Chapter 3 - The Gilded Cage
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Three days passed. Madeline was treated like royalty and a prisoner simultaneously.
Every morning, a silent maid brought her fresh clothes—designer dresses, cashmere sweaters, tailored slacks that fit perfectly. Every afternoon, a five-star meal was rolled into her room. But there was no phone, no internet, and no television.
On the fourth evening, the lock clicked.
Madeline stood up from the velvet sofa as Gabriel walked in. He wore a crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal dark ink winding down his forearms.
"Are you ready to talk?" Madeline demanded, crossing her arms. "Or are you going to keep me locked up until I go insane?"
"Sit down, Madeline."
"Don't tell me what to do. My shift at the diner—"
"You don't have a job anymore," Gabriel interrupted smoothly. "I bought the diner. You’re officially on an extended, paid leave of absence."
Madeline’s mouth dropped open. "You bought a diner just to keep me quiet?"
"I buy whatever I need to solve a problem." He walked toward her, his tall frame casting a shadow over her. "And right now, you are a very large problem."
He reached out, his fingers gently catching her left hand. A shiver ran down Madeline’s spine at his touch. His thumb brushed over the emerald ring.
"Tell me everything you remember about your mother," he commanded softly.
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"Why do you care?" she shot back, trying to pull her hand away, but his grip was firm.
"Because twenty years ago, the woman wearing this ring was shot in the chest while I watched," Gabriel said, his voice completely devoid of emotion. "That woman was my mother. Now tell me, Madeline. How did your mother get a dead mafia queen’s jewelry?"
