Chapter 2: Let's get a divorce.

How could you cheat on him? After saying that, Madison retreated to her bedroom, locking herself away. Hannah, watching her leave, felt a deep sense of pity and sighed quietly. Madison spent the night crying alone in her room. When she awoke the next morning to the sunlight streaming in, she wished desperately that the previous night had been just a bad dream. Just as she thought about checking on Henry in the study, the bedroom door swung open abruptly. Standing at the doorway was her mother-in-law, Marlena Smith. The moment Madison saw Marlena, her tears started flowing again. Before Madison could say a word, Marlena spoke bluntly. "I know about it. The children you're carrying aren't my son's. He asked me to convince you to give them up." "Marlena, even you believe this? ..." Madison responded with disbelief written all over her face. Marlena was unmoved, "You were unfaithful first. You got pregnant with another man's children. If Henry hadn't told me, we would still be in the dark. I can't believe you would do such a thing." "I didn't cheat, Marlena. These children were a decision we both made. You've got it all wrong," she pleaded, her body trembling. She couldn't fathom how the situation had spiraled so out of control, leading to such a heartbreaking misunderstanding. Despite Madison's explanations, Madison remained convinced that Madison had been unfaithful. "He won't divorce you, but you must give up the children. That's his only condition. There are many families eager to adopt, so you don't need to worry about them," Marlena firmly said. Holding her belly protectively, Madison asserted, "I'm not giving up my children. You may not acknowledge them, but they are mine. You have no right to decide for me." Marlena's look was cold, devoid of any previous warmth. "Do you really want this scandal to become public?" Feeling cornered and desperate, Madison shook her head. She longed for someone to support her. "These children were conceived through IVF. I haven't cheated. This was our mutual decision from the start." She said she was trying to make Marlena understand. Marlena, having always treated Madison like a daughter since her marriage to Henry, was deeply shocked to hear Henry's accusation of infidelity. Despite her initial disbelief, she chose to believe her son under the circumstances. "I know you're trying to defend yourself, but the truth remains. If you're not cooperative, I'll have my son divorce you," Marlena said, her tone steeped in arrogance. Madison protested, "Henry won't do that! He won't."She felt really let down. "Now I see who you really are after all this time," she sighed. "Let's just finish the divorce quickly." "The decision to divorce is not yours to make. I've already spoken to your father. He'll be here soon. It's best if both our families discuss this together." Melena told her before leaving the room. After Marlena's departure, Madison sat on the floor, emotionally exhausted but still firmly cradling her belly, insisting on her innocence. When Madison's father, Robert Brown, arrived, the sound of their heated argument reached her upstairs. Marlena, who is usually composed, was now vocally defending her son. "I've seen Madison grow up. I never thought she would be so irresponsible." "We've treated her so well, and she's let us down greatly. It might be better for Henry to divorce her quickly. Our family can't be associated with such a scandal." She continued Madison hurried downstairs, her face etched with distress. The muttering and discussions were coming from the kitchen. Seeing her father, she managed to say, "Dad..." Robert looked at his daughter with a grave expression. "Who's the father of the children?" Madison stood frozen, her heart sinking. She wondered in dismay why her father, who had always shown her love, now doubted her. Clenching her fists, she said with conviction, "They're Henry's children, dad." Before Robert could respond, Marlena cut in. "You still won't admit the truth?! ...What do you gain from putting us through all this? Just come clean!" Robert, caught in a whirlwind of emotions, said, "Your mother-in-law may be right. Perhaps it's best to give up the children after birth. "You're young; you'll have your own children someday. Just apologize, and we can put this behind us." "Dad..." Madison said in a very soft, sad tone, "I haven't cheated." She insisted, her voice firm. She didn't know how else to convince them. It was baffling to her why they refused to believe the truth. Robert, looking disappointed, said, "The evidence is clear. Why can't you admit your mistake? I thought I raised you better than this." Robert turned to Marlena with a decisive tone. "I'll convince Madison to give up the children. She and Henry have always had a good relationship. If the children are given up, they won't have to divorce, right?" Yes, sure.." Marlena agreed, seeing this as an opportunity to maintain control over Madison in the future. Robert tried several times to persuade Madison, but she steadfastly refused, determined to keep her children. Frustrated and angry, Robert stormed out of the house. It was then that Henry came down from upstairs, echoing his earlier stance, "Send the children away." Madison, realizing the situation was unchangeable, wiped her tears and faced Henry with resolution. "Let's get a divorce," she said firmly. Henry's expression hardened as he grappled with his emotions. "Would you really choose divorce over giving up the children?" He asked her, Madison, looking at him with a mix of disbelief and scorn, couldn't suppress a bitter laugh. "I didn't see your true colors until now. I'll do whatever it takes to protect my children, with or without you." Despite knowing the truth, Henry remained silent when Marlena and Robert rebuked Madison. He was the architect of the falsehoods that painted her as the villain. He had filled their heads before with lies that played in his favor. Her friends had always admired her for marrying what seemed like a perfect man, but she could never have guessed his true, deceitful nature. She felt deeply betrayed. "Fine," Henry sneered. "We'll divorce, but you're leaving with nothing." "Why!? What do you mean by that? Half of this house is mine, by the way! In a divorce, we should divide our assets equally." She retorted almost immediately. "I'm not accusing you of cheating. Letting you leave without anything is already generous. Don't push your luck," he snapped back. Madison felt really let down. "Now I see who you really are after all this time; I would never have known you could do something as heinous as this," she said, taking a long sigh. "Let's just finish the divorce quickly." "Sure, go ahead. Find your lover," Henry said with biting sarcasm. He always seemed to find the right words that pierced Madison's heart and left her devastated. Pondering if he really was not the man she walked down the aisle with, he felt different. Look, I'm doing this because I care about you, or don't you care about me? I cannot father another man's child; they have to go," he said again with a firm voice.Madison, pained, just stared from the doorway.