brother, I should be brave for all my children, but instead, I had done nothing but showed you how weak I could be." My mom said in more than a whisper as we waited for the staff of the funeral homes to bring my brother and Rebecca's coffins to the funeral cars to be brought to the memorial park where we would lay their bodies to rest.

"What is that woman doing here?" I could listen to my father's angry voice, and I suddenly tensed up, and I couldn't believe this was happening as I turned around and found the woman talking with Calixto at the back, and she quickly walked out of the church before I could run towards them.

I hastily got up as I excused myself from my mom, and I asked Lily to be with our mother, whatever happens.

"Calixto, can you tell me what is going on?" I asked, and I could tell he looked so pale as he grabbed my wrist as I was about to follow the woman.

"Have you seen her?" He asked, and my heart hammered against my chest.

"I didn't see her face, but I could tell he looked like Madeline," I replied.

"Yeah, and don't bother running after her, she looked like Maddie, but I knew she wasn't Madeline at all, don't waste your time; I am sure your father is behind all this, Hunter." He said.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

"Her face is Madeline, but when she talked with me, her voice sounded so different, and when I asked her something, I could tell she wasn't your wife." He responded.

"How could you be sure? What if she was my wife, and she came to see Parker and Rebecca for the last time?" I asked, and he shook her head.

"She wasn't able to answer the security question I intended for Maddie," he replied, and his answer made me feel more disoriented.

"What are you talking about, Cal?" I asked.

"I am closed to your wife, and I am sorry to tell you this, but we had talked about something that does not include you, and if she was Maddie, I am sure she could relate to what I had asked her, but she looked pale and so nervous." He answered.

"Your wife is always calm even if she feels so broken and disoriented inside; she is so good at hiding her real emotions," Cal added.

No, I must come after her; I need to speak with her to say she isn't my wife," I insisted.

"Please, don't go after her, Hunter; I am sure she is not your wife. Her voice was different, and she was shorter than Maddie, and the way she moved was different from her." Calixto said louder than necessary as I turned my heels and ran away from him, and I got out of the church hurriedly.

As I went to the parking lot, but I could no longer find her, and I suddenly felt worried and confused about what was going on.

Did Maddie come home to Archois? Or did my father hire someone to play as my wife to ruin the service? I looked at my brother's casket as the men from the funeral parlor put it on the hearse while I was standing on the pavement, feeling lost and bewildered by what was going on.