Chapter 32: He Can't Bear To Let You Go, Can He?

Madison snapped back from her reverie, dried off, and returned to the bedroom.

Grayson's phone was buzzing incessantly. After a series of pings and dings, someone was bombarding him with messages. Grayson glanced at it with irritation before making a call.

"Just send her home," he ordered.

From the other end came Nicholas's uncertain tone. "Grayson, Nora's drunk and won't stop calling out for you. She thinks you don't like her anymore. Did you guys fight?"

Grayson lit a cigarette and took a draw. "No."

Nora's temperament was headstrong and spoiled. She loved to be cuddled, frequently throwing tantrums to get his attention. What she had done earlier in the day was an example. She had been unwilling when he decided to leave, but he had insisted.

"You better come and get her," Nicholas said.

Grayson's brow furrowed. "If you're not going to take her, call her family to send a driver."

Nicholas continued with a probing tone, "Grayson, what are you busy with? Don't you even care about Nora?" There was a pause before he added, "You're not with Madison, are you? Grayson, have you dropped Nora for Madison?"

A flicker of darkness crossed Grayson's expression. "Who I'm with is my business. Make sure she gets back home," Grayson said firmly before hanging up.

He turned to face Madison. "Set things straight with Nathan tomorrow. If he really need a translator, we should hire one from outside. If he can't spare that much money, he shouldn't bother running a law firm."

Madison remained silent, her thoughts a mixture of conflict and restraint. She didn't want to push this side job away.

Money was one reason. Another was a tiny, unspoken hope that nestled within her. She hoped to reclaim her dreams one day, to be herself again. She did not want to be the Madison that Grayson spoke of, nor an accessory in the eyes of others, defined by her connection to Grayson.

"I want this job. There's nothing in our contract that says I can't take on side work."

Grayson chuckled. "So, you want to discuss the contract now? Perhaps we should also discuss your breaches of conduct recently."

Madison's heart skipped a beat. The original agreement they had signed had been detailed and particularly unforgiving toward her. In many small ways, her recent behavior had clashed with its terms. If it really came down to a legal battle, Grayson's team of lawyers would chew her up and spit out the bones.

"I didn't mean it that way, Grayson. I have no intentions beyond friendship with Nathan, and we've known each other for three years. He's never hinted at wanting more. You can trust me on that," she said, attempting to stand her ground.

Her insistence only made Grayson's expression sour further. Just then, his phone rang again. He cast a brief, irritated glance at Madison and muttered, "Do whatever you want," before turning to head into the bedroom.

A moment later, he emerged fully dressed for an outing and left without another glance in Madison's direction.

Madison lay alone in bed, pondering the likely reason for his departure—it must be something related to Nora. She couldn't quite describe her feelings. It was a discomfort tinged with an unsettling familiarity.

As for the matter with Nathan, she guessed he must have agreed.

*

Grayson arrived at the Royal Nightclub to find the place in full swing.

Nora had been drinking, but she wasn't drunk. Upon seeing Grayson enter, she scoffed and took a seat next to Nicholas.

Grayson didn't sit next to her, choosing instead a seat on the opposite side. Tears welled up in Nora's eyes when she saw he wouldn't come over.

"Grayson, come sit here. Why are you all the way over there?" she exclaimed.

Nicholas, witnessing the scene, hurriedly attempted to play peacemaker.

Grayson didn't bite. His mood was far from good.

Madison's stubbornness had even stirred a violent storm within him, but he forcefully pushed that feeling down. He didn't like losing control, and Madison was the last person he wanted to cause it.

He figured it was like a pet that had obeyed for too long, suddenly acting out, and it just didn't sit well with him. So, he didn't persist, letting Madison go.

It was up to her now. As long as she didn't tarnish her reputation during the contract period, he didn't care.

Holding an unlit cigarette, Grayson's inscrutable gaze ignored Nicholas and was especially dismissive of Nora.

Eyes darted around the room. It was clear that there was trouble in paradise.

This time, Nora was genuinely hurt. She stood up and headed for the door.

Nicholas quickly pulled her back and pushed her toward Grayson.

Nora was the picture of dejection.

"Are you upset because I made her drink?" she inquired.

Grayson glanced up, meeting her gaze. "If you know it might anger me, then don't do it again."

Nora pouted. "I didn't mean anything by it—I just felt I needed to apologize for holding up work."

"Uh-huh," Grayson uttered noncommittally. He wasn't about to hold a grudge against Nora over Madison.

"Just," he said, "it's getting late. I'll have someone take you home. It's not good for a girl to be out so late." His voice was as gentle as always.

Nora finally cracked a smile. "Okay."

After Nora left, Nicholas took a seat next to Grayson. "What's going on with you? Nora's back. Aren't you going to make up with her?"

Grayson lit his cigarette without looking up. "Mind your own business."

Nicholas chuckled. "I'm just worried about you." Pausing, he added, "You're not hung up on Madison, are you?"

Grayson took a drag and didn't answer, but Nicholas took his silence as confirmation. "Grayson, don't be a fool. Madison is the type you just have fun with. Don't catch feelings—that's trouble. In her eyes, there's nothing but money," Nicholas warned.

With a puff of smoke, Grayson let out a faint laugh. "You seem to know her pretty well."

Nicholas clicked his tongue. "Well, I did chase her for over a year. If I had known that money was the way to her heart, I would've made my offer sooner instead of seriously courting her for so long."

Grayson glanced at him. "You could keep chasing her, or maybe just up the ante and see if she goes for it."

Nicholas smirked. "How about we make a bet on whether I can get a date with her?"

Grayson replied lazily. "Suit yourself."

Nicholas chuckled. "What if I actually do get a date with her, huh?"

Grayson leaned back on the couch, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and let out a soft chuckle, his eyes flicking toward him. "If you pull it off, then she's all yours."

*

Madison hadn't seen Grayson in two days. He was neither at the office nor at home. She didn't overthink it and just carried on with her routine.

On the weekend, after getting up and ready, she headed straight to the hospital. Amelia performed an ultrasound for her.

"The fetal heartbeat is there. As for the signs of a possible miscarriage..." Amelia looked a bit helpless but understood Madison's condition. "Anyway, you'll have to be more careful. Avoid strain if you can. If you must, make sure he's gentle, not so..."

"All right, all right, I got it." Madison quickly nodded, stopping Amelia from continuing. "So, has the threat of miscarriage been reduced?"

Amelia nodded. "It's better than last time. The medication seems to be working."

Madison let out a small sigh of relief.

Amelia regarded her, "His old flame is back, isn't she? Why does he still keep you close?"

"Maybe he's using me to provoke Nora." That was the only reason Madison could think of.

These days, she had heard bits about Grayson's dealings with Nora. Rumor had it that Nora was the one who dumped Grayson. With his temperament, he wouldn't have easily agreed to reconcile if he was the one who was dumped. This ongoing tension with Nora was the very reason he kept her around.

A flicker passed through Amelia's eyes. "You don't think he might actually not want to let you go?"