"Congratulations, Mrs. Nelson, your blood test results show that you're seven weeks pregnant. My prescription is that you should take care to rest, eat an enriched diet, start taking folic acid, and come in for regular check-ups."
Unconsciously, Madison Nelson’s hands went to her abdomen on hearing the doctor's words, finding it incredible that a new life was already growing within her.
She had been feeling a bit nauseous and lacking in appetite lately, suspecting that it was just her gastritis flaring up, and had intended to get some medication from the hospital. She had never imagined that she was actually pregnant.
With her lab results, Madison left the hospital, still undecided about whether to tell Matthew Nelson. She took out her phone, opened the profile photo that she had etched into her mind, and then closed it again. She sat on the edge of the flower bed by the hospital entrance, dilly-dallying and undecided.
Three years ago, as her grandfather was seriously ill, she brought him to the city for treatment and met another elderly man at the hospital. It turned out that her grandpa and the gentleman were war buddies, and the latter had once saved her grandpa's life. This man was Matthew's grandfather, William Nelson. The two old soldiers had been out of touch for many years and were very excited to see each other again. At that time, her grandpa's illness had become grave, and worried about leaving her alone, he entrusted her to William. It took only a look for William to find Madison suitable as a good wife for his grandson, he quickly procured his grandson Matthew to legally marry her. And soon afterward, her grandfather passed on.
She blushed and gently nodded when Matthew's grandpa asked her if she wanted to marry Matthew. Yes, she liked Matthew, and she didn't know when it started—maybe from their first encounter in the hospital when he opened the ward's door; the sunlight gave him a defined frame, paving way for his chiseled features, while the depth of his eyes displayed a hint of sharpness, stunningly handsome...
She had assumed at that period that Matthew’s decision to marry her was his own choice, but now, she realized that he was compelled by his grandfather, and he felt he had no choice but to consent.
So, their marriage was actually one of convenience. Three years ago, the night before they made it official, Matthew handed her a contract to sign.
"You must be dying to marry me, to go through the trouble of crying, making scenes, and threatening despair. Since you want this so badly, I’ll grant you the title of the lady of the Nelson family, but I apologize in advance, I have nothing more to give you. After three years, we'll get a divorce."
Thus, the agreement stipulated a divorce after three years, and they were not to have children. After the divorce, the villa they lived together in would go to Madison, along with a substantial "separation fee."
It was only when she received the contract that Madison realized she was the only one who had wanted to get married. At that moment, she didn't scrutinize the agreement's contents. Not wanting to let him see her dismay and to avoid further embarrassment, she quickly signed her name and handed it to Matthew.
The following day, the two successfully picked up their marriage certificate without a ceremony. They simply held the documents in their hands.
"Madison, I'm sorry there won’t be a wedding right now," William told her. Even though Matthew had agreed to get married, he was adamant about not having a ceremony. It was unfair to Madison.
"It's okay, Grandpa. I understand," Madison said to William in a soft tone.
After the marriage, the couple moved into Matthew's private villa. Matthew was quite passionate about invasion of his space so no domestic help was employed. Madison didn't work and spent her days cooking at home, waiting for Matthew to return. However, most of the time Matthew didn't come home, and Madison found herself dining alone.
Their first year together passed uneventfully, with the couple sleeping in separate rooms. On weekends, they would go together to the family home to have a meal. Matthew's dad and mom had died in a plane crash when he was a child. It was heartbreaking for William to outlive his offspring, and he nearly didn't make it through that period. At the time, Matthew was just beginning middle school and was already mature. From then on, the once cheerful boy became quiet and brooding. Thankfully, with Matthew in his life, William found the strength to continue. He raised Matthew who went on to be very successful, founding his own company after graduation, becoming the pride of his grandpa.
As a busy boss, Matthew's schedule was packed. Madison would often spend time with William on her own. She always felt a sense of kinship toward William, as though he were her real grandfather.
The changes might have started a year after they got married. One evening, Matthew came home very late, heavily intoxicated. A driver had brought him back, and Madison hurried to support him, helping the driver to carry him to the master bedroom—a place she exclusively used to sleep in. With the driver present, she didn't want to expose their true circumstances.
Once Matthew was on the bed and the driver had left, Madison began to undress him. As she exposed his chest, she felt her face uncontrollably flush with heat. She was just about to leave when suddenly her hand was grasped, causing her to lose balance and fall onto him. Matthew held her tightly and pleaded, "Don't leave me." Madison was tense and unsure of what to do when suddenly Matthew rolled over, reversing their positions. He looked at her with a bewildered gaze for a few seconds, his handsome face taking on an almost childish expression due to the alcohol. Then, he kissed her unexpectedly, leaving Madison's mind utterly blank as she passively let the man above her have his way.
The next morning, anxious about the awkwardness of facing him, Madison got up early despite the discomfort between her legs. After taking a shower and preparing breakfast, Matthew finally emerged from the room.
"About last night…"
"Just eat your breakfast," she cut him off, knowing the previous night was an accident and not wanting to hear anything else that would be upsetting.
The two sat down and ate their breakfast in silence.
"We need to get some medicine later," Matthew eventually spoke.
Madison looked up at him.
"We can't have children," he said, offering a rare explanation.
"I know, I'll go get it," Madison replied, feeling a pang of pain in her heart, but she maintained a slight smile on her face.
From that point on, the way they interacted seemed to change, evolving from strangers living under the same roof after their marriage to a couple who don't speak of love.
They shared a room and a bed and led a normal marital life, though he would only embrace her from behind when he returned late. He would text her to inform her whether he would come home for dinner or not, and their visits to the old residence became more frequent. Grandpa was getting on in years and was naturally eager to hold a great-grandchild, often inquiring about when they would have a child and urging them on, especially since they were approaching their third wedding anniversary.
Ding! A message alert interrupted Madison's reflections.
"I won't be home for dinner tonight." It was a message from Matthew.
"Okay." Thinking of his poor stomach, Madison replied and added another message, "Don't drink too much."
Without waiting for a response, Madison still hadn't told Matthew about her pregnancy. Although they seemed to have grown quite close over the past two years, she knew that he had never professed his love for her. He didn't love her. That's why she felt very doubtful, but one thing she was sure of—she was going to keep the child.
On an evening when Matthew didn’t return home, Madison decided to visit William Nelson at the old residence. She hadn't been feeling well, so hadn't visited for some time.