Madeline had been hospitalized for a week, yet Tristan never visited her once. He didn't even call her.

As Sophie peeled an apple, she grumbled, "Tristan doesn't even deserve to be called a husband. You were right to divorce him. Just promise me you're not going back to putting yourself last for him."

Madeline and Tristan had argued more times than she could count. She had even thought about leaving him before. But somehow, it ended with her apologizing every time.

Looking back, she felt pathetic and foolish.

"Not anymore," Madeline said. "After all these years, even a dog would've grown attached to me. Maybe, to Tristan, I'm not even worth that much."

Sophie's heart broke hearing her say that. "Don't overthink it. There are plenty of men out there. Tristan's not the only one in the world."

…

On the eighth day, Madeline was finally discharged. But the thought of returning to that house made her chest tighten.

The moment she opened the door, a rancid stench of rotting food hit her. On the floor, the bouquet of daisies still lay where it had been thrown, now shriveled.

Madeline knew right away that Tristan had taken Annabelle to see Regina. It was his usual tactic. Every time they fought, he'd torment her like this.

He understood just how deeply Madeline loved both him and Annabelle. Yet, he used that love against her, knowing it would only make the pain worse.

The image of Tristan's violent outburst that day flashed through her mind. He had looked like a stranger, no longer resembling the man she once knew. In fact, there was something in his eyes that chilled her to the bone.

Right then, her phone chimed, pulling her back to reality.

Madeline picked it up and saw that Regina had sent her a short video.

In the clip, Annabelle was stuffing her face with ice cream. With a look of satisfaction, she said, "Regina, can you be my mommy instead? That ugly freak never lets me have anything good.

"She makes me eat garbage every single day! I can't even look at it without gagging. You're so much better. You let me eat whatever I want."

She continued, "You know what? She even came to my parent-teacher conference looking totally pathetic. She was dressed in cheap clothes and had that hideous scar on her face.

"I was too embarrassed to tell my classmates she was my mom. So, I said she was our housekeeper. There's no way I'd ever admit to having a mom like that."

Regina wore a smug smile on camera, but still played innocent as she stated, "But I could never compare to your mom. She must be amazing. Otherwise, why would your dad marry her?"

Annabelle tilted her head, disdain written all over her face. "She's just an ugly freak. How could she ever compare to you? I'm sure Daddy only married her out of pity.

"She got that scar trying to save me, but honestly, it would've been better if that shelf had crushed her to death. At least then she wouldn't be clinging to us like that!"

Madeline drew in a sharp breath. Though she had given up on her daughter, hearing those words still left her cold.

As it turned out, all the love she had poured into Annabelle meant nothing. In her eyes, it had all been a joke.

Another message from Regina popped up. This time, it was just a text. She wrote, "Your husband and daughter both despise you. They're disgusted by you. What makes you think you can compete with me?"

Even so, Madeline turned off her phone without replying and took a deep breath.

She had already made up her mind. Since she was done with all of it, there was no use grieving over people who'd never been worth it.

…

The divorce wouldn't be official for another couple of weeks. So, Madeline and Sophie spent those days traveling through Calastra, visiting old cathedrals scattered across the countryside.

The entire journey felt like a quiet baptism—one that penetrated from body to soul. Everything she had once held onto now felt insignificant.

The trip changed everything. It brought a quiet sense of renewal that finally gave Madeline's restless heart some peace.

During that period, Tristan never once reached out.

Madeline knew he was giving her the silent treatment as a form of punishment. In the past, it would've broken her. She'd feel like the entire world had turned its back on her.

But now, nothing stirred in her chest. Tristan and Annabelle no longer had the power to hurt her. In fact, they no longer mattered.

…

When Madeline returned from the trip, she didn't go home right away. Instead, she stopped by a fondue restaurant.

There had been a time when eating alone would've made her feel lonely. Now, she relished it.

As she dipped her meat into the bubbling pot of cheese, her eyes landed on a table nearby. The moment she saw who was sitting there, her expression changed.

Tristan was at the restaurant with Annabelle and Regina, surrounded by a group of people. Aside from the three of them, Madeline didn't recognize anyone else.

It was Regina's birthday. She wore a party hat and sat beside Tristan, looking every bit the doting girlfriend.

Seeing that, everyone else at the table started cracking jokes.

"Mr. Fowler, you and Regina make a perfect couple. You guys are practically a match made in heaven. So, when's the wedding?"

Regina blushed and shot Tristan a bashful glance. When he didn't say anything to dissuade them, her smile deepened.

The table buzzed with laughter and chatter. No one noticed Madeline sitting a short distance away, quietly taking it all in.

But she felt nothing. There wasn't even a flicker of emotion in her gaze. If anything, the three of them looked more like a real family.

Right then, Regina turned and spotted her. Without missing a beat, she leaned her head against Tristan's shoulder and said sweetly, "Thank you for giving me such an unforgettable birthday."

"You don't have to thank me for anything," Tristan replied, his gaze brimming with affection.

As he spoke, Regina feigned a drunken daze and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her eyes were hazy, and her expression was laced with intent.

The others egged them on, watching with barely contained excitement.

Tristan didn't hesitate. He leaned down and kissed her, pulling her into his arms. The kiss was intense and reckless.

A chorus of whoops and whistles broke out around them instantly.

Meanwhile, Madeline calmly watched the scene unfold. A beat later, she rose and walked away.

However, she accidentally knocked over a glass. It hit the floor with a sharp crash, drawing everyone's attention.

Tristan glanced over and froze. A flicker of panic crossed his face. The last thing he had expected was to see Madeline there.

