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."

Madeline knew Regina was saying all that just to push her buttons. Even so, her expression didn't change as she replied, "I've already decided to walk away. I'm not going to fight you for anything."

Regina let out a mocking laugh at that. "Oh, please. If you wanted to leave, you'd have done it a long time ago. But here you are, shamelessly sticking around. I know you're only after the money.

"By the way, how were the daisies I asked Tristan to give you? They were beautiful, weren't they?"

As soon as those words settled, Madeline's expression darkened with something unreadable.

Even Regina knew about her pollen allergy, yet Tristan had no clue. He had been used and didn't even realize it.

Clearly, Madeline never mattered to him.

In no time, Tristan came out with Annabelle. He glanced at Madeline before saying, "She's just a kid and didn't mean any harm. I've talked to her. We'll head out for the evening cruise soon."

The moment he finished speaking, Regina quickly pulled out two concert tickets. "Tris, it's that band we've loved since university. Tonight's their very last performance."

Tristan paused, evidently torn. In the past, he would've chosen to attend the concert with Regina without hesitation.

But this time, he sensed something was off with Madeline. That was why he had suggested going on the evening cruise.

He feared Madeline wouldn't be able to handle it if he chose Regina again. So, he held his ground.

"Sorry, but I don't like that band anymore. Besides, I've already made plans with Madeline."

With that, he turned and went back to the bedroom to change.

Regina hadn't seen that coming. Tristan had always given in to her. But today, he rejected her for Madeline, that ugly freak.

Her face contorted with rage as she glared at Madeline. "You freak! What kind of trick did you use on him?"

Madeline couldn't be bothered to waste her breath on Regina. Thus, she didn't respond.

However, her deliberate silence only made Regina feel like she was doing it to provoke her.

Blinded by fury, Regina snatched the massive bouquet of daisies from the table and started hitting Madeline's head with it. She struck the latter again and again, each blow more vicious than the last.

It didn't take long before Madeline inhaled too much pollen. Her allergic reaction was overwhelming. In the next second, her face flushed red, and her breathing grew labored.

A triumphant smile spread across Regina's face. "Let's see who Tristan chooses now."

Then, without warning, she collapsed onto the floor, clutching her stomach and howling in pain.

When Tristan emerged from the bedroom, he found the two women sprawled on the floor. His wife was gasping for air with a swollen face, while his first love was doubled over, crying in pain.

His eyes darted nervously between the two, not knowing who to help first.

Madeline knew she was going to die if she didn't get to a hospital soon. She couldn't care about anything else right now because staying alive was all that mattered.

"Tristan, take me to the hospital. I can't hold on much longer…"

Tristan snapped out of his daze and nodded. But just as he reached for Madeline, Regina grabbed his leg and yelled, "Tris, my stomach hurts so bad. It feels like someone's stabbing me! I can't take it anymore!"

As if on cue, Annabelle rushed to Regina's side, crouched beside her, and pointed at Madeline.

"It's all her fault! That ugly freak upset Regina on purpose!" she shrieked. "She knew it'd make Regina sick, and she just wanted to see who you care about more. She's faking it! Come on, we have to get Regina to the hospital!"

All at once, Tristan's features hardened with fury. He glared at Madeline and roared, "How could you stoop this low? Madeline Sterling, you've gone too far!"

With that, he scooped Regina up and rushed out, leaving Madeline behind. It was as if her life meant nothing.

A wave of despair crashed over Madeline. The fact that she had begged Tristan, still clinging to hope he'd help, was almost laughable.

She reached out with difficulty and managed to grab her phone from the couch. After calling Sophie, she quickly lost consciousness.

…

When Madeline came to, she was lying in a hospital bed.

Sophie stood by her bedside, frustration and worry written all over her face. "Are you trying to get yourself killed? If I had been any later, you'd be dead!"

Madeline remained silent.

This time, she didn't stay in the hospital for long. She signed the discharge papers on the same day the divorce became official.

Just like before, Tristan didn't care enough to show up.

…

When Madeline got home, she saw the dried flower petals scattered across the floor. Just like her marriage, they were long dead.

After packing her bags, she placed the divorce papers on the coffee table, right where it was most visible. Then, she took what little she had left and walked away without a single glance back.

Madeline had lived here for years, yet it had never felt like home. Instead, it had been a prison in disguise.

Leaving felt like shaking off a set of invisible chains. At last, she was free.

…

Madeline had booked her flight well in advance, so she headed straight to the airport. While she waited to board, her phone rang. It was Tristan.

But she didn't answer. She simply declined the call and turned off her phone.

From that moment on, no matter how far their paths diverged, she and Tristan were nothing to each other.