Chapter 4: The First Betrayal

The following morning, Madeline woke with a heavy feeling in her chest.

She had barely slept after hearing Meredith's words.

Jeremy still loved her sister.

That fact wasn't new.

What hurt was the realization that Meredith was deliberately making sure Madeline never forgot it.

Madeline slowly placed a hand over her stomach.

"Don't worry," she whispered.

"I won't let anyone hurt you."

She had spent twelve years chasing Jeremy's love.

Perhaps it was finally time to stop.

At breakfast, Jeremy was already sitting at the table.

He was reading something on his tablet.

Madeline quietly took the seat opposite him.

"Good morning," she said.

"Morning."

His response was brief.

Madeline took a sip of juice.

Then Jeremy suddenly looked up.

"Are you feeling better?"

She blinked in surprise.

"Yes."

"The doctor said you need more rest."

"I know."

Jeremy nodded and returned to his tablet.

It was a small exchange.

But Madeline still noticed it.

He was beginning to care about the pregnancy.

Maybe not about her.

But at least about the baby.

That was enough for now.

Later that morning, Jeremy received a call from his assistant.

"Mr. Whitman, the press has obtained some information about the pregnancy."

Jeremy's expression immediately hardened.

"What information?"

"They're reporting that your wife is expecting."

"Who leaked it?"

"We don't know yet."

Jeremy ended the call and looked toward Madeline.

"Did you tell anyone?"

Madeline shook her head.

"No."

"I haven't told anyone except my doctor."

"Then someone else did."

The news spread rapidly across Glendale.

By afternoon, reporters were waiting outside the Whitman residence.

"Mrs. Whitman, are you pregnant?"

"How do you feel about becoming the mother of the Whitman heir?"

"Was the pregnancy planned?"

Madeline was shocked.

She had no idea how the information had leaked.

Security officers immediately surrounded her.

Jeremy arrived moments later.

He pulled her into the house without saying a word.

Once they reached the living room, he turned toward her.

"Did you arrange this?"

Madeline stared at him.

"No."

"Why would I expose my pregnancy to the media?"

"Because you want the public to pressure me into staying married to you."

The accusation cut deeply.

"Jeremy, I would never do that."

"I believe you," he said coldly.

"But someone did."

Before Madeline could respond, Meredith entered the mansion.

"Jeremy!"

She looked worried.

"I heard about the reporters."

Jeremy immediately walked toward her.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"I was worried about you."

Madeline watched them quietly.

She saw the way Jeremy's expression softened around Meredith.

She saw the way Meredith leaned closer.

And she finally understood that the two of them had created a world where she would always be the outsider.

Meredith suddenly looked toward her.

"Madeline, I heard the news."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"I hope you're happy."

Madeline smiled faintly.

"I'm trying to be."

Meredith lowered her eyes.

"I just wish the situation were different."

"What do you mean?"

"Jeremy and I have been together emotionally for so long."

"This child will make everything more complicated."

Jeremy immediately frowned.

"Meredith."

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"I shouldn't have said that."

Madeline looked at Jeremy.

He didn't defend her.

He didn't correct Meredith either.

That silence hurt more than any accusation.

Later that evening, Madeline found Meredith alone in the hallway.

"You did it, didn't you?" she asked quietly.

Meredith's expression changed.

"Did what?"

"You leaked the pregnancy to the press."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"You were the only person besides Jeremy and my doctor who knew."

Meredith smiled faintly.

"Maybe you should be more careful about who you tell things to."

"So you're admitting it?"

"I'm saying you should stop blaming me for everything."

Madeline stepped closer.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because Jeremy loves me."

"And you know that."

Madeline's eyes hardened.

"Then why are you so afraid of my child?"

Meredith's smile disappeared.

"I'm not afraid."

"Really?"

"Then you wouldn't need to keep reminding Jeremy that he loves you."

Meredith's expression turned cold.

"You don't understand."

"What don't I understand?"

"Jeremy was supposed to be mine."

"You ruined that."

"No," Madeline replied.

"You ruined it yourself the moment you decided to lie."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Meredith stepped closer and whispered,

"Don't become too confident just because you're carrying a Whitman child."

"Children don't guarantee love."

Madeline looked straight into her eyes.

"Neither does beauty."

Meredith's face turned pale.

She quickly walked away.

That night, Jeremy found Madeline standing alone on the balcony.

"Why are you out here?"

"I needed air."

He stood beside her.

"About the reporters..."

"I know."

"I believe you didn't leak the news."

Madeline looked at him.

"Thank you."

"But I need you to understand something."

"What?"

"I won't let anyone use the baby to control my life."

"I'm not trying to control you."

"I know."

"That's why I'm telling you directly."

He looked at her stomach.

"The baby is innocent."

"I won't allow anyone to hurt it."

Madeline felt a strange warmth in her chest.

"You really mean that?"

"Yes."

For the first time, she saw genuine concern in his eyes.

She almost smiled.

Then Jeremy's phone rang.

He looked at the screen.

Meredith.

His expression immediately changed.

"I need to take this."

He walked away.

Madeline remained on the balcony alone.

Her brief moment of hope disappeared.

She knew Jeremy still loved Meredith.

But she also knew something else now.

Meredith was afraid.

And frightened people made mistakes.

The next afternoon, Madeline received a call from her lawyer.

"Mrs. Whitman, there's a problem."

"What happened?"

"The police have reopened an old case involving you."

Madeline's heart stopped.

"What case?"

"The accident involving Meredith three years ago."

"Someone has submitted new evidence claiming you were responsible."

Madeline's face went pale.

She immediately remembered the night.

She had been there.

But she hadn't caused the accident.

Someone was framing her.

"Who submitted the evidence?"

Her lawyer hesitated.

"Meredith Crawford."

Madeline's fingers went cold.

Across the city, Meredith sat beside Jeremy.

Tears filled her eyes as she whispered,

"I never wanted to hurt Madeline."

"But I can't keep watching her take everything from me."

Jeremy looked at her with concern.

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying..."

"She needs to pay for what she did to me."

Jeremy's expression hardened.

"If she really caused the accident, she'll have to answer for it."

Meredith lowered her head.

A small smile appeared where Jeremy couldn't see it.

The trap had been set.

And this time...

Madeline had no idea how much she was about to lose.