Night Carved Paths Into Silence by Zyrel Ash 41
Roderick checked his calendar.
“Business dinner tonight. I’ll be late. Rest early with Kevin. Don’t
wait up.”
“Oh, another dinner,” Madeleine acknowledged.
She remembered her father’s business dinners. He’d always
return happily drunk, insisting on hugging them despite the
alcohol smell.
Those dinners meant new deals and orders.
She’d found it unpleasant then, but now the memory felt
nostalgic.
Turning to Kirsten, she announced, “No need to cook tonight.
Roderick’s dining out. I’ll take Kev to my parents‘ for dinner.”
Madeleine had always been deeply attached to her parents.
Even as a teenager at a busy summer camp abroad, she’d
found time to fly home just to see them.
Now, suddenly finding herself married and years into the future,
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returning to her parents‘ home felt different somehow.
This was probably what people meant about married daughters becoming guests in their childhood homes.
On the way to her parents‘ house with Kevin, Madeleine brought
gifts for everyone.
For her father, she picked out a whiskey decanter set. For her
mother, she chose skincare and cosmetics. For her cousin
Minerva, still passionate about dance, she knew dancewear
would be welcome.
Unsure of Minerva’s current size, she decided a gift card would
be better.
“Mommy.”
Kevin watched his mother’s preparations with concern.
“Are we really going to Grandma and Grandpa’s?”
“Of course.”
Madeleine looked at him, puzzled.
“Don’t you want to go?”
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The boy pressed his lips together before shaking his head.
It wasn’t about wanting to go or not.
He was afraid.
He loved his grandparents, and they adored him.
But previous visits always ended with arguments. Every time,
Madeleine made them cry.
Arriving at the Mosley’s house with their gifts, they found
Clarissa already waiting anxiously by the door.
Since Roderick’s call about Madeleine’s possible fabricated
amnesia, sleep had been elusive.
She wondered, “What’s my girl planning now? Is this some new
scheme leading to divorce?
“Roderick is such a good man. Why couldn’t Maddie appreciate
him?”
Roderick hadn’t called recently during their trip to Phelrania,
which deepened their worry…
“Mommy…”
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Madeleine’s cheerful voice carried down the path.
Her arms were full of packages, her eyes sparkling, Kevin
beside her.
Despite her concerns, Clarissa’s face lit up at the sight.
“My darlings!”
“Mommy, take these. My hands are sore.”
Madeleine pouted, sounding exactly like the teenager who once
clung to her parents.
“Of course, let me help. What’s all this?”
“Presents for you and Dad.”
“Presents?”
Clarissa was genuinely surprised.
She couldn’t recall the last time her daughter had bought them
gifts.
For years, holidays brought gifts from Roderick, always
attributed to Madeleine, though everyone knew the truth.
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Madeleine’s focus had been entirely on Edward, never
remembering such things.
All this time, Roderick had been quietly caring for them.
This truly felt miraculous.
“Grandma.”
Kevin approached, offering a small bouquet in his earnest
voice.
“These are for you.”
Madeleine pretended to pout. “He’s never given me flowers.
Your grandson clearly loves you most.”
Clarissa beamed, though her gaze lingered thoughtfully on
Madeleine.
Kevin offered a quiet correction.
“Mommy, I did give you flowers once.”
“Really?”
Madeleine scratched her head awkwardly.
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“I’ve forgotten so much.”
The boy delivered the gentle truth. “You didn’t like them. You
threw them away. So, I stopped.”
Madeleine fell silent.
Now she understood her mother’s strange look.
“Alright then, where’s Dad? Oh, I can smell something delicious!
He must be cooking for us, right?”
Flustered, Madeleine quickly changed the subject and went
inside.
Clarissa watched her go, suspicion growing.
“She’s certainly committed to this performance,” she thought.
Harold was still finishing dinner preparations. Madeleine settled
on the sofa, then noticed Kevin’s absence.
“Where’s Kev?”
She searched around and found him dragging a stool toward the cabinet, reaching for something.
“Kev, what are you looking for?”
The boy carefully lifted down a first–aid kit, turning to her with
wide eyes.
“The first–aid kit? Are you feeling unwell?”
“No.”
Kevin looked flustered, trying unsuccessfully to hide the large
kit.
Madeleine took it from him.
“What do you need? I’ll help.”
After a moment’s hesitation, the boy knelt and retrieved two
familiar bottles: emergency medication for hypertension and
heart conditions.
Madeleine stared, confused.
Clarissa’s heart ached watching this.
“Kev worries about his grandfather.”
“What?”
Madeleine looked to her mother for an explanation.
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“Have you truly forgotten? You used to make your father so
angry that he’d have heart attacks. His heart hasn’t been well.
He needs this medicine now.”
Clarissa’s eyes moistened as she stroked Kevin’s hair.
“Kev saw his grandfather have an attack last time. It frightened
him. Now he always finds the medicine first, ready to help.”
She knelt to reassure him.
“It’s alright, darling. Your grandpa’s much better now.”
Madeleine felt unsteady.
She knew her older self had been difficult, but not to this
extent.
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Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.