Chapter 14 Let's Get a Divorce
The check-up went smoothly, and the biggest surprise was one baby turning into two.
The doctor told Madison, "Now that you’re three months along, the babies are fairly stable, and you can have a moderate intimate relationship, but since you’re carrying twins, you still need to be careful. Don’t let your husband get too carried away."
Madison's face turned beet red, and she stuttered in reply, "Ooookay...doctor, I understand."
"Today's check-up is over. Remember to come on time for your follow-up next month."
Madison instinctively touched her belly, holding the list, marveling at the miracle within. Two little lives were growing inside her, and soon, she might start feeling them move. Madison thought she recognized two figures ahead as she stepped out of the elevator. She was reluctant to believe it, but the man bore a striking resemblance to Matthew.
She hurried to follow them, but they had disappeared by the time she reached the entrance. Shaking her head, she dismissed the thought. It was unlikely. If Matthew had returned early, why hadn't he told her? And it was impossible for him to appear at the hospital, of all places.
When Madison returned to the villa by taxi, facing the quiet emptiness, she felt a pang of sorrow for the first time, perhaps a sensitivity brought on by pregnancy. Despite being home alone so often over the past three years, her emotions had become a tangled web of hope and fear ever since Brianna's return.
She worried that one day Matthew would return to declare, "The three-year term has ended. Let's get a divorce," and hand her the papers to sign. The happiness she had “stolen” seemed to be slipping away.
That evening, Madison considered calling Matthew to ask what time he would be home the next day so she could prepare dinner early. After showering, she sat on the edge of the bed and dialed his number. It rang for a while before a strange woman's voice answered, "Hello, Mrs. Nelson, this is Brianna. Matthew is in the shower. What can I do for you? I can pass on a message."
"It's nothing, never mind."
Madison hung up stiffly and then sat there stunned, clutching her phone. So, Matthew had returned, and he was with Brianna. They were together. Tears flowed involuntarily from her eyes as she sat, lips pressed tightly together, letting the tears fall unchecked down her cheeks to dampen the bedsheets. She thought she could handle it, that if Matthew wanted a divorce after three years, she could thank him for giving her a family with a smile and a goodbye. But why did it still hurt so much?
…
The following morning, Madison woke up late, having slept poorly. As she went downstairs, she saw Matthew sitting on the living room sofa, hands resting on his knees, head bowed. She hadn't heard when he returned. She didn’t know how long he'd been sitting there.
When he heard her, he looked up, his eyes bloodshot.
Madison approached him and said, "You're back. Have you eaten breakfast? I can make some for you."
Matthew shifted and leaned back against the sofa, his voice hoarse. "No need to make it, come here."
Madison walked over and sat on the couch opposite Matthew, sitting up straight like a well-behaved student waiting for instructions.
Matthew's expression was serious.
"I have something to tell you."
She sat motionless on the couch, wondering what he would say to her. She had cried all night the evening before, and today, her eyes were a bit red. She was prepared, anticipating his words. Only half a month was left of the three-year agreement, a span of time that felt neither fast nor slow.
Matthew looked at her and wondered why her eyes were red. Perhaps she had been watching those melodramatic TV shows again. Some words were hard to find, and he loosened his tie and unbuttoned his collar and cuffs in irritation.
Madison didn’t want to make this hard for him, so she spoke up. "Is this... about divorce?"
At Madison's words, Matthew hesitated for a moment, then responded flatly.
"It is."
Despite being mentally prepared, when Madison heard his response, she still felt as if it were hard to breathe, as though a knife had slashed through her heart, causing excruciating pain.
Her hands gripped the couch tightly. Taking a deep breath, and fighting the pain, she tried to speak calmly.
"When will we do the paperwork?"
The happiness she had “stolen” was now to be returned. In a marriage, the one who wasn't loved is the third party.
She knew that Matthew meant what he said. Since he had brought it up, there was no point in clinging to the position of Mrs. Nelson and preventing him from having a legitimate relationship with Brianna.
Frowning, Matthew said, "Let’s do it in the next couple of days. I'll have my lawyer draw up the agreement for you to sign. I’ll make it up to you. This villa is yours, plus an apartment downtown. Besides the original agreement, I'll give you an extra hundred million. If you have any other demands, feel free to ask."
Madison looked out the window briefly, noticing the sunlight seemed a little too strong, almost blinding at the moment, causing her eyes to feel sore and swollen. Tilting her head back seemed to relieve the discomfort slightly.
Turning back to Matthew, she said, "I don’t have any demands. I don’t need the houses. I might go back to my hometown to live. The air is better there, and I’m used to it. You don’t have to give me so much money. A hundred thousand is enough. I’m currently unemployed and have spent my savings on Grandpa’s medical treatment. I’ll consider the money a loan from you and I’ll pay it back in the future."
"If you want to go back home, that's fine. If you don't want the houses, I can convert their value to cash for you. Don’t talk about loans. We had an agreement from the start. This is what you're entitled to."
"Then have your lawyer prepare the agreement and contact me. I’ll pack up and move out as soon as possible."
"There’s no rush to move out. I won’t be returning to live here for a while. Stay as long as you like." With that, he got up and left.
…
After Matthew left, Madison remained motionless on the sofa until her cell phone ringtone brought her back to her senses. It was a call from the old family home. She composed herself before answering and heard William's voice on the other end.
"Madison, are you back from your hometown? How about coming over for dinner at my place tonight? It's been a while since we've seen you, and we miss you."
Hearing Grandpa's kind voice made Madison feel much better. Since she was about to leave, she thought she should see Grandpa one last time.
"Okay, Grandpa, I'll take a taxi over in a bit."
"Matthew still hasn't come back, huh? What kind of husband leaves his wife alone for so long?" William wondered, feeling a headache coming on at the thought of his grandson.
"Matthew is busy with work, Grandpa. I brought a lot of fresh produce from my hometown. I'll bring some over for you to try."
"That's wonderful. Do you want me to send the driver to pick you up?"
"It's okay, Grandpa. I'll head over after I pack up a few things."
"Alright then, be careful on the way over."
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