Late Blooms, Early Goodbyes

Madeline knew Regina was saying all that just to push her buttons. Even so, her expression didn't change as she replied, "I've already decided to walk away. I'm not going to fight you for anything."

Regina let out a mocking laugh at that. "Oh, please. If you wanted to leave, you'd have done it a long time ago. But here you are, shamelessly sticking around. I know you're only after the money.

"By the way, how were the daisies I asked Tristan to give you? They were beautiful, weren't they?"

As soon as those words settled, Madeline's expression darkened with something unreadable.

Even Regina knew about her pollen allergy, yet Tristan had no clue. He had been used and didn't even realize it.

Clearly, Madeline never mattered to him.

In no time, Tristan came out with Annabelle. He glanced at Madeline before saying, "She's just a kid and didn't mean any harm. I've talked to her. We'll head out for the evening cruise soon."

The moment he finished speaking, Regina quickly pulled out two concert tickets. "Tris, it's that band we've loved since university. Tonight's their very last performance."

Tristan paused, evidently torn. In the past, he would've chosen to attend the concert with Regina without hesitation.

But this time, he sensed something was off with Madeline. That was why he had suggested going on the evening cruise.

He feared Madeline wouldn't be able to handle it if he chose Regina again. So, he held his ground.

"Sorry, but I don't like that band anymore. Besides, I've already made plans with Madeline."

With that, he turned and went back to the bedroom to change.

Regina hadn't seen that coming. Tristan had always given in to her. But today, he rejected her for Madeline, that ugly freak.

Her face contorted with rage as she glared at Madeline. "You freak! What kind of trick did you use on him?"

Madeline couldn't be bothered to waste her breath on Regina. Thus, she didn't respond.

However, her deliberate silence only made Regina feel like she was doing it to provoke her.

Blinded by fury, Regina snatched the massive bouquet of daisies from the table and started hitting Madeline's head with it. She struck the latter again and again, each blow more vicious than the last.

It didn't take long before Madeline inhaled too much pollen. Her allergic reaction was overwhelming. In the next second, her face flushed red, and her breathing grew labored.

A triumphant smile spread across Regina's face. "Let's see who Tristan chooses now."

Then, without warning, she collapsed onto the floor, clutching her stomach and howling in pain.

When Tristan emerged from the bedroom, he found the two women sprawled on the floor. His wife was gasping for air with a swollen face, while his first love was doubled over, crying in pain.

His eyes darted nervously between the two, not knowing who to help first.

Madeline knew she was going to die if she didn't get to a hospital soon. She couldn't care about anything else right now because staying alive was all that mattered.

"Tristan, take me to the hospital. I can't hold on much longer…"

Tristan snapped out of his daze and nodded. But just as he reached for Madeline, Regina grabbed his leg and yelled, "Tris, my stomach hurts so bad. It feels like someone's stabbing me! I can't take it anymore!"

As if on cue, Annabelle rushed to Regina's side, crouched beside her, and pointed at Madeline.

"It's all her fault! That ugly freak upset Regina on purpose!" she shrieked. "She knew it'd make Regina sick, and she just wanted to see who you care about more. She's faking it! Come on, we have to get Regina to the hospital!"

All at once, Tristan's features hardened with fury. He glared at Madeline and roared, "How could you stoop this low? Madeline Sterling, you've gone too far!"

With that, he scooped Regina up and rushed out, leaving Madeline behind. It was as if her life meant nothing.

A wave of despair crashed over Madeline. The fact that she had begged Tristan, still clinging to hope he'd help, was almost laughable.

She reached out with difficulty and managed to grab her phone from the couch. After calling Sophie, she quickly lost consciousness.

…

When Madeline came to, she was lying in a hospital bed.

Sophie stood by her bedside, frustration and worry written all over her face. "Are you trying to get yourself killed? If I had been any later, you'd be dead!"

Madeline remained silent.

This time, she didn't stay in the hospital for long. She signed the discharge papers on the same day the divorce became official.

Just like before, Tristan didn't care enough to show up.

…

When Madeline got home, she saw the dried flower petals scattered across the floor. Just like her marriage, they were long dead.

After packing her bags, she placed the divorce papers on the coffee table, right where it was most visible. Then, she took what little she had left and walked away without a single glance back.

Madeline had lived here for years, yet it had never felt like home. Instead, it had been a prison in disguise.

Leaving felt like shaking off a set of invisible chains. At last, she was free.

…

Madeline had booked her flight well in advance, so she headed straight to the airport. While she waited to board, her phone rang. It was Tristan.

But she didn't answer. She simply declined the call and turned off her phone.

From that moment on, no matter how far their paths diverged, she and Tristan were nothing to each other.