Chapter 42: Save Our Children

As soon as Madison stepped out of the police station, she received a call from Amelia.

"Were you hurt lsst night?"

With a light laugh, Madison responded, "Yeah, but it's nothing serious. Don't worry about me."

"Gosh, you scared the hell out of me, you know that? I just read this crazy rumor online. Is it about Nora's fans?"

"Yeah," Madison said, a self-deprecating laugh escaping her lips, "They're saying I sabotaged Nora's relationship with Grayson, and I deserved a lesson."

"That's a load of crap! Who wrecked whom, exactly? Does Nora have anything with Grayson now? Didn't Grayson admit they are history? She's got nothing to do with him anymore, so what's there to sabotage? And you, you've been with Grayson for three years. You even have a kid on the way. Who's the real homewrecker here?"

Madison's heart was filled with bitterness. "What can I do when my name isn't out in the open, and my words carry no weight?"

Amelia choked up a bit. "And Nora is? She's just as illegitimate. What makes her any better? No one should be throwing stones!"

Madison couldn't help but laugh at her friend's anger. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine."

"And the baby? Come over and let me do an ultrasound for you."

Madison's lips curved into a faint smile. "I had one at the hospital last night. The doctor said everything's fine."

Amelia finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness the baby's okay. If anything happened, I'd make Nora pay."

"Relax, the baby's fine, still doing well." Madison paused, then added, "And this whole mess is not Nora's fault."

"Hah, you think I'd believe that?" Amelia scoffed. "There's no way this isn't related to Nora."

Madison just smiled. She, too, was well aware that Nora must be connected to this somehow.

"But there's no proof. I just left the police station. They've already closed the case."

Grayson's stance was very clear. She had insisted that the incident had nothing to do with Nora and that no apology was needed, yet that man still offered her compensation. It couldn't be more clear. He wanted her to take the money and let the matter drop.

"Damn it!" Amelia cursed again, "Mark my words, Madison, Nora will get her comeuppance someday. You wait!"

Madison stayed silent, just offering a smile. She glanced at a man standing by a car nearby, taking a phone call.

The man was tall and striking in his perfectly tailored suit. With a hand casually tucked into his pocket, this simplest gesture became debonair and suave through him.

Madison smiled wryly. She wasn't sure if Nora would get her just deserts, but she knew that with Grayson valuing Nora so much, even if retribution were staring her in the face, Grayson would likely shield her with every bit of his power.

Talk of karmic retribution.

If anyone actually faced the cosmic payback they deserved, it wouldn't be just Nora. Peter would be the first in line.

Over the years, Madison had harbored a certain bitterness toward Peter. If it weren't for his heartless betrayal all those years ago, her mother might not have ended up in such a state.

...

After ending the call, Madison let out a sigh of relief and started walking toward Grayson.

Grayson raised an eyebrow as he saw her approaching, wrapped up his call with a quick two-liner, and then disconnected. "Let's head out. We need to swing by the hospital for a dressing change, and later, Owen will bring the lawyer to discuss the other matters."

Madison nodded in agreement. Just as she was about to speak, she caught a blur of movement from the corner of her eye.

Instinctively, she attempted to dodge, but the figure was too fast. Before she could react, she was shoved with brute force.

Madison was on the steps outside the police station. Pushed forcefully, she tumbled down the concrete stairs.

"Madison, watch out!" Grayson's voice rang out in alarm, too late to prevent the fall—as he could only watch Madison roll down.

A staff member from the police station rushed forward, restraining the assailant.

"It's all your fault, witch! You destroyed my daughter, and I will fight you for this! Why? Why wouldn't you forgive my daughter? She's just a child!" The man's voice was laden with anger.

However, Madison was beyond the reach of his words. The only thing she was acutely aware of was the pain. The pain was throbbing in her abdomen was so intense it left her breathless.

"Madison?" Grayson was by her side in moments, his brow furrowing instantly as he saw her pallor. "Are you okay?"

Madison clutched Grayson's hand.

"My stomach is killing me. We need to get to the hospital!"

Grayson's eyes narrowed slightly as he lifted her and strode toward the exit.

Glancing back at the attacker, he spoke firmly, "To think someone would dare commit assault right in front of the police station—I expect this to be thoroughly investigated."

Sweat broke out on the staff member's forehead as he hurriedly responded, "Mr. Grayson, rest assured, we will get to the bottom of this."

With that, the staff member handcuffed the man.

The reality of the situation hit the man like a ton of bricks.

"I only shoved her a little, that's all—a classic case of her trying to play the victim, to frame me. That woman has an evil mind. It was just a shove! There's surveillance. Everyone here can vouch for me. She's the one who ruined my daughter, and now she's out to get me! Madison, you wicked woman, you deserve every bit of karma for being 'the other woman'!" The man continued to rant.

Seeing this, a staff member at the police station hastily escorted him inside. "Shut your mouth! Regardless, you pushed her!"

Owen, who had just arrived with his lawyer, saw Grayson carrying Madison out of the building.

"What happened here? What's wrong with Madison?"

Grayson glanced at him but said nothing, walking swiftly to his car parked at the curb.

A few steps away, Grayson's expression grew darker. Madison, pale as a ghost with not a hint of color on her cheeks, had beads of sweat forming at her temple.

His brows were furrowed, his voice icy as he said, "Madison, you better tell me the truth. What exactly happened?"

Madison clung tightly to Grayson's clothing. "The baby, Grayson, I'm sorry, I'm pregnant. I didn't mean for this to happen. Please, you have to save our child. I'm begging you."

As Madison's voice faded away, Grayson's face set into an even grimmer expression. He rushed her to the car, placed her in the passenger seat, and slammed the door shut. The vehicle sped off like an arrow released from its bow.

Madison leaned against the seat, shivering all over. The pain in her abdomen was like being twisted by a knife. She knew the chances were high that she couldn't save this baby. The pain in her heart was suffocating.

It seemed like she and this child were never meant to be. She was doing everything she could to keep this baby.

No.

Even harboring a sliver of hope, she refused to give up.

She wanted to keep this baby. She wanted to be a mother. She genuinely wanted this child. This was the child she and Grayson created. This was the only child she would ever have in her life.

"Grayson, if it's possible, can I keep this baby?" Madison's pale hand clutched Grayson's. "I want this child. You don't have to take responsibility—I can raise it myself, Grayson, please."

She had never expected Grayson to take responsibility for the child. She just hoped that if the baby could be saved, Grayson would agree to let her have it. Even if it meant that she and the child would never appear before him again.

Her eyes brimmed with a desperate plea, reddened with emotion. She wanted this child with every fiber of her being.

Grayson's profile was set in stone. His brows frosted over with an icy resolve.

With one hand, he gently but firmly held Madison's, his voice soothing yet laced with a chilling finality. "Madison, a child not blessed by their parents should never exist," he declared.