A shocking bloom of crimson seeped across the hem of Alexis's dress.
Joel's eyes were bloodshot. He lunged forward and locked his hand around Madison's throat, his voice a raw, ragged snarl.
"You vicious bitch! You can't have children of your own, so you had to kill hers? How can you be this heartless!"
The suffocating pressure crushed inward. Madison clawed at his fingers, desperate to say she hadn't pushed anyone, but his grip sealed her windpipe shut. Not a single word escaped.
Then he released her—not gently, but with a violent shove that sent her flying.
She hit the ground hard. Instinct curled her body inward, arms wrapping around her stomach before she even registered the pain.
Joel was already gone. He scooped Alexis into his arms and ran for the door, his voice cracking with panic.
"Don't be scared. I'm taking you to the hospital. The baby's going to be fine…"
Phyllis rushed out after them. The moment she saw Madison crumpled on the floor, white as paper, tears spilled down her face.
"Madison, I'm so sorry…"
Madison braced one hand against the wall and dragged herself upright. She managed a thin, brittle smile.
"I'm sorry I ruined Grandpa's birthday."
Phyllis's eyes were red and swollen. Her hands shook as she reached into her purse and pressed the divorce certificate into Madison's palm.
"From this day forward, you are not Mrs. Delgado. You are my daughter. You always will be."
Madison's nose burned. She nodded once, turned, and walked away.
She hadn't made it far before several bodyguards in black closed in around her and shoved her into a waiting car.
The car tore through the streets and screeched to a halt at the hospital.
Inside the private room, Alexis lay propped against the pillows, tear tracks glistening on her cheeks. The moment Madison was dragged through the door, her sobbing intensified.
Joel rose from the bedside and walked toward Madison. He towered over her, looking down with glacial contempt.
"The baby is gone. Get on your knees and apologize."
A bodyguard seized her shoulders and forced her down. Her kneecaps struck the tile floor so hard it felt like every bone in her legs shattered at once. The pain ripped through her, and her whole body trembled.
But her gaze didn't waver.
"I didn't do it. Why should I?"
Fury twisted Joel's face. He had told her—no one would replace her. The child would have been given to her to raise, and Alexis would have been sent away afterward.
So why did she have to kill his child?
He pulled out his phone and dialed.
"That ten-figure contract Maddox Group is counting on—pull it. Have Legal terminate the partnership immediately."
He hung up and fixed his stare on Madison, every syllable laced with threat.
"You won't apologize? Fine. Then I'll bankrupt your family by morning. Your father barely survived last time. This time—"
Madison's heart plummeted.
She knew Joel meant every word. He had the power to reduce the Maddox empire to rubble in a single phone call.
Her father was older now. His health couldn't withstand another blow. She would not let her family be destroyed because of her.
The cramping in her lower abdomen was getting worse—sharp, twisting knots of pain. She bit down on her lip until the taste of iron flooded her mouth. Only then did she slowly bow her head.
"I'm sorry."
Behind the curtain of tears, the corner of Alexis's mouth curled into a triumphant smirk.
"Get out."
Joel spat the two words without an ounce of warmth left in his eyes.
Madison stood. Her knees screamed with every step, each one unsteady, lurching. She didn't look back.
Behind her, Joel's voice turned impossibly soft as he soothed Alexis.
"Don't be afraid. I'll stay right here with you."
The hospital doors opened to a wall of cold night air. Madison lifted her hand and pressed it gently against her lower belly. Her fingertips were cool against the fabric. She lowered her head and whispered.
"It's okay, baby. Mommy's taking you away from here. We're never coming back."
She didn't go home. There was nothing left in that house she wanted.
She drove straight to the airport and bought a one-way ticket on the next international flight out.
Then she opened her phone and sent a single file to a reporter.
Release this in three days. Front page.
The plane lifted off the runway. Madison watched the churning sea of clouds roll past her window, and her eyes held nothing but certainty.
Joel Delgado. This is goodbye.
I loved you for so many years. Consider this my parting gift.
After that—a new beginning.
