Waking up with my nemesis baby novel Chapter 11

hapter 11

The excitement in his eyes dimmed slightly.

Was she having second thoughts?

“Kevin,” Madeleine said suddenly, her tone serious.

Kevin’s face immediately paled.

“Who bought you these pajamas? You look like a little old man,”

she declared.

Kevin was dumbfounded.

What was she talking about?

He looked down at his dark blue silk pajamas. They were a

simple, classic style without any fancy designs.

They were exactly like the ones Roderick wore.

Did that make Roderick an old man?

“This won’t do. I’m taking you shopping tomorrow for some new

clothes. You’re much too cute to be dressed so plainly. It’s

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practically a crime.”

She had wanted to complain when she saw him in that stuffy

little suit jacket earlier in the day–it was far too formal and not

at all suitable for a child his age.

“Why are you still standing there? Aren’t you cold? Come over

here. I’ve warmed up your side of the bed.”

She patted the empty space beside her, her own heart fluttering

with a mix of anticipation and excitement.

She got to sleep cuddling such an adorable little boy tonight.

The very thought of it made her incredibly happy. No one had

ever told her that having a child–and skipping all the pain of

childbirth–could feel this wonderful.

Kevin was overjoyed. His face lit up as he scrambled onto the

bed toward her.

It was so warm and carried a faint, pleasant fragrance. Was this

what Mommy smelled like?

He had never felt happier.

“Alright, Kev, time for sleep. Tomorrow, after we get up, we’ll go

shopping, and then you’ll accompany me to a performance in

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the evening. Sound good?”

“Yes!”

“Great. Now, time for some bedtime stories,” Madeleine

offered.

Kevin stared at her, his eyes wide.

Really? Was she going to tell him stories? Roderick was always

the one who did that.

Having no experience in coaxing a child to sleep, Madeleine

thought for a moment and began telling him classic tales like

Snow White and Little Red Riding Hood.

But he listened with rapt attention, occasionally interrupting to

ask, “And then what happened?”

She was surprised. “You’ve never heard these stories before?”

He shook his head.

“Daddy has never told me any of these.”

“Then what does he tell you?”

Thinking for a while, Kevin answered, “Lately? ‘Einstein’s

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Autobiography“.”

Madeleine was rendered speechless.

The world had truly gone mad.

Roderick had been the most rebellious and unruly child she knew. How, during the years she couldn’t remember, had he morphed into such a serious figure?

Kevin was just a little boy. Why did he need to know about Einstein’s life? This was the age for him to be filled with fairy

tales!

“Kev,” she promised, “if you like the stories I tell, I’ll tell you one every single day from now on. How does that sound?”

Kevin was on the verge of tears.

This felt like a dream–a wonderful, happy dream.

Why else would Madeleine suddenly be so kind to him?

He fought back the tears and nodded vigorously.

After she finished another story, they both yawned, nestling close to each other before drifting into a deep, sound sleep.

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Even as he fell asleep, Kevin kept a tight grip on Madeleine’s

finger, afraid that if he let go, he would wake up and find it all

had been a dream.

At 5:30 a.m. in Phelrania.

The plane touched down. Roderick and Gerry switched on their

phones simultaneously.

A bank notification about his card being used abroad

immediately popped up on Roderick’s screen, which he

forwarded to Gerry. Within five minutes, Gerry had traced the

transaction to a downtown hotel.

In a hotel…

With each step, Roderick’s footsteps grew heavier, a bitterness

so profound it threatened to suffocate him.

Madeleine came all this way just for Edward.

“How many rooms did she book?”

“One…”

Before Gerry could finish speaking, Roderick halted abruptly, his

eyes burning with fury.

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Only one room? Where was Kevin supposed to be?

Was Madeleine so shameless that she would bring Kevin with her while she was doing it with Edward?

He knew her. She’d probably left Kevin waiting outside the door!

“Madeleine, how could you? How could you be so heartless?”

He cursed under his breath, his eyes reddening.

He knew she didn’t love him, but to treat Kevin with such cruelty… Kevin had never done anything to deserve this.

Following behind, Gerry felt a lump form in his own throat, his eyes distressed as he watched Roderick’s rigid back.

He didn’t understand. Roderick was exceptional in every way.

Why was his affection fixated solely on Madeleine?

Was it merely because they were childhood sweethearts? Yet,

she had shattered his heart so ruthlessly…

“To the hotel,” Roderick commanded.

“OK.”

Gerry nodded and quickly retrieved the car from the airport, a

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sense of unease growing inside him.

He was now driving Roderick to catch Madeleine in the act. Now, only one thought filled his mind–would he be silenced

afterwards?

He could only hope the impending confrontation wouldn’t be

too ugly.