Chapter 8: You Don't Know Me Anymore

Jeremy stood motionless outside the Grand Aurora Hotel.

His eyes remained fixed on the black sedan disappearing into the traffic.

The little boy's face refused to leave his mind.

"Mom..."

The child had called Madeline 'Mom' so naturally.

Jeremy slowly closed his eyes.

"Five years old..."

His heartbeat quickened.

Could the child really be his?

He immediately turned toward his assistant.

"Find out everything about Crawford Design International."

"Especially Ms. Madeline Crawford."

"Yes, Mr. Whitman."

"And the little boy who was with her."

His assistant looked surprised.

"Immediately."

"Understood."

Meanwhile...

Madeline and Ethan arrived at their newly purchased villa overlooking Glendale Bay.

The house was elegant but peaceful.

Far away from the chaos of the city.

"Mom," Ethan asked while taking off his backpack.

"Was that man bothering you?"

Madeline smiled gently.

"No."

"He's just someone from Mommy's past."

"Did he make you cry before?"

Madeline paused.

Children noticed more than adults realized.

"Why would you ask that?"

"Because when he looked at you... your smile disappeared."

Madeline knelt in front of her son.

"Sometimes people make mistakes."

"Big mistakes."

"Can they say sorry?"

"Yes."

"Then everything becomes okay?"

Madeline gently shook her head.

"Not always."

"Some apologies arrive after they've already broken everything."

Ethan didn't fully understand.

But he hugged his mother anyway.

"I'll never make you cry."

Madeline hugged him tightly.

"I know."

Back at Whitman Corporation...

Jeremy couldn't concentrate on work.

Every file he opened reminded him of Madeline.

Every quiet moment brought back memories.

The way she used to wait for him every night.

The dinners she prepared.

The smile she always forced whenever he came home.

He had ignored all of it.

"Mr. Whitman," his assistant interrupted.

"We found preliminary information."

"Go on."

"Crawford Design International was founded four years ago overseas."

"Its owner is officially listed as Ms. Madeline Crawford."

"She's one of the fastest-growing entrepreneurs in the luxury jewelry industry."

"Anything else?"

"She returned to Glendale only three days ago."

"And the child?"

"His name is Ethan Crawford."

"Five years old."

Jeremy's breathing became heavier.

"Father?"

"No record."

"No father listed anywhere."

Jeremy slowly stood.

"Prepare the car."

"Where are we going?"

"To see Madeline."

An hour later...

Jeremy arrived outside Madeline's villa.

The security guard politely blocked the entrance.

"Do you have an appointment, sir?"

"Tell Ms. Crawford Jeremy Whitman is here."

Several minutes later...

Madeline walked outside.

She remained standing several feet away.

"Mr. Whitman."

"You're trespassing."

"I only need five minutes."

"I don't have five minutes."

"Madeline..."

"Please."

She crossed her arms.

"Talk."

Jeremy looked directly at her.

"Is Ethan my son?"

Silence.

Madeline's expression didn't change.

"No."

"You're lying."

"Am I?"

"His age..."

"Lots of children are five years old."

"His eyes look exactly like mine."

"Many people have dark eyes."

"Madeline!"

She stepped closer.

"Do you remember what you said the day I told you I was pregnant?"

Jeremy lowered his head.

"I do."

"You said you didn't want the child."

"I was wrong."

"Yes."

"But being wrong has consequences."

"You don't get to decide five years later that you're ready to be a father."

"I deserve to know the truth."

"Deserve?"

Madeline laughed quietly.

"The day I needed you most..."

"You chose Meredith."

"The day I cried in front of you..."

"You called me a liar."

"The day I begged you to believe me..."

"You turned your back."

Jeremy couldn't look into her eyes.

"I'm sorry."

"I know."

"But your apology changes nothing."

"If Ethan is my son—"

"If."

Madeline interrupted him.

"Then remember something."

"You rejected him before he was even born."

Jeremy felt every word like a knife.

"Please... let me explain."

"Explain what?"

"That you were manipulated?"

"That you trusted Meredith?"

"I already know."

"I don't need explanations anymore."

"I've spent five years learning how to live without them."

She turned around.

"Don't come here again."

"Madeline!"

"Goodbye, Mr. Whitman."

The security gate slowly closed.

Jeremy remained standing outside.

For the first time in his life...

Money couldn't solve his problem.

Power couldn't open the gate.

Influence couldn't erase the past.

Inside the villa...

Ethan peeked through the curtains.

"Mom..."

"Is he gone?"

"Yes."

"Why did he look sad?"

Madeline smiled sadly.

"Because sometimes people realize what they lost only after it's gone."

"Will he come back?"

"Probably."

"Will you forgive him?"

Madeline looked toward the closed gate.

Jeremy was still standing outside.

Five years ago...

She would have run into his arms.

Now...

She felt nothing except peace.

"No," she answered softly.

"Some chapters of life are meant to stay closed."

Outside the villa...

Jeremy slowly looked up at the second-floor window.

For just a second...

He saw Ethan watching him.

The little boy smiled politely before disappearing behind the curtains.

Jeremy's heart tightened.

He didn't know why.

But deep inside...

He was certain of one thing.

That child belonged to him.

And if that was true...

He had already missed the first five years of his son's life.

It was the greatest punishment he had ever received.