His eyes followed her retreating figure.

Regina noticed, but she swallowed her jealousy and spoke with carefully feigned concern. "Tris, was that Madeline? Did she see us? I'm sorry. I must've had too much to drink. I'm sure she misunderstood. She might kick up a fuss later."

Tristan let out a cold laugh, trying to sound unfazed. "So what if she saw? If we were really doing something wrong, would we do it in front of all these people?"

After saying that, he downed another drink like he didn't have a care in the world.

But later, during a bathroom break, he texted Madeline. He wrote, "You came to the fondue place too?"

In the past, she would've responded within a minute. Yet, even after the dinner, Tristan still hadn't gotten a reply.

And so, he brought Annabelle home. As he took off his shoes, he was already bracing himself for the inevitable fight. He was certain Madeline would be crying or shouting.

However, when Tristan stepped into the living room, he saw her curled up on the couch. She didn't say a word or even glance his way.

There was something about Madeline that felt off.

After dinner, Regina had invited Tristan back to her place for a drink. However, he turned her down.

He felt a twinge of guilt but figured a bit of sweet talk would be enough to pacify Madeline. What he didn't expect was for her to completely ignore him.

Fury surged through him, and he snapped, "It's Regina's birthday. I took Annabelle to celebrate with her, and you had the nerve to follow us? You've really outdone yourself. How shameless can you be?"

Even then, Madeline didn't spare Tristan a glance. She just thought he was ridiculous and completely rotted from the inside out.

He was the one tangled up with another woman, yet somehow, he managed to twist things around and make it her fault. If blame-shifting were an art form, he had perfected it.

Tristan's brow furrowed as he stared at her.

In the past, all it took was a flicker of displeasure from him, and Madeline would immediately apologize. Even if it were his fault, he would lash out without reason. That was how he kept her in check.

But now, that trick didn't work anymore.

The change in her demeanor rattled him. He couldn't put his finger on it, but it left him increasingly irritable.

"How many times do I have to say it? Regina and I are just friends!" Tristan barked. "There's nothing going on between us. Can you just focus on your own life and stop obsessing over mine?"

Madeline still didn't look at him. Her voice was quiet as she replied, "You're right. I really should start focusing on myself."

Her words pushed him over the edge. He was convinced she was giving him the silent treatment, making passive-aggressive remarks on purpose.

Enraged, he swept the fruit bowl and glasses off the coffee table, sending everything crashing to the floor.

But Madeline didn't even flinch. Her eyes remained fixed on the TV.

Tristan's fists clenched, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"I'm out there working day and night, while you sit at home living like a pampered housewife! What more do you want? If it weren't for Annabelle needing a mother, I would've divorced you a long time ago!"

It was his usual game. He gaslighted her at every turn.

"I've already made myself clear. I don't care, and I'm not angry," Madeline said flatly.

To Tristan, it felt like punching a pillow. No matter how furious he got, it didn't do a thing.

Still, he was convinced she was just putting on a show. Whatever she truly felt didn't matter to him. There was no way he'd let this slide.

"You're going to apologize to Regina in person," he ordered. "Ask for her forgiveness. Otherwise, you can keep sleeping in the yard!"

Having said that, he stormed upstairs.

Madeline stayed on the couch, unfazed. She felt neither sorrow nor anger—just a quiet sense of calm.

Right then, Annabelle came running down the stairs. She stood before Madeline and said, "You made Daddy mad again. You're so ugly! You don't deserve him. I want Regina to be my mommy. Just leave already!"

Madeline looked at her calmly. A moment later, a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Don't worry. Your beloved Regina will be your mom soon enough."

Without another word, she turned and walked toward the yard.

She had just reached the door when Annabelle shouted after her, "I want mac and cheese! With extra cheese. Go make it for me now!"

Madeline ignored her. "Ask Regina to make it for you."

Behind her, Annabelle screamed the vilest insults imaginable. The words were so vicious that it was hard to believe they came from a six-year-old.

But now, Madeline was past caring. She was done with the child. However Annabelle turned out, it was no longer her concern.

And with that, there was no reason to care about any of it anymore.

…

In the days that followed, Tristan stayed away just like before, taking Annabelle with him. This was his way of making Madeline suffer.

Before leaving, he had made it crystal clear that unless she apologized to Regina, he and Annabelle wouldn't be coming back.

Madeline had nearly laughed out loud. If anything, she was eager to stay as far away from them as possible. She had no intention of wasting another second on them.

That night, Regina sent her another video.

In it, she was on her bed, massaging Tristan's bare back. There was no need for words. The video said it all.

Regina wanted to provoke Madeline by implying she couldn't even hold on to her own husband.

Madeline ignored it and silenced her phone. She didn't want to be disturbed.

Meanwhile, Tristan, who rarely posted on Instagram, suddenly started sharing heartfelt updates. Clearly, he couldn't wait to flaunt his new relationship.

Seeing all that, Madeline thought it was amusing. Just a little longer, and she'd be free.

…

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, only two days remained.

With Tristan and Annabelle out of her head, Madeline found herself with ample time. She was finally free to do whatever she wanted.

Back then, Tristan always tore her down, acting like she brought nothing to the table. But when the company was just starting out, she was the one who went out and closed the big deals.

Once the business took off and she got pregnant, she gave everything up to be a housewife.

Madeline owned a third of the company's shares. So, she needed to take care of everything before leaving. The equity was her safety net.

While she mentally sorted through her exit plan, Tristan returned with Annabelle in tow.