Chapter 22
Blake took another step forward. Whether enduring family punishment or detesting Madeline, he had never shown such vulnerability. Now, seeing the person he’d thought of day and night, he practically wanted to cut out his heart for her to see.
But this display only made Charlotte feel disgusted. The contempt and unfamiliarity in her eyes pierced him mercilessly.
“Mr. Hayes, please show some restraint. If Charlotte had any intention of forgiving you, she wouldn’t have kept her identity hidden all this time. Though I don’t know what happened between you two in the past, Charlotte is an extraordinary person. I imagine you must have done something unforgivable to reach this point.”
Nathan stepped in front of Charlotte at the perfect moment, his gaze equally cold as he delivered his cutting remarks.
These words made Blake tremble, his eyes reddening further.
He looked at the pair before him-Nathan protecting Charlotte, and Charlotte comfortably taking shelter behind him. Was this the kind of relationship she had always wanted?
Blake took one last painful look before reluctantly walking away.
But having finally found Charlotte, he certainly wouldn’t give up so easily. Throughout the entire gala, he kept his eyes firmly fixed on her every move completely ignoring Madeline at his side. To him, once Charlotte showed no interest in Madeline’s apology, the woman had lost all usefulness.
Only when the gala ended and Charlotte left ruthlessly with Nathan did Blake finally withdraw his gaze.
Madeline hurriedly approached him.
‘Blake, now that Charlotte has her own life, you can let her go. We can still start over…”
She looked at him hopefully, her eyes brimming with expectation.
But the moment he faced her, Blake’s gaze turned cold. He said flatly.
‘You can leave.”
‘What…?”
Madeline’s eyes widened in disbelief, her face turning ashen.
‘You can leave. Charlotte doesn’t want your apology. You’re of no value to me anymore.”
He repeated himself, his tone utterly emotionless.
Madeline couldn’t believe her ears. She clutched her stomach tightly.
“But I’m carrying your child!”
Blake remained unmoved, showing neither surprise nor anger. He glanced at Madeline’s abdomen and nodded.,
“I know. Get rid of the child. I’ll give you a settlement, and then we’ll have no further contact.”
“No, Blake, I’m begging you! I’m carrying your child now-can’t you forget about Charlotte? We were so happy together before. We can start over!”
Tears streamed down Madeline’s face, her words full of desperation. She couldn’t imagine who she could depend on if Blake abandoned her.
She fell to her knees, sobbing as she clung to his legs, but Blake only felt exhaustion.
Since Charlotte’s departure, he had recognized his true feelings. He had only allowed Madeline to stay by his side so that when he saw Charlotte again, he could make her happier. But now that she didn’t need this, Madeline had lost her purpose.
As for the child, it was merely an accidental product-he felt no emotional attachment whatsoever. The only person he wanted to have children with
was Charlotte.
His gaze fell heavily upon her as he sighed.
“Isn’t it better to end things this way? These years of mutual torment should come to an end.”
But Madeline acted as if she hadn’t heard, continuing to beg, crying and shaking her head incessantly.
Her pitiful state failed to soften Blake’s heart. He freed himself from her grasp, leaving the woman alone, sobbing on the floor.
From beginning to end, Blake’s gaze hadn’t spared her a single second.
Only when the man truly left, his silhouette no longer visible, did she raise her head.
Madeline’s eyes were filled with hatred. She hated Charlotte-why did she have to return now? If she had given birth to the child, would things have been different?
She also hated Blake himself. If not for him, how could she have fallen to such depths? Everything was his fault!
He had claimed to love her, to protect her, but as soon as Charlotte left, he revealed his true face, throwing her into the midst of online controversy!
She thought of many things, almost wishing she could kill both Charlotte and Blake. Looking at a fruit knife not far away, Madeline considered picking it up several times, but she lacked the courage.
In her current state, she had no capacity to bear such risks.
One was a renowned designer, the other the CEO of the Hayes empire. Only she, after being kicked aside, had nothing left.
After a long while, Madeline clutched her stomach and wailed.
She did what Blake told her and got the abortion. When that tiny bit of her own flesh was ripped out, her eyes went bloodshot, but she was too weak t ight-just had to lie there and take the pain all by herself.
When she emerged from the hospital room, she received the money Blake had sent-a substantial amount, enough to live comfortably for a lifetime.
But her life was destined never to shine brightly again.
