---- Chapter 13 Madeline and Timothy got into a cold war. She deliberately avoided eating when he did, and she went to work in the study when he wanted to go to bed. Once she was done, she would sleep in the study. They lived under the same roof, yet they acted like they were strangers. Madeline didn't feel uncomfortable, even after days of this-maybe her feelings really were fading. In fact, this mental battle calmed her down and showed her that this was the reality of their relationship. The sweet words and tenderness melted like ice. No matter how huge a block of it there had been before, it would never return to its original shape once it melted. Timothy was just like every other man-he could throw out loving words as casually as he did with greetings. How could they mean anything? The ironic thing was that she'd actually taken him seriously many times in the past. ---- Over the next few days, Madeline packed her things when Timothy was out of the house and had them sent back to Cyberton. Almost as soon as she saw that they'd been delivered, her phone rang. It was a call from her father, James Carlton. Madeline's parents had moved to Cyberton when she'd been in college, but she'd stayed in Gremlich to be with Timothy. Judging from how quickly the phone call had come, she could imagine how panicked James was. He probably had a ton of questions for her. She answered the call and muddled her way through with a few excuses. In the end, she said, " Dad, I'm being transferred for work. I might not be able to see you and Mom for a long time, so... take good care of yourselves." James was silent for a long time after hearing that. Then, he said, "I'll support you in everything you do as long as it makes you happy." ---- Madeline thought he would tell her off for being willful, so his support came as a surprise. She suddenly remembered that the only time he'd berated her was when she wanted to give up on her studies to go abroad to look for Timothy. Her nose prickled, and her heart warmed. " Thanks, Dad." "Scientific research is no easy work, and the conditions will be much tougher than in Cyberton or Gremlich. Make sure you're well-prepared. When are you leaving?" James asked. "The paperwork's done, so I'm just waiting for my superiors to give me the green light. I might leave at any moment," Madeline said. Timothy's familiar voice came from behind her as soon as the words were out of her mouth. "You're leaving? Where are you going?" She turned to see him standing not too far away and frowning at her. This was the first time he'd spoken to her in days. She didn't know how much he'd heard, so she quickly gave James a heads-up ---- before ending the call. She looked back at Timothy and said calmly, "It's for work. I'll be leaving for a business trip soon." His frown smoothed out. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" "You've been busy. I was going to do it once I was sure of the date." He didn't suspect a thing or ask any other questions. Instead, he said, "Well, I've wrapped up my work today, too. Let's eat together." Madeline curled her lip mockingly. She didn't even need to come up with an elaborate lie to trick him-he didn't care, anyway.