Madeline didn’t wait for Nathaniel to come back. As soon as the movie ended, she stood up and left, heading home immediately.
Just as dinner was ready, the door swung open, and Nathaniel rushed in, out of breath. His eyes softened with relief when he saw her sitting at the table.
“Why did you come back first? Didn’t I tell you to wait for me?” His forehead was damp with sweat, and his chest heaved with each breath. He untied his tie and collapsed into the chair across from her.
Madeline casually took a bite of noodles, her tone indifferent. “I was hungry, so I came back first.”
Nathaniel took a moment to catch his breath. “Don’t you want to know where I went?”
She looked up briefly, asking without a trace of real curiosity, “So where did you go?”
He hesitated for a moment, then avoided answering her question. “Mom’s back. She wants to see you.”
Madeline paused, her chopsticks mid-air. The mention of Victoria made her stomach tighten. She had always feared Nathaniel’s mother. After all, it was she who had belittled and criticized Madeline for not being able to conceive, making her feel worthless. Nathaniel had almost severed ties with his mother over her treatment of Madeline, and after moving out, life had been better for her. For a long time, she hadn’t seen or heard from Victoria. She’d disappeared into her travels, only to reappear now.
Madeline set her chopsticks down, wiping her mouth before speaking. “Let’s go. It’s been so long since we’ve seen her. We can’t be rude.”
Nathaniel let out a quiet sigh of relief, taking her cold hand in his as they made their way to Victoria’s house. He slipped her hand into his jacket pocket, his voice soft and reassuring. “Why are your hands so cold? Eat less cold food. I’ll give you a hot bath when we get back.”
Madeline felt the warmth of his hand against hers, but a coldness seemed to settle deep inside her, making her heart feel frozen.
When they arrived, Victoria sat elegantly on the sofa, her face lighting up with a smile as soon as she saw Nathaniel. She immediately rose and moved toward him, pushing Madeline aside as she drew him close, her eyes scanning him with approval. Her praise poured out relentlessly, all directed at him, while Madeline stood silently, unseen.
"Good son, I know you're the most filial. You won’t let me be without a grandson. Zoe..."
Nathaniel cut her off quickly, his voice tinged with urgency. "You take a rest first." His gaze flickered nervously toward Madeline.
Madeline seemed unaffected, her focus entirely on the family drama playing on the TV. She appeared completely absorbed, as if she hadn’t heard a word.
Nathaniel frowned, glancing at her with confusion. This wasn’t like her. She used to hang on his every word, every detail, and would never be so detached, least of all watching TV on her own.
Victoria, noticing Madeline's indifference, grew angry. Her red nails almost seemed to point accusingly at Madeline’s face. “Are you dead? Do you have no sense at all? Go and prepare the dishes! You’re useless! It's bad enough that you can’t give birth to a child, but now you can't even do basic housework. My son really is unlucky to marry you.”
Madeline turned slowly, her gaze cold as she met her mother-in-law’s. The sharpness of her stare seemed to catch Victoria off guard, but it quickly fueled her rage.
“What is that look? How dare you stare at me like that? Waiting for Zoe’s child?” she spat.
“Mom!” Nathaniel’s voice rang out sharply, making Victoria flinch. Seeing his livid face, she swallowed the rest of her words, her irritation still simmering beneath her breath. “Why are you shouting?” she snapped before reluctantly adding, “Let’s eat.”
At the dinner table, Nathaniel silently served Madeline, picking up food for her with a tender care that contrasted sharply with the tension in the room. Yet, Madeline only took one bite before pushing her plate away, her voice calm. “I already ate. I’m not hungry now.”
Nathaniel didn’t seem to mind. Without hesitation, he picked up the leftovers in her bowl and ate them. Across the table, Victoria’s teeth ground together in frustration, but she dared not speak up after receiving one of Nathaniel’s hard, threatening glares. She swallowed her anger, but it was clear she couldn’t even stomach her food.
After the meal, Nathaniel was the only one who ate. He could feel the tension in the air, especially with his mother, and feared she might say something she shouldn’t. So, he quickly ushered Madeline out of the house and back to their own place.
The moment they stepped inside, Nathaniel hadn’t even had time to take off his coat when he heard Madeline ask, almost offhand, "Who is Zoe?"
