Captivation

43: Verdict

Hi! Captivation is realllyyy close to 2k reads and I'm pretty sure it will hit that in this chapter and I just wanted to say thank you! Also another huge thanks to the voters, you guys make writing more fun because I know someone else is enjoying what I enjoy writing. Plus, when I start to doubt this story or my characters you guys motivate me to keep at it and keep writing. :) thanks you wonderful people.

Verdict (noun): an opinion or judgment

I'm curled up in bed, we've just reached Trenton, and I don't want to go out there. I don't want to rehash the mess that I made when I left without warning.

Henry hasn't tried to get me to get out of bed. He's sitting on the edge of the bed, running his hand through my hair. "Madelyn," He says to get my attention, and when I look up at him he continues, "I'm going to go and talk to your father first, alone."

"What? Why?" I ask, sitting up, I don't want to go and see my father, but I really don't want Henry going to see my father, especially alone.

"Because he hasn't seen you in nearly four years. You think that he's going to let some man he's never met marry you if you're right there, in his grasp?" Henry asks.

I pause, because he's right. "Okay, that's true..." I say, but I try to change Henry's mind anyway, "But he knows who you are, so there's a good chance he'll say no anyway. It doesn't matter if we go together or alone."

Henry pauses. "I wish I could have another identity." He sighs.

I smile sympathetically, "I know."

"No matter what you say I'm going first, and alone, I'll be back as soon as I can." Henry says. I give him a look but I know that he has a point and that there is nothing I can do to stop him, short of following him there. So I simply nod my head and lay back down. He kisses my forehead and then walks out the door.

I get up soon after because I can't stay still. I'm nervous for Henry. I'm nervous for what my father will say to him, because my father and I are similar, and I have not forgotten the things that I said the Henry when I first met him.

I walk out on to the deck and find Jamison and Bradley talking. I interrupt them, because not only am I rude, I am also stressed and I need to talk to someone right now or I might explode.

"What if my father says no?" I ask Jamison, getting in the middle of their conversation with this question.

"I have no good answer to that question." Jamison says.

"What will we do then? Elope? I don't want to elope. I would never be able to see my family again if I did that." I sigh.

"Remember when you didn't want to get married?" Bradley asks and I give him a look.

"Shut up before I make you." I threaten.

 "How is it possible to change so much over such a short period of time...?" Jamison asks Bradley.

"Oh she has changed a lot, but some areas, her violent areas, remain the same." Bradley says. I give them both dirty looks.

"Do you not understand how important this is?!" I ask loudly, exasperated.

"Madelyn, worrying doesn't make the sea any smoother." Bradley says.

"Worrying isn't going to make your father approve of Henry. So you might as well try not to kill yourself from stress. Sit down and think about something peaceful." Jamison says.

I sigh exaggeratedly and walk away from the two of them, annoyed. I lock myself back in my room and cover myself with blankets. The only thing that I think of is Violet and how Henry has a son. I wonder how many more sons and daughters that he has and will never know about.