Betrayed by the Father Reborn in His Rival's Arms novel Chapter 518

Madeline looked up, her lips trembling. Should she confess?

He was going to be a father.

A lump formed in her throat.

In that fleeting second, the urge to blurt out the truth reached a fever pitch.

But ultimately, she forced it down.

She lowered her head, pretending to focus on her toast, hiding the sudden rush of tears threatening to spill over.

She chewed, tasting the sweetness of the caramel and butter.

Yet her heart felt like it had been drenched in lemon juice—tart, bitter, and sweet all at once.

The three emotions tangled together until she couldn't tell which was strongest.

Did he know?

No, he didn't.

He had spoken entirely on instinct, driven by his unwavering, fierce need to protect her.

He had said you and your well-being matter more than any of my business plans.

He wasn't testing her. He was simply reassuring her that, no matter what, she was his ultimate priority.

Always.

She knew that.

She had always known.

And that was exactly why she couldn't tell him.

"I know." Swallowing her food, Madeline looked back up, the relaxed, easy smile back in place.