I stood up and walked over to where Grace and Madelyne were sitting.

—Madelyne… can we talk for a moment?

We were alone, facing each other, inside the glass pavilion.

—What's wrong Henry? —Her blue eyes that were staring at me were dull.

—Madelyne, I am aware of the discomfort that the news of the engagement caused you, it was something that you let me know from the first moment we met, but I want to propose something to you.

—Propose something to me? what are you talking about? — Madelyne answered, intrigued.

—Let's pretend Madelyne, just that, let's pretend that we agree with this, that there is a closeness between us, a lot of things will happen in a few years, I really hope that everything will be different.

—You don't want to either, right? — Madelyne lowered her head, with an expressionless look.

To be honest, I wasn't sure of anything, I didn't want anything, I hated from the bottom of my being being given orders, being subjected, but there existed within me, something that, for some strange reason, always clung to the idea of ​​pleasing people, when would it be my turn to choose, to decide? Did I even have that ability?

—You don't want to either, right? — Madelyne paused and before allowing me to speak, she exclaimed — That's the best thing I've ever heard! — Her spirits seemed to have lifted instantly, the joy he emanated was overflowing.

—So... is that okay with you?

—Of course I do! That way I can do whatever I want when I grow up.

—I would like to add some conditions.

—Tell me Henry, I'm listening.

—First: this will remain only between us, no one has to know what we really think. Second: only if necessary, we will have to make a little effort to pretend... like dancing together so that others can see us. Third: as long as neither of us truly falls in love, we can break off the engagement one day. And finally... let's be friends.

Madelyne began to walk back and forth, carefully analyzing the conditions I had given her, suddenly she stopped in front of me and stretched out her hand.

—I accept — she said firmly, smiling.

—I accept — I replied, shaking her hand.

We headed directly to the mansion, where dinner would begin.

To be continued…

This novel is also being published in the spanish language, through this same platform called Entre el Cielo, la Tierra y el Mar, I invite you to help me as a reader in the same way, thank you very much and we will see you in the next episode.

Att. BF Crunch <3