Madeline''s POV


    I know the food on the table looked delicious and mouth-watering, but I lost my appetite after talking with the man who took Lily. And I don''t know how I will leave the house without Hunter knowing about it, and I am so afraid to let him know about what was happening to Lily because of the threat that I have received from the unknown man.


    "Madeline, please eat your food now," Hunter said when he looked at me, and his eyes widened when he realized I didn''t touch my food.


    "I am sorry, Hunter, but I am not hungry," I said, and I know I have to lieter to my husband to get out of our house undetected. I have already formted a n, and all I need to do is initiate it, and I can feel the shaking of my legs.


    "Please, Maddie, you need to eat something. Remember, our baby needs nutrients." He said, and I smiled at him.


    "Okay, don''t worry, I will eat my food," I responded, and he smiled at me, and he focused his attention on eating the food on his te while he kept looking at me from time to time, while I started devouring my food unhurriedly. Reba was talking to Gina, and I couldn''t stop myself from smiling when I heard my best friend answering her politely. I know my best friend was upset with Reba because of conniving with Charlotte, but as I listened to her talk with Hunter''s ex, I could tell they got along just fine.


    "You can go to the virgin ind, Parker. The speed boat is ready if you want to have an afternoon swim over there. I will ask Jen to prepare food so you can have a pic." My husband said, and when I raised my head, I could see the excitement on Reba''s face.


    "Do you want to explore the ind, Babe?"Parker asked Reba.


    "Yeah, I would love that." She replied right away, and I felt so excited for them because they could be alone on the ind since most of the time, nobody is on the ind except during summer.


    "Okay, it is settled then," Hunter said.


    "How about you, Gina? Do you want toe with them?" My husband asked my best friend, and I suddenly wondered if Gina would go with Parker and Reba since we still needed to talk.


    "I want to go to the Ind, but I don''t want to be a third wheel." She responded.


    "It would be okay,Gina. It would be more fun if you woulde with us." Reba said to her.


    "Thank you, Reba, but I will just stay here because I promise Madeline I will have swimming with herter on in the swimming pool." She responded, and I felt so d Gina declined their offer.I tried to finish eating my food, but I couldn''t take another bite, and I felt so pleased when my husband ate my leftover.


    We sent Reba and Parker on the shore, and as I watched them on board the speed boat, I realized they looked so good together, and I couldn''t stop myself from feeling jealous of Reba, knowing she was Hunter''s ex-fiancee. And I know I should stop myself from feeling this way, but I couldn''t help it as I looked at her looking so sexy and confident wearing her red two-piece bikini under her white seethrough coverall. And her beautiful hair made her more seductive and attractive.


    "Madeline, would it be alright if I will be on my study for a while? All I need is only one or two hours? I need to check some emails and make few phone calls. Would that be alright?" My husband asked me after we sat down on the sofa in the living room.


    "Of course, take your time, Hunter. Gina will apany me in our room." I responded, and I tried my best to hide my emotion that I love to have some time alone with Gina.


    "What? Are you crazy? How can I flirt with Roman? Besides, I don''t even know where his men are hiding at the moment. Your husband''s bodyguards are well trained, and you can''t see them unless they want to show themselves to you." Gina said after I told her my ns.


    "I am impressed with your idea on how to trick your husband, and I am sure it will work, but about Hunter''s bodyguards, I am sorry, Madeline, I can''t do it. Before I can even y my part, I am sure Roman will capture in an instant because he will know right away I am into something." She said as she looked at me, and I almostughed when I saw the horrified look on her face.


    "Okay, then we don''t have a choice but to use my car, and thank you for using it for me for thest few months. All you need to do is distract the bodyguards and make sure they can never trail us behind. Do you think you can do that?" I asked her, and Gina''s face lit up because adventure is herfavorite. She loves fun, and of course, I know she can drive like a professional car racer, and I am hoping her talent will save us tonight from being caught so we can save Lily.


    "Hell, yes!" She responded, and I giggled.


    "Driving your sports car is more exciting and fun than flirting with Roman. I couldn''t believe you would think such a way, and next time, can you tell me to flirt with Jack Morigan instead?" She asked, and I couldn''t control myughter.


    "Why not?" I responded, and I could see my best friend''s face blushed as she tried to avoid my gaze.


    "I was only kidding, Madeline. No matter how I flirt with Jack Morigan, he will only have eyes for you, Maddie. The hottest chef in Astikoz is in love with my best friend." She responded, And it is my turn to blush.


    "Hey, don''t say that; Hunter is so allergic to Jack''s name," I said, and Ginaughed.


    "Are you kidding me? You are already pregnant with his child, and it is so obvious that you are so in love with him, and he is still jealous of Jack?" She asked. I and I slowly nodded my head.


    "I couldn''t believe this, and I never thought your handsome and wealthy husband would be jealous of the simple guy, like Jack." She dered.


    "You can''t deny it, Gina, Jack is attractive, and I am sure he will be more popr the moment his cooking show starts to air," I said, and her eyes got so big.


    "Yes, my dear, He will have a cooking show, and it will be aired soon," I said, and I could see the excitement on her face.


    "Wow,that would be awesome, but I can also tell my chance to be her girlfriend will go back to zero. Because we both know the moment he will appear on the television lots of girls wille to him, and he will be an instant celebrity, and for sure he will meet beautiful models and actresses." Gina said, and I could see the sadness on her face.


    "Hey, don''t worry about it, maybe he will meet new friends, but you are his friend, Gina, and I am sure Jack will trust you," I said.


    "Let us talk about our nter, Maddie because I don''t want to talk about Jack anymore." She said, and I didn''t push the issue because I knew we would end up arguing with each other.


    "I think it is now the best time to speak with your husband, Maddie, now that Parker and Reba are still on the ind," Gina said, and I nodded my head.I walked to Hunter''s study while I tried to control myself, and I needed to do my best to act normal, and I hate that I have to do this to Hunter.


    I can''t stop feeling so anxious as I knock on the door, and when I hear his voice telling me toe inside, I open the door hastily since I was afraid to chicken out and put Lily''s life in danger.


    "Hi!" I said the moment I got near his table, and he raised his head quickly when he heard my voice, and his beautiful smile made me feel so guilty.


    "Hello, did you miss me already?" Hunter asked as he stood up from his chair, and he walked closer to me, and he brought me into his arms right away, and the moment I inhaled my husband''s scent, I clung to him, and I didn''t want to proceed with my n, but I can''t stop thinking about Lily''s safety.


    "Yes, I miss you, " I said as I leaned my head on his muscr chest, and I heard my husband chuckle.


    "I wanted to eat something, and I hope you will not get angry with me," I said, trying to sound desperate to have the food I crave.


    "Madeline, why do you think I would get angry with you." He said.


    "I wanted to eat something, but I want you to buy it for me. You can''t send someone, and you just don''t by yourself." I said, and the amusement on his face made me feel so better.


    "What do you crave this time, my lovely wife?" He asked, and I felt so thrilled.


    "Can you buy me Caesar''s sd at Lydia''s restaurant for my dinner, please, Hunter," I said in a sweet tone as I tightened my arms around his muscr frame, and he was grinning at me while he was stroking my hair.


    "How can I say no if you are this sweet to me, Madeline." My husband said, and I felt so triumphant, and even if I felt so wicked at the moment for fooling my husband, I know I am saving Lily''s life, and that is the most important thing at this time, and I will ask his forgivenesster.


    "I love you.." I said, and my husband smiled, and he kissed me tenderly on the lips after he murmured I love you too, and I know I need to stay firm with my decision so that I can rescue Lily.