Chapter 4

I arrived at the office before work hours.

The building was quiet, except for the light coming from Madelyn’s office.

I knocked and entered.

She was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, drying her hair in a semi-sheer lace slip.

She hadn’t noticed me yet, speaking on the phone. “Dr. Young, the baby’s only a month along. Let’s schedule the abortion while it’s still early.”

“Madelyn, this is your first child after five years of marriage. Are you sure you don’t want to talk to Evan first? I’m worried—”

“No need,” she snapped, cutting him off. “It’s my body, and I’ll decide!”

She paused, then continued coldly, “I’ve been drinking. Who knows if the baby will turn out deformed? Besides, Carter’s career is taking off. I can’t let anything hold me back.”

The food container slipped from my hands, crashing to the floor.

Startled, Madelyn turned around. When she saw me, her expression froze.

“Evan… When did you get here? What did you hear?”

She rushed toward me, gripping my sleeve desperately. “Evan, let me explain. I just found out about the pregnancy myself…”

I didn’t respond. My gaze was fixed on the marks on her exposed skin—passionate, undeniable evidence of last night.

Following my eyes, she looked down and gasped, quickly folding her arms to cover herself.

I lifted my head and chuckled, my voice dripping with contempt. “Madelyn Grant, I heard everything. Are you still going to lie to me? You’re disgusting.”

Madelyn, unaccustomed to such direct insults, teared up immediately.

She hesitated, wanting to reach for my hand but ashamed to drop her arms. She paced.

“Evan, Evan, please, listen. It’s not what you think…”

At that moment, the door to the private lounge opened, and Carter Hayes emerged wearing a bathrobe.

“Madelyn, what’s going on?”

Tears streamed down Madelyn’s face as she turned to him. “Carter, please explain to Evan! He’s misunderstood our relationship.”

Carter’s expression tightened briefly before he smiled lazily. “Evan, sorry about this. I got drunk last night, and Madelyn was kind enough to let me crash here. Nothing inappropriate happened. If it bothers you, I’ll leave.”

But his demeanor didn’t match his words.

The scratches on his chest were impossible to miss, and he adjusted his robe with a deliberate smirk. “Sorry, my clothes were ruined last night. The new ones haven’t arrived yet.”

I stayed silent, watching their performance with a numb heart.

Madelyn, thinking I believed Carter’s excuse, grabbed my wrist anxiously. “See, Evan? Carter explained it. We’re innocent.”

I shook her off, smiling faintly. “Madelyn Grant, you’re a natural actress. Not being in Hollywood is a loss for the industry.”

“What do you mean by that?” she asked, her voice trembling.

I stared at her tear-streaked face, my voice steady. “It means we’re done. Let’s get a divorce.”

Saying those words felt like a weight lifted off my chest.

Ignoring her sobs, I walked away from Grant Enterprises, leaving her behind.

When I picked up breakfast to bring to Madelyn this morning, a small part of me still clung to the hope that we could reconcile.

But now, I’ve finally decided to let her go.