The Day I Stopped Waiting Was the Day He Started Begging novel Chapter 61

"York, Madeline, why aren't you two going in? What are you doing standing around out here? Don't tell me you're fighting again?"

Hearing this, York Yates shot him a lethal glare and delivered a swift kick.

"It's a miracle someone with your mouth hasn't been beaten to death yet. The world really is too forgiving."

Xander Xavier dodged quickly and clicked his tongue.

"Hey, Madeline, I think I just heard York talking about having a little girl. What's this? Has he given up on the child-free idea and decided to have a daughter with you just for fun?"

As he spoke, his eyes were full of teasing and mischief.

Madeline Monroe told herself that ignorance wasn't a crime. She wasn't close to Xander anyway, so there was no need to get angry over his careless words.

While she was still mentally preparing herself, York, as if suddenly losing his mind, leaned in close to her ear.

"Ms. Monroe, what do you think of that proposal?"

York hadn't entertained these thoughts in the past. After all, he was still young. Even though they were newlyweds, Madeline was like a gust of wind—impossible to catch. During the height of their early romance, he had considered having a child.

But reason ultimately prevailed.

Now, though...

That little girl they had just seen was too adorable, reigniting the thought in his mind.

Without hesitation, Madeline raised her elbow and drove it hard into the man's ribs.

The strike carried more than a little of her pent-up frustration.

A daughter?

In his dreams!

If it weren't for York, she wouldn't have to sneak around like a thief while her own daughter was just a few feet away.

The thought made the suffocating weight in Madeline's chest even heavier.

Evie was still sick, and if it weren't for...

"I think it's a terrible idea."

"York, even the guys who grew up with you think you're out of your mind," Madeline scoffed coldly. "When it comes to a sharp tongue, you're right up there."

"Prosecutor Yates' emotional intelligence is comparable to a literal swamp."

Madeline couldn't remember where she had read that line, but it felt so fitting that she blurted it out without thinking.

Instead of getting angry as expected, York's expression shifted. A faint smile appeared in his eyes before he actually laughed out loud.

His laughter left Madeline feeling entirely thrown off.

What was wrong with this psycho? Why was he laughing out of nowhere?

"Maddy, I didn't realize you cared about me so much when I went to San Francisco. You even read the news about me?"

He had thought she'd be thrilled to have him out of the house, living it up and enjoying her freedom.

It was only then that Madeline belatedly realized those exact words had been plastered across the front pages of the San Francisco papers when describing York.

She couldn't help but feel a surge of annoyance. Why did she have to remember those specific words? Seeing York's triumphant smirk made her hands itch with the urge to slap him.