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.

When Madeline saw Tristan and Annabelle, she felt nothing. The disgust she once harbored had faded.

With only two days left, she figured they'd probably never cross paths again. So, it was better to part on good terms than stir up more trouble.

Her indifference unsettled Tristan. Yet, he couldn't quite put a name to the feeling gnawing at him.

In the past, if he and Annabelle had been gone for two days, Madeline would blow up his phone with dozens of calls and hundreds of messages. They'd be full of apologies and desperate pleas for them to come home.

This time, they were gone for over ten days. But Madeline hadn't reached out once.

Tristan tried to rationalize the unease brewing in him. He told himself it was just pity. Madeline was all alone in that house, and he simply felt sorry for her.

He was confident that Madeline loved him to the point that she had completely lost herself. That was why he dared to torment her like that again and again. He even saw his return as a generous act and a chance for her to prove herself.

But the moment Tristan saw her icy expression, a dark look clouded his face. "Why are you giving me that look? You're not happy to see us back?"

Madeline didn't see the point in saying anything more. With only two days left, there was no need to argue or drag things out.

Thus, she opened the door and walked to the yard.

Tristan saw the indifference in her eyes, and his heart sank. His emotions tangled into a knot, and when he thought about the past, panic crawled up his spine.

After all, Madeline had stood by him through his darkest days.

…

When Madeline came in to get a glass of water, she noticed something had changed in the living room.

Flower petals were scattered across the floor, and a candlelit dinner for two sat waiting on the table.

The sight felt almost laughable. She didn't need grand gestures anymore. What was the point of putting on a show like this?

Madeline's brows furrowed. Then, she raised a hand to cover her mouth and nose.

Seeing her reaction, Tristan rushed over. His voice was tinged with concern as he asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"

"I'm allergic to pollen," Madeline replied calmly.

She had never liked flowers. In fact, Regina was the one who loved daisies.

Tristan's temper flared, but he held himself back when he remembered how much Madeline had changed lately.

She was no longer predictable, and he was starting to feel like he was losing his grip on her. For some reason, that scared him.

Maybe he had been too distant lately. And after everything they had been through, he couldn't bring himself to say something cruel.

Tristan's sudden silence caught Madeline off guard. The man who used to lash out at the smallest thing was actually holding himself back. He didn't say a word.

As she tried to make sense of it, Tristan pulled out two tickets for an evening cruise and said, "For your birthday and our anniversary. I owe you, so I'm making up for it. It'll just be the three of us."

Madeline stood there, watching him quietly. Yet, she made no move to take the tickets.

Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind. Had she changed so much that Tristan was finally starting to notice? Was that why he was acting like this out of nowhere?

But whatever the reason, it didn't matter anymore. What good was love when it showed up after everything was over?

At that moment, Regina waltzed in with Annabelle's favorite ice cream.

Annabelle's face lit up with excitement. She immediately grabbed Regina's hand and squealed, "Thank you, Mommy! You're the best!"

"Don't call her that," Tristan said sharply, his expression darkening.

But Annabelle ignored him. "I want Regina to be my mommy! I don't want that ugly freak!"

Without missing a beat, Tristan picked her up and carried her upstairs. It was time she got a proper talking-to.

Once the two of them were gone, Regina glanced around the decorated living room. Then, her gaze landed on the cruise tickets, and a smirk tugged at her lips.

"You can keep clinging to Tristan all you want, but it's useless. I'll make sure you see soon enough who he really loves."