Chapter 4

Madeline’s voice dripped with anger as if taking a cab home was the most significant hardship she’d ever faced.

Looking back, I realized I’d spoiled her too much.

She wasn’t born into wealth or privilege, but I treated her like a princess, and over time, she began to believe she was one.

“Sorry,” I said calmly. “I was busy and forgot.”

“Busy? What’s your excuse? You don’t care about me at all! Get your ass home and apologize right now!”

“Oh, and don’t forget to transfer the $10,000. My mom said you already withdrew it,” she added.

I murmured an acknowledgment and hung up without another word.

When I got home, Madeline was sitting on the couch, her pregnant belly prominent.

But she wasn’t alone.

Sitting next to her was Travis Reese, her high school sweetheart. Across the room, Dolly and Walt sat like they owned the place.

“Ah, everyone’s here,” I said, stepping inside.

All eyes turned to me, but Madeline was the first to speak.

“If Travis hadn’t been kind enough to bring me home, I don’t know what would’ve happened,” she said, her voice laced with accusation. “Do you even care about the baby I’m carrying?”

“Travis brought the baby’s father home. Isn’t that what he’s supposed to do?” I replied evenly, looking directly at Travis.

His eyes widened in shock. “What are you talking about? What do you mean ‘the baby’s father’?”

I handed him a stack of invoices.

“Postpartum Care Center: $10,000. Summit Ridge Women’s Clinic VIP delivery package: $8,000. Baby supplies: $5,000. Total: $23,000. You’ll need to make those payments at the hospital soon.”

Everyone froze, the weight of my words sinking in.

“What’s that supposed to mean, Ethan?” Madeline finally asked, her voice rising.

“It means I’m divorcing you. And whoever got you pregnant can handle the rest,” I said, pulling out the divorce papers I’d prepared.

“Divorce?!” Madeline’s eyes blazed. “You think you can just leave me like this? If anyone’s divorcing anyone, it’s me! Travis’s better than you’ll ever be, Ethan. Once we’re done, I’ll marry him.”

She smiled sweetly at Travis, oblivious to the horrified expression on his face.

“Madeline, are you out of your mind?!” Travis blurted out, taking a step back.

“Travis, don’t be shy,” she said, still grinning. “We’ve been waiting for this. Now’s our chance to finally be together.”

Even Dolly jumped in. “Travis, you’re getting a wonderful girl here. My Madeline is one of a kind!”

“And the baby will have your name, of course,” Walt added.

But Travis’s expression darkened.

“Madeline,” he said firmly, “we were just having fun. I’m not marrying you.”

Madeline’s jaw dropped. “What? You’re joking, right?”

He shook his head, stepping further away. “You thought I was serious? Madeline, you’re married! And honestly, who knows who else you’ve been with?”

The color drained from her face, and her parents stared in stunned silence.

I watched the scene unfold, saying nothing, a cold smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.