Chapter 7 - Birthday Freedom
At the cabin, Ryan tried not to think about his phone.
Madison poured another drink and sat beside him near the fireplace.
“You look miserable,” she said.
“My mother won’t stop calling.”
“Then turn off your phone.”
“I did.”
Madison smiled and rested her head against his shoulder.
This was what Ryan had wanted.
Freedom.
No crying baby. No exhausted wife. No bottles on the counter. No conversations about bills, appointments, or responsibilities.
Yet the cabin no longer felt exciting.
On Saturday morning, Ryan saw Catherine’s message informing him that Emma was in the hospital.
He told himself that if the situation were truly serious, Catherine would provide more information.
On Saturday afternoon, he considered calling.
Madison convinced him to wait.
“She’s probably trying to ruin your weekend,” Madison said.
Ryan nodded because it was easier than admitting he was afraid.
By Sunday, photographs from the party had spread across social media. One showed Madison kissing his cheek. Another showed them sitting together beneath a blanket.
Ryan asked Madison to delete them.
“Why?” she asked. “You said your marriage was practically over.”
“I said things were difficult.”
“You told me Emma didn’t understand you.”
“She doesn’t.”
“You said you were leaving her.”
Ryan had said many things during the weeks before the trip. He had told Madison he felt trapped. He had complained that Emma cared more about Ethan than she cared about him.
He had not expected Madison to remember every promise.
On Monday morning, Ryan packed early.
Madison stood in the cabin doorway.
“When will I see you again?”
“I need to fix things at home.”
Her expression changed.
“Fix things with Emma?”
“My son is involved.”
“So everything you said was a lie?”
Ryan pushed past her.
He drove home rehearsing his apology.
He would say he had misunderstood the seriousness of Emma’s condition. He would claim his phone lost service. He would blame stress, alcohol, and panic.
Emma had forgiven him before.
She would forgive him again.
May you like
When Ryan entered the nursery and saw the empty bassinet, his rehearsed apology vanished.
For the first time, there was no one waiting to accept it.
