Chapter 14: Bringing the Child into the World

Madison had no interest in parading herself before them, nor did she have any affection for the name Lily. As long as they stopped giving her trouble, she was content to stay out of their lives forever.

It wasn't until three years ago when her mother was in a terrible car accident and urgently needed surgery, that she found herself desperately seeking help from Peter. That encounter had revealed Peter's true cold-hearted nature to her.

After that, she cut all ties with the McMahon family. She would only occasionally see Nora's name on television or stumble upon it on Twitter. Nora had made her debut abroad four years ago.

Though she had not returned home in those four years, she had earned a reputation back home for her beauty and had even been dubbed "America's sweetheart" because of her stunning looks.

When Madison got home, she crashed into bed and fell asleep. In her dreams, she was back on that beach. The seaside during winter was brutally cold, and the wind blew fiercely. The windows of the Seaside Villa howled in the gusts.

Nora was screaming at her over a lost bracelet, demanding she find it.

Madison remembered that bracelet well. It was a beautifully crafted piece with diamonds, a birthday gift Peter had given to Nora. Nora had taken many pictures with it. It was truly a shame it was lost.

Yet, Madison didn't look for it.

Out in the pitch-black night, with the wind raging and the waves crashing, searching for it would have been a death wish.

Nora's roar echoed through the villa.

Peter summoned Madison to the study. "I heard your mother just landed a decent job recently?"

Despite her naivety back then, Madison instantly understood the threat in his words. She asked him, "What do you want with me today? Is this about celebrating my birthday, or is it meant to be the end of me?"

Peter's face darkened instantly. Having no wish to argue further, Madison made her way downstairs and headed for the beach.

Ethan was always drinking, and their financial support depended solely on her mother. Charlotte would often make life difficult for her mother.

It was only recently that her mother managed to find stable work. Not wanting to see her mother jobless again, Madison begrudgingly conceded.

However, she did not expect to run into that boy at the beach again. She wanted to ask him why he hadn't come looking for her. She wanted to know if he still remembered her.

But his cold gaze and unfamiliar eyes seemed to answer everything.

That day, she swallowed all her words. Even when they ended up being together for three years, Madison never brought up that past again.

*

Waking up the next day, her phone was silent. Grayson hadn't called her back.

Madison mustered her strength, got ready, and went to the office. When she arrived at the office, Sophia practically sprinted over to her, filled with excitement.

"Let me guess, more juicy gossip?" Gossip always spread like wildfire in the workplace. Madison smiled at Sophia's eagerness.

Sophia nodded. "Hey, boss, have you ever met Grayson's first love?"

Madison paused, taken aback that rumors about Grayson's first love had already made their way into the company so quickly.

"What?" She feigned ignorance.

"The talk of the office is Grayson's first love, you hadn't heard? Apparently, she just got back from abroad."

Madison forced a grin. "Really? And who might Grayson's first love be?"

Sophia shook her head. "No idea, Grayson is keeping it under wraps. I only saw something on Twitter this morning about Grayson's sweetheart returning to the States and how he escorted them late into the night. But when I checked again, those tweets were gone. Grayson probably had them pulled, but plenty of people had already seen them. Now, the news is all over the place."

'Was this why Grayson was called away last night?' A wave of pain coursed through Madison's heart.

Unconsciously, her hand grazed her belly. She thought if Grayson's first love had indeed returned, it meant that it was time for her to move on. She wondered if this meant she could leave and have this baby.

Madison's gaze fixated on her belly, lost in thought. Whatever Sophia said next, she didn't hear. Her mind was a complete mess.

"Boss?"

Madison snapped back to reality, quickly composing herself. "It's working hours, let's drop the gossip. Careful, or Grayson might deal with you."

Sophia stuck out her tongue and returned to her desk. Madison forced herself to focus on work.

Come noon, there was a knock on her door. "Boss, Grayson wants to see you."

*

The door to Grayson's office was slightly ajar. Just as she approached, she overheard Grayson's voice coming from within, softer than she had ever heard before. Madison didn't even know the man was capable of such gentleness.

An executive approached. "Madison, Grayson said to come in when you arrive."

Collecting her emotions, she nodded and pushed the door open.

"If you're tired, take a rest. Stop running around, all right? I've got to go. I'm busy with work. Bye." Grayson ended the call and glanced over at Madison, loosely tugging at his tie. He set his phone aside, directing his gaze at her. "Was there something you needed when you called last night?"

Madison looked back at him, her resolve wavering. She decided not to tell Grayson. Once he reconciled with his high school sweetheart, she would be free to leave. By then, she could have the baby.

"Just feeling a bit under the weather," she said.

Grayson let out a light chuckle. "Here, I thought you were just going to miss me."

Madison fell silent for a moment. "I know when to keep my distance."

Grayson nodded, feeling reassured. "That's wise. You are sensible." He paused, then asked, "So, what's been bothering you?"

"Just a stomachache. I went to the hospital last night."

Grayson frowned slightly. "The stomachache again?"

Observing her slightly pale complexion, Grayson reached out, pulling her close, his hand resting on her abdomen.

"Does it still hurt? Should I arrange for a doctor to check you out properly?"

Madison shook her head. "No need, the pain's gone. If you don't need anything, Grayson, I think I'll head back."

Grayson let her go. "No rush, stay for lunch with me. We've got an errand this afternoon."

As the words left his mouth, his secretary knocked and entered, holding a delivery from Grayson's favorite diner.

"I'm not feeling well; please find someone else to accompany you," Madison insisted.

Having had an episode just the night before, she hadn't fully stabilized. Although she can't rest completely, she was meant to keep her exertion to a minimum.

Grayson's eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you think you have a choice, Madison?"

"My health isn't the best right now."

"I can find a doctor for that." Grayson paused. "Madison, please take your job seriously."