Chapter 33: I'm Thinking of Leaving Grayson

Amelia's words took Madison by surprise. She laughed dryly. "How can that be?"

Anyone who had seen Grayson with Nora couldn't possibly say such a thing. The only person in the world he might have trouble letting go of was surely Nora. His tenderness had always been reserved for Nora alone.

"Why is it impossible?" Amelia was still holding her ground.

Madison didn't press further and deftly changed the subject. "We haven't had dinner together in ages. What do you feel like eating? It's on me."

Sure enough, the mention of food diverted Amelia's attention. "Let me think about it."

She eventually chose a trendy restaurant.

As the pair chatted and laughed their way into the restaurant, they didn't expect to bump into Nicholas, who a girl accompanied. When Nicholas saw Madison enter, his gaze flickered briefly.

Madison ignored Nicholas, guiding Amelia into the restaurant toward a table far from his sight. After they sat down, Amelia excused herself to the restroom.

Nicholas seized the moment and sat down where Amelia had been. "Fancy seeing you here, Madison."

Madison's eyes stayed on the menu, not even bothering to look up. "It's not by chance, Nicholas. Pretend you didn't see me."

Nicholas offered a wry smile. "Why are you pushing me away, Madison?"

Madison finally lifted her gaze to meet his. "We walk different paths, Nicholas. You know that."

"How are they different? We used to get along so well."

Madison felt a headache coming on. Nicholas was a close friend of Grayson's. She and Nicholas used to get along reasonably well. However, ever since her ties with Grayson became the topic of conversation, Nicholas seemed to show his true colors.

Her gaze fell. She had a hunch about what was going through his mind. If she was deemed a good girl, he might not mind pursuing her.

But if she was someone who would sleep with a man for money...

Then, he had no qualms about revealing his true nature. He would shamelessly chase her while insulting her—a perverse enjoyment.

It was a trait shared amongst these elite playboys.

He was treating her like a plaything. She was scorning her perceived lowliness. All the while she was reveling in her discomfort.

"Sorry, Nicholas, but I think we've got nothing left to discuss."

The intensity in Nicholas's eyes shifted. "Don't you want to know what happened between Grayson and Nora last night?"

Madison froze momentarily. Truth was, after Grayson had left that night, she had tossed and turned in bed for hours before finding sleep. She kept telling herself not to think about it, but the thoughts came unbidden—uncontrollable.

"I don't want to know, and you don't need to tell me."

Nicholas looked at her with disdain. "Do you think avoiding it will solve things, Madison? You denied it the last time when I accused you of moving in on someone else's turf, but deep down, do you really think that's not true?

"Grayson always shows up at events with Nora, proud and out in the open. Will he do the same with you? Although they aren't back together yet, everyone knows they were an item. They're out in the open about it.

"And you? How many people has Grayson let in on your little secret? Madison, you're always the one in the shadows."

Nicholas's words were sharp and painful, yet every single one rang true. Madison felt as if her heart had been pierced by his words, acting as if it were going numb.

She forced a stiff smile. "So what?" she asked.

Nicholas let out a laugh. "So why do you keep hanging around him?"

Madison laughed dryly. "Because of money, of course."

Looking at Nicholas, she said, "You know it too, don't you? I'm his kept lover. I'm not after his heart. I'd have to be out of my mind to think that."

Nicholas raised an eyebrow. "Well, if it's all about the money, why latch onto him alone? I've told you, my offer won't be any lower than his. Madison, just try it with me or set your own price. What do you say?"

Madison's grip on the menu tightened. "Is that so? Even if I named my price, would you really take Grayson's castoff?"

Nicholas's smile grew more unrestrained. "You don't need to worry about that, Madison. Grayson said if I could afford to take you out, then you're mine for the taking."

Madison felt a buzz in her head, her complexion turning ghostly pale. Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, she forced another smile. "When did he say that?"

She wondered if it was during a recent spat with Grayson. Despite his cold demeanor, he had a strong possessive streak. Announcing her intention to leave would surely have irked him. It would be typical for him to say such a thing in anger.

Just like at the club that time, when he said she could go with Nicholas if she wanted. But in the next instant, Nicholas shattered her last shred of hope.

"Just a couple of days ago, I told him I was still interested in you, and he said to go after you, even reminding me to bid high."

The edge of the menu was sharp. As she clenched it, a red gash appeared on her hand, beads of blood starting to emerge. But Madison seemed oblivious to the pain.

Gripping the menu firmly, she mustered the last of her dignity and managed a feeble smile for Nicholas. "You must've forgotten I'm a picky eater," Madison said with clear refusal and disdain, which Nicholas brushed off with indifference.

Suddenly, he leaned in, invading her personal space. "Madison, you still have the luxury to name your price. Once Grayson kicks you to the curb, you'll be nothing but a plaything anyone can toss around, and by then, you'll be worthless."

After delivering his harsh reality check, Nicholas sat back, smirking at Madison. "So, I'd advise you to start looking for your next sugar daddy while you still has some value. I'm waiting for your offer." With those final words, Nick rose and left.

Madison's gaze dropped to the menu, stained red with her blood. The cut on her finger was fine but alarmingly deep. Though the bleeding had stopped, the pain was heartfelt.

Grayson's possessiveness had always been there, but lately, it had become blatantly obvious. She had thought that even if there wasn't love, three years of being together might have fostered some affection. However, she had overestimated her importance. In his eyes, she was still nothing.

Amelia returned from the restroom, chatting non-stop about how chic the restaurant's decor was—until she noticed Madison's pallor.

"What's wrong? You look terrible," she asked.

Madison collected herself, giving Amelia a small smile. "It's nothing, just a careless cut."

Amelia's brows knitted in concern, "How can you be so careless? You're almost a mom. Shouldn't you be taking better care of yourself?"

Madison quickly covered Amelia's mouth. "Shh, do you want the whole place to know I'm pregnant?"

Their table, though at some distance from Nicholas's, was still within the small restaurant's confines.

Amelia rolled her eyes. "Unbelievable, having to be so cautious just because you're pregnant."

While grumbling, Amelia examined Madison's wound. "It doesn't seem too serious. Just be more careful from now on."

Madison nodded with a smile. "Got it, nag."

The meal proceeded distractedly. It wasn't until they left the restaurant that Amelia grabbed Madison's arm.

"What's really going on with you today? Don't tell me it's about the cut—I'm not blind. Did Grayson do something again?"

Madison paused, then let out a humorless laugh. "Amelia, I'm thinking of leaving Grayson."