Chapter 12: Grayson Walked Away

Grayson took a seat beside Madison.

His large hand casually wrapped around her waist.

He wore a smile, though his eyes were cold. "What's this happy conversation? I'd like to hear it, too."

Madison smiled. "Nicholas mentioned your first love's return."

Grayson let out a light chuckle and didn't bite, then asked, "So that's why you're smiling so brightly, Madison?"

Madison felt suffocated, but there was nothing else she could do except smile. There was no way she would cry and scream about why he could love his first romance but not her. She was self-aware enough to know better.

"I was just happy for you," she said.

Grayson's demeanor was cold. "Well, I should really thank you for your thoughtfulness," he said dryly.

Madison pressed her lips tightly together, saying no more.

Nicholas watched the two of them spar and couldn't help but chuckle. "Hey, Grayson, when your first love comes back, give me a heads-up. I'll take Madison off your hands then. That wouldn't be stealing your girl, right?"

A chill smile crept onto Grayson's brooding face. "Oh? Did you two work something out?"

"Absolutely not!" Madison quickly denied it.

Perhaps Nicholas wouldn't care whether Grayson was pleased or not, but she had to care.

"I've already turned down Nicholas just now."

Nicholas didn't seem bothered.

"Don't rush to reject, Madison. Sometimes, you never know which flavor you really like until you try it." Leaving that remark behind, Nicholas walked away.

Madison's face was as sour as could be. She suspected Nicholas was doing this out of spite. "Grayson, I really don't have those kinds of feelings for him."

Grayson swirled his drink, his expression unreadable.

"Isn't it just about the money with you? What's wrong with Nicholas then?"

Madison's smile was strained, hiding her bitterness. "Spending three years with you has raised my standards."

Her words didn't please Grayson. His gaze was dark and focused on her.

"Once your contract is up, Madison, you can be with whoever you want. But until then, I don't want to see any flirty glances or gestures with other men!"

Madison nodded stiffly.

In the latter half of the event, Grayson paid her no more attention. There were too many other people he had to deal with. And women kept arriving one after another.

Sitting in a corner, Madison felt exhausted to her core. The news about Grayson's first love had shaken her, no matter how much she tried to think it through. He was still the man she had loved for who knows how many years.

The dinner finally ended late at night.

As they left the Auction Hall, the driver was already waiting beside the car.

Grayson rarely used a driver. He preferred to drive himself. To be more accurate, he preferred everything under his thumb. The man's need for control was overwhelming. He loathed anything slipping through his fingers.

That was probably why Madison always figured Cupid's arrow had never hit Grayson. Love, after all, had a way of making people lose their grip.

She couldn't have been more wrong. He could probably handle losing control, but it depended on whom it was for.

The car was parked downstairs, and the driver left.

Grayson had had a few drinks and was now leaning back in the rear seat with his eyes closed, catching his breath.

"You okay?" Madison asked.

Without opening his eyes, Grayson reached out, yanked her shawl away, turned his head, and bit her on the shoulder.

"Umm..." A soft grunt escaped Madison as she endured the sharp pain and spoke, "Grayson, I'll go up and make you some soup."

However, Grayson grabbed her waist, pulling her fiercely into his embrace. "Enjoy your chat with Nicholas that much?"

Madison stiffened. "No, I didn't."

"Then, why were you laughing so happily with him?"

"It was just basic politeness," Madison replied, her voice laced with bitterness.

Grayson chuckled softly. "You must really know your manners, then."

Madison fell silent. Like a release, his lips found her shoulder again and then her chest. The million-dollar dress, worn just once, was now irreparably torn by Grayson.

"Grayson, can we not do this tonight?"

"Why? Because of Nicholas? You want to save yourself for him?" Grayson taunted, pinching her chin.

It dawned on Madison just then how much those few words exchanged with Nicholas had bothered this man. It was laughable, really. He didn't love her, yet he seemed possessed by a wild desire to own her. It may be a common flaw among men.

A toy they might tire of but forbid anyone else's touch.

"I'm just a little tired. Can you be gentle?"

A sly smile curled on Grayson's lips. "You can beg me."

The car shook violently.

Madison, bearing the enthusiasm of this man, gently protected her stomach.

When it was over, he kindly carried her back. Curled in his arms, she drifted toward sleep.

Back at home, Grayson carried her straight into the bathroom. After cleaning her up, he tucked her into bed with care.

Madison felt a slight discomfort in her stomach, but Grayson seemed unfinished.

Bowing his head, his kisses descended once more, one after the other. Madison pushed him away gently. "I'm really tired today, Grayson."

However, Grayson wedged his knee between her legs, leaving no room for refusal.

Their passion was at its peak when his cell phone suddenly rang. Interruptions during such moments always irritated him. With a hint of impatience, he glanced at the phone, surprisingly neither angry nor hanging up.

He just seemed to lose interest abruptly. He stood up, slipped on a robe, and walked out with his phone. Madison lay in bed, her mind momentarily blank. She didn't know what she was thinking.

'Who would be calling Grayson at this hour? What could be so important?'

She also worried that they had been too rough.

Soon enough, Grayson was back. He went straight to the closet without wasting any time and got dressed in an instant. "I have to step out for a bit."

"Okay," Madison replied without even looking at him.

Just as he was about to leave, she asked, "Will you be back?"

"No, I won't." His response was curt.

"Grayson." Madison suddenly called out to him, fear creeping into her voice—fear for the baby in her womb, and the fear of being alone if anything were to happen.

Grayson's brows furrowed. "What is it?"

"Can you stay..." Before she could finish, his phone rang again.

"Let's talk about this later." He glanced at the caller ID but didn't answer, leaving just like that.

After Grayson left, Madison lay down and hugged her belly. She was avoiding something, she didn't want to think too much. She just prayed that nothing would happen to the baby.

However, prayers did nothing. Pain started to grip her lower abdomen, a pressing discomfort that weighed her down. She picked up her phone and called Amelia.

"You need to get Grayson to take you to the hospital! I'm on my way there now."

"He's not here. I'll take a cab."

"Where is he? Didn't you finish?"

Madison stayed silent for a moment. "I don't know, he left after."

Amelia exploded in anger. "God, I swear I could just castrate him!"