THE ABANDONED WIFE

Chapter 1970 Enraged

When Madilyn arrived home, she was worried that Lorraine would start nagging again, so she quickly fetched a wooden tub and filled it with water before chucking in some powder that was made of medicinal herbs that were given to her by Jonathan previously. Subsequently, she presented the tub to her mother and urged her to soak her feet in it.

"You really should try to relax more, Mom," Madilyn said gently as she guided Lorraine to a comfortable chair. Lorraine sighed, but the warmth in her daughter's eyes made her relent.

"Alright, alright," she muttered, settling into the chair and dipping her feet into the warm, herb-infused water. Almost instantly, a look of relief spread across her face. "This does feel nice."

Madilyn smiled and sat down across from her mother. "You see? Jonathan knows his stuff. These herbs are supposed to help with circulation and relaxation."

Lorraine closed her eyes, letting the soothing warmth work its magic. "Jonathan, huh? He seems to be helping you a lot these days."

Madilyn felt a slight blush creep up her cheeks but quickly brushed it off. "He's a good friend, Mom. That's all."

Lorraine opened one eye and gave her daughter a knowing look. "Just a friend?"

Madilyn laughed lightly, trying to steer the conversation away from Jonathan. "Yes, just a friend. Now, how about we focus on you for a change? You've been working so hard, you deserve a break."

As they chatted, the tension from earlier in the day began to melt away. Lorraine shared stories from her younger days, and Madilyn listened, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for these moments with her mother.

However, as the evening wore on, the nagging thoughts about Jonathan kept resurfacing. Despite her attempts to push them aside, Madilyn couldn't ignore the growing feelings she had for him. The way he had been there for her, supporting her through thick and thin, had made a significant impact on her heart.

Later that night, after Lorraine had gone to bed, Madilyn found herself sitting by the window, staring out at the moonlit garden. She couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her and Jonathan. Were they destined to be more than just friends? The uncertainty gnawed at her, but she knew she couldn't force the issue.

The next day, as Madilyn went about her routine at the hospital, she couldn't shake off the lingering thoughts about Jonathan. During a break, she decided to send him a message, thanking him once again for the herbal remedy.

"Hi Jonathan, just wanted to let you know that the herbs worked wonders for my mom. She's feeling much better. Thank you so much!"

She hit send and waited anxiously for his reply. It came almost immediately.

"I'm glad to hear that, Madilyn. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask. Take care."ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

His response was warm and genuine, but it left Madilyn with even more questions about their relationship. She knew she had to focus on her work and her patients, but her heart was pulling her in a different direction.

As the day turned into evening, Madilyn decided to visit the children's ward. Spending time with the kids always lifted her spirits and helped her gain some perspective. The children's laughter and innocent joy were infectious, reminding her of the simple pleasures in life.

One of the young patients, a girl named Emily, tugged at Madilyn's sleeve. "Dr. Madilyn, will you read us a story?"

Madilyn smiled and nodded. "Of course, Emily. Which one would you like to hear?"

Emily handed her a book, and Madilyn settled into a chair, surrounded by eager faces. As she read aloud, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. These moments of connection and joy were what made all the hard work worthwhile.

After the story, as the children drifted off to sleep, Madilyn made her way back to her office. She found a small package on her desk with a note from Jonathan.

"I thought you might like these. They're some new herbs I came across. Maybe they'll help your mom even more."

Madilyn opened the package to find a selection of carefully curated herbs. She couldn't help but smile. Jonathan's thoughtfulness never ceased to amaze her. She decided to call him and thank him personally.

"Jonathan, thank you for the herbs. You didn't have to go out of your way."

Jonathan's voice was warm on the other end. "It's nothing, Madilyn. I'm just glad to help. How's your mom doing?"

"She's much better, thanks to you. I really appreciate it."

There was a moment of silence before Jonathan spoke again. "Madilyn, I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me sometime. No pressure, just... as friends."

Madilyn's heart skipped a beat. "I'd like that, Jonathan. I'd like that a lot."

As she hung up the phone, a sense of excitement and anticipation filled her. The future was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, she felt hopeful about where it might lead.