Chapter 43: Miscarriage

Even now, he refused to offer her a glimmer of hope.

He didn't want the child. His stance had been unwavering from the start. His simple and decisive answer cut through her hope like a sharp blade.

Madison's grip on Grayson's hand gradually relaxed. "I'm sorry," she murmured so softly it was almost a whisper.

It was unclear who she was apologizing to—maybe it was to Grayson, or maybe it was to her unborn child. Perhaps, it was even to herself.

"I'm sorry."

She closed her eyes as a tear silently traced its way down her cheek. At that moment, she couldn't tell which was hurting more—her body or her heart.

All she felt was the creeping cold enveloping her while a warm trickle flowed down below. Madison's lips turned a shade paler. It was as if something was quietly slipping away.

Grayson's hand gripped the steering wheel tightly.

He felt her hand slipping away from his palm, leaving an uncomfortable emptiness. He instinctively clenched his hand into a fist, his knuckles standing out.

Speeding down Cullinan Avenue, they approached the hospital.

It was only when he lifted Madison from the car that he felt the dampness. A stark red blur assaulted his vision.

Grayson had grown up in the shadows.

Nothing ever seemed to rattle him until now, when he found it hard to breathe. He rushed Madison into the emergency room.

After handing her over to the doctors, he stared blankly at his hands that were stained red.

Owen hurried into the hospital shortly after. The sight of the blood on Grayson's hands left him frozen. "Madison..."

Grayson glanced at him, his face void of emotion. "She must have miscarried." His voice was low.

Owen stood dumbfounded, unable to utter a word.

"Madison was pregnant?"

Grayson's brow creased slightly, but he offered no answer.

"Just stay here. I need to wash my hands."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Owen couldn't see the expression on his face, but he could feel the icy aura emanating from him.

Grayson had just washed his hands in the restroom. Witnessing the blood-tainted water spiraling down the drain, a wave of frustration suddenly overcame him, and he slammed his fist against the sink counter.

After a moment, he took a deep breath, turned off the tap, and pulled two paper towels to dry his hands. The man in the mirror had a furrowed brow and dried his hands methodically.

He should have realized it sooner. Madison had been acting strangely for a while now.

The frequent bouts of nausea. Her extra carefulness during their love-making. Her repeated probing. She even mentioned leaving twice.

He should have known she was pregnant, and not some nonsense about a stomach ailment.

However, discovering the child wouldn't have changed the outcome.

He wouldn't have been cornered like this.

He didn't want the child.

However, he never thought about making a woman suffer for him like this.

Not feeling reassured, Owen followed him to the restroom and glanced inside. He found Grayson leaning against the designated smoking area with a cigarette.

"Hm." Grayson grunted in acknowledgment; his white shirt still stained with blood.

"What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to stay put?" Grayson frowned.

"I was worried about you, so I came to check." Owen paused and added, "There'll be other kids in the future."

Grayson looked up at him. "You're thinking too much."

After snuffing out his cigarette butt, he stepped forward and clapped Owen on the shoulder. "I never planned on keeping this one either."

Owen was taken aback for a second. Then, his brow furrowed deeply. "Bro, that's your kid!"

"Yeah," Grayson casually replied. "It doesn't change a thing if it's not."

It was the first time Owen truly felt how cold-hearted Grayson was.

Owen had idolized Grayson since he was young, following him around like Grayson was a hero.

The Mellons were a ruthless brood, yet Grayson had taken the reins of the family dynasty at nineteen. His decisive nature couldn't be questioned. But Owen always believed that Grayson wasn't heartless.

He had always protected Owen. Owen had grown up without a scratch. Yet, Grayson was ruthless toward his child.

"But Madison, she..."

"She knew from the start I didn't want this child. She shouldn't have hidden it from me." After he spoke, Grayson walked away.

Owen followed closely behind him.

"Grayson, what are you even thinking? Madison has been by your side for three years. Are you telling me you don't have any feelings for her at all? If not, why keep dragging her along? Just let her go so you can be with Nora properly!"

Midstride, Grayson halted abruptly. Narrowing his eyes, he turned to face Owen. "Owen, just because you're my brother doesn't mean you get to pry into my personal life!"

Owen was taken aback. "Listen, Grayson, that's not what I meant. I'll be honest with you; I've always seen her as my sister-in-law. She seems like a better match than…"

Grayson glanced at him, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly, but ultimately, he said nothing.

...

Outside the emergency room, Amelia rushed in frantically. Seeing Grayson standing there, she charged over to him. "What happened? How can she lose the baby? She was just fine when she called me!

"Grayson! Why did she miscarry? Do you have any idea how much she wanted this child? Why? Why does she have to go through this?

"Grayson, you jerk! If you really didn't want children, why the hell didn't you get a vasectomy? How dare you let Madison suffer like this?! You're scum! You're a complete scum! I swear you'll pay for this!"

Amelia's outburst shocked Owen. Even he never dared speak to Grayson in such a manner.

He hurried over to restrain her. "Have you lost your mind?"

"Let me go. I need to give this guy a piece of my mind for Madison!" Amelia struggled fiercely, but Owen had no choice but to hold her tight and drag her to the side.

Grayson, with a darkened expression, straightened out the clothes that Amelia had messed up. Only after adjusting his attire did he look up at Amelia.

Surprisingly, he wasn't angry. His gaze was icy as he regarded her. "The pregnancy was indeed my responsibility, but was hiding it from me her excuse? If she had told me sooner, would things have come to this?"

Amelia paused, wiping away her tears. "Madison just wanted to keep the baby."

Grayson's gaze deepened. "Keep it? Does she have the means to raise it? Or did she think it was noble to irresponsibly hold onto the child?"

Amelia glared at him. "Grayson, are you that heartless?"

Grayson was silent, staring moodily at the closed doors of the emergency room. Amelia tried to speak again, but Owen was quick to hold her back.

Time seemed to stretch indefinitely until the doors of the emergency room finally swung open. Madison was wheeled out with a haunting pallor on her face.

Unable to help herself, Amelia's eyes started to well up.

"The baby..." The doctor in the ER shook his head with a troubled frown.

Tears immediately began streaming down Amelia's cheeks.

Grayson looked at the woman whose complexion was almost translucent, and his fingers twitched ever so slightly. She looked so fragile, as if she might shatter at the slightest touch.

...

When Madison regained consciousness, her hand instinctively reached for her belly. She knew that the tiny life that had been there was gone. Her eyes reddened, but no tears fell.

"Are you in any pain?" Grayson's voice broke the silence.

She turned her face away and then shook her head.

"Does it still hurt?" He pressed.

Finally, the tears moistened the pillow as they traced down her cheeks.

"Not anymore," she said with feigned lightness.

"Madison, about the pregnancy..." he began.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have kept it from you. It's my fault. I broke the agreement. I'm to blame," Madison interrupted him.

Grayson fell silent for a moment. "I'll make it right."

After a long pause, she finally responded, "Thank you."

Suddenly, Grayson felt an overwhelming pressure in his chest.

"Get some more sleep," he suggested.

"Okay."

He stepped out of the hospital room and pulled out a cigarette, but before he could light it, sobs echoed from within. It was low and restrained. Despite the door between them, the sound was unmistakable.

He crushed the cigarette in his hand. Leaning against the wall outside, he felt the air tightened around him.