Chapter 121 - My Graduation Day

Madeline's POV

I wake up with a heavy heart and eyes. I didn't have enough amount of sleep because I was waiting for my husband to call or text me, and deep inside me, I was also hoping that he will come back to our house. Hunter knew today is my long-awaited moment, and we already talked about it, and he was more excited for me. But the morning came, and he still didn't return home. I don't know if Hunter will meet me after the graduation ceremony. I hate to think that he will be one of our honored guests for today's big event because he is one of the benefactors of our school, and after what happened last night, I don't want to see my husband because I felt so hurt that he didn't even inform me what is going on.

I can feel the emptiness deep inside my heart as I got up from bed and stride towards the shower, and I take a bath lazily. I can't stop myself from thinking what could have gone wrong that he left in a hurry without telling me what is wrong. And because I love Hunter, I didn't complain about our situation; for four years, I tried to understand him, and I didn't whine why I needed to share my husband with another woman. 

I focused on my studies because I want to make my dream come true, and right now, I should feel happy because I will graduate as a cum laude. I felt proud of my achievement, but instead of feeling delighted, I couldn't stop myself from feeling sad, and of course, I can't contain myself from worrying about my husband and our relationship. I am just glad that for the past three years, Clark Divenson didn't bother me anymore.

I get dress, and I sat down in front of my vanity table to apply some makeup on my face, and I can see the pale reflection of a woman staring back at me, and I realized I should look beautiful and presentable today. And I need to feel happy and in high spirits because it is my graduation day, yet the sadness I felt is consuming me.

Cerila smiled at me the moment I get inside the dining hall. She already prepared my breakfast, and I can tell she was looking for my husband, yet she was shy to ask me. She knew about our circumstance, and she will never talk about it unless I speak about it with her. And that is what I love about her.

"I will be eating alone this morning; Cerila, my husband, left last night due to some emergency on the site." I lied because I don't want her to know that something is happening between my husband and me. I noticed for a while now even if Hunter is still sweet with me, there are moments I found him staring into space, and for how many times I want to ask him what is wrong, but I am trying my best to be a good wife. And I was waiting for him to open up to me. 

"Congratulations, Madeline." Cerila shyly said, and I smiled at her, and I was surprised when she handed me a small box covered with gold wrapper with white ribbons, and even though I felt so down, I can't stop myself from feeling touched by her gift. 

"Thank you, Cerila, you make me so happy today." I said, and I stood up from the dining chair and hugged her. She became like a sister to me from the moment she stayed in our house because Cerila is my constant companion, and she made my days less lonely every time Hunter spends time with Rebecca. 

We played board games or watched movies together, and I am so grateful for her companionship. That is why I asked my husband to send Cerila to school to finish her education. And she is now in her first year of college because she continued her High School education when she became my assistant. I eat my breakfast in a hurry because I don't want to think about my husband anymore.

"You can always talk to me, Madeline. If you need someone to talk to, I am just here." She said and tapped my shoulder.

"Of course, we can talk about it later, Cerila; I will ask Gina to come over because I can tell I will be spending my time alone tonight, and I want to celebrate my graduation day with you and my best friend." I answered her in a soft voice, and I can see the look of concern on her face as she nodded her head.

I left our house with a smile on my face as I think about Cerila's gift. It was a simple thing, but it touched my heart and soul. And she made me feel a little better, and at least my friend lessened the emptiness I felt in my heart. 

I felt so glad that I found Carol and Mia immediately after I park my car in the campus parking lot, and they are very excited about Hunter's speech. And I tried to pretend that I am fine as I check my cellphone, but I still got nothing from him. And we proceed to the university ground where our graduation ceremony will be held. As we fall in line for the processional, I can't stop myself from feeling so uneasy, and I was hoping to see him even if he hurt me last night because of his sudden walkout episode. 

But I wasn't able to see Hunter on the stage as the program started. I know my husband so well, he will never be late because he is always on time and very time conscious, and I realized something happened in the penthouse, and I think I should go there because I can't rest without knowing what is going on. I also care about Rebecca, and I want to be there for my husband even if he doesn't need my help. He said we are on this together, and I think it is about time to meet Rebecca finally, and I hope nothing terrible happened to her.

I can see the happy face of my fellow graduates as the program continues. And when it is time for us to go on the stage to receive our diploma, I couldn't stop the pounding of my heart, and I felt so excited that at last, I am finally a graduate of Business Administration. I am now ready to face a new chapter of my life. My husband asked me to work with Charlotte in the marketing department of the Divenson Mining Corporation after my graduation. But I told him I want to start from scratch, and I felt so happy when he agreed with my request. I want to earn my spot in the company by starting at the bottom without informing my fellow employees that I am Hunter's wife since I don't want them to treat me differently or give me special treatment.

When I get on the stage, I can't stop myself from smiling when I saw Gina together with Calixto among the crowd, and I felt disappointed when I couldn't find my husband with them. After the recessional, I joined Calixto and my best friend, and they both offered me their congratulations, and Gina asked Cal to take some photos. I almost forgot to have some pictures because I was thinking about Hunter the entire time.

"Congratulations, Madeline." Cal said as he offered his hand to me, and I can't stop myself from smiling as I shook hands with him.

"Thank you, Cal, and I felt so happy that you came and witnessed my graduation ceremony." I said, and he beamed at me.

"Did Hunter asked you to come here?" I asked when I could no longer stop myself from asking him, and he shook his head.

"No, Mr. Divenson has no idea that I came here. I hear from him that today is your graduation day. And I want to be with you on this memorable day." He said, and I want to ask him what is going on with my husband, but I don't want to ruin this moment, even though Hunter already made my day incomplete.

Cal insisted on taking us to lunch, and he brought us to Jack's restaurant. As usual, the food was superb, but I am not in the mood to eat, and I only eat a little. Jack joined us at our table, and he also congratulated me when Gina told him that it is my graduation day. We talked for a while before we said goodbye to Jack after we eat our lunch, and we also bid farewell to Cal in the parking lot after I told him my thanks.

"Where is your husband, Madeline? I know this day is significant to you, and how could he not be here with you?" Gina asked the moment we are alone, and I could no longer stop myself from crying. I have been controlling my tears ever since this morning, but now that I am with my best friend, I couldn't stop them from falling on my cheeks, and it feels so good to release all the frustrations that I felt as of the moment, and I can see the guilty looked on Gina's face as I looked at her. And her face fell after I told her about what happened last night in our bedroom.

"Well, you are right we need to drink tonight. We have to celebrate your graduation and stop thinking about your husband. I know that you love him, Madeline, but it has been for years, and I think it is long enough, and I wonder why he can never let her go. I am just saying, and I don't want you to feel bad about it, we have to enjoy ourselves later tonight. But I still need to run an errand for my mom; I promise to come to your house tonight, Maddie." She said, and I understand what she means. 

We said goodbye to each other, and I drive away from Jack's place, and my body froze when I arrived home and found Clark Divenson sitting on our front porch. And I am so shocked to find him after three years of not seeing him. And I couldn't stop myself from worrying as I found him looking at me with unreadable expressions on his face.

"So, it is true that you finally graduated from college, Madeline, and you should be thankful to me that I allow you to graduate, and today, I came here to give you a present." He said as he handed me a gift, and I couldn't believe that Hunter's father will provide me with something.. I suddenly felt cold the moment I received the big box from his hands, and I am wondering what he wants from me this time because I know Clark Divenson is bad news, and I need to brace myself for possible danger now that I am face to face with my father-in-law.