Late Blooms, Early Goodbyes

I gave up everything to become a housewife—all for Tristan Fowler and our daughter. But ever since his first love got divorced, everything has changed. Tristan despises me, and my daughter orders me around like a maid. Crushed, I sign the divorce papers, give up everything, and leave for a faraway place. So why are they the ones now full of regret? Chapter 1 "Ms. Sterling, please review the divorce agreement carefully. Once you sign, your marriage will officially end in a month," the lawyer said calmly. Madeline Sterling stood in the bathroom, phone pressed to her ear. When the lawyer finished speaking, she replied softly, "Alright. I understand. Thank you." She ended the call and looked at herself in the mirror. A visible scar marked her right cheek. Just the sight of it made her feel insecure. Right then, her phone chimed. She unlocked it and saw that her daughter had sent her a family photo. Yet, Madeline's expression remained blank as she stared at the screen. In the photo, Tristan Fowler was grinning from ear to ear. It was a look she had never once seen during their marriage. Beside him, Annabelle Fowler—the daughter she had poured her heart into raising—looked radiant with joy. But the woman standing where Madeline should have been wasn't her at all. Instead, it was Regina Jenkins, Tristan's first love. In fact, Annabelle had sent the photo on purpose. It was meant to mock her. Ever since Regina came back three months earlier, newly divorced, Madeline had felt like an outsider. In the eyes of Tristan and Annabelle, she was the one who no longer belonged. That day was supposed to be meaningful. It marked Madeline and Tristan's eighth wedding anniversary and her birthday. However, Tristan had picked a fight over a meal, claiming her cooking didn't sit right with him. Then, he took Annabelle with him and left Madeline alone in the house. She only learned where they had gone through Regina's Instagram story. As it turned out, the three of them had spent the day together at a marine-themed park. There were a dozen short clips, each around 30 seconds long. Madeline watched them all in silence. But the last one shattered her. Tristan, the same man who had always recoiled from physical touch, was carrying Regina on his back. At one point, he even wiped the whipped cream from the corner of her mouth with his index finger before licking it off. A cold numbness spread through Madeline, like her body had been hollowed out from the inside. She had given everything to this family, working herself to the bone day after day. And in the end, it had all been handed to someone else. She couldn't help but feel pathetic. Madeline sank into a chair and stared at the strawberry cake on the table. It was already starting to melt. With every passing second, her heart seemed to sink with it. … Minute by minute, time crawled by. At 3:00 am, the living room lights snapped on. Tristan and Annabelle were finally home. They barely glanced at Madeline, but the flicker of disdain in their eyes was unmistakable. At that moment, Tristan yanked off his tie and flung it at her. "You know I hate garlic, and you still used a ton. Try using your brain next time!" he snapped. Then, as if he were doing her a favor, he threw a gift bag her way. "Here. Your birthday present." Madeline glanced inside and almost laughed. It was a cheap pair of bee-shaped earrings, clearly a freebie. She already knew what the real gift was. The expensive diamond-studded swan necklace had made its appearance on Regina's Instagram earlier that day. When Madeline didn't react, Tristan's face twisted with irritation. "I bust my ass every day while you sit at home doing nothing. It's one thing not to pull your weight around, but now you're giving me attitude too?" he spat, his voice laced with rage. He continued, "If I had known you'd let yourself go like this, with not a shred of femininity left, I never would've married you! Go sleep in the yard tonight. If you can't admit what you did wrong, then don't expect me to forgive you." Having said his piece, he stormed into the bedroom. Annabelle, on the other hand, stood nearby with a look of disgust. A beat later, she grabbed the melted cake and smashed it on Madeline's head. "I had so much fun with Regina at the park today," she boasted. "You're just the maid in this house. Hurry up and divorce Daddy. Then get out! "I want Regina to be my mommy, not you. You're nothing but an ugly freak!" Madeline stared at the daughter she had loved and protected from the day she was born. She couldn't believe Annabelle had just said something so vicious. It was as if she didn't matter at all. All at once, her heart shattered into pieces. How had she ended up raising a child so ungrateful? In reality, Annabelle hadn't always been like this. She used to be affectionate, thoughtful, and clingy with Madeline. Yet, everything had changed three months ago when Regina came back. After just a few meetups, Annabelle's attitude toward Madeline had shifted beyond recognition. She was certain Regina had said something to Annabelle, sowing discord between them. If it were just the words of an outsider, Madeline might've ignored them. But what chilled her was how her years of sacrifice meant nothing. Three months of Regina's presence had outweighed a lifetime of love. The more she thought about it, the more pathetic she felt. Her daughter had come to despise her, and her husband couldn't even hide his disgust. Worse, he had condoned Annabelle's cruelty toward her. Madeline's face gave nothing away as she walked to the bathroom to wash the cake from her hair. Something inside