#ONE

Madison’s POV

My water just broke.

A mortified expression reflected back at me when I stared at the mirror, water soaking the pretty pink dress I had just worn for my best friend’s birthday celebration. My baby was coming and it wasn't even the due date yet.

A small wave of pain in my stomach had me wincing as I stumbled back to the bed, fumbling with the sheets as I tried to find my phone. Contractions hit next and I let out a soft cry as I gripped the headboard tightly.

Breathe, Maddie. 

Sucking in sharp breaths wasn't helping at all but I managed to turn my phone on so that I could call my husband to get me to the hospital.

The call disconnected after ringing a few times and I groaned, my eyes closing tight as I tried to bear with the pain. This just had to be the day I was alone at home with no one to help.

Another wave of pain slammed into me and I cried out for help, collapsing against the wall as I dialed his number once again. 

“Pick up, Klaus, please.” I whispered, my voice strained because of the pain but once again, the call ended. 

I called again. And again until I was directed to voicemail. 

Of all the days he had to be the distant husband that he was, he chose today. 

I managed to stumble out of the room and down the stairs, the pain almost blinding me that I nearly tripped down the stairs. With a shaky breath, I called him once more, praying to everything that he would pick the hell up. 

When he didn't, I gave up and decided to try someone else. I was gripping the door hard when I dialed Abbie’s number but just like Klaus’, it went to voicemail as well. 

“Christ.” I cried out softly as my grip on the phone tightened. But before I could give up, I remembered there was someone I could call. 

But how was I sure he would pick up as well? 

When the contractions hit once again, I had no choice but to unblock that number that had been on my blacklist for the last three years. After seconds of hesitation, I hit the call button, shakily placing the phone over my ear. 

One ring was all it took for him to pick up and my heart flew to my throat.

“Maddie?”  

I swallowed the lump in my throat when I heard his voice again after three years. Three years of— 

“Help me.” I whispered, gripping the door harshly once again. “I'm about to give birth and I can't… I can't move. Klaus isn't available and—” 

“Where are you? I'll be there.” 

Before I could respond, I heard a car drive into the house and relief coursed through me at once when I recognized the car. 

“Never mind, my husband is back… I'm sorry for bothering you.”  

“Maddie—” 

I ended the call before I could regret my decisions once more and finally stumbled out of the house just as Klaus stepped out. 

“Madison? What happened to you?” He called out when he saw how disheveled I looked but before I could speak, his face scrunched up in disgust. “It's only hours until Abbie's birthday and you're still not ready?” 

“My water broke…” I struggled to say and his eyes widened. “Our baby is coming.” 

The way the disgusted look on his face wiped off immediately had my heart soaring in my chest. He approached me with a smile as he took my hand and I almost smiled too. Almost.  

But then I remembered how he did this months ago as well, when I told him I was pregnant. I thought he would stop being so cold after the pregnancy but he only rebounded a few weeks later. How could I be sure the same thing wouldn't happen again?

“Finally. My baby is coming.” He muttered in a daze as he picked me up in his arms and I wanted to correct him, to tell him it was “our” baby coming. But I simply chose to enjoy being in his arms for a while. 

How pathetic was it to love a man with everything I had yet he only smiled at me when I had something important to offer. 

He helped me into the car and he rushed back into the driver’s seat as he drove out of the house in a hurry. Sweat dropped down my chin and filled my back but I bit down on my bottom lip to avoid making a sound. I didn't want to annoy him right now. 

But then I remembered, I should tell Abbie as well. She had always told me how she wanted to be by my side when I gave birth, so I turned to Klaus, who still looked so happy.

“Can I call Abbie? She needs to know that I'm about to give birth." I muttered as softly as possible, thinning my lips from the pain. 

“What do you want to call Abbie for? I'll let her know later—” 

“Calling Abbie.” The car’s voice assistant cut him off and his face widened in terror when the call connected immediately.

“Hey baby, did you miss me so much already? It's only been about ten minutes since you left, you obsessed man.” Abbie’s familiar voice filled the car and my blood ran cold. 

Baby? Obsessed?  

“Abbie, that's enough, I need you to—”

“Stop acting like you don't need me; you literally cannot spend an hour away from me, and you know that.” She continued without realizing that I was listening. “Did you get home safe? I miss you already.” 

“Abbie, enough!” He snapped, his eyes meeting mine in panic yet all I could do was stare at him in despair. So this was why he was always so distant, so cold. He was cheating on me. With my best friend. 

“Don't yell at me, I'm not your fucking wife at home. She might be a fool to let you treat her like a piece of shit but I'm not that bitch, alright? Don't forget your place and how you call me mommy when I ride your dick. Unless you want to be a bad boy.” She didn't sound a bit displeased even as she spoke and a tear rolled down my cheek. “Is that what you want? To be punished—” 

Her words were cut off when Klaus finally ended the call and I let out a soft, bitter chuckle, my heart squeezing tightly in my chest. 

“It's not what you think, Madison." He muttered as the car slowed down and I groaned once again in pain. “Abbie jokes like this all the time.” 

“A joke is what you called that?” I snapped at him for the first time in my life. “You have been screwing my best friend while treating me like a fool? An idiot? My own best friend thinks I'm a fool and a bitch and that is supposed to be funny? After everything I've done for both of you?”

“You're making a big deal about this,” He said calmly, and I scoffed. “Our marriage wasn't mutual anyway and you know I never loved you. I didn't force you to throw yourself at me. I didn't force you to love me or do anything for me.” 

My ears rang at his words and then he let out a sigh as he stared at my stomach. “After you give birth, let's get a divorce.”