Late Blooms, Early Goodbyes

After dinner, Regina had invited Tristan back to her place for a drink. However, he turned her down.

He felt a twinge of guilt but figured a bit of sweet talk would be enough to pacify Madeline. What he didn't expect was for her to completely ignore him.

Fury surged through him, and he snapped, "It's Regina's birthday. I took Annabelle to celebrate with her, and you had the nerve to follow us? You've really outdone yourself. How shameless can you be?"

Even then, Madeline didn't spare Tristan a glance. She just thought he was ridiculous and completely rotted from the inside out.

He was the one tangled up with another woman, yet somehow, he managed to twist things around and make it her fault. If blame-shifting were an art form, he had perfected it.

Tristan's brow furrowed as he stared at her.

In the past, all it took was a flicker of displeasure from him, and Madeline would immediately apologize. Even if it were his fault, he would lash out without reason. That was how he kept her in check.

But now, that trick didn't work anymore.

The change in her demeanor rattled him. He couldn't put his finger on it, but it left him increasingly irritable.

"How many times do I have to say it? Regina and I are just friends!" Tristan barked. "There's nothing going on between us. Can you just focus on your own life and stop obsessing over mine?"

Madeline still didn't look at him. Her voice was quiet as she replied, "You're right. I really should start focusing on myself."

Her words pushed him over the edge. He was convinced she was giving him the silent treatment, making passive-aggressive remarks on purpose.

Enraged, he swept the fruit bowl and glasses off the coffee table, sending everything crashing to the floor.

But Madeline didn't even flinch. Her eyes remained fixed on the TV.

Tristan's fists clenched, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"I'm out there working day and night, while you sit at home living like a pampered housewife! What more do you want? If it weren't for Annabelle needing a mother, I would've divorced you a long time ago!"

It was his usual game. He gaslighted her at every turn.

"I've already made myself clear. I don't care, and I'm not angry," Madeline said flatly.

To Tristan, it felt like punching a pillow. No matter how furious he got, it didn't do a thing.

Still, he was convinced she was just putting on a show. Whatever she truly felt didn't matter to him. There was no way he'd let this slide.

"You're going to apologize to Regina in person," he ordered. "Ask for her forgiveness. Otherwise, you can keep sleeping in the yard!"

Having said that, he stormed upstairs.

Madeline stayed on the couch, unfazed. She felt neither sorrow nor anger—just a quiet sense of calm.

Right then, Annabelle came running down the stairs. She stood before Madeline and said, "You made Daddy mad again. You're so ugly! You don't deserve him. I want Regina to be my mommy. Just leave already!"

Madeline looked at her calmly. A moment later, a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Don't worry. Your beloved Regina will be your mom soon enough."

Without another word, she turned and walked toward the yard.

She had just reached the door when Annabelle shouted after her, "I want mac and cheese! With extra cheese. Go make it for me now!"

Madeline ignored her. "Ask Regina to make it for you."

Behind her, Annabelle screamed the vilest insults imaginable. The words were so vicious that it was hard to believe they came from a six-year-old.

But now, Madeline was past caring. She was done with the child. However Annabelle turned out, it was no longer her concern.

And with that, there was no reason to care about any of it anymore.

…

In the days that followed, Tristan stayed away just like before, taking Annabelle with him. This was his way of making Madeline suffer.

Before leaving, he had made it crystal clear that unless she apologized to Regina, he and Annabelle wouldn't be coming back.

Madeline had nearly laughed out loud. If anything, she was eager to stay as far away from them as possible. She had no intention of wasting another second on them.

That night, Regina sent her another video.

In it, she was on her bed, massaging Tristan's bare back. There was no need for words. The video said it all.

Regina wanted to provoke Madeline by implying she couldn't even hold on to her own husband.

Madeline ignored it and silenced her phone. She didn't want to be disturbed.

Meanwhile, Tristan, who rarely posted on Instagram, suddenly started sharing heartfelt updates. Clearly, he couldn't wait to flaunt his new relationship.

Seeing all that, Madeline thought it was amusing. Just a little longer, and she'd be free.

…

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, only two days remained.

With Tristan and Annabelle out of her head, Madeline found herself with ample time. She was finally free to do whatever she wanted.

Back then, Tristan always tore her down, acting like she brought nothing to the table. But when the company was just starting out, she was the one who went out and closed the big deals.

Once the business took off and she got pregnant, she gave everything up to be a housewife.

Madeline owned a third of the company's shares. So, she needed to take care of everything before leaving. The equity was her safety net.

While she mentally sorted through her exit plan, Tristan returned with Annabelle in tow.