Loving Madeline

Hunter's POV

I creased my forehead after I saw Gina's name on my screen, and I suddenly felt alarmed about why she was calling me. I could feel my hands trembling as I answered her call.

"Hello, Gina, is everything alright?" I answered.

"Don't worry, Hunter, your wife, is fine. Can we meet up before you come to her room?" She asked.

"Yes, of course," I replied, and I couldn't stop feeling worried about what she wanted to talk about, and I was hoping it would be something else.

"Okay, just text me when you are on your way, and I will be waiting for you at the hospital's cafeteria." She replied I was so down after I talked with Gina, and I could tell it was something about my wife.

"Are you okay, son?" Calixto asked, and I shook my head.

"You know you can always tell me anything; I am your only best friend; I hope you still remember that even if you are no longer living here in Archois." He added, and I chuckled.

I could say he was the only one who could make me feel better, even if my heart felt so sad and worried.

"I still remember, Cal. I wouldn't be calling you long-distance calls if I had forgotten," I replied, and he beamed at me.

"Now, tell me, what is bothering you, Hunter?" He asked, and I let out a heavy sigh.

"Madeline changed after the accident, and she stopped talking to me after she learned dad died protecting her," I said as I covered my face with my hands.

"No matter how I tried to take good care of her, it felt like she didn't see me. Maddie was ignoring me." I added, and he was silent for a long time, and it would be unusual for Cal to be out of words.

"Maddie was blaming herself, Hunter; it doesn't mean she doesn't love you anymore. She needed you now and be there for her," he responded, and I cocked my head at Calixto.

"No, I could tell she doesn't want me around; maybe she found someone else," I said, out of my frustrations, while Cal laughed.

"Hunter, that is ridiculous; you knew Madeline was only in love with you," Cal replied.

"You must understand her situation, and maybe it was because of the medicine she was taking," he added, and I leaned my back on my seat.

We just got back at Hector's place in Archois after my dad's funeral since no one wanted to come to hoem

to the Divenson mansion, and I wished my wife was with us.

"I should have let her come with me, and none of this happened. Maddie begged me, but I didn't listen because I was worried about her safety, and I had forgotten how clever she was." I declared.

"Right now, I don't know what to do, Calixto; I am losing my fucking mind. I was so worried about her, and I thought everything would be alright between us after her operation." I stated.

"I am lost," I added, and his face turned serious as he looked at me.

"Oh, Hunter, I haven't seen you so disturb like this, don't worry, I will visit her tomorrow; maybe I can help her." He answered, and my face lit up.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yes, I will be there tomorrow," Cal responded, and I felt a little better.

"Your wife was having a hard time, Hunter; she needed deeper understanding." He added.

"I missed her like crazy, Cal; I wished to kiss and hug my wife," I said as I felt defeated.

"Soon, you can do that to her; besides, you have a lifetime to do that, Hunter, she is still your wife, and be thankful that she survived, or things would be worst for all of us." He responded.

"I think it would be best if you returned to the hospital now and be with Madeline," Calixto said, and I stood up and gave him a weak smile.

"Thank you, Cal, for always being there for Medline and me, see you tomorrow, I don't want to go say goodbye yet, but you were right; I must stay with Maddie," I responded.

I had a quick conversation with my mom and Lily before I bid my farewell to them. They promised to visit my wife the next day, and I was hoping everything would be okay between us before my family visited Madeline.

One of Hector's men drove me back to the hospital, and I was holding my iPhone as I was deliberating if I should call Gina or not. I didn't want to talk with her knowing she would be telling me something that could be upsetting.

I thanked the driver before I got out of the car. My steps felt heavy as I made my way to the cafeteria after I texted my wife's best friend.

Gina was already there when I arrived, and she was sitting on the farthest side.

I could tell she wanted to speak with me without anyone hearing us. She weakly smiled as she waved her hand at me.

"I ordered coffee for us," she said after I settled myself in front of her.

"Coffee would be fine," I replied.

"So, why do you want to speak with me? I hope my wife is not alone in her room right now," I said.

"She wasn't alone; Lydia and her kids were with her," Gina replied, and if I didn't know she was now Jack's girlfriend, I would be jealous of Jack.

"Look, I know you don't feel good right now; you looked so haggard; you needed to have a good night's sleep, Hunter." She said, and I stared at her.

"Is that all you want to tell me? You were worried I lack sleep?" I asked, and she shook her head.

"No, my best friend felt so unhappy, and every time she was with you, she became more upset." She declared.

"Did she tell you why she was angry with me, Gina?" I asked, and I was hoping I would have some answers.

"Is she still in love with me?" I asked, and her smile widened.

"Of course; how could you ask me that question, Hunter?" She asked back.

"She wasn't talking to me; I am her husband, Gina, but after the operation, my wife changed a lot, she is no longer the sweet Maddie that I knew, and I felt so scared of losing her." I declared, and her face softened.

"Hunter, you are not going to lose your wife, she was having a hard time after she learned your dad got killed, and it became worst when she realized your father died because he saved her," Gina said.

"What do you want me to do, Gin?" I asked since I felt so lost, and I didn't have any idea how to make my wife feel better.

"Maybe, if you won't show up, she will start to realize what she was doing was pushing you away from her. I love, and I care about, my best friend, but I don't want to tolerate her doing this to you." She declared, and my eyes turned big as saucers.

"Are you telling me to stay away from my wife?" I asked in disbelief.

"I don't think I can do that, Gina; that is very hard on my part," I replied.

"I know, but if you want her back, you should trust me." She responded, and I fell silent.

"Are you sure my wife still loves me?" I asked, and she smiled at me.

"Of course, Maddie will always be in love with one man, and it is you, Hunter, but you need to give her time to mourn your father's death," Gina answered.

"Don't worry, and I will be with her every step of the way; I want her to stop blaming herself; maybe if she stops seeing you, she will come to her senses that she was the one who drove you away," She added.

"I was hoping she would stop blaming herself," she continued.

"I wished to see her," I softly replied.

"You can still see your wife, but only when she is asleep; this is the only way you can help her, Hunter," Gina replied.

"Okay, if this is the only way to save my wife from feeling so sad, then I don't have a choice but follow your advice," I responded, and she beamed at me.

"As long as you promise me that I can see her every time she sleeps," I said.

"Of course, but you must be quiet and stay as far away from her as possible. Maddie should not see you until she asks for you." Gina declared, and I could feel the pain in my heart as I realized my wife didn't want to see me.

"I hope this will work, Gina," I mumbled.

"Don't worry, Hunter; I am sure this will work, but you have to promise to be patient with your wife." She replied.

"Okay, I want Madeline to be okay so we can return to Majuscule together," I answered.

"I think she will be discharged by next week; the doctor said maybe he can give Maddie discharge clearance soon since there were no complications and she was showing progress," Gina stated.

"That is good news, Gina," I responded.

"I will be in the waiting area, and you can text me anytime; I will not leave the hospital. I want to be with my wife, and this situation is killing me, Gina, but since you are her best friend, I believe in you that everything will be fine." I said as I could feel the emptiness in my heart.

"Thank you, Hunter, and now, I can tell you love Madeline so much," she replied.

"Of course I do, and I am willing to do anything for my wife," I replied.

I was hoping everything would work out according to Gina's plan, and I knew I didn't have a choice but to be patient so I could be with my sweet Madeline soon.