Madelynn's mother, Ellie Douglas, had been hospitalized for nearly three weeks this time.
By the time Madelynn pushed open the door that night, it was already close to ten. Ellie was still awake, leaning comfortably against the headboard, eyes glued to some dating show. A pile of pistachio shells littered the blanket around her.
"Why are you here this late?" Ellie glanced at the clock before turning to Madelynn. "Don't you have work in the morning?"
Madelynn didn't answer right away. She set a thermos down on the table and began cleaning up the mess on the bed. "You shouldn't be eating so many of these," she said. "They're not good for your throat."
Ellie shrugged, unconcerned. "Then bring me some lemon honey water tomorrow. That'll fix it."
Her eyes remained on Madelynn, her gaze sharpening as she took in her daughter's tired face. "You look worn out. Rough day at work?"
"No."
Ellie tilted her head. "Trouble with someone at the office?"
Madelynn replied, "Nothing like that."
A knowing look crept into Ellie's eyes. "Then you must have crossed paths with someone you didn't want to."
Madelynn's hands stilled at that.
Ellie lowered the TV volume with a quiet sigh. "Four years has passed," she murmured. "And every time you make that face, I know exactly why."
She knew the whole story of what had happened between Madelynn and Caiden four years ago.
"Mom, don't read into things," Madelynn said, though her tone lacked conviction.
Ellie arched an eyebrow. "Read into things? Just look at yourself. Your expression has given you away."
She paused for a second. Then, her voice softened. "Maybe I've been burdening you all these years."
Madelynn tossed the last of the shells into the bin, her tone turning flat. "If you keep saying things like that, I won't come tomorrow."
"Alright, I'll stop," Ellie said quickly, patting the space beside her. "Come sit for a while."
After a brief hesitation, Madelynn sat down. Ellie reached out and took her hands.
Ellie's fingers were thin and slightly misshapen from age, yet the warmth in her palms hadn't faded.
After a moment, she spoke again, more carefully this time. "How is he now?"
Madelynn's gaze dropped. "He's doing well," she said. Then, after a pause, added quietly, "Wealthier than before."
Ellie studied her in silence, her expression unreadable. She said after a long while, "Yet you are still wearing the same coat from years ago."
Madelynn had no answer.
"It hurts to see you like this," Ellie continued gently. "When you were with him, at least you didn't have to worry about money. But after the two of you separated... you've been living like this ever since."
"I'm really fine," Madelynn replied.
"Fine?" Ellie's tone sharpened slightly. "I saw your medical report. Stomach ulcer, low blood pressure, anemia... Joyce told me everything. She even said you're the one who should be in a hospital bed."
Madelynn fell silent.
Ellie squeezed her hands lightly, as if steadying herself before speaking again. "Actually... back then, someone from the Dawson family came to see me."
Madelynn's head lifted abruptly, her eyes widening in surprise.
"It happened during your third year at university," Ellie began slowly. "Your grandmother was in critical condition. You stayed at the hospital for a full week; your phone was turned off the entire time. During that period, a woman came to see me. She introduced herself as Caiden's mother. She said she would cover all the medical expenses on one condition. That you leave him."
Madelynn felt her chest tighten, her voice barely steady. "Why didn't you tell me back then?"
Ellie gave a bitter smile. "And what would that have changed? So you could confront the Dawson family? At the time, your grandmother needed surgery immediately, and we had no way to afford it. Your father was gone, and I... I couldn't carry everything on my own."
Her eyes turned red with tears. "If there's anyone I've wronged the most in this life, it's you."
Madelynn tightened her hold on Ellie's hands.
Memories surfaced unbidden—Caiden's expression from that year. The coldness, resentment, and disappointment on his face.
She hadn't tried to explain.
She couldn't.
What was she supposed to say? That his family had paid her off to walk away from him?
The sum had gone straight into the hospital, buying her grandmother two more years to live.
Even now, she couldn't decide whether that decision had been right.
All she knew was that she never wanted to see that look in Caiden's eyes again.
The next morning, Madelynn went to work. She stepped into the elevator and found Abby already inside.
Abby stood there in towering heels, dressed to impress, her presence announced by the overpowering scent of perfume. A brand-new designer tote hung from her arm, one Madelynn had noticed in a boutique before. It cost more than half a year's rent for someone like Madelynn.
Without even looking at Madelynn, Abby spoke while checking her reflection in the mirrored doors. "I heard you got rejected by the Dawson Group on the spot yesterday. That must've been embarrassing."
Madelynn remained silent.
Abby smirked faintly. "Honestly, I'm not surprised. People like you rely on appearances to get ahead. Once that doesn't work, there's nothing left but humiliation."
The elevator doors slid open.
Madelynn stepped out, her tone calm but cutting. "Instead of worrying about me, maybe focus on your own work. Your team has ranked last for three months straight, hasn't it?"
Abby's expression stiffened instantly, her face turning dark.
Later that morning, Madelynn was called into Danny's office.
The moment the door closed behind her, Danny sighed heavily. "Madelynn, how long have you been working under me now?"
"Four years," Madelynn replied.
"Four years," Danny repeated, shaking his head. "You've always been reliable—capable, steady, and good with clients. I've considered promoting you more than once. But what happened yesterday—"
"Mr. Willis, I'll take full responsibility for that," Madelynn interjected before he could continue.
Danny waved a hand, dismissing the idea. "No need for that. I know exactly what kind of person Louis is."
He paused, then added more seriously, "The real issue is that the Dawson Group still expects an explanation."
Madelynn didn't respond.
Danny opened a drawer, took out an envelope, and slid it across the desk toward her.