her had died. She no longer hoped for kindness from Tristan or Annabelle. A beat later, she reached for the drawer beneath the sink, pulled out the divorce papers, and signed her name. A few days ago, she and Tristan had fought over Regina. In a fit of rage, he had thrown the document at her. He was confident that Madeline loved him and Annabelle too much to ever walk away. So, he had taken pleasure in humiliating her. For a while, she had let him. She even swallowed her pride and begged for his forgiveness, all to salvage a marriage that was already broken beyond repair. But that night, Madeline saw it clearly. Some people were simply heartless. No matter how much she gave or how far she bent, it would never be enough. If that were the case, she had no reason to hold on anymore. She no longer wanted to stay with Tristan or Annabelle. Chapter 2 Madeline put on her coat and lay down on the lounge chair in the yard. It was late autumn, and the days had grown noticeably colder. At night, the temperature dropped sharply. Right then, a cold breeze cut through the still air. She curled in on herself and clutched the coat tighter. Every time they fought, Tristan would punish her like this, pretending it was some lesson she needed to learn. In truth, it was just another way to humiliate her. But now, Madeline felt nothing. A strange calm had taken hold. After all these years of holding on, what had it all been for? In no time, sleep crept over her. Just as she began to drift off, a pair of warm hands slipped under her coat. She jolted awake and locked eyes with Tristan, his gaze burning with desire. His breath was warm against her cheek, yet nothing stirred inside her. Once upon a time, Madeline would've leaned into him, eager to please, and agreed to do whatever he liked. But now, all she felt was revulsion. More than that, she recoiled from his touch. Tristan noticed the shift and asked with a frown, "What's wrong?" Madeline brushed his hand aside, her voice flat as she answered, "I don't feel well." The sullen look on her face was enough to set him off. "Are you still mad about Regina? I told you—we're just friends! Do you have to be this petty?" Tristan snapped. Even so, Madeline couldn't be bothered to listen. She simply closed her eyes and shut him out completely. Tristan hadn't expected her to give him an attitude. In an instant, his anger boiled over. "You've got some nerve! Regina was right. I've spoiled you. You really think you can throw a tantrum like that now? Fine. Let's see if I ever touch you again!" With that, he stormed off, slamming the door behind him. Only then did Madeline open her eyes slowly. In the past, the mere hint of his displeasure would've had her apologizing and begging. But now, she had already made her decision to walk away. … The next morning, Madeline didn't bother making breakfast for Tristan and Annabelle like she usually would. Instead, she grabbed a carton of milk from the fridge and drank it at her own pace. She had signed the divorce papers, and all that was left was for them to be finalized. After that, she'd be free. The thought brought a smile to her lips before she even realized it. Madeline hadn't expected letting go to feel this good. It only made her past desperation seem even more ridiculous. On Instagram, Regina had posted a five-minute video with a caption that read, "Whenever I need you, you're always the first one there. It's such a gift to be with someone you love." In the video, Tristan was wearing an apron as he made breakfast. He smiled brightly, looking every bit like a stay-at-home husband. Madeline had never seen that side of him before. He used to complain about the smell of the kitchen and had never once cooked a meal for her. But now, he was in Regina's home, happily making her breakfast. Madeline barely glanced at the video before tossing her phone onto the couch. She didn't care whether he had done it to provoke her, to punish her for turning him down the night before, or because he simply couldn't wait to be with his first love. The divorce was already in motion, and if Tristan wanted to move things along, she wouldn't stand in his way. At that moment, Annabelle came downstairs. She ignored Madeline and walked straight to the dining table. When she didn't find the usual spread, she glared at Madeline and barked, "You didn't make breakfast? Go cook something. I'm starving!" Madeline kept a straight face as she looked at Annabelle. She understood everything clearly now. In her daughter's eyes, she meant nothing—not even as much as a maid. The realization made her laugh bitterly inside. Her voice was detached as she said, "There are apples and bread." Annabelle froze momentarily. She had never seen Madeline like this. For a moment, something flickered in her eyes, but it vanished just as fast. A sly smirk played on her lips. She was already plotting some kind of payback. "This is your job! All you do is sit around all day. If it weren't for Daddy, you'd be out on the street. Go make breakfast, or I'm telling him you're slacking off!" Annabelle snapped. Madeline stared at her for a beat. She had no intention of wasting her breath, so she retorted, "Go find Regina. Isn't she the one you want to call Mommy anyway?" Having said that, she turned and headed into the bedroom. There, Madeline opened the closet. Inside were all the clothes Tristan had ever bought her. To be exact, they were from the early years of their marriage. In recent years, he hadn't given her anything. He even kept a tight grip on his income. On the other hand, Madeline received just enough to buy groceries. Anytime she needed something