Chapter 8
Madison sat with her head down, her fingers nervously twisting together. She stayed silent for so long that I was about to get up and leave, but just as I reached the limit of my patience, she finally spoke.
“I’m pregnant”
I took a slow sip of my coffee, keeping my voice even. “Ms. Madison, what exactly do you want from me? Don’t tell me you’re here to say the baby is mine?“?
Madison looked up at me, completely stunned. “The baby is Mr. Norton’s. But he doesn’t want it. Could you please talk to him for me? I don’t need anything else—I’ll give back everything he’s ever given me. I just want to be able to have this baby.”
“Ms. Madison, you’re asking the wrong person. I’m just his ex–fiancée, I have no reason to talk to him about this. And honestly, you can drop the act with me. Between the baby and all the things Michael gave you, you know very well which one matters more to you.”
Suddenly, Madison dropped to her knees.
“But he only cares about you now. If you weren’t around, maybe he’d let me keep the baby. All his friends say I’m the exception–everyone thought I was the one who could get him to settle down, right? He even gave me a ring. That must mean he thought about marrying me!”
Michael’s so–called “exceptions” weren’t as rare as Madison liked to believe.
Plenty of women had been his “one and only“-at least for a while.8
“Ms. Madison, apart from that pink diamond–which is actually worth something–if I remember right, he’s given the same ring to plenty of other people.”
Madison shook her head, not willing to accept it. “No way! You’re lying! Everyone says I was the one who stayed by his side the longest. You’re just making this up!”
Did Michael ever actually promise that the ring was just for you?”
Madison opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She had no answer.
“See? He can’t even be bothered to give you that much.”
She wanted to argue, but I cut her off.
“Ms. Madison, I’d like you to not come looking for me again, and please don’t show up at my office. We really don’t know each other that well.”
“Joey, please show Ms. Madison out.”
After Joey saw her out, he knocked and came back in.§
“Ms. Ross, don’t listen to anything Madison says. That baby isn’t Mr. Norton’s. My friend told me ever since she got benched by the company, she’s been trying all kinds of tricks to get signed again. I don’t need to spell out the rest–you probably know what I mean.”
I glanced up at Joey. “Just keep following up on the East District project. Don’t bother me with irrelevant stuff like this anymore.”
133
The day of the wedding was bright and beautiful.S
All our friends were there.
“Congratulations! Honestly, I always thought you’d end up marrying Yanli. Never expected this-”
“Hey, today’s Tangtang’s wedding! No need to bring up the past. I think Damon is way better than Michael ever was.”
Sandy had never liked Michael, and on my wedding day, she wasn’t about to let anyone mention his name.
“Sorry, sorry! I really need to watch what I say.”2
I just smiled, not bothered at all. “Go find your seat–the ceremony’s about to start.”
The venue was decorated in a traditional Chinese style–stunning and full of ceremony.!!
My wedding dress had been custom–made by Damon’s people. The elaborate robe was covered with golden phoenix embroidery, and the headdress was a crown lined with gold tassels, draping over my shoulders.R
Two families, joined as one. A promise made before everyone.
A lasting bond, a perfect match
After the ceremony, I changed into my reception dress.!!
Blake handed me a string of prayer beads Michael had gotten from Mount Wulao.&
“Michael is so full of regret right now. He told me if he could go back, hed treat you right this time
Blake kept rambling, not noticing how dark Damon’s face was getting &
I just laughed and pulled them apart, lightening the mood
After a day full of celebrations, I finally collapsed onto the bed at home. Damon helped me out of my dress.
In the bathroom, my back pressed against the cool tiles, steam blurring everything around us. Damon pulled me close by the waist, and before I could catch my
breath, his kisses landed everywhere–one after another until there was nothing in my world but him al
-The End–8
