Chapter 7

Madison returned to the hospital.

Not long after, Mrs. Cooper called. “Madison, Jake went way too far this time! I just gave him a good scolding. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Madison’s voice was calm, without a hint of emotion. She even managed to comfort her. “It’s alright, Grandma. He’s in love with Xena. We’ve all seen that for a while now.”

Mrs. Cooper let out a weary sigh. “That foolish boy. He won’t listen to me. One day, he’s going to regret this.”

Madison didn’t respond.

After a moment, Mrs. Cooper changed the subject. “My birthday’s coming up in a few days. You’ll be there, right?”

“Of course,” Madison said. “We agreed. I’ll celebrate your birthday with you before I leave.”

Mrs. Cooper hesitated, then added, “The day after my birthday is Jake’s birthday. You’ve been by his side every year.”

Madison spoke softly, but without any hesitation. “He has someone new he’d rather spend it with now. Even if I wanted to be there, he wouldn’t welcome me. Grandma, we’ve both made our decisions. It’s time to let it go.”

Mrs. Cooper seemed to realize that Madison hadn’t mentioned Jake’s name once. She didn’t try to change her mind. Instead, she quietly ended the call.

But just before the call ended, Madison heard her murmur, “One day, he’s going to regret this.”

Whether Jake would regret it or not, Madison didn’t know.

But she knew one thing for sure, she wouldn’t.

After she was discharged from the hospital, Madison threw herself into preparations for her departure. The days went by quickly.

On the eve of Mrs. Cooper’s birthday, she wrapped up all her responsibilities at the company and handed everything over to her successor.

The next day, she arrived at the birthday banquet alone.

Jake and Xena showed up together, hand in hand.

Most of the guests were relatives and close family friends, with only a few business acquaintances in attendance. Everyone there knew about Madison and Jake’s engagement.

Seeing Jake bring another woman home without even trying to hide it, and introducing her to his family right in front of Madison, sent a quiet shock through the room.

Guests all around kept casting uneasy glances at the three of them.

Madison stayed composed. She knew this would be her final appearance in North City. She let them look all they wanted.

Jake, however, couldn’t handle the pressure. He suddenly grabbed the microphone from the emcee. “I want to officially end my engagement to Madison.”

Mrs. Cooper’s smile disappeared.

Jake’s father, Tim Zimmer, stared at him, his expression growing darker by the second.

Jake clenched his fists. “I finally have Xena back. No one is going to tear us apart again. If anyone tries, I’ll end my life.”

A wave of gasps swept through the crowd.

Tim’s voice turned cold. “What kind of nonsense is this? Today is your grandmother’s seventieth birthday. You chose her banquet to make this announcement? Do you have any respect for her at all?”

Jake turned toward Mrs. Cooper with a wounded look. “But Grandma, I’m your only grandson. Don’t you want me to be happy? Isn’t it a blessing to end a marriage that never should have happened in the first place on your birthday?”

Mrs. Cooper looked at Madison. “Madison, what do you think?”

Her voice was calm and even. “Let him decide.”

The room broke into hushed whispers.

Jake’s expression changed, but then he smiled with relief. “See, Grandma? She agrees too.”

Mrs. Cooper lifted her hand, silencing her son before he could speak. She gave a faint smile. “Very well. I’ll honor your choice. From this day forward, your engagement to Madison is over.”

Jake’s first reaction was to look at Madison.

She smiled at him, gently, as if giving her final blessing.

But that only made him angry again. He shot her a fierce glare, then turned to Xena with a bright smile and began chatting like nothing had happened.

Madison went through the motions. She handed over her gift, had a slice of the birthday cake, and then quietly slipped out.

She got into the car heading for the airport.

Her phone began to buzz.

It was a string of texts from Jake.

“Good. At least you know your place. I’ll let everything slide this time.

“My birthday’s tomorrow. You can come. What did you get me this year?

“Don’t act all high and mighty now. You think you’re better than me?

“Answer me!”

Madison stared at the screen in silence.

Then she blocked him.

Without looking back, she passed through security and boarded her flight out of North City.