else, she had to ask Tristan. And every time, he'd accuse her of being wasteful. It all seemed like a joke now. He could spend thousands of dollars on gifts for Regina, but when Madeline asked for a couple of hundred bucks to replace a broken oven, she was called materialistic. Expressionless, Madeline gathered the clothes and stuffed them into a large garbage bag. She then carried it downstairs, ready to throw it all away. As soon as she stepped outside, she bumped into Tristan. He had just gotten home, and in his hands was a bouquet of daisies. Still, Madeline didn't so much as glance at him. She walked right past and dumped the bag into the trash can. The garbage bag was clear. Tristan could see exactly what was inside and recognized the clothes immediately. Annoyed, he stormed over. "What do you mean by that? Those were gifts I gave you! How dare you throw them out? "And for the record, I only went to Regina's last night because she had a fever. Can you not—" "The clothes don't fit anymore," Madeline interrupted, not bothering to let him finish. "I haven't been able to wear them for a long time." She spoke with an indifferent expression and a far-off gaze. Without warning, a subtle sense of unease crept into Tristan's chest. Chapter 3 Back inside the house, Tristan set the daisies on the table and said, "I was in a bad mood last night, but that's no excuse for you to be so petty. You embarrassed Regina for no reason. "I picked these up for you on the way back. Go apologize to her in a bit, and let's put this behind us. She's not one to hold a grudge, so I'm sure she'll forgive you." It had been ages since Tristan had given Madeline anything. Hence, he was certain she'd be moved by the gesture. Madeline, however, merely stared at the bouquet. She noticed how the petals had already started to droop, and a bitter laugh caught in her throat. Was she so pathetic that he thought he could humiliate her like this? Tristan hadn't even bought the bouquet for her. It was meant for Regina. She had already seen it in Regina's video earlier. And now, he was handing the flowers to her like he was doing her a favor. Did he really think she was worth nothing more than trash? Madeline said nothing. She just sat there, silent and still. In an instant, Tristan's temper flared. "Don't make me regret giving you an inch! I've already given you a way out, so take it. Pushing this any further won't do you any good." Madeline raised her hand to cover her nose and mouth. Her voice was strained as she stated, "I'm allergic to pollen." As soon as her words settled, Tristan froze. He had completely forgotten about that. Yet, he wasn't the kind to apologize. He was still trying to come up with an excuse when he turned and saw the icy look on Madeline's face. Fury boiled up in his chest. He had already shown her that courtesy, so how dare she throw it back in his face? In a burst of rage, Tristan grabbed the bouquet and slammed it into her face. He struck her again and again, showing no restraint at all. Madeline kept her head down and raised her arms to shield herself. Unfortunately, she had already inhaled too much pollen. Her skin erupted in hives, her cheeks flushed red, and her breathing grew increasingly labored. Even then, Tristan remained unmoved. A cruel sneer twisted his lips, then he spat, "Who exactly are you trying to fool with this little act? Do you think I'm that gullible? "Just look at how hideous you are. You'll never hold a candle to Regina! You should be grateful I haven't divorced you yet, but don't take that for granted. The day I throw you out, you can cry and beg. It won't matter anymore." At that moment, Annabelle skipped over, scooped up some petals, and threw them at Madeline's face. Then, she clapped and giggled. "That was awesome! Daddy stood up for Regina!" Seeing how excited she was, Tristan took her hand. Without sparing Madeline a second glance, he tossed one last comment over his shoulder. "Consider this a warning. Next time, you won't get off so easily." And just like that, the two of them walked out, leaving her there like she didn't matter. Madeline, gasping for air, slowly dragged herself toward the couch. With the last of her strength, she grabbed her phone and called her best friend, Sophie Zeller. … When Madeline regained consciousness, she found herself in a hospital bed. Even though she had already decided to walk away from it all, a wave of pain washed over her as she thought back to Tristan's cruelty. She kept telling herself to hold on a little longer. It was almost over, and freedom was just around the corner. Just then, Sophie walked into the room. She stood by the window with her arms crossed as she looked at Madeline. "You nearly died from that allergic attack. I called Tristan, but he didn't show the slightest concern. Instead, he started hurling insults. What kind of husband does that?" A bitter smile tugged at Madeline's lips. "Once the divorce is final, he and I will be nothing to each other." Sophie blinked, a little surprised. Then, she nodded. "I'm really glad to hear you say that. I've been telling you to leave him for years, but you wouldn't listen. Just look at yourself now. You're wrecked." Madeline didn't respond. Instead, she told herself to hang in there. Just a little longer, and she'd be out of this misery. Chapter 4 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. Chapter 5 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. Chapter 6 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. Chapter 7 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." Chapter 8 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.