She had barely stepped outside when a message from Phyllis came through.

"Tomorrow is Grandpa's birthday. I'm hoping you'll come one last time. I'd also like to hand you the divorce papers in person."

Madison stared at the screen for a long time before typing back a single word: "Okay."

The next morning, she arrived at the Delgado estate early, planning to offer her well-wishes and leave.

She never expected Joel to walk in with Alexis on his arm.

The courtyard erupted. Guests turned to one another, whispering in disbelief.

Phyllis's face drained of color.

"Who told you to bring her here? Security—get this woman out of my house!"

"I dare anyone to try."

Joel stepped forward, shielding Alexis behind him. His gaze swept the crowd, every word razor-sharp.

"Alexis is carrying my child. A Delgado heir. I brought her here today so everyone can acknowledge that."

The teacup slipped from Madison's fingers. It shattered against the floor, hot tea splashing across her legs. She didn't feel it.

Joel's expression was hard as stone as he pulled a folded document from his jacket pocket.

"Madison is infertile. The child Alexis is carrying is the Delgado family's only heir."

Phyllis stumbled back a step. She snatched the report with trembling hands, her face white with shock. The relatives erupted into chaos, voices overlapping, gasps rippling through the room.

Madison steadied herself. She stepped forward, her gaze locked on Joel like a blade.

"Where did you get this report?"

Joel's voice shook.

"If Alexis hadn't found out, were you going to hide this from the Delgado family forever? Let the bloodline die out?"

Madison let out a bitter laugh. No words came.

Alexis turned to her, eyes glistening with tears.

"I know my background isn't good enough. I know I'm not worthy of Joel. But this baby is innocent. All I want is to keep it..."

"This family does not recognize that child, and it certainly does not recognize you!"

Phyllis's voice cut through the room like a whip. She moved to Madison's side and stood there like a wall.

"Anyone who tries to set foot in this house with that woman will answer to me first!"

Joel raised his voice.

"Mom. Alexis is carrying a boy."

The room went still.

"I will make sure Alexis delivers this child safely. He is my only heir. As for you, Madison—you'll always be Mrs. Delgado. Once the baby is born, he'll be handed over to you to raise. That should be enough."

Let Alexis bear the child to continue the bloodline. Keep Madison as the legitimate Mrs. Delgado to preserve the family's reputation.

Madison laughed. A cold, hollow sound.

Enough?

"What a perfect little arrangement, Mr. Delgado. You really do want it all."

Across the room, Elijah Delgado heard every word. His whole body trembled. He clutched his chest and sank into his chair.

Madison looked at the grotesque farce unfolding before her. She drew a long breath, forcing the storm inside her down, and turned to face Otis Delgado, Phyllis, and Elijah. She bowed deeply.

"The Delgado family's affairs are no longer my concern."

She turned and walked away.

"Wait! Please, wait!"

Alexis rushed after her, catching her by the arm. Tears streamed down her face, the picture of fragile, rain-soaked beauty.

"Please, I'm begging you. Let me have this baby. I'm begging you..."

"Let go of me."

Madison wrenched her arm, trying to break free.

Alexis only gripped tighter. She leaned in close, her voice dropping to a whisper meant for Madison's ears alone.

"Madison Maddox. I never thought he'd still insist on keeping you as Mrs. Delgado."

The words landed. In the same instant, the grip on Madison's arm vanished.

Alexis's body pitched backward. She hit the stone steps with a sickening thud, and a piercing scream tore through the air.

"Ahhh—!"

"Alexis!"

Joel burst through the door to find Alexis crumpled on the steps, both hands clutching her stomach, her face chalk-white.

"Joel... she pushed me. My stomach... it hurts so much... the baby... my baby..."

A shocking bloom of crimson seeped across the hem of Alexis's dress.

Joel's eyes were bloodshot. He lunged forward and locked his hand around Madison's throat, his voice a raw, ragged snarl.

"You vicious bitch! You can't have children of your own, so you had to kill hers? How can you be this heartless!"

The suffocating pressure crushed inward. Madison clawed at his fingers, desperate to say she hadn't pushed anyone, but his grip sealed her windpipe shut. Not a single word escaped.

Then he released her—not gently, but with a violent shove that sent her flying.

She hit the ground hard. Instinct curled her body inward, arms wrapping around her stomach before she even registered the pain.

Joel was already gone. He scooped Alexis into his arms and ran for the door, his voice cracking with panic.

"Don't be scared. I'm taking you to the hospital. The baby's going to be fine…"

Phyllis rushed out after them. The moment she saw Madison crumpled on the floor, white as paper, tears spilled down her face.

"Madison, I'm so sorry…"

Madison braced one hand against the wall and dragged herself upright. She managed a thin, brittle smile.

"I'm sorry I ruined Grandpa's birthday."

Phyllis's eyes were red and swollen. Her hands shook as she reached into her purse and pressed the divorce certificate into Madison's palm.

"From this day forward, you are not Mrs. Delgado. You are my daughter. You always will be."

Madison's nose burned. She nodded once, turned, and walked away.

She hadn't made it far before several bodyguards in black closed in around her and shoved her into a waiting car.

The car tore through the streets and screeched to a halt at the hospital.

Inside the private room, Alexis lay propped against the pillows, tear tracks glistening on her cheeks. The moment Madison was dragged through the door, her sobbing intensified.

Joel rose from the bedside and walked toward Madison. He towered over her, looking down with glacial contempt.

"The baby is gone. Get on your knees and apologize."

A bodyguard seized her shoulders and forced her down. Her kneecaps struck the tile floor so hard it felt like every bone in her legs shattered at once. The pain ripped through her, and her whole body trembled.

But her gaze didn't waver.

"I didn't do it. Why should I?"

Fury twisted Joel's face. He had told her—no one would replace her. The child would have been given to her to raise, and Alexis would have been sent away afterward.

So why did she have to kill his child?

He pulled out his phone and dialed.

"That ten-figure contract Maddox Group is counting on—pull it. Have Legal terminate the partnership immediately."

He hung up and fixed his stare on Madison, every syllable laced with threat.

"You won't apologize? Fine. Then I'll bankrupt your family by morning. Your father barely survived last time. This time—"

Madison's heart plummeted.

She knew Joel meant every word. He had the power to reduce the Maddox empire to rubble in a single phone call.

Her father was older now. His health couldn't withstand another blow. She would not let her family be destroyed because of her.

The cramping in her lower abdomen was getting worse—sharp, twisting knots of pain. She bit down on her lip until the taste of iron flooded her mouth. Only then did she slowly bow her head.

"I'm sorry."

Behind the curtain of tears, the corner of Alexis's mouth curled into a triumphant smirk.

"Get out."

Joel spat the two words without an ounce of warmth left in his eyes.

Madison stood. Her knees screamed with every step, each one unsteady, lurching. She didn't look back.

Behind her, Joel's voice turned impossibly soft as he soothed Alexis.

"Don't be afraid. I'll stay right here with you."

The hospital doors opened to a wall of cold night air. Madison lifted her hand and pressed it gently against her lower belly. Her fingertips were cool against the fabric. She lowered her head and whispered.

"It's okay, baby. Mommy's taking you away from here. We're never coming back."

She didn't go home. There was nothing left in that house she wanted.

She drove straight to the airport and bought a one-way ticket on the next international flight out.

Then she opened her phone and sent a single file to a reporter.

Release this in three days. Front page.

The plane lifted off the runway. Madison watched the churning sea of clouds roll past her window, and her eyes held nothing but certainty.

Joel Delgado. This is goodbye.

I loved you for so many years. Consider this my parting gift.

After that—a new beginning.