Chapter 2: A Child He Didn't Want

Jeremy's footsteps faded down the hallway.

Madeline remained sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at the closed door.

Her tears had dried, but the pain remained.

She slowly looked down at her stomach.

There was still no visible change.

Yet everything inside her had already changed.

"Don't worry," she whispered.

"I'll protect you."

The next morning, Madeline woke before sunrise.

She had barely slept.

Jeremy's words kept replaying in her mind.

"I don't want this child."

She knew she shouldn't expect affection from him.

But hearing him reject his own child still hurt.

Madeline got dressed quietly and went downstairs.

The dining table was already prepared for breakfast.

She sat alone.

Ten minutes later, Jeremy entered the dining room.

He was dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, his expression cold and distant.

He didn't look at her.

"Good morning," Madeline said softly.

Jeremy ignored her.

She lowered her eyes.

The silence was unbearable.

Finally, Jeremy spoke.

"How long have you known?"

Madeline looked up.

"About the pregnancy?"

"Yes."

"I found out yesterday."

"Has anyone else been told?"

"No."

Jeremy's expression remained unreadable.

"Good."

Madeline frowned.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want this becoming another headline."

"I'm not planning to tell anyone."

"See that you don't."

Madeline clenched her hands beneath the table.

"I'm not asking you for anything."

"Then what do you want?"

"Nothing."

"I'm keeping the baby."

Jeremy's eyes darkened.

"I told you I don't want it."

"You don't have to want it."

"It's still my child."

Jeremy stared at her.

"Don't confuse biology with family."

The words cut deeply.

Madeline forced herself not to cry.

"Understood."

She stood and walked away.

Behind her, Jeremy remained at the table.

For reasons he couldn't explain, her silence bothered him.

He had expected her to plead.

He had expected her to use the pregnancy to keep him tied to her.

Instead, she had simply accepted his rejection.

That afternoon, Madeline visited a private clinic recommended by her friend.

She wanted a second examination.

The doctor smiled when she saw the results.

"Everything looks normal."

"The pregnancy is healthy."

Madeline finally relaxed.

"Thank you."

As she left the clinic, she held the ultrasound photograph against her chest.

For the first time in days, she smiled genuinely.

The tiny shape on the screen was barely recognizable.

But to her...

It was already everything.

She returned home and placed the photograph inside a drawer.

She didn't want Jeremy to see it.

Not because she was ashamed.

Because she was afraid he would take away the little happiness she had left.

Later that evening, Meredith Crawford arrived at the mansion.

Madeline froze when she saw her sister walking through the front door.

Meredith wore a soft white dress and carried a box of pastries.

"Madeline," she said sweetly.

"I heard Jeremy came home last night."

Madeline's expression remained calm.

"Yes."

"Was he angry?"

"Why are you asking?"

Meredith smiled innocently.

"Because I care about you."

Madeline almost laughed.

Her sister had always been good at pretending.

"I'm fine."

"That's good."

Meredith glanced toward the stairs.

"Jeremy has been under a lot of pressure lately."

"He doesn't need more trouble."

"I know."

"So you understand why he spends so much time outside?"

Madeline looked directly at her.

"I understand perfectly."

Meredith's smile tightened.

"Then we're on the same page."

"I hope you are," Madeline replied quietly.

Meredith looked at her for a moment before changing the subject.

"By the way, Grandma Whitman is planning a family dinner this weekend."

"You should come."

"I will."

After Meredith left, Madeline stood alone in the living room.

She knew exactly why Meredith had come.

Not to check on her.

To make sure Jeremy still belonged to her.

That night, Jeremy returned late.

Madeline didn't go downstairs.

She remained in the bedroom reading.

Several minutes later, the door opened.

Jeremy entered carrying his phone.

He seemed distracted.

Then his eyes landed on Madeline.

"Why didn't you come downstairs?"

"I was tired."

"Meredith came by earlier."

"Yes."

"She said you were rude to her."

Madeline closed her book.

"I didn't insult her."

"You made her uncomfortable."

"That's not my intention."

Jeremy walked closer.

"You should treat her with respect."

Madeline looked at him quietly.

"Do you respect me?"

Jeremy stopped.

"This isn't about me."

"It is when you're asking me to respect the woman you love while I'm your wife."

His expression darkened.

"Don't start this again."

"I'm not starting anything."

"I'm simply tired of being blamed for everything."

Jeremy said nothing.

Madeline stood.

"I'm pregnant."

"I'm carrying your child."

"I'm not asking you to love me."

"I'm only asking you not to make my life harder than it already is."

For a moment, something flickered in Jeremy's eyes.

Guilt, perhaps.

But it disappeared quickly.

"Fine."

"I won't interfere."

"Thank you."

He turned to leave.

Then Madeline suddenly felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen.

She grabbed the edge of the table.

"Madeline?" Jeremy turned.

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

"I'm fine."

But her face had gone pale.

Jeremy immediately walked back.

"Where does it hurt?"

"My stomach."

"We’re going to the hospital."

"No."

"It's probably just stress."

"Madeline, stop arguing."

He grabbed his coat.

"We're going."

She looked at him in surprise.

"You care?"

Jeremy froze.

For a moment, neither spoke.

"You're carrying my child," he finally said.

"I have a responsibility."

The answer wasn't loving.

But it was the first time he had acknowledged that the baby mattered.

At the hospital, the doctor examined Madeline immediately.

After several tests, the doctor smiled.

"Everything is fine."

"The pain was caused by exhaustion."

"She needs more rest."

Jeremy quietly nodded.

As they left the examination room, he glanced at the ultrasound image on the doctor's desk.

"That's the baby?" he asked.

"Yes," the doctor replied.

Jeremy stared at the tiny image.

Something unfamiliar moved inside his chest.

It wasn't love.

Not yet.

But it wasn't hatred either.

Madeline noticed his expression.

"You don't have to pretend."

"I'm not."

"Then what are you thinking?"

Jeremy looked away.

"Nothing."

Madeline smiled faintly.

"Of course."

They returned home together that night.

For the first time since their wedding...

Jeremy walked beside Madeline instead of ahead of her.

He still didn't love her.

He still loved Meredith.

But somewhere inside his cold heart...

A tiny crack had appeared.

And neither of them knew how much that crack would change their lives.