Ethan sat at the café, fiddling with his sleeve.
Madison arrived dressed in a simple ivory blouse and dark slacks—elegant, grounded, unshakable.
“Madison,” he said, rising. “You look… incredible.”
She sat, calm. “I didn’t come back for compliments.”
“I just—what happened? The baby?”
Her voice didn’t tremble.
“Two babies. Caleb and Micah. They’re healthy. Smart. Kind.”
Ethan blinked, stunned. “Twins? Why didn’t you—”
“Because you made your choice. I respected it. But I came back… so my sons could one day see the man who walked away before they were even born.”
His face fell. “So this is… revenge?”
She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“This is clarity.”
