Chapter 7 - Linda’s Choice
Officer Hayes escorted Ethan from the room for questioning.
As the door closed, Linda remained near the wall.
Madison expected another excuse or accusation.
Instead, Linda removed the diamond earrings Ethan had purchased.
“Were these bought with your money too?”
Nadia checked one of the receipts in the folder.
“Yes.”
Linda placed the earrings beside the bracelet.
“I didn’t know.”
Madison adjusted Lily’s blanket.
“You didn’t ask.”
The words landed harder than shouting.
Linda sat in the chair beside the window.
“I told him not to answer his phone,” she admitted. “I said you had a doctor and that today should be about me.”
Madison’s eyes filled with tears.
“I was terrified.”
“I know.”
“No, you don’t. I called six times. I kept thinking he would walk through the door before the next contraction. Then I realized I was waiting for someone who had already made his choice.”
Linda lowered her head.
“I helped make him this way.”
Madison remained silent.
“I defended him whenever he hurt someone,” Linda continued. “I told myself he was ambitious. I called his selfishness confidence. I treated you like competition because I was afraid he would stop needing me.”
She looked at Lily.
“And today, when he should have become a father, I asked him to remain a son.”
Madison did not forgive her.
Not then.
But she allowed Linda to look at the baby from across the room.
Linda contacted the hotel and ordered every unopened decoration, gift, and luxury item returned. She gave Nadia access to receipts and messages Ethan had sent about the party.
Most importantly, she agreed to provide a formal statement.
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Ethan had expected his mother to rescue him.
Instead, she became the first person in his family to tell the truth